On Saturday, May 9, thousands of runners, walkers, wheelchair athletes, and handcyclists took over downtown for the 2026 Amway River Bank Run. Fence Consultants of West Michigan was proud to be part of it as a sponsor, and as a company that helps West Michigan event organizers handle one of the least visible but most important pieces of race-day logistics: temporary fencing.
Most spectators never notice it. That is exactly the point. Good event fencing fades into the background while quietly doing a lot of work.
Why Big Events Need Temporary Fencing
A race the size of the River Bank Run has a long list of moving parts: a starting corral, a finish chute, hydration stations, spectator zones, sponsor areas, medical tents, and a 25K course that winds through downtown and along the Grand River. Temporary fencing is the tool that keeps those areas defined and safe.
For most public events, fencing serves three main jobs:
- Crowd control. Guiding spectators toward the right viewing areas and keeping them clear of runners, vehicles, and equipment.
- Course and venue separation. Cordoning off the active race course, stage, or event footprint from surrounding streets and walkways.
- Security and access management. Creating clear entry and exit points, protecting restricted zones like medical areas, and deterring unwanted access.
Done well, it makes the event feel organized and safe. Done poorly, it creates bottlenecks, confusion, and risk.
What Temporary Fence Setup Actually Looks Like
The fencing used at events like the River Bank Run is not the same as what we install for a backyard or a commercial property. Event panels are designed to go up quickly, stay put through wind and weather, and come down just as fast when the event is over.
Our temporary fence panels are 12 feet long and come in 4, 6, and 8 foot heights, depending on what the event calls for. Event organizers can choose from sandbags, Oxford support weights, shade cloth, and driven support posts to adapt the setup to the venue and the weather. Short-term and long-term rentals are both available, so a one-day race and a multi-week construction project can both be served by the same product line.
Events Where Temporary Fencing Plays a Role
Races are just one example. Across West Michigan, temporary fencing shows up at a wide range of community events, including:
- Road races, 5Ks, marathons, and triathlons
- Festivals and street fairs
- Farmers markets and outdoor pop-up markets
- Concerts and outdoor performances
- Sporting events and tournaments
- Parades and community celebrations
- Construction zones on or near public spaces
If a public event needs to define a footprint, manage a crowd, or protect a perimeter, temporary fencing is usually part of the answer.
Our Role at the 2026 River Bank Run
Fence Consultants has called West Michigan home since 1988, and supporting events like the Amway River Bank Run is one of our favorite ways to give back. The race started in 1978 with just over 1,000 runners and has grown into a Grand Rapids institution that draws more than 22,000 participants from around the world. It includes the largest 25K road race in the country and the only 25K wheelchair racing division anywhere.
An event of that scale takes an enormous amount of behind-the-scenes work, from the Grand Rapids Track Club organizers to the volunteers, public safety crews, and dozens of local sponsors. You can see the full sponsor lineup on the official race sponsors page.
Grand Rapids, you never disappoint. Thank you to every runner, walker, volunteer, and spectator who made Saturday what it was.
Planning a Community Event in West Michigan?
If you are organizing a race, festival, market, or other public event in Grand Rapids, Holland, Kalamazoo, or the surrounding region, we are happy to talk through what temporary fencing your event might need. The right setup depends on the venue, the expected crowd, the duration, and the weather, and we can walk you through the options before you commit to anything.
Family-owned since 1988, Fence Consultants offers temporary fence rental across West Michigan for events of every size, alongside our residential and commercial fence installation services. Request pricing here or call our team to start the conversation.
