The Course

WHY A NEW COURSE?

Anticipated changes at Nazareth, the long-time host site for the race, made possible the search for a new location and new courses.

START/FINISH/CELEBRATION CITY

The Start/Finish of the 2020 Race, along with the location of Celebration City – all on the campus of Western Michigan University — will be announced soon. A big thank you to WMU for hosting this event. Western has long been an important sponsor and partner of the race.

THE COURSES

Half of the marathon course will be held in the City of Portage, with most of those miles on the Portage Creek Bicentennial Park Trail. Heading west-southwest from WMU, the course again this year takes advantage of the hospitality of the Winchell neighborhood. The 10K and half marathon this year will go going through the famed “Bacon Station” on Waite Street. Marathoners, instead, will head for Portage. The 5K course is very close to the WMU campus. Runners will go through Oshtemo and Township. Kalamazoo’s East Side, Kalamazoo Township and the City of Parchment are no longer on the course. Also absent this coming year is the downtown Kalamazoo Mall. Another big thank you to officials in local governmental agencies, along with engineering, traffic and public safety officials in those units who help create a course that is safe, minimally disruptive to neighbors, businesses and churches.

When course design is complete, certification will begin and the Kalamazoo Marathon will continue to be a Boston Qualifier.

Marathon Challenges

Fifty-State Challenge

Be the first registrant from your state and win free race registration, a new pair of  running shoes, and VIP perks.

Earn your Mittens

Michigan and Wisconsin, affectionately known as “The Mitten States,” are working hand-in-hand to bring you a unique opportunity. The Kalamazoo Marathon has partnered with the Wisconsin Marathon to offer this double marathon challenge — 2 Marathons in 2 Days — are you up for the challenge?.

How to Register

Click here to register online.

If you are unable to register on-line you can request a paper registration form by emailing bobbie@borgessrun.com. Note there is an additional $5 processing fee for paper registrations.

Late registration, in person, is available Saturday, May 2 during packet pickup at the Expo. This is your last opportunity to register, as there is no day-of-race registration.

View Fee Schedule
Packet Pickup

Packet Pickup for all Sunday events will be on Saturday, May 2 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Location TBD) If you are not able to make it to the Expo on Saturday, someone else can pick up your packet for you.

Packet Pickup will also be available at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 3 on Western Michigan University campus. If you have to get your packet on Sunday please allow plenty of time due to heavy traffic and parking delays.