It's Almost Time for the Fourth Annual Grand Explorers' Trail Race!
2026 Race Update #1
We’re just one week away from the Grand Explorers’ Trail Race, and excitement is building! As race day approaches, we wanted to share some preliminary information to help you prepare for an unforgettable experience.
We can’t wait to welcome you to two of Ottawa County’s most beautiful parks for a one-of-a-kind race adventure. Whether you’re tackling the 10K, 5K, or cheering from the sidelines, this is a fantastic opportunity to explore the incredible Ottawa County park system while supporting a great cause.
If you know friends, family members, or coworkers who might enjoy a scenic and fun-filled race, there’s still time to invite them to join the adventure. We look forward to seeing you at the starting line!
Course Notes
Both courses are a little longer than the advertised 5K and 10K distances. This isn’t unusual for trail races but we wanted to let you know that you probably won’t get a personal record on these courses. Both courses are about 30% grass/dirt and 70% pavement so your times will naturally be a little slower than on a course that is 100% pavement. Enjoy the beauty of running on the unpaved trails amidst the forest. The footing can be uneven and there are some roots on the trails, so keep your eyes open and run at the pace where you feel comfortable.
The 5K and 10K start at the same time and both groups of runners will head straight down the paved path. 5K and 10K runners will be running together until the Grand Ravines’ Lodge where they will split. This does mean that the 10K will finish with two hills in Grand River, so save a little energy for the end.
Starting Line Notes
We will be starting and finishing the race in the grassy area beside the parking lot as we did last year. We do want you to line up by race pace, so faster runners should start at the front and slower runners and walkers should start near the back. Runners with dogs should keep them on a short leash at the start. Age group awards are determined by chip time, not gun time. Your time doesn’t start until you cross the starting mats. For overall awards, your placement is determined by gun time, so you will want to start near the front if you think you will be in the running for overall or masters overall awards.
Friends of Ottawa County Parks will have an area near the course starting line to stash any items that you don’t want to run with. Just have them in a bag with your name or something easily recognizable.
Walkers
We have received numerous questions from people wondering if they can walk the course. Yes, the 5K should not be a problem. The timing company will be set up until 10:30 am. That allows two hours for race completion. For the 10K, it can also be walked in that amount of time but it will require a quick walking pace to do it. You are welcome to walk the 10K course, but it is possible that you will finish after the clock has been put away. You can still participate in all of the festivities for the day. You may want to print out a map of the course and take it with you if you think you will be on the course for longer than two hours. We will be cleaning up the park by 11:30 am.
Packet Pick-Up and Late Registration
Packet pickup is available on Friday, June 19, from 4:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and race morning, June 20, from 7:15 a.m. until 8:00 a.m at Grand River County Park Lodge. When you pick up your packet, either on Friday evening or on race day, you will receive a race bib and a shirt. The timing chip is on the back of your race bib, so don’t fold it. Safety pins will be available if you need them. Registration closes at midnight on June 19.
Arrival Time on Race Day
On Race Day, the Kids’ Fun Run starts at 8:00 am, and the course does utilize the driveway into the park. It is preferable that you arrive before 8:00, so be aware that if you arrive after 8:00, you may have to wait a few minutes for the kids to clear the driveway before parking. We will have volunteers directing traffic that morning.
Aid Stations and Bathrooms
Our aid stations will have water and ice. Aid Station #1 is located near the Grand Ravines Lodge, at 1.3 miles for both the 5K and 10K. Bathrooms are available in the Lodge and are most easily accessed after the 5K turnaround when you run past the lodge. Aid Station #2 is for the 10K only and is located at the Grand Ravines dog park at around 2.7 miles. Bathrooms are available right beside this aid station. 10K runners will hit Aid Station #1 a second time at around 3.5 miles. There will be water and dog bowls at all the aid stations.
Race Finish
A finisher’s medal will be given to you after you finish. There will be food and drinks available next to the finishing area. A few of our sponsors will be there to provide information and some giveaways. The park has some picnic tables available and a lot of grassy area so that you can hang out while waiting for others to finish. You are welcome to bring your own lawn chairs if you want. As soon as all age group winners are in, we will start the awards ceremony.
Awards
One of the things people love about this race is the awards it offers. We let people choose their own awards from a large variety of handmade items and other items that were donated by our generous sponsors. We hope to keep the awards ceremony moving more quickly this year, so stick around if you think that you have won something. We will have awards available for the top three runners in each age group, as well as overall, masters, and grand masters runners. The overall, masters, and grand masters winners will be based on gun time, not chip time. All other awards will be based on chip time. For age group awards, you must be present at the awards ceremony in order to pick up your award.
Directions to the Park
Please be aware that the start/finish area is at Grand River County Park. Google Maps will give you the correct routing to get there. Do not go to Grand Ravines North or South! These parks are nearly adjacent to each other and are similarly named, which does cause confusion at times.
More Questions? Check out the Race Info page!