Changes coming to William A. Irvin 5k in 2025

The William A. Irvin 5k will have a different course and start time during Grandma’s Marathon weekend of 2025.

Instead of the traditional 6 p.m. Friday start, race organizers are moving it to 1 p.m. Friday, June 20. They say that’s because the evening is a very congested time around the DECC and Canal Park.

The new course will take runners on Canal Park Drive and across the half and full marathon finish line.

“To run on the actual finish stretch of our marathon and half marathon, to be able to cross under that finish line structure, we believe that’s a unique and exciting opportunity for our 5K participants,” Marketing & Public Relations Director Zach Schneider said.

There is construction planned outside the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, which the Irvin typically passes.

The race will still start on Harbor Drive next to the William A. Irvin and finish in Bayfront Festival Park. The middle of the course will be run along the Lakewalk.

Race registration opens Oct. 1. The 5k is capped at 2,700 participants.