HISTORY

1983

1984

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1994

1996

2000

2004

2011

2012

2014

2017

2019

2020

2022

Boston Marathon winner and 1984 Olympic Women’s Marathon Joan Benoit wins women’s 10K by 5 minutes.

Olympian Nick Rose of England wins 10K race in 28:59.

5K walk and 15K run are added.

Run/Walk attracts more than 6,000 participants.

Mark Smith wins the 5K, 10K and 15K to earn the first Ultimate Hoofer award, started in 1985 for the winner of the trifecta.

WMU runner Kayla Skelly shatters the 15K record, clocking a 55:44.

Blaine Lam becomes Race Director committed to participant, sponsor, volunteer and community excellence.

Judged racewalk is born, 166 participate.

Borgess Run celebrates 15 years, race dedicated to founder John Daily, who died earlier that month.

U.S. Olympic team member Gary Morgan sets a Borgess racewalk record of 20:36. Morgan won the event 11 times in 12 years.

Gazelle Sports co-owner Chris Crowell dreams up the National City Half-Marathon.

Run celebrates 25th year. Medical Mile changed to Motivational Mile.

Kalamazoo Marathon added. Weekend events moved to the first weekend in May.

Tent City expanded to include Live Entertainment, Food, Sponsor tents, Photo boards, Live Television commentary. The “Big Finish” beer was also available for adult consumption.

Reintroduced 10K.

Participants in Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run, 5K Walk, 1K Kids Fun Run exceeds 5,500.

PNC Military Mile added to 1-mile section of the Marathon and Half-Marathon course to honor the service of military veterans.

Celebrating 45 years of movement.

Race events were held virtually due to COVID pandemic.

The Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon continues the legacy of the Borgess Run for the Health of It! with the successful return of the Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run, 5K Walk and 1K Kids Run. Marathon to return in 2023.

1979

John Daley-Borgess Development Director, conceived Run to promote health and prevent illness though exercise and rehabilitation.

1980

First Borgess Run for the Health of It! Draws 800 runners.

1981

James Miller former president of WMU, walks the one-mile fun run six weeks after open heart surgery. 2,000 participants lace up their running shoes.

2023

The Marathon returns! All events start and finish in Downtown Kalamazoo. New courses receive positive reviews. Total participants in the Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run/Walk and 1K Kids Run increase 61% from 2022.

2024