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Groundhog Day Marathon

Name: Groundhog Day Marathon
Start: 2027-02-05
End: 2027-02-06
Location: Walker

Walker, Michigan, United States

05 Feb, 2027 – 06 Feb, 2027 94 days left

runsignup.com

Date 05 Feb – 06 Feb, 2027

Races 5 distances

Entry fee $64.00 – $129.00

Runner rating Be the first to rate

Website Official website

Groundhog Day Marathon

About the event

We’ve all heard of Punxsutawney Phil, the little furry guy in Pennsylvania who comes out, sees his shadow, and declares six more weeks of winter. Then there’s Augustus T. Groundhog, better known as Grand Rapids Gus. He’s Phil’s much more interesting cousin. Unlike Phil, who it seems can only see shadows, Gus has much better eyesight and can look at a calendar on February 2 and know that spring doesn’t start for six weeks. Gus suggested that instead of lamenting over six more weeks of winter, we should EMBRACE the cold and snow and do something fun. And so, the Groundhog Day Marathon was born.

The modified course for 2024 was pretty popular. We've certified the new course, so we'll be starting behind the pavilion this year again. Looking forward to seeing you in 2027!

EARLY START--If you're planning to be running more than about 6 hours, please start at the 7:00 am early start. The normal start is at 8:00 am

The Basics
It’s a winter running event, outside Grand Rapids Michigan. YES! THERE WILL PROBABLY BE LOTS OF SNOW ON THE COURSE.

The Friday and Saturday beginning of February. In 2027, it's February 5-6.

It’s more fun than you should have with your clothes on. (And we DEFINITELY suggest you keep your clothes on!)

Our Events

Friday - Moonlight 1/6 Marathon on Groundhog Eve: WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 1/6 MARATHON! Hey, we’re going to be set up anyway, no sense in just long-distance people having all the fun. Two loops of the course. 6:30 p.m. Friday. 300 Runner limit.

Saturday - Marathon: Like the movie, you’ll feel like you’re repeating the same day over and over. A beautiful, snowy (we hope), approximately 2.2 mile course. Splits every 1/12th of a marathon. 8:00 a.m. Saturday. 500 Runner limit combined for full and half marathons

Saturday - Half Marathon: For those of you who couldn’t stay awake through the whole movie. Only six times around.

Course
Ever see the movie? The course will give you the opportunity to relive the same day several times. A total of 12 loops of approximately 2.18 miles on a CERTIFIED course (Yes! You can qualify for Boston!) will have you feeling just a little case of deja vu. Aid stations at 1 mile plus the finish line area. Don’t plan on the course being free of snow. It’s paved, which means no underlying rocks and roots, but that’s about all we’re promising.

Swag - Every participant will get an awesome hoodie, finisher medal. Whole and Half-Hog get a stocking cap as well.

Training Partner - And our Official Training Program for Groundhog

RunGR is our largest local running club and has multiple coaches, who provide training programs for all of our races. With a club of more than 300 runners, the club provides a great opportunity to not only get a coaching plan, but also do your training with a large group of local athletes. RunGR will be offering a training plan, specific to Groundhog distances, as well as a prorated membership, known as their FAST program, so you can try out the club for 20 weeks. https://rungr.com/

For our Official Training Program, CLICK

Hotels & Travel.
Our airport is GRR. Look for hotels HERE

This is a middle of the freakin' winter thing. Weather could suck. (Usually does.) You do know we're in Michigan, right? So register at your own risk. There are no refunds, deferrals until Friday of race weekend, no transfers. If there's a snowstorm of Biblical proportions, we'll have a snow date the next Saturday. If it's still not possible to hold the event, we'll give people registered for this year a 50% credit on next year's event.

You can transfer from one event to another--look yourself up and bring up your record. You'll have to pay the difference between the events. No refunds.

