from borgess to zeigler: how the race has changed

By PaceKit Team · Updated April 2026

The race you know as the Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon has had a longer life under a different name. For years, it was the Borgess Run for the Health of It!, organized by the Borgess health system (now Ascension Borgess). In 2022, the race was renamed after Zeigler Auto Group became the title sponsor, and the event came under new management.

The transition has been visible. The start/finish location moved to Bronson Park in downtown Kalamazoo as of 2025, centralizing the race weekend in the city center. The course has been updated to pass through Waldo Stadium and a broader range of neighborhoods. The race's traditions, including the Bacon Station, Gummy Bear Forest, and Pickle Pit, have been preserved under the new management, which signals an understanding that these features are the race's identity, not just novelty add-ons.

Reviews from the transition years are mixed. Some longtime participants noted that the rebrand brought organizational growing pains: changes to the expo, adjustments to the course, and the general friction that comes with new leadership. More recent reviews are warmer, with the 2025 race drawing praise for community support, course organization, and the downtown start/finish. The 2026 half marathon and 5K have been designated RRCA Championship Events, which is a quality signal.

The honest assessment: the race is in a growth phase under its new identity. The core traditions are intact. The community support is genuine. The course is evolving (and improving, based on recent routing). For runners who knew the Borgess version, the spirit of the race hasn't changed even if the name on the bib has. For new runners, the RRCA Championship designation and the growing participation suggest a race that's finding its footing and getting better.