Despite challenging economy, local bank to continue funding for America's largest 25K run

Over three decades of drawing countless thousands to downtown Grand Rapids have passed since the first River Bank Run, Fifth Third bank officials say the financial institution will keep its funding the event while marathons elsewhere have lost sponsors.

According to excerpts from the story:

For 32 years, the River Bank Run has had the major sponsorship name of Old Kent Bank and, then, Fifth Third Bank. During these dire economic times, a fair share of U.S. road runs, especially smaller ones, have either been swept to the curve, or have been forced to scale back in size and events because of the loss of sponsorship.

The 25K Fifth Third River Bank Run serves as USA Track & Field's national 15.5-mile championship race and America's largest 25K run. Last May, the River Run played host to a 25K field of 5,289 participants, 1,310 kids at its midweek junior races, 4,875 entrants for its 5K run, 1,961 for the 5K walk and 2,597 for the first-time 10K run.

Could the River Bank Run lose its Fifth Third sponsorship someday?

Read the complete story here.