GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Fifth Third River Bank Run is just around the corner, and race officials spent some time Thursday morning talking about some changes that are on the way for this year's event.
The biggest development is that the 25K race will serve as a qualifying location for the 2016 Olympic Marathon time trials.
The first 13.1 miles were just certified by the United States Track & Field (USATF) as an official qualifying event. That means more elite runners and Olympic hopefuls may decide to come to Grand Rapids for the run.
A timing mat placed at the 13.1 mile mark will serve as a timing device that measures how fast the elite runners complete the time trial.
"Athletes who participate on Saturday, May 9 and run a qualifying time at the 13.1 mark will be invited to participate in the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials on February 13 in Los Angeles," says Greg Meyer, elite athlete recruiter for the Fifth Third Riverbank Run.
Race officials expect 20,000 people to participate in the event overall this year.
