Online Registration Open for Spectrum Health Irish Jig 5K

Online registration is open for the annual Spectrum Health Irish Jig 5K road race, which will be held on Saturday, March 15, in East Grand Rapids.

Now in its 31st year, the Irish Jig has grown to become one of Michigan’s premier 5K (3.1 mile) races, attracting more than 4,800 runners last year. The USA Track & Field certified course is mostly flat with a few gentle hills. The start of the race is a short walk from the East Grand Rapids High School gym, 2211 Lake Drive SE, East Grand Rapids. Top age group winners receive prizes and top overall finishers receive cash awards.

New this year, the race will feature one “staggered” start beginning at 9 a.m. in an effort to reduce congestion.

The event strives to promote colorectal cancer awareness and information about this disease will be available on race day. Spectrum Health is proud to provide this event as part of its mission to raise awareness of colorectal cancer and improve the health of the communities it serves.

Among cancers that affect men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, yet it is preventable. For more information, visit spectrumhealth.org/colon-rectal-cancer. Donations to the Spectrum Health Ferguson Digestive Disease Endowment Fund for colorectal cancer research, education and patient care can be made by calling the Spectrum Health Foundation at 616.391.2000 or visiting give.spectrumhealth.org/coloncancer.

Runners can register online at spectrumhealth.org/irishjig or classicrace.com through noon on Thursday, March 13. The race is $20 for ages 14 and younger and $25 for ages 15 and older. Late registration will be available during packet pickup on Friday, March 14, and Saturday, March 15. The fee increases to $25 for ages 14 and younger and $35 for ages 15 and older.

Packet pickup and late registration will take place on Friday, March 14, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 15, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the East Grand Rapids High School gym.

Long sleeve wicking waffle shirts in sizes extra small to 3XL are available at packet pickup to the first 4,000 preregistered participants on a first-come basis. Sizes cannot be guaranteed. If extra shirts are available after the race, they will be sold for $10 each.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system, based in West Michigan, offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of 11 hospitals including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital; 170 ambulatory and service sites; 1,050 employed physicians and advanced practice providers including members of the Spectrum Health Medical Group; and Priority Health, a 575,000-member health plan. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer with 21,000 employees. The organization provided $250 million in community benefit during its 2013 fiscal year.