The Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon registration numbers for the full and half marathon skyrocketed from 1,696 runners to the astounding number of 2,239 closing with an ultimate number of over 2,400 registered participants. The increase in participants can be attributed to the unfortunate events of the Chicago Marathon with at least 376 Illinois residents registering after the cancellation of the Chicago Marathon.

One of the many special interest stories occurring during the Grand Rapids Marathon weekend was the story of Neil Sauter. Mr. Sauter was raising money for United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan by trying to break the world record of walking a marathon on stilts in a time of less than 8 hours, 57 minutes and 58 seconds held by 48 year old Bill Coleman of Denver, Colorado. Mr. Sauter started the marathon one hour early and managed to finish the race in 7 hours, 23 minutes and 1 second thereby breaking the world record by more than an hour.

Race director, Don Kern, was instrumental in pulling all the necessary components together which included volunteers. According to Kern, "I've had the privilege of working with perhaps the finest marathon staff in history. They love running. They love runners. They love what they're doing."

The Grand Rapids Marathon was founded to deliver a fun, highly personal, authentic race experience, particularly for runners who value a well-organized, personal experience over the chaotic, crowded fields of "big city" races through "concrete canyons." Kern delivered this and more to the many new runners who plan to participate again next year.