RACE FAQs and RACE ETIQUETTE
ABOUT THE RACE
New this year! Age Adjusted Pricing for kids participating in the 5K! When registering youths under the age of 18, please use the standard 5K registration form. Child registration price will be lowered to $15 (plus administration fee) at check-out.
The 5K is a USATF Certified course.
When do the races start?
The 5K run/walk starts at 8:30 AM.
The Kids fun run starts at 8:00 AM.
Where does the race begin?
The race starts at the end of First Street
When does race day registration begin?
Race day registration opens on Saturday, November 30, 2019.
REGISTRATION QUESTIONS
How can I register for this event?
There are 2 ways to register
You can register online; the deadline for online registration is March 27, 2020
There will be no mail-in option
Registration can also be completed in person at the packet pickup sites
RACE DAY REGISTRATION –
Sunday, March 29th at 7:15 - 7:45 am on the Marina Green.
What do I receive with my registration?
Custom designed cotton race shirt guaranteed if you register before
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place medals for age group winners.
I can no longer participate in the race (injury, scheduling conflict, etc.), what are the refund/transfer policies for the race?
All entries are non-refundable. Once we’ve received and processed your entry, you will not receive a refund, you MAY NOT give or sell your race number to other people, and entry fees are not transferable to the next year’s race or any other race.
You are able to transfer your entry to another person for a fee of $10. This can be done at any of the packet pick-ups prior to race day. There will be no transfers on race day.
If I’m unable to attend and already registered, can I still get my shirt?
Yes, you can pick up your shirt at our office the following week – we do not mail shirts unless otherwise stated.
On my registration, I misspelled my name, age, I’ve recently moved, etc. How can I fix this?
Please contact the race director at beniciarunforeducation@gmail.com.
PACKET PICK UP INFORMATION
If I’m pre-registered, do I need to bring identification to packet pick up?
It is not required but it’s always a good idea to bring it.
Can someone else pick up my race bib and shirt?
Yes, both can be picked up by/for family and friends. It’s always a good idea to bring your confirmation e-mail.
Where can I pick up my race packet?
At any of the packet pickup locations
RESULTS/AWARDS
How is this race timed?
This race is an officially timed event using the disposable chip timing system. Timing chips are attached directly to the back of your bib number and are to remain adhered for the duration of the event.
Male & Female Age Groups for 5K:
1-6; 7-8; 9-10; 11-12; 13-14; 15-19; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; 70-74; 75+
Where can I see my results?
Results will be posted directly after the race on our website.
When will the results be posted?
Official results will be posted online.
What do I do if my results are incorrect or missing?
After the results have been officially posted, please contact us with any questions or concerns.
I could not pick up my award on race day, how can I get my award?
Please contact us for options to receive your award.
COURSE QUESTIONS
Where can I park the morning of the race?
Parking is available at area lots and adjacent streets. Please be considerate of our neighbors in and around First Street.
Do I have to run the race or can I walk instead?
You may walk the course, but the police or course monitors may ask you to move to the sidewalk at some point in the race. If you plan on walking, please start in the back of the starting area.
Can I wear headphones on the course?
Yes, you can. Please keep the volume down to hear the volunteers, course monitors, or other runners.
MISCELLANEOUS
Can I volunteer for the race?
We love volunteers and they are always needed to ensure a fun, safe and successful event! You can sign up to volunteer on our race website.
Is there a bag check?
Not at this time.
May I use a running stroller during the race?
Strollers are welcome for the 5k, but please stay to the back of the start area for the safety of the runners. PLEASE NOTE - The course does narrow and faster runners will be trying to pass. Double strollers may be harder to navigate.
Can I bring my dog?
We all love our pets. If you want to run or walk with your well behaved dog, please keep the dog close to you. For the safety of all participants retractable leashes WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. Remember, some runners are not comfortable with dogs. Please stay at the back of the pack for the race is you have your dog.
General Rules for Running in an Event
FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE RACE OUTLINED ON THE RACE ENTRY FORM!
