Irish Jig 5K

For more than 40 years, the Irish Jig has marked the start of Michigan’s racing season. But 2026 isn’t just another starting line. It’s a turning point. On March 14, we’re not running for tradition. We’re running against a brutal truth: 1 in 2 people will face cancer in their lifetime. That’s not a statistic we’re willing to accept. This year, the Irish Jig becomes more than a race. It’s a stand. A statement. A surge of runners moving as one. Every stride fuels cancer research and care through Corewell Health and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Every step brings hope closer to home. This is not just a 5K. This is a rally for fighters, a reckoning with cancer, a reason to believe in something bigger. Join us. Bring your people. Fill the streets. Run. Walk. Cheer. Because we're taking the Jig WellBeyond anything it's been before. 

New for 2026 is the Kids Gold Ribbon Run and Jig Virtual participation option. The Kids Gold Ribbon Run will take place at 9:30a on the East Grand Rapids Track, allowing kids to use their feet to raise support for pediatric cancer programs. The Kids Gold Ribbon Run is free to register, with an optional $25 commemorative shirt available. The kids will be broken into age groups and complete one lap on the track.

The Jig Virtual is an opportunity to participate in the movement from anywhere that works for you the week of March 9. Your shirt will be mailed out to you on race weekend. Registration for the Jig Virtual closes on March 7th. 

Apply to be an Irish Jig Ambassador!

NEW Digital Toolkit to spread the word on your socials. 

Awards will be presented at the awards ceremony at approximately 9:30 a.m. in the East Grand Rapids High School gym after the Irish Jig.

Top age group winners and qualifying teams receive prizes and top overall finishers receive cash awards.

Results will be posted as they become available in the East Grand Rapids High School gym.

Individual Awards

• Age group awards are based on chip time.

• Awards will be given for first to fifth place in 9 and younger age groups. Thereafter, awards will be given to the top 3 finishers in each age group, based on five year increments through 80 years young.

  -9 and under (place top 5 finishers)
  -10 to 14 (place top 3 finishers)
  -15 to 19...
  -75-79
  -80+

• Age group awards will be available for pick-up in the gym beginning at 9:30 a.m. Awards not picked up after the race will be available at the Gazelle Sports 28th Street location starting on 3/17 through 3/31 for pick-up.

Team Awards

• Team awards are based using the cross-country method of scoring.

• Awards will be given for first to third place in all three divisions (Corporate A and B and Social).

• Team awards will be available for pick-up in the gym beginning at 9:30 a.m. Awards not picked up after the race will be available at the Gazelle Sports 28th Street location starting on 3/17 through 3/31 for pick-up.

Prize Money

• Prize money is awarded based on gun time.

• Participants younger than 18 and college runners are not eligible.

• Participants will be required to fill out a W9 post-race with checks issued via mail. 

• Prize money will be awarded to the male and female finishers as listed below:

Elite Entries

Entries will be provided to athletes who have achieved the minimum 5K standards listed below within the last 18 months. 

To apply, send your race results to robhyde97@gmail.com. 

The Irish Jig, or the "Jig," as most refer to it, has been a staple in East Grand Rapids since its inception in 1983. It has brought thousands of people together through the years to celebrate the unofficial kickoff to spring in the running community. Community support has been a foundation of the Jig's success. 

This portion of our website is designed to help the community understand the road closures on race morning. Below is what was sent to the residents and businesses along the route:

Here is the link to the interactive route map. 

To help you understand the impact, we have outlined when we anticipate sections of the course re-opening to regular traffic:

• The Jig starts and finishes in front of the library on Lakeside Drive. Plan on Lakeside Drive between Wealth Street and Lake Drive being closed between 6a and 11a race morning. 
   
• The race starts at 8:30a. Road closures will start to place along the route at 8:20a.
   
• Breton Avenue, between Lake Drive and Hall Street. Closed roughly between 8:20a to 9a.
   
• Hall Street, between Breton Avenue and Lake Drive. Closed roughly between 8:20a to 9:30a.
   
• Hall Street, between Lake Drive and Bonnell Avenue. Closed roughly between 8:20a to 10a. 
   
• Bonnell Avenue - Wren Avenue - Woodcliff Circle Avenue. Closed roughly between 8:20a to 10a. 
   
• Lake Drive, between Hall Street and Breton Avenue. Closed roughly between 8:20a to 10:30a.
   

**Please note that East Grands Public Safety might have road closures before you get to the course itself. Please follow the directions of the posted signs, officers, or volunteers. 

Officers and volunteers will work to get traffic out of neighborhoods when there is a break in the runners. Obey their directions.

Thank you for your support!

When and where can I pick up my race packet?

☘️ Friday: Noon to 5:30p
Corewell Health Sports Medicine Center
2770 E. Beltline Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525

☘️ Saturday: 6:00a to 9:15a
East Grand Rapids High School Gym
2211 Lake Dr SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Note, the 5K starts at 8:30a, all 5K bibs need to be picked up by 8:15a. The Kids Gold Ribbon Run starts at 9:30a, all Kids Run bibs need to be picked up by 9:15a

Can I pay by check or cash when I register for the event?

No, please pay with a credit card when registering online. Cash and checks will not be accepted.

Can I reserve a certain shirt size?

