Registration for the event is now closed.  We have to end registration early to get an accurate count for the number of participants due to the rigorous standards set by Guinness. 

We welcome anyone and everyone to participate in the barefoot running workshop that will precede the World Record Run (see below.)

 The festivities will begin Friday afternoon at a local high school (Kenowa Hills High School, 3825 Hendershot Ave., Grand Rapids, MI 49544) where the record will officially be set. We will run the Fifth Third Riverbank Run Saturday morning, then meet up Saturday afternoon/evening in downtown Grand Rapids for food and drinks.  This is our tentative schedule:

Friday, May 7th, World Record Day!

• 4:30 pm- Free barefoot running clinic/workshop in the Kenowa Hills High School cafeteria.  There are parking lots on both the east and west side of the school; the east parking lot allows for easier access to both the cafeteria and track. 

• 6:00 pm- head to track, pre-race activities

• 6:30 pm- World Record Race begins (see race details below)

• 7:00 pm- Kenowa Hills Knights 5K Fun Run (for those that need a little more running)

Saturday, May 8th, Fifth Third Riverbank Run

• 7:30 am- 5k starts

• 8:00 am- 10k starts

• 8:20 am- 25k starts

• 8:45 am- 5k walk starts

• 8:00am-1:30pm- Riverbank Run post-party

• 3:00 pm- Start of Barefoot Runner Post Race party at HopCats in downtown Grand Rapids (25 Ionia Avenue Southwest Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4179 (616) 451-4677)

There are several organizations involved, including Barefoot Running University, the Grand Rapids Barefoot Running Group, and the soon-to-be-launched Barefoot Runners Society. 

World Record Race Details- The actual Guinness™ record-setting race on Friday night will be a non-competitive 200 meter race on an outdoor 400 meter track (we will run a half lap.)  We were originally planning on using the actual Fifth Third race to set the record, but the standards set by Guinness requires us to use a closed course.  The 200 meter race was set up to allow us to set the record and still be able to run the Fifth Third the next day.

Participation Requirements

Given the planning needed for this event, we have very specific guidelines.  We have a registration deadline set for Wednesday, May 5th.  We need to set this registration deadline for planning purposes.  Shirts are available to commemorate the event.  Shirts will be avaialble at the workshop prior to the race.

The shirts are being designed and produced by a group of students at Kenowa Hills High School.  All proceeds from the shirts will help fund the school's non-athletic extracurricular clubs.  These groups do not have the benefit of community booster programs.  As such, funding is always inadequate.  You will be helping many great kids!

1. Read the guidelines for participating in this event (opens a pdf file in another window)

2. Complete the Participation Information Form Wednesday, May 5th.  We need this information to contact you if needed prior to the event.  Each separate participant needs their own form.  There is no age limit on registration. [registration is now closed]

3. Shirts are $10 each. Shirts will be available to purchase at the free barefoot running workshop prior to the world record run.

4. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jason Robillard here.  Check this page for periodic updates.

FREE BAREFOOT RUNNING WORKSHOP!  On Thursday, April 15th we will be offering a free workshop to help people prepare for the event.  Details can be found on out "clinics" page.

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