History
Since 1993, the Capital City River Run has been a popular early fall mainstay of the mid-Michigan running calendar. For all of these years, the CCRR 10-mile has served as the event’s anchor race. Organizers experimented with several different courses, settling eventually for an out and back route on the Lansing River Trail with a start and finish at the Impression 5 Science Center.
A shorter run/walk was also included as an alternative for those who did not want to train for and run a long race. Four miles was the distance for the shorter race during its first two years, converting to a more standard 5K distance in 1995.
The Lansing River Trail offered an ideal place for a medium sized race, and it was this scenic venue that attracted many of the event’s participants. As the race began to grow, however, it became obvious that the existing course could not accommodate a large field of runners.
Changes in 2007
Starting in 2007, big changes were made to the CCRR. With support from the City of Lansing, the Great Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Administration (LEPFA), planning began during the summer of 2006 to bring a major running and fitness event to Lansing. Based on its reputation as a well-established and successful downtown race, the CCRR was viewed as an existing event with potential to attract a much larger field for what organizers believe will become a major competitive running event in the state of Michigan.
With extensive cooperation from City of Lansing traffic engineers as well as officials from East Lansing, Michigan State University and Ingham County, the 10-mile race was expanded to a half marathon (13.1 miles). The new course showcases several highlights of the Lansing area, including Michigan State University, the Lansing River Trail, Scott Woods and Hawk Island County Park.
Also new in 2007 was a 5K course that features several great views of the State Capitol Building and a run down the promenade that extends through the Capitol Complex from the Capitol Building to the Hall of Justice. Like the half marathon, the 5K course passes through Riverfront Park before crossing the Grand River for an exciting finish on the river walk behind the Lansing Center.