If you register by Sunday, February 22, you will be able to select your shirt size. Those who register after February 17 will be able to choose from available remaining shirt sizes.

Can I participate pushing a stroller?

Yes, but those pushing baby strollers must walk the course and will begin after the walkers.

Can I bring my animal with me to participate?

Only service dogs are allowed on the race course. Other pets are welcome as spectators.

What time does the event start?

The Corewell Health Foundation Irish Jig will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Is walking the course permitted? 

Absolutely!  Participants will need to complete the route within 75 minutes of their start time. Walkers will begin their event after all runners have crossed the starting line, at approximately 8:45 a.m. If you cannot complete the course in 75 minutes, you may be asked to finish the race on the sidewalk so the roads can be reopened to traffic. You will be included in the results if you complete the 5K when the finish line closes at 10:00 a.m.

Where do I park?

There will be limited traffic access near the race course from 7:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on event day, Saturday, March 14. Street parking is available around East Grand Rapids High School. For a map of available street parking, visit Gaslight-Village-Parking-Map.

The start/finish area is in front of the library and parking will not be available in this area.  Please remember to obey all of the posted signs, including private parking lots that are in around Gas Light Village, which includes the lot where D&W is located. When parking on the street, obey all traffic laws and posted signs, including not obstructing driveways, crosswalks, and hydrants. 

Where are the restrooms?

Restrooms are available inside the East Grand Rapids High School. Portable restrooms are available near the start/finish line. 
 

What if the race gets canceled?

In the event the race is canceled, the event will pivot to a virtual event and all registration fees will be donated to the Cancer Patient Assistance Fund.

How a virtual event works:

1. You will receive an email when the virtual race opens
2. You will have two weeks to run a 5K and record your time
3. Enter your time on the results page
4. At the end of the two weeks, winners will be announced via email
5. Those who have registered prior to the cancellation will be able to pick-up their shirts. Registrants who reside 30 or more miles from East Grand Rapids will have shirts sent to the address used at time of registration.

The Irish Jig has safety procedures for severe weather and critical events in partnership with Corewell Health and East Grand Rapids Public Safety. Corewell Health reserves the right to cancel the race in the event of severe weather or other critical events. Registration fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

What is the “Cross County Method of Scoring” referenced in the Team Competition?

Team participants are scored by assigning a point value for the place they finish in their respective age group. If a runner finishes first, one point will be earned. Finishing 55th would earn 55 points. In each team, the five lowest points awarded will be totaled to give the team score. “Cross Country” is similar to golf in that the lowest score wins. Winners are based upon the lowest point totals, not the lowest combined times.

Does this race benefit charity?

The 2026 Irish Jig offers participants the opportunity to make an impact on cancer research and care through Corewell Health and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. 

We have created a digital toolkit to make it easy for you to spread the word about the Irish Jig. The toolkit includes images for social media, virtual meeting backgrounds, and posters you can print.

Click the image or the link to download the content to your device. 

If you are looking for a different asset or you have an opportunity to help us spread the word, contact us at foundation@corewellhealth.org. 

The Irish Jig is more than a festive 5K — it’s a philanthropic initiative that directly supports cancer care through Corewell Health Foundation West Michigan. Proceeds from the Irish Jig help fund critical services like transportation assistance, integrative therapies, financial navigation, and access to cutting-edge treatments. This event brings the community together in a powerful show of solidarity, and every dollar raised helps lift burdens and bring hope to patients and families across West Michigan.

Click to download and view the partnership opportunities that align your brand with the mission of the Irish Jig. These opportunities include the Health Teams Wellness Challenge, which provides your organization with an opportunity to use the Irish Jig as a wellness initiative. 

Questions? Email greg.workman@corewellhealth.org. 

Download the full training schedule by clicking on the PDF below.

☘️ Friday: Noon to 5:30p
Corewell Health Sports Medicine Center
2770 E. Beltline Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525

☘️ Saturday: 6:00a to 9:15a
East Grand Rapids High School Gym
2211 Lake Dr SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Note, the 5K starts at 8:30a, all 5K bibs need to be picked up by 8:15a. The  Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Kids Gold Ribbon Run presented by Brave the Shave starts at 9:30a, all Kids Run bibs need to be picked up by 9:15a

Packet Pick-Up FAQS:

• Can I still register? 
  Yes, you can register until the morning 8:15a bib cutoff race. We recommend doing it on the website before you arrive; however, we can help you when you arrive. 
  
  
• Do I need to know my bib number ahead of time?
  No. We will be assigning numbers as people pick up their bibs. There is no need to bring anything with you.
  
  
• Can I pick up someone else's bib?
  Yes, all we need is the first and last name of who you are picking a bib up for. 
  

Saturday Schedule of Events

☘️ Packet Pick-Up: 6:00a to 9:15a (EGR Gym)
☘️ 5K Start: 8:30a (in front of the library)
☘️ 5K Awards: 9:30a (EGR Gym)
☘️ Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Kids Gold Ribbon Run: 9:30a (EGR Track)

The 2026 shirt will be a favorite of runners and walkers!  The deadline to lock your shirt in will be 2/22/26.

Here is the electronic version of the 2026 course: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2840621?units=km. 

USATF certification: MI24002MN