Contacts:
(Note--if you write with a question that's very plainly stated on the page, the email may get a low priority)

Race Director: Don Kern donkern1@gmail.com 616 293 3145
Volunteer Coordinator: Stephanie Cornwell, happy.steph.1976@gmail.com
Mailing Address: 1170 Oakburn Ave SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Races offered

05Feb

1/6 Marathon WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Running

Distance: 4.37 Miles
Start time: 18:30
Entry fee: $64.00

05Feb

Half Hog (1/6 plus Half)

Running

Distance: 17.47 Miles
Start time: 18:30
Entry fee: $119.00

05Feb

Whole Hog (1/6 plus Full)

Running

Distance: 30.57 Miles
Start time: 18:30
Entry fee: $129.00

06Feb

Half Marathon

Running

Distance: 13.1 Miles
Start time: 08:00
Entry fee: $89.00

06Feb

Marathon

Running

Distance: 26.2 Miles
Start time: 08:00
Entry fee: $99.00

Weather history

3-year monthly averages for February in Walker.

Temperature-5.6° / 2.8°

Feels like-10.7° / -2.1°

Sunshine hours6h 6m

Rainfall1.9 mm

Snowfall0.4 cm

Wind13.4 km/h (Gentle breeze)

Humidity74.5%

Max UV indexModerate (3.0)

Sweat lossLow

Course conditionsFirm and slightly soft

Sunrise08:39

Sunset19:12

About Walker

Learn more about the host city, Walker.

Walker is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A suburb of Grand Rapids, Walker borders the city to the north and west. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 25,132.

Things to do nearby

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Race results

Official finishing times from previous editions of Groundhog Day Marathon.

Place	Name	Gender	Age	City	Time
🥇	Evan Groendyk	M	26	Grand Rapids, MI	1:29:44.47
🥈	Bret Austin	M	46	Edgerton, WI	1:30:12.54
🥉	Brandon Yonke	M	19	Allendale, MI	1:31:30.49
4	James Bradshaw	M	26	Saint Joseph, MI	1:32:58.2
5	Jesse Aukeman	M	27	Byron Center, MI	1:33:15.26
6	Curt Cotner	M	42	Muskegon, MI	1:34:01.36
7	Jeff Gustinis	M	39	Grand Rapids, MI	1:35:23.74
8	Dan Vandenakker	M	26	Grand Rapids, MI	1:39:32.96
9	Janet Becker	F	39	Rockford, MI	1:44:15.29
10	Dennis Barber	M	53	Grand Rapids, MI	1:49:50.21
11	Paul Stam	M	21	Grand Rapids, MI	1:49:58.11
12	Mike Lubbers	M	39	Kalamazoo, MI	1:50:46.63
13	Richard Reiffer	M	35	Middleville, MI	1:51:07.12
14	Kevin Neumann	M	29	Grand Rapids, MI	1:51:58.77
15	Christen McCool	F	32	Portage, MI	1:52:00.4
16	Benjamin Mier	M	31	West Olive, MI	1:52:21
17	James Watson	M	27	Grand Rapids, MI	1:52:44.12
18	Michael Steenwyk	M	43	Zeeland, MI	1:53:41.11
19	Mark Tafelski	M	42	Grand Haven, MI	1:55:03.9
20	Liesl Muehlhauser	F	26	Niles, MI	1:56:25.86
21	Nancy Agrillo	F	45	Grand Rapidss, MI	1:56:54.59
22	Erik Ripley	M	33	Grand Rapids, MI	1:58:10.83
23	John Heemstra	M	37	Zeeland, MI	1:58:21.27
24	Mary Eyke	F	38	Muskegon, MI	1:58:54.72
25	Thomas Claflin	M	64	Brighton, MI	1:59:20.61
26	Barrett Walquist	M	22	Grand Rapids, MI	2:00:01.15
27	Carmen Brower	F	38	West Olive, MI	2:00:01.51
28	Michael Rouvina	M	33	Wheaton, IL	2:00:25.26
29	Sam Lampe	M	53	Grand Rapids, MI	2:00:26.23
30	Stacy Oldenberg	M	43	Grand Rapids, MI	2:00:31.8
31	Dan Molloy	M	31	Grand Rapids, MI	2:00:43.71
32	John Olbrot	M	64	Kalamazoo, MI	2:00:57.75
33	Shawn Roth	M	38	Grand Rapids, MI	2:01:26.17
34	Ivan Dzombak	M	52	Pinckney, MI	2:01:26.45
35	Valerie Shurlow Petre	F	38	Holland, MI	2:01:26.95
36	Christopher Altruda	M	40	Gurnee, IL	2:01:30.3
37	Jason Robinson	M	37	Grandville, MI	2:02:02.65
38	Justin Ekkel	M	32	Grand Rapids, MI	2:02:17.68
39	Luke Rookus	M	20	Wayland, MI	2:02:24
40	Kevin Steely	M	54	Richland, MI	2:02:32.43
41	Chris Kahila	M	39	Centreville, MI	2:03:10.68
42	Jean Seward	F	48	Muskegon, MI	2:03:29.57
43	Kevin Garnett	M	41	Holland, MI	2:03:42.54
44	John Mathis	M	39	Grand Rapids, MI	2:03:47.84
45	Noah Mooney	M	19	Grand Rapids, MI	2:04:02.78
46	Shaun Howard	M	28	Grand Rapids, MI	2:04:16.82
47	Matt Wittenberg	M	29	Portage, MI	2:05:25.08
48	Bonnie Durbin	F	26	Whitmore Lake, MI	2:05:26.96
49	Bobby Klinesteker	M	45	Kalamazoo, MI	2:06:00.92
50	Allan Tobey	M	43	Grand Rapids, MI	2:06:36.25

