Brian Diemer Family of Races 2026 — Grand Rapids, MI

Brian Diemer 5k is celebrating their 36th year ! We are happy to return to in 2026 to celebrate our 36th year, so come run again with the three time Olympian, Brian Diemer on our flat, fast 5k course. We are bringing back 6 live bands on our course, the kids runs, handcycle, My Team Triumph, and a large prize money purse. Per usual - if you beat Brian, you win a donut! New this year is the Special Olympics Sprint for Inclusion ! This 100 meter dash is open to everyone and takes place right before the start of the 5K. Great way to warm up, while raising support for our area's Special Olympics organization. Check out the 2025 pictures from Stellafly and Jamie Geysbeek Photography . Time Line: Friday: June 12 4-7pm Packet Pickup at Legacy Christian School, 67 68th Street, Grand Rapids, MI 49548 Saturday: June 13 67 68th Street, Legacy Christian School: 7:00am-8:15am Registration and packet pick-up. 7:30am-68th Street closes in front of Legacy Christian School 8:15am- Special Olympics of west Michigan Sprint for Inclusion. 8:28am- Handcycle and My Team Triumph Start. 8:30am- 5k run and walk start. 9:30am- Course Closes 9:30am (or as soon as we can finalize them)- Awards Table Opens on the Soccer Field 10:15am-10:45am-Kid’s Steeplechase (Soccer Field) More 2026 Details: The t-shirt order will be placed on May 26. Athletes registering after May 26 will not be guaranteed a race shirt or preferred size. A limited quantity will be available on race day on a first come, first serve basis. Age Group awards will be given to top 4 in each age group, prize money winners will be removed from age group awards. Must be present to pick up your award. Awards will be available for pickup at Gazelle Sports 28th street location starting Monday, for two weeks. The Kid’s run will be held on the Legacy Christian School's soccer field as always, we will have a rolling start beginning at 10:15 am-10:45am. There will be a staging area and we will start smaller groups in waves. This race is event is suggested for kids 10 and under, steeple jumps are optional. The Bands are Back! Six bands - from blues to hill billy rock to a drum line, they are coming to rock your morning. So leave your headphones at home and unplug yourself while you speed through the fast 5K course. We look forward to seeing you out there! Elite Athletes/Prize Money: If you are interested in competing for prize money or qualify for an elite entry then contact Rob Hyde at robhyde97@gmail.com . Space will be limited so first come, first serve. Times standards for Elite entries are: Women-18:00 or faster, Masters Women-19:15 or faster. Men- 15:00 or faster, Masters 16:15. All Prize money placements will be based off of gun time not chip time! Prize money for this year's prize purse: Women/Men Open: 1st=$550, 2nd=$400, 3rd=$300, 4th=$200, 5th=$150, 6th=$100, 7th=$80, 8th=$70, 9th=$60, 10th=$50. Masters Women/Men (40+): 1st=$450, 2nd=$300, 3rd=$200, 4th=$150, 5th=$100. Grand Masters Women/Men (50+): 1st=$100. Handcycle Women/Men Open: 1st=$300, 2nd=$200, 3rd=$100 (In order to win prize money there must be a participant that places behind you in the results). Prize money will be mailed at a later date. Bring your photo ID to make sure you can identify who you are and fill out needed tax forms. Drug Testing for Elite Athletes: To be eligible for prize money you must bring a valid id and fill out the appropriate tax forms. All athletes that earn prize money will have their names given to USADA, WADA, and or USAT&F to verify that athletes are not on a banned list. Prize money will be mailed at a later date. Cancellation Policy : In the event of severe weather, we will delay and still hold the event safely if possible. Then resume given we have time before roads need to be open to traffic again at 10:30 am. We will cancel our event if severe weather threatens the safety of our participants and it is clear delaying is not an option; sorry-no refunds. Should cancellation occur due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, there will be no deferrals, but we will make the event virtual. Again, our plan is to put on a live event and we will doing everything we can to make sure this happens.