By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
Amway River Bank Run organizers announced this week that the 2021 event date has changed from May 8 to Oct. 23 in downtown Grand Rapids. The decision to move the 44th iteration of the annual event was made after careful consideration and consultation with local health professionals, including health partner Spectrum Health.
The specific event details and safety procedures are still being finalized and will be communicated as they are confirmed. Organizers believe delaying the event to October from its usual second Saturday in May date will allow the occasion to resemble more closely what participants and spectators have come to expect from Grand Rapids’ signature outdoor sporting event.
“The safety of the runners, volunteers and supporters has always been at the center of every decision we’ve made regarding last year’s and this year’s event,” said Russ Hines, owner, Riverbank Events and Media, which owns and operates the annual event. “Even though we do expect there to still be COVID-19 safety precautions in place this October, we felt that it was in everyone’s best interest to allow more time to be comfortable with an in-person event.”
Participants that registered for the May 8 date will automatically be confirmed for the Oct. 23 event.
The social distancing required to prevent the spread of COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the 2020 in-person event, but as more people have learned how to manage social distancing, and giving more time for participants to be vaccinated, run officials believe a later 2021 in-person event is prudent.
“We feel delaying this year’s event to allow more participants and volunteers to be vaccinated will give us the chance to offer a safer and responsible in-person event,” Amway River Bank Run race director David Madiol said. “We continue to be very grateful for the community’s support this past year and look forward to seeing people’s smiles downtown next October, even if they’re behind masks!”
“We commend and support Amway River Bank Run organizers in moving the event to the fall and balancing the desire to ‘return to normal’ with the need to protect the health and safety of participants and the community at large. We look forward to partnering on a successful race,” said Spectrum Health president and CEO Tina Freese Decker.
Anyone interested in receiving race details can sign up for an email newsletter at https://amwayriverbankrun.com/enews-signup/. Questions can be emailed to runinfo@amwayriverbankrun.com.
