This Sunday, October 18, thousands of runners will take to the streets of Grand Rapids for the 23rd annual Grand Rapids Marathon. We have partnered with the race for years, providing the temporary fencing that helps keep runners and spectators safe along the course.
What Temporary Fencing Does on Race Day
A road race looks simple from the sidewalk: runners go one way, everyone else stays out of the way. Making that happen across miles of city streets takes planning, and fencing is one of the tools organizers use. On race day it typically does three jobs.
It separates the course from the crowd. Spectators naturally drift toward the action, especially near the start and finish. A fence line gives people a clear place to stand and gives runners a clear lane.
It defines key areas. Start corrals, finish chutes, and gear and check-in zones all work better with a physical boundary that people can see from a distance.
It moves people where they need to go. Fencing helps direct foot traffic around crossings and tight spots so volunteers are not trying to hold a line with their arms.
About the Fence Itself
Event fencing is built to go up quickly and come down just as fast. Our event panels are 12 feet long and come in 4, 6, and 8 foot heights. Because they do not have to be permanent, setup and removal can happen around the race schedule, which matters when streets have to reopen on time.
The Race Itself
The Grand Rapids Marathon is sponsored by University of Michigan Health – West and offers more than the full 26.2 miles. The weekend also includes a half marathon, a marathon relay, a kids marathon, and the long-running Run Thru The Rapids 5K and 10K. If you are running, volunteering, or cheering from the sidewalk, good luck out there. For the schedule and course information, visit the official Grand Rapids Marathon site.
Planning an Event of Your Own?
If you are organizing a race, festival, or community event, a few details help us give you an accurate quote: the dates, the location, roughly how much fence you expect to need, and when setup and removal have to happen. It also helps to know the ground surface (pavement, grass, or gravel) and where emergency vehicles need access.
You do not always need fencing. A small gathering in a contained space often works fine without it. It earns its place when crowd flow or safety is on the line, and we are happy to tell you honestly which situation you are in. Reaching out early gives us room to fit your dates in.
For another look at how this works, see our post on temporary fencing at the Amway River Bank Run. To start the conversation, request pricing here or call the office nearest you: Grand Rapids at 616.454.1911, Holland at 616.392.3496, or Kalamazoo at 269.359.1296. Call or email if you need anything.