Place	Name	Gender	Age	City	Time
🥇	Matthew Urbanski	M	32	Seattle, WA	2:58:33.73
🥈	Jake Gillette	M	26	Goshen, IN	3:12:34.7
🥉	Christopher Gregory	M	32	Lansing, MI	3:14:46.33
4	Miles Oschwald	M	26	Milwaukee, WI	3:15:30.32
5	Alexander Best	M	24	Holland, MI	3:18:01.5
6	David Giammar	M	41	Columbus, OH	3:24:30.11
7	Isaac Newhof	M	33	Caledonia, MI	3:28:55.59
8	Will Mapes	M	20	Sanford, MI	3:29:29.17
9	Michael Nelson	M	44	Holland, MI	3:39:00.03
10	Matt Frazier	M	33	Midland, MI	3:42:11.84
11	Brent Bauer	M	31	Zeeland, MI	3:44:46.19
12	Scott Belland	M	39	Caledonia, MI	3:45:24.7
13	Travis Ault	M	33	Belmont, MI	3:50:06.32
14	Todd Losee	M	45	Spring Lake, MI	3:53:26.09
15	Brian Steinberg	M	34	Grand Rapids, MI	3:54:53.03
16	Matthew Mehalko	M	30	Hudsonville, MI	3:56:05.46
17	Lisa Altman	F	38	Saint Joseph, MI	3:58:08.89
18	Michael O'Hearn	M	52	Saint Joseph, MI	3:58:09.11
19	Ben Kroese	M	40	Grand Rapids, MI	3:58:23.68
20	Tim Buckingham	M	52	Big Rapids, MI	3:58:40.81
21	Scott Whisler	M	38	Caledonia, MI	3:58:48.95
22	Peter Cooper	M	52	Pontiac, MI	3:59:23.56
23	Scott Vanloo	M	39	Mattawan, MI	3:59:25.25
24	Peter Burrill	M	47	Kalamazoo, MI	4:01:12.54
25	Mark Mochel	M	43	Grand Rapids, MI	4:01:44.74
26	Bobby Chapman	M	22	Spring Lake, MI	4:05:22.18
27	Russell Jensen	M	32	Northville, MI	4:06:47.34
28	Laura Waldo	F	49	Ludington, MI	4:11:40.27
29	Ephraim Rosalez	M	30	Grand Rapids, MI	4:12:19.02
30	Mike Jensen	M	28	Spring Lake, MI	4:12:19.25
31	Scott Deittrick	M	21	Ann Arbor, MI	4:12:26.88
32	Garrett Haas	M	21	Ann Arbor, MI	4:12:40.68
33	Daniel Sliva	M	54	Indianapolis, IN	4:16:13.94
34	Jack Carpenter	M	51	Caledonia, MI	4:17:39.94
35	Cory Hove	M	50	Mesa, AZ	4:18:41.09
36	James Engelsma	M	20	Grand Rapids, MI	4:18:51.79
37	Timothy Meeker	M	47	Mattawan, MI	4:18:52.47
38	Matthew Thomas	M	41	Minocqua, WI	4:19:33.63
39	Michael Wolff	M	39	Royal Oak, MI	4:19:33.81
40	Kristy Kehl	F	38	Grand Rapids, MI	4:20:44.05
41	Keith Brophy	M	50	Byron Center, MI	4:22:44.49
42	Travis Mabry	M	34	Belmont, MI	4:24:00.67
43	Robert Poznanski	M	53	Kalamazoo, MI	4:24:02.17
44	Jim O'Connor	M	53	Grand Rapids, MI	4:24:57.57
45	Matt Branson	M	32	Elkhart, IN	4:25:57.23
46	Scott Oonk	M	36	Grand Rapids, MI	4:28:15.71
47	Kathryn Waldron	F	53	Green Bay, WI	4:28:57.39
48	Jenna Kinsman	F	27	Hudsonville, MI	4:29:13.43
49	Mitch Brouwer	M	43	Hudsonville, MI	4:30:13.43
50	Laurence Liebelt	F	43	West Bloomfield, MI	4:30:14.68

