Lace up, hit the trails: Grand Explorers’ Trail Race returns
West Michigan outdoor enthusiasts will lace up their running shoes this month as the fourth annual Grand Explorers’ Trail Race returns to Ottawa County on Saturday, June 20.
JENISON — West Michigan outdoor enthusiasts will lace up their running shoes this month as the fourth annual Grand Explorers’ Trail Race returns to Ottawa County on Saturday, June 20.
Co-hosted by the Ottawa County Parks Foundation and Ottawa County Parks and Recreation, the event invites runners, walkers, and families of all skill levels to explore some of the region’s most scenic terrain.
Unlike standard road races, the Grand Explorers’ course spans two interconnected county parks: Grand River and Grand Ravines. Participants will navigate a mix of natural surface trails and the paved Idema Explorers Trail, offering views of wooded areas, local wildlife, and the Grand River waterfront.
The morning’s schedule begins at 8 a.m. with a 1-Mile Kids’ Fun Run/Walk, followed by the simultaneous start of the 5K and 10K races at 8:30 a.m. Both the 5K and 10K options are dog-friendly, though organizers note that four-legged participants must remain on a six-foot leash and be comfortable in crowds.
Beyond promoting outdoor recreation, the event serves as a fundraiser for local conservation. All registration proceeds directly benefit the Ottawa County Parks Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to funding trail stewardship, environmental education, and park accessibility projects.
The race comes at a pivotal time for the local park system. Ottawa County Parks and Recreation, which oversees more than 7,700 acres of public land, relies heavily on the voter-approved Parks & Open Space Millage to fund its operations. County residents will vote on the future of these park millage proposals on both the August and November ballots later this year.
Event at a glance:
- What: Fourth Annual Grand Explorers' Trail Race (10K, 5K, and Kids' 1-Mile)
- When: 8 a.m. Saturday, June 20
- Where: Grand River County Park, 9473 28th Ave., Jenison
For registration details and course maps, visit grandexplorerstrailrace.com. More information regarding the upcoming park millage votes can be found at miOttawa.org/parks-millage.
— Submitted by Ottawa County Parks & Recreation. To submit a news tip, email newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org.
