A group of MSU students listening to a speech

About the Race

A team of football players running together with an American flag

As the world annually focuses on one of the most honored football rivalries in America, a new tradition continues. A team of ROTC cadets from both Michigan and Michigan State will come together at the University of Michigan's Diag. There, on the Friday morning before game day, they will be presented with the game ball. Together they will run that ball across 64 miles of Michigan back roads to “Sparty” Statue in East Lansing.

This new tradition defines the MSU / U-M rivalry in a new light; the next generation of minute men from both institutions, working together to bring awareness to a worthy cause that benefits both universities and addresses the fundamental reason they exist, “to make quality education accessible to all.”

Police agencies from every community along the route will ensure safe passage. A robust support system, including the services of Dean Trailways will roll behind the runners. Every eight miles, another pair will take over, one carrying the game ball, the other an American Flag.

These two Big Ten powerhouses are rightly celebrated for their storied athletic traditions and the men and women who continually write new chapters in their history. Alex’s Great State Race reminds us of another powerful dimension; that all who have the capacity to learn have access to the finest education possible.

Donations in celebration of this symbolic partnership between two elite educational institutions will help support the work of the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities at MSU and the Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services at U-M.

Track the Ball

RaceJoy provides an interactive experience for live tracking. The RaceJoy experience includes Cheer Sending by remote spectators, progress alerts at every mile, and automated virtual results submission. RaceJoy will allow for instant progress of the game ball and ROTC cadets as they make the trek from the University of Michigan to Michigan State University.

Race details in the RaceJoy app will be available in October 2023. 

2023 Race Route

Runners will depart Crisler Center on U-M's campus at 3:10 AM; Spartan and Wolverine fans are encouraged to gather at 2:45 AM to cheer on the runners as they start their race. Fans can later gather at 12:00 PM at Demonstration Hall on MSU’s campus in East Lansing to welcome runners as they land at approximately 12:30PM. This year, the ROTC cadets will be joined by a group of athletes with disabilities and Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein, who will run the last five miles of the race.

Starting Site: Crisler Center, 333 E. Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 

Landing Site: MSU Demonstration Hall, 229 Dem Hall Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824

 

 

Alex Powell and his sister

About Alex

Alex Powell's short life is a testament to the courage, tenacity and spirit that epitomize the best in both Wolverines and Spartans. Learn more about the extraordinary young man for whom this race is named.

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