Grand Rapids Marathon

Grand Rapids, MI, USA · October 17, 2027·
partly-cloudy-day45°·55° high·Breezy·Dry
10
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Grand Rapids Marathon race day weather

partly-cloudy-day
45°at start
58° high
Breezy
Dry
Your goal
0:00:00

Cool temps, steady winds ahead

Runners will face a temperature rise from 45°F at the start to 55°F by the finish, with average humidity at 68%. Winds will be light to moderate, with a crosswind in the early miles transitioning to a tailwind from miles 12 to 15, and again from 20 to 26. Adjusting pace during the headwind stretches (Miles 4-10 and 16-17) will be crucial for maintaining energy.

Race day forecast available in 327 days
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Pace Calculator

26.2mi
0:00:00
HH:MM:SS
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Grand Rapids Marathon route and elevation

The Grand Rapids Marathon course has about 194 ft (59 m) of climbing and 206 ft (63 m) of descent, a net drop of about 12 ft (4 m). It is flatter than 75% of the marathon courses racecast.io has mapped, measured by what the hills cost in time. It has no steep miles: no mile climbs more than 50 ft (15 m).

What the hills cost

  • 3:30 on a flat course is about 3:30:25 here (25 seconds slower).
  • 4:00 on a flat course is about 4:00:30 here (30 seconds slower).
  • 4:30 on a flat course is about 4:30:30 here (30 seconds slower).

Hills only, priced mile by mile on the course map. The pace calculator above adds the race-day weather.

Even-effort splits for a 3:30, 4:00 or 4:30 finish
The Grand Rapids Marathon mile splits at even effort for three finish times, with each mile's climb and descent
MileClimbDescent3:304:004:30
111 ft10 ft8:009:0810:17
26 ft7 ft7:599:0810:17
38 ft4 ft8:029:1110:19
41 ft7 ft7:589:0710:15
58 ft8 ft8:009:0810:17
618 ft11 ft8:039:1210:21
736 ft17 ft8:099:1910:29
816 ft29 ft7:579:0410:12
949 ft22 ft8:139:2410:34
1013 ft47 ft7:518:5910:06
114 ft20 ft7:569:0410:12
1241 ft31 ft8:059:1310:23
1317 ft22 ft7:589:0710:15
149 ft14 ft7:589:0710:15
1510 ft11 ft8:009:0810:17
164 ft2 ft8:009:0810:17
175 ft6 ft7:599:0810:16
185 ft9 ft7:599:0710:16
199 ft6 ft8:019:1010:18
208 ft5 ft8:019:1010:18
212 ft3 ft7:599:0810:17
2215 ft8 ft8:039:1210:21
2311 ft11 ft8:009:0810:17
2415 ft8 ft8:039:1210:21
2510 ft14 ft7:599:0710:15
2611 ft10 ft8:009:0910:18
Last 0.21 ft1 ft1:472:022:17

Explore the Grand Rapids Marathon course with the weather and your pace along the route, or compare it with other races.

Race Plan

Get your personalized Grand Rapids Marathon race plan

A mile-by-mile breakdown of where your time goes, weather-adjusted splits, fueling timeline with aid stations, packing checklist, carb tracker, spectator guide, all built around your goal and race-day conditions.

Race Pace
Weather Splits
Nutrition
Gear & Packing
T-Minus
Carb Tracker
Spectator Guide
Race Band

About the Grand Rapids Marathon

The Grand Rapids Marathon is run on a Sunday in October in Grand Rapids, Michigan, starting and finishing near the David D. Hunting YMCA on Lake Michigan Drive. The course loops through downtown and crosses the Sixth Street Bridge, then heads out to the trails of Millennium Park and an out-and-back on Indian Mounds Road. It is USATF certified, mostly flat apart from a few rises between miles 7 and 12, and a Boston Marathon qualifier. A half marathon, a marathon relay and the Run Thru The Rapids 5K and 10K start the same morning. Wikipedia

Race weekend

Sunday, October 17
8:00 AMMarathon (26.2 mi)
8:00 AMHalf Marathon (13.1 mi)
8:00 AMRelay Marathon (26.2 mi)
8:20 AM10K (6.2 mi)8:30 AM5K (3.1 mi)

Grand Rapids Marathon FAQ

When is the 2027 Grand Rapids Marathon?

The 2027 Grand Rapids Marathon will be held on Sunday October 17, 2027.

Is the Grand Rapids Marathon a Boston Marathon Qualifier?

Yes, the Grand Rapids Marathon is an official Boston Marathon qualifier.

What will the weather be like for the 2027 Grand Rapids Marathon?

The forecast calls for a high of 61°F and a low of 44°F with a 13% chance of rain.

What is the elevation gain of the Grand Rapids Marathon?

The Grand Rapids Marathon course has about 194 ft (59 m) of climbing and 206 ft (63 m) of descent, a net drop of about 12 ft (4 m).

Is the Grand Rapids Marathon flat?

Yes. It has about 7 ft (2 m) of climbing per mile, and no mile climbs more than 50 ft (15 m). 4:00 on a flat course is about 4:00:30 here (30 seconds slower). It is flatter than 75% of the marathon courses racecast.io has mapped, measured by what the hills cost in time.

What is the weather usually like for the Grand Rapids Marathon?

Over the 20 years racecast.io has race-day weather for (2006 to 2026), it averaged 42°F at the start and 54°F by a typical finish. Rain fell during race hours in 3 of those years (2011, 2017 and 2025).

What was the hottest Grand Rapids Marathon?

Of the 20 years on record, 2024 was the warmest, reaching 67°F during race hours. The coldest start was 2009, at 28°F.

What was the windiest Grand Rapids Marathon?

Of the 20 years on record, 2017 was the windiest, with wind averaging 21 mph during race hours. The calmest was 2007, at 3 mph.

Grand Rapids Marathon weather history

Based on 20 years of data
Avg Temp
47°F
L:41° H:54°
RunScore
9
Conditions
Rain Freq
15%
3 of 20 yrs
Wind8mph
Dew39°F

Temperature History

Range of temperatures during race hours for each year.

Detailed History

YearConditionsLow / HighRainScoreResults
2026
clear-day
40°/55°-
9
2025
rain
53°/57°Light
7
2024
partly-cloudy-night
51°/67°-
7
2023
cloudy
45°/51°-
10
2022
partly-cloudy-day
41°/50°-
10
2021
partly-cloudy-day
46°/60°-
9
2019
cloudy
51°/62°-
8
2018
cloudy
37°/39°-
10
2017
rain
54°/67°Light
5
2016
clear-night
38°/58°-
9
2015
partly-cloudy-day
33°/48°-
10
2014
partly-cloudy-night
30°/48°-
10
2013
partly-cloudy-night
38°/49°-
10
2012
clear-night
39°/57°-
10
2011
rain
49°/57°Light
10
2010
partly-cloudy-day
41°/58°-
10
2009
partly-cloudy-day
28°/46°-
10
2008
partly-cloudy-night
41°/55°-
9
2007
partly-cloudy-night
33°/50°-
10
2006
partly-cloudy-night
38°/46°-
9