Pre-register even if same day registration is offered. This will help ease the registration process for everyone involved.
Arrive early for the event, especially if you are picking up your number on race day. Check your registration information carefully, especially if you are racing for an award or prize money.
Use the facilities before the race start to lessen the need once on course, and help keep the facilities clean for person in line after you.
Pin your race number on the front of your shirt/shorts. This is where it is most visible for photographers and race officials.
Line up according to how fast you plan to run or walk the event. Slower runners and walkers should move to the back of the race pack. Just because you arrived early does not mean you should be at the front of the starting line.
Pay attention to the pre-race instructions. This is NOT the time to be blaring your favorite song on your personal music device
Race Etiquette on Course
If you drop something as the race starts, don’t stop and pick it up! Wait until almost everyone has crossed the starting line; then retrieve it.
Don’t drop clothing on the course after you warm-up. If you must shed layers of clothing, tie them around your waist or place them on the side of the road where no one will trip over them. If you drop it; don’t expect to get it back.
Run or walk no more than two abreast.
Do not block runners coming up behind you by swerving needlessly back and forth across the course.
If you are walking in a group, stay to the back of the pack and follow the two abreast rule.
Bodily functions are a fact of life during a race. If you need to spit, blow your nose or throw-up, move to the side of the road and do it there. If nature calls, check for a port-a-potty, an open business, a kind neighbor along the course, or as a last resort, a discreet clump of bushes before relieving yourself.
Move to the side if someone behind you says “excuse me” or “on you’re your right/left”. The person behind you is giving you a heads up before passing. It’s proper race etiquette to let that person pass you without blocking their effort.
If someone in front of you is wearing headphones, and they are blocking, gently touch their elbow or shoulder as you pass to alert them to your presence.
If you need to tie your shoe or stop for any reason (phone call, nose blow, etc) move to the side of the road and step off the course.
Pay attention to your surroundings. The course may or may not be closed to traffic. It is your responsibility to watch for oncoming traffic!
Yield the right of way to all police and emergency vehicles. Yield the course to wheel chair athletes, you can change direction or stop more quickly then they can, especially on a downhill.
Don’t cheat! Don’t cut the course or run with someone else’s number.
Enjoy your race!
Aid Station Etiquette
When approaching an aid station to hydrate or re-fuel, move to the right and grab your fluid/nutritional needs from the volunteers or the aid tables then continue forward away from the volunteers or aid table.
If you need to stop at an aid station step to the right side of the road and proceed to the aid station, but do not block others from accessing the aid tables or volunteers handing out fluids.
Throw your used cup to the right side away from the course as close to an aid station as possible. Drop your cup down by your waist as opposed to tossing it over your shoulder. The person behind you may not appreciate the shower if the cup is not empty.
Say thank you to the volunteers manning the aid station.
If you see someone in distress on the course, report their number to the aid station and try to recall the approximate mile maker where you saw them.
Finish Line Etiquette
Now would be the most important time to remove your headphones.
Follow the instructions of the race officials at the finish.
If a friend or family member is running the last stretch with you and isn’t in the race, he/she should move off the course before the finish chute starts.
Once you have crossed the finish line, keep moving forward until the end of the finish chute. Stay in finishing order if the event is not electronically timed so the finish line volunteers can remove the pull tags for scoring.
If the event is electronically timed, be sure to return the timing tag/chip before leaving the finishers’ chute.
Exit the chute and wait for friends or family in a central location.
Enjoy the post-race refreshments, but remember it is not an all you can eat buffet for you and your family.
Stay around for the awards ceremony to cheer on the overall winners along with the age group winners. Running is one of the few sports where the participants get to mingle closely with the event winners.
Be proud of your accomplishment!
Remember no event is perfect and people work hard to make them safe and enjoyable. Most events are staffed primarily by volunteers, but there is always a race director or race committee that is responsible for an event. If you have ideas for improving an event or concerns you would like to address, share them with the race director or race committee in a positive and productive manner.
