Parking Tips, Street Closures, & Start Times for the 2025 River Bank Run

It's hard to believe, but River Bank Run day is nearly upon us! Whether you're running, planning to spectate and cheer people on, or want to know what's going on so that you can avoid the road closings, we're here to get you everything that you need to know!

Get our free mobile app

When is the 2025 Grand Rapids River Bank Run?

The River Bank Run historically takes place on the second Saturday of May every year, and this year is no exception.

The race will take place on Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Downtown Grand Rapids. Every race has a different start time, so you'll want to take note.

• The 5K run kicks off at 7:00 a.m.
• The 10K run kicks off at 7:30 a.m.
• The 5K Community Walk kicks off at 7:45 a.m.
• The 25K handcycle race kicks off at 8:15 a.m.
• The 25K wheelchair race kicks off at 8:16 a.m.
• The 25K elite women's run kicks off at 8:20 a.m.
• The 25K elite men's run kicks off at 8:30 a.m.
• The 25K run (men & women who aren't in the elite division) kicks off at 8:30 a.m.
• The 25K My Team Triumph run kicks off at 8:45 a.m.

Finish Fest will take place inside DeVos Place (Hall A) from 7:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Parking for the 2025 River Bank Run

Parking in Downtown Grand Rapids can be tricky, and this year, a few different projects are making it even trickier.

Many runners and spectators used to park in the lot behind the downtown YMCA, but that is now the construction site for the future Amway Soccer Stadium.

READ MORE: The Newest Driving Hazard for West in West Michigan is Bows and Arrows?

Free parking will be hard to come by, and many meters in and around downtown Grand Rapids will be blocked due to the race.

Organizers suggest that runners and spectators alike park in these ramps and lots:

• Monroe Center Ramp
• Ottawa-Fulton Ramp
• Pearl-Ionia Ramp
• 210 Ionia (Ellis Parking)
• 90 Market (Ellis Parking)

You can learn more about the city-owned lots and ramps on their website.

AirGarage is also an option, with a few lots located in and around downtown.

Just be advised that event parking in those lots can be a little pricey.

Grand Rapids Street Closings for the 2025 River Bank Run

As always, there will be a lot of streets and intersections closing to make the race as safe as possible for runners and spectators.

The following streets and intersections will be closed beginning on Friday, May 9, 2025.

• Monroe Ave. between Michigan & Louis - 3:00 p.m. (5/9) through 6:00 p.m. (5/10)
• Lyon St. between the Grand River and Ottawa Ave. - 3:00 p.m. (5/9) through 6:00 p.m. (5/10)
• Pearl St. between Louis Campau and Ottawa Ave. - 6:00 p.m. (5/9) through 6:00 p.m. (5/10)
• Monroe Center between Monroe Ave. and Ottawa Ave. - 6:00 p.m. (5/9) through 6:00 p.m. (5/10)

Saturday, May 10, 2025, you'll encounter these additional closures.

Ramps Closing

• US-131 SB ramps at Market closing from 6:45 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.
• US-131 NB & SB ramps at Pearl closing from 6:30 a.m. until 10 a.m.
• I-196 EB & WB ramps at Market closing from 6:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

6:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

• Cesar E. Chavez (Grandville) Ave. from Weston to Wealthy
• Wealthy from Grandville to Front
• Market from Wealthy to Indian Mounds
• Ottawa from Oakes to Louis
• Louis from Ottawa to Monroe
• Indian Mounds from Wilson to Market

6:45 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.

• Michigan St. between Ionia Ave. and Monroe Ave.
• Bridge St. between Monroe Ave. and Mt. Vernon.
• Pearl St. between Front and Scribner.
• Front St. between Mt. Vernon and Pearl.
• Fulton St. between Mt. Vernon and Winter.
• Watson St. between Winter and Front.
• Front St. between Watson and Wealth St.
• WB Wealthy St. detoured to Cesar E. Chavez (Grandville) (this detour will go until 12:00 p.m.)

7:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.

• Winter from Fulton to Lake Michigan Dr.
• Lake Michigan Dr. from Winter to Valley
• Valley from Lake Michigan Dr. to Butterworth
• Park from Valley to John Ball Park St.
• Butterworth from O'Brien to Marion
• Marion from Butterworth to Hovey
• Straight from Hovey to Butterworth
• Butterworth from Straight to Front

7:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

• Butterworth from O'Brien to Maynard
• Maynard from Butterworth to Veterans Memorial Dr.
• Butterworth from Veterans Memorial Dr. to Wilson
• Wilson from Butterworth to Indian Mounds (only one westbound lane will be closed).

UP NEXT: The Best Ways to Truly Experience Grand Rapids ⬇️

Additional information on registration, packet pickup, and more can be found on the race's official website.