Place	Name	Gender	Age	City	Time
🥇	Ben Foreman	M	42	Grand Rapids, MI	31:47.6
🥇	Matthew Mehalko	M	30	Hudsonville, MI	33:12.23
🥈	Thomas Mull	M	45	Grandville, MI	33:47.27
🥈	Tim Gonyea	M	53	South Rockwood, MI	35:20.32
🥉	William Rebholz	M	29	Grand Rapids, MI	34:45.93
🥉	Anonymous Anonymous	M	51	—	36:57.75
4	Joseph Morren	M	45	Coopersville, MI	35:05.01
4	Bob Kramer	M	50	Grand Rapids, MI	37:10.59
5	Konrad Anderson	M	49	Munger, MI	36:50.36
5	Thomas Grandy	M	49	Grand Rapids, MI	37:44.28
6	Jason Byer	M	38	Grand Rapids, MI	37:16.57
6	Jackie Green	F	27	Grand Rapids, MI	38:08.14
7	Aeneas Koosis	M	24	Detroit, MI	38:19.92
7	Lori Wallace	F	48	Mason, MI	39:16.98
8	Karl Schmitz	M	52	Jenison, MI	38:52.2
8	Ronda Vanderwall	F	31	Grandville, MI	39:55.16
9	Brian Carvill	M	54	Saline, MI	39:22.05
9	J.r. Vanderwall	M	33	Grandville, MI	39:56.53
10	Michael Mull	M	49	Hudsonville, MI	39:43.7
10	Dana Sizelove	F	40	Grandville, MI	39:59.66
11	James Atkinson	M	45	Kalamazoo, MI	40:36.09
11	Margaret Retsema	F	38	Grand Haven, MI	41:07.36
12	Jordan Howard	M	23	Caledonia, MI	40:54.39
12	Blake Ryan	M	13	Sheridan, MI	41:59.15
13	Brian Rider	M	35	Zeeland, MI	41:16.39
13	Jeff Vanzant	M	41	Holland, MI	42:10.97
14	Jay O'Neal	M	47	Byron Center, MI	41:42.89
14	Brian Erickson	M	49	Grand Haven, MI	42:37.9
15	Michael Rose	M	35	Zeeland, MI	41:46.04
15	Desirae Hemmes	F	31	Grandville, MI	42:43.63
16	Dan Reiffer	M	49	Spring Lake, MI	41:54.6
16	Shannon Rose	F	27	Grand Rapids, MI	42:44.71
17	Jeff Wolters	M	48	Byron Center, MI	42:09.86
17	Steve Neibergall	M	52	Annapolis, MD	42:45.14
18	John Cooley	M	38	Gobles, MI	42:15.99
18	Brandy Ryan	F	37	Sheridan, MI	43:25.76
19	Brandon Alexander	M	38	Grand Rapids, MI	43:24.52
19	Trisha Cole	F	24	Grand Rapids, MI	43:53.29
20	Steve Douglas	M	57	Muskegon, MI	43:50.44
20	Will Warren	M	50	Ada, MI	44:22.58
21	Pete Haverkamp	M	42	Hudsonville, MI	44:47.16
21	John Steenstra	M	42	Sparta, MI	44:56.18
22	Eric Dietz	M	27	Sparta, MI	44:56.68
22	Jennifer Wood	F	32	Byron Center, MI	45:00.71
23	Julie Bouma	F	47	Grandville, MI	45:01.05
23	Amy Hayes	F	40	Grand Rapids, MI	45:07.98
24	Brian Martin	M	46	Frederic, MI	45:19.57
24	Andrew Yates	M	36	Caledonia, MI	45:20.76
25	Sarah McGann	F	29	Grand Rapids, MI	45:57.97
25	Trish Taylor	F	35	Allegan, MI	46:43.11
26	Sharon Carr	F	56	Grand Rapids, MI	46:29.44
