‘Exercise is so important’ | Health Beat
“This is all about having fun, being healthy and enjoying ourselves,” Darryl Elmouchi, MD, MBA, President, BHSH Spectrum Health West Michigan, said. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
25K finisher Sarah Pepper celebrates as she crosses the line. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Stacy and Chris Emmert brought their two boys, Cullen and Lawson, to run as a family. Stacy ran the 10K and her husband and boys ran the 5K. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Elite women runners at the start of the 25K Amway River Bank Run, Saturday, May 14, 2022. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Aliphine Tuliamuk, right, winner of the women’s 25K is congratulated by Keira D’Amato. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Howard Van Mersbergen, right, finishes the 25K alongside Laura Landstra. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Wheelchair racers at the start of the Amway River Bank Run in downtown Grand Rapids. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Handcycle racer Derrall Willis celebrates finishing the Amway River Bank Run in downtown Grand Rapids. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Elite runners begin their quest to win the Amway River Bank Run in downtown Grand Rapids. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Kathleen Uzarski, gives a hug to little J. Uzarski as they finish the 5K Community Walk. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Thousands of eager runners gathered on Ottawa Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday morning for the 45th annual Amway River Bank Run. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Dr. Elmouchi stressed the importance of keeping healthy, as Spectrum Health staff were at the ready to offer medical support to those who might need it. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
From left, Jillian Taylor, Larisa Ballard, Jaque Enterline and Debby Mansel finish the 10K race together. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Rick and Angie Vuyst embrace at the 25K finish line. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
10K competitors leave the start. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
25K Elite runner Joseph Niemiec cools off in a spray of mist after finishing the race. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Allissa Copeland, left, and Volannni Markey pushed their babies through the 5k course. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Timothy Olson uses a wet towel to cool off after finishing the 25K run. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Nearly 100 providers from Spectrum Health orthopedics were on hand to help any runners who needed assistance. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Joel Motman and his Team Triumph runners celebrate at the finish line. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Molly Batchelder cools off in the finish area mist. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Spectrum Health medical personnel offer water and a hand to 25K finisher Daniel DeWulf. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Alissa Lane, left, and Miranda Lane are all smiles after finishing the 5K run. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Elijah Beckwith, Alberto Leon and Ismael Garcia eye the 25K finish line. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Amber Morgan gets a hug after finishing the 10K. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Spectrum Health has been the official health partner and medical provider for the run since 2018. (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)
Thousands of eager runners gathered on Ottawa Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids on Saturday morning for the 45th annual Amway River Bank Run.
Darryl Elmouchi, MD, MBA, President, BHSH Spectrum Health West Michigan, was among runners—he chose the 5K.
“It’s a beautiful day and we’re so happy to be here,” Dr. Elmouchi said. “This is all about having fun, being healthy and enjoying ourselves.”
He stressed the importance of keeping healthy, as Spectrum Health staff were at the ready to offer medical support to those who might need it.
“As you’re starting it, good luck,” he said. “And as you finish it, congratulations.”
Spectrum Health has been the official health partner and medical provider for the run since 2018.
Nearly 100 providers from Spectrum Health orthopedics were on hand to help any runners who needed assistance. Another 100 volunteers staffed hydration stations and helped in other ways.
The 5K runners started first around sunrise, with the temperature quickly warming into the 70s—something River Bank runners aren’t used to. Along with the 5K, the River Bank Run features a 10K and 25K, as well as a 5K walk and 25K races for hand cyclists and wheelchair racers.
Stacy and Chris Emmert brought their two boys, Cullen and Lawson, to run as a family.
Stacy ran the 10K and her husband and boys ran the 5K.
“It’s a family tradition,” Stacy said. “Chris and I started it and we continued to do it after we had the kids.”
At just 7 years old, this will be Lawson’s fourth River Bank Run.
“Running is a really great sport, a long-term sport that my boys can do as they get older,” Stacy said. “It’s a great way to give them an outdoor activity to do. If they have too much energy, I tell them to go run a mile and come back home and see where you’re at.”
Encouraging kids to engage in physical activity and maintain a healthy weight can have a lifelong impact, said Stacy, a pediatric orthopedic physician assistant at Spectrum Health.
“Exercise is so important for kids,” she said.
Results from this year’s race can be found at amwayriverbankrun.com.
