Irish Jig 5K
- Date
- March 19–20, 2027
- Distance
- 5K · Kids Gold Ribbon Run · Jig Virtual
From the Organizer
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.
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Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
45°
Typical Low
25°
Chance of Rain
36%
Based on US Climate Normals data from E Grand Rapids, 3 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Grand Rapids, MI
Population
197,768
as of 2023
Elevation
741 ft
Nearest Airport
GRR
Gerald R. Ford International Airport · 8 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Irish Jig 5K, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
Coming Up
More Running races near Grand Rapids, MI
Brian Diemer Family of Races
Less than a mile away
Gazelle Sports Run Camp
Less than a mile away
myTEAM TRIUMPH West MI - Diemer 5k -- Captain & Angel Registration
5K
Less than a mile away
Boston Square Wellness Collective's 3rd Annual SPRING INTO ACTION 5K
5K
Less than a mile away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Irish Jig 5K?
- Irish Jig 5K is a running race held in Grand Rapids, Michigan on March 19, 2027. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Irish Jig 5K?
- Friday, March 19, 2027 in Grand Rapids, Michigan at 2211 Lake Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Irish Jig 5K?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Irish Jig 5K
Mar 19, 2027