26	Tammy Quillan	F	40	Greenville, MI	47:39.74
27	Brady Wolters	M	15	Byron Center, MI	46:43.63
27	Kristina Lawrence	F	31	Grand Rapids, MI	47:48.77
28	Mitch Brouwer	M	51	Hudsonville, MI	46:49.53
28	Julie Whalen	F	40	Allendale, MI	48:37.11
29	Daniel Terpstra	M	39	Grand Rapids, MI	47:39.1
29	Cindy Blackburn	F	55	Ada, MI	48:46.24
30	Kim Bolinger	F	44	Hudsonville, MI	49:00.97
30	Jessica Cooley	F	34	Gobles, MI	49:10.47
31	Todd Brown	M	56	Alto, MI	49:18
31	Paul Dlouhy	M	49	Hastings, MI	49:42.41
32	TIMOTHY SEIF	M	30	Belding, MI	49:28.46
32	Douglas Dahlberg	M	50	Hampstead, NC	50:07.01
33	Joseph Anderson	M	17	Kent City, MI	49:41.85
33	Mark Pearson	M	52	Grand Rapids, MI	51:31.53
34	Andrew Price	M	39	Muskegon, MI	49:44.3
34	Sarah Setlock	F	36	Ada, MI	52:03.98
35	Tracy Price	F	40	Muskegon, MI	49:44.46
35	Kathryn Mock	F	27	Muskegon, MI	54:02.05
36	John Haga	M	50	Grandville, MI	50:03.72
36	Kay Moore	F	54	Grand Rapids, MI	54:07.7
37	Jeffrey Hahler	M	41	Grandville, MI	50:13.87
37	Renae Van Ast	F	47	Zeeland, MI	54:21.52
38	Carter Thoreson	M	14	Zeeland, MI	51:01
38	Donna Borgman	F	46	Holland, MI	54:22.19
39	Colten Dickerson	M	14	Zeeland, MI	51:01.66
39	Michelle Kruithof	F	49	Hamilton, MI	54:24.42
40	John VanLaan	M	49	Hudsonville, MI	51:04.33
40	Kathryn Lawrence	F	25	Nashville, MI	55:34.27
41	Brian Picardat	M	59	Wyoming, MI	51:08.45
41	Ezra Nelson	M	14	Grand Rapids, MI	55:36.61
42	Carrie Daenzer	F	50	Greenville, MI	51:50.4
42	Patty Nelson	F	43	Grand Rapids, MI	55:37.7
43	Kiersten Schmitt	F	16	Rockford, MI	52:10.64
43	Lori Burgess	F	59	Grand Rapids, MI	55:41.3
44	Bonnie Gessler	F	53	Greenville, MI	52:17.67
44	Nancy Brozek	F	50	New Era, MI	55:41.52
45	Leigh Ann Hawver	F	55	Grand Haven, MI	52:18.63
45	Ken Glupker	M	60	Au Gres, MI	56:23.24
46	C. Ball	F	11	Byron Center, MI	52:30.16
46	Imran Syed	M	30	Grand Rapids, MI	56:36.26
47	Jenifer Fields	F	45	Hudsonville, MI	52:43.62
47	Holly Schmitt	F	40	Rockford, MI	58:28.22
48	Marcia Van Essen	F	47	Grand Rapids, MI	1:01:10.11
48	Leigh Ball	F	51	Byron Center, MI	52:48.56
49	Lisa Kunecki	F	47	Grand Rapids, MI	1:01:10.33
49	Chad Langeland	M	45	Conklin, MI	52:59.46
50	Mary Kamsickas	F	47	Grand Rapids, MI	1:02:12.92
50	Jennifer Town	F	43	Greenville, MI	53:19.93

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