Changes for Fifth Third River Bank Run

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - There are some big changes on tap for this year's Fifth Third River Bank Run in Grand Rapids.

The 36th annual event will be May 11 and features the largest 25K road race in the country, a10K run, a 5K run, a 5K walk, and junior events. More than 21,000 participants are expected.

This year there will be a 25K relay in which participants can have two or three runners. The leadoff person will have the hardest task with the first leg of the course being more than 6.5 miles. The next leg is a little more than five miles. The person running the anchor leg gets the shortest route, which is about 3.5 miles.

If there are two runners, then one has to take on two consecutive legs.

Also brand new to this year's event --

• 5K wheelchair and handcycle divisions
• A $5,000 American Record Bonus has been added to the prize purse. The first male and/or female athlete to set a new confirmed American record on the United States of America Track & Field-certified 25K course will win $5,000 in addition to their first-place check.
• The Event Alert System (EAS) communicates the status of course conditions to participants on race day. The levels range from Low (green) to Moderate (yellow) to High (red) to Extreme (black) based on a variety of factors, including weather conditions. Email and website communications during race week will inform participants of the current EAS status and provide preparation tips based on advance weather forecasts. Updates will be made at the Fifth Third River Bank Run Sports and Fitness Expo via handouts at the Participant Packet Pickup area and public address announcements. On race day, the current EAS status will be communicated via public address announcements, and color-coded signs/flags at the start and finish lines and along the course at aid stations.