EAST LANSING — Since its inception, the annual Izzo Run/Walk/Roll event has more than doubled in participants and made a $1.55 million charitable impact, convincing organizers they’re safe to say their race is easily in Michigan’s top five 5K events.
Those stats will be getting more impressive soon since more than 9,000 people have signed up for the next Izzo Legacy fresh-air event on Michigan State University’s campus on Sunday, April 26
“To my knowledge this is in the top five – potentially in the top three – for just 5Ks in the entire state of Michigan,” said Joe Dimambro, the event’s race director. “For that to be accomplished in just its seventh year is truly astounding.”
The Izzo Run/Walk/Roll, of course, is tied to MSU’s Basketball Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo and his family’s commitment to their community.
“Over the years I’ve been fortunate to be a small part of many different charitable groups and causes that have brought so much good to our community,” Lupe Izzo, the Izzo Legacy’s founder and president, wrote on the organization’s website. “I’ve given a lot of thought and have come to understand that the opportunity exists to do even more.
“With that in mind, Tom and I have developed The Izzo Legacy to formalize our commitment to our community. While it’s not on the near horizon, it’s no secret that at some point Tom will no longer coach at Michigan State. The Izzo Legacy provides a manner in which we can still support our community for years to come.”
Their event kicked off in 2019 with 3,490 participants, took on what Dimambro calls a “hybrid, virtual/challenge” feel for the COVID years and then started coming back healthier than ever. Participants numbered 7,430 in 2025.
“Thankfully, due to the strong mission of the Izzo Legacy and all the different reasons people want to be connected to this event and the organization, we were able to weather the storm of the pandemic and come back in 2022 … those numbers increasing dramatically each and every year,” Dimambro said. “This year is no exception to that.”
Dimambro said the draw includes the chance to help others, reunite with friends and fellow alums, experience MSU’s campus in spring bloom, gab and compete along fully-closed roads, and finish the event at Spartan Stadium, with an invitation to take a victory lap inside for a close-up look at the field, a great situation for picture takers and memory makers.
“There are just a number of factors that make this unique,” Dimambro said. “We’re able to really embrace a lot of exclusive opportunities to experience MSU’s campus unlike any other event is able to do.”
The Izzo Run/Walk/Roll comes from a partnership between the Izzo family and Playmakers and the nonprofit Playmakers Foundation in Okemos. Dimambro, who ran cross country and track for MSU, also serves as executive director of the Playmakers Foundation.
Since its start, the event has raised money for Lansing-area charities and nonprofits, including the Cristo Rey Community Center, Greater Lansing Food Bank and Small Talk Children’s Advocacy Center.
The Izzo Legacy’s press materials indicate about $428,500 so far in event and charitable funds have been distributed. It provided a total charitable impact of approximately $1.55 million.
“I’m proud of how this community has embraced the Izzo Run/Walk/Roll not only because it’s an established race, but for the charities it supports here and throughout our state of Michigan,” Lupe Izzo said in a statement.
The Izzo Run/Walk/Roll event is still on the heels of the similar “Big House” event on the University of Michigan campus and in Ann Arbor, which had more than 12,000 participants at its recent 13th annual race day, according to one of University of Michigan’s Facebook posts.
However, watch out. Dimambro only expects the Izzo Run/Walk/Roll event to grow, perhaps with new distances.
The Izzo 5K race appeals to serious runners who are known to win in about 15 minutes. And runners, at whatever level, come from across the nation and globe.
“I really see this as a staple not only in our greater Lansing community, but in the entire state,” Dimambro said. “This is one of the few large spring events to really help jump-start the year. I only see this race as continuing to grow. Where that growth is going to stop, I have no idea because each year it’s minimum 1,500-plus additional participants.
“Always look to that last weekend in April to have an amazing race experience and opportunity to get involved in the community.”
Contact editor Susan Vela at svela@lsj.com or 248-873-7044. Follow her on Twitter @susanvela.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: More than 9,000 expected to run, walk, roll in upcoming Izzo event
Reporting by Susan Vela, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
