The 2024 Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon Drives A Healthy Community Forward with Nearly 4,000 Participants

  

The 2024 Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon Drives A Healthy Community Forward with Nearly 4,000 Participants


The Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon took place this past weekend, Saturday, May 4 through Sunday, May 5, 2024, with an impressive turnout of 3,926 participants. The event weekend included the PNC Kids' 1K, the 2-day Ascension Borgess Health Expo, the return of the 50 State Challenge, and for the first-time ever, a marathon relay.


KALAMAZOO, MICH (May 6, 2024) - The 2024 Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon weekend returned to Greater Kalamazoo with an impressive turnout of nearly 4,000 participants across all divisions. In 2023 participants totaled 3,212, this year there were 3,926 marathoners, 714 more this year compared to last.


"Zeigler Auto Group is proud to be a part of this tradition that has now extended out beyond Kalamazoo. We are so grateful to all the businesses and community leaders who continue to support this event and keep the legacy of this race alive," said Aaron J. Zeigler, president and CEO of Zeigler Auto Group, the Marathon's Title Sponsor.


The Full Marathon, which is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon, and Marathon Relay kicked off at 7:00 a.m., with the Half Marathon starting at 8:30 a.m.; and the 10K and 5K started later. 

The weekend also included the free PNC Kids' 1K which kicked off on Saturday, along with the 2-day Ascension Borgess Health Expo. The Health Expo saw over 50 vendors with free product demos, family-friendly games, obstacles courses and more.

Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon's signature spirit stations were back Sunday with all race-day participants going through the Pickle Pit along Burdick St. near Dutton; and Full and Half marathoners going through the Bacon Station, along Bronson Blvd near mile nine. Full marathoners rocked out with the Kalamazoo Academy of Rock by the Farmers Market around mile 25. 


Full, Half, and 10K participants got the opportunity to also race through Waldo Stadium right on WMU's campus; as well as Donut Point, at Benjamin and Evanston. 


Additionally Half, 10K and 5K racers got to see the College Hunks-sponsored Gummy Bear Forest, on Forest between Park and Rose. College Hunks provided mile-marker and course set-up and pick-up. 


For the first time ever, this year's Marathon included Schupan's Sustainability Program, as its official eco-friendly and sustainability sponsor, in an effort to reduce the environmental and waste impact of the weekend. 



The Marathon also saw a wedding proposal with full marathoner Dallas Garza Laurin proposing to his girlfriend who was spectating right after he crossed the finish line.


"The day couldn't have gone better. The weather was great and we were able to start on time. The energy at the Marathon this weekend was electric with the Kalamazoo community coming together and 'Driving a Healthy Community' forward. We also had participation from a number of states with the 50 state challenge, with a few out-of-staters ranking in the top 5 for some events. This was also the first year we had relay teams race, and we can confidently say the program debuted successfully," said Carrie Drake, director of the Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon.


2024 WINNERS: 

(DETAILS: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/124659#resultSetId-451658;perpage:100 )


MARATHON:

  1. Sam Butler, M - Sparta, MI 

  2. Troy Smits, M - Saint Joseph, MI 

  3. Lorenzo Martinez, M- Grand Rapids, MI 

  4. Michelle Magagna, F - Portage, MI 

  5. Jacob Kughn, M - Grand Rapids, MI


HALF MARATHON:

  1. Ryan Kachnowski, M - Wixom, MI 

  2. Matt Norman, M - Kalamazoo, MI 

  3. Andrew Wright, M - Kalamazoo, MI 

  4. Jax Heil, M - Denver, CO  

  5. Nate Hecker, M  - Cudahy, WI


10K:

  1. Loida Escobar, F - Vicksburg, MI

  2. Jeremy Vainavicz, M - Portage, MI

  3. Dominick French, M - Plainwell, MI


5K : 

  1. Carter Hausman, M - Kalamzoo, MI

  2. Marek Butkiewicz, M - Kalamzoo, MI

  3. Sean Siems, M - Kalamzoo, MI


About Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon

The Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon attracts participants from all over the U.S. by "Driving a Healthy Community" in the Greater Kalamazoo area and beyond. The annual community event includes a Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, 5K Walk, and 1K Kids' Run; as well as a health expo.

Formerly known as the Borgess Run for the Health of It!, the event was renamed the Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon in 2022 after Zeigler Auto Group became its title sponsor. 

All races start and finish at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place and run through Downtown Kalamazoo, with the full marathon, half marathon and 10K passing through Western Michigan University's Waldo Stadium. The marathon course also includes the Portage Creek Bicentennial Trail, Stryker campus, Milham Park, Milwood Neighborhood, Edison Neighborhood, and Upjohn Park.


Known for its highly-spirited excitement zones and water station, 5K participants enjoy Gummy Bear Forest; and Half Marathon and Marathon runners experience the infamous Bacon Station and the dill-icious Pickle Pit. All participants and spectators can enter the Stryker Finish Line Celebration in Downtown Kalamazoo. Visit zeiglerkalamazoomarathon.com for more information.


About Zeigler Auto Group

Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 84 franchises across 41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all of the domestic and the majority of the imported manufacturers.


Besides its extensive automotive portfolio, the organization owns and operates Zeigler Motorsports, an 85,000-square-foot motorsports dealership and action park, offering 19 different powersports brands, plus its own onsite restaurant: Trak Houz Bar & Grill. Additionally, Zeigler Motorsports houses the Elevate Leadership & Team Building Academy, an executive training company.


The Kalamazoo-based dealer group also owns and operates Zeigler Pre-Owned of Chicago, three Byrider franchises, three finance companies, several insurance firms, and a leasing firm.


Founded in 1975, the organization employs over 2,500 people, ranking among the top 1% of automotive dealers in the nation with estimated annual sales of $2.2 billion for 2023.


The family-owned and operated company is well known for its commitment to both customer service and employee satisfaction. Zeigler is regularly recognized as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation, also earning similar accolades in Wisconsin, Chicago, and Michigan. Besides these prestigious accolades, Zeigler is also one of Glassdoor's 100 Best Places to Work in the U.S. for 2023, and among Glassdoor's top 10 U.S. companies for work-life balance.


MEDIA CONTACT


Francis Mariela

239.273.6976

letswork@francismariela.com


Alaina Schuld

hello@zeiglerkalamazoomarathon.com