FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
REGISTRATION
What will I receive with my entry fee? All in-person 5k participants receive their race entry, T-shirt and racing bib with a timing chip. Drawstring Backpacks and Water Bottles are available for the first 250 people who register for the walk/race.
Please note: the Kids Dash and Kids 1-mile do not include shirts. If you would like to purchase a t-shirt for your child, please visit our online store. Youth shirts and Memory Hearts are be available at https://runsignup.com/Race/Store/MI/AnnArbor/HealingHeartsFamily5KWalkRun
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In order to guarantee you receive a race t-shirt you must register by Friday, August 23, 2024.
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Memory Hearts will be available until we run out.
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Can I change my t-shirt size after I have already registered? Shirt sizes may be exchanged by request (email Andrea at agerber@elesplace.org) until Friday, August 23, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
Will I receive a refund if I am unable to participate? All proceeds go to benefit our grief support programs for children, teens and their families. ALL sales are final
Can someone else run with my race bib? For the safety and security of all our runners, people are not permitted to run with someone else’s race bib. If you need to transfer your bib to someone else, please contact Andrea at agerber@elesplace.org. Changes will be permitted until Friday, September 13 at Noon.
Can I register on race day? Registration will be allowed on race day. Please note that we start promptly at 11:00 AM, be sure to arrive early in order to park and have time to register. Registration closes at 10:45 AM.
PRE-RACE
When is Packet Pick-up? Packet Pick-up is Friday, September 13th and the morning of the race, Sunday, September 15th. We encourage everyone to pick-up their packets on Friday in order to avoid a last minute rush the morning of the race.
Packet Pick-Up Location (9/13)
Ele’s Place Ann Arbor
5665 Hines Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Packet Pick-Up Dates/Times
Friday, September 13, 2024 - 2:00PM – 7:00 PM
Packet Pick-Up (9/15/2024 - Morning of Walk/Run)
Thomson Reuters Ann Arbor Campus
6300 Interfirst Drive
Ann Arbor, MI. 48108
Packet Pick-Up Dates/Times
Sunday, September 15, 2024 (AT EVENT SITE) - 9:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Will I get a bib number? YES! Individuals that join us for the in-person event and register for the 5K Walk/Run or Kids 1 Mile Walk/Run will receive a bib number. Additionally, each bib will be uniquely chipped for timing purposes.
Will there be Race Bags? Yes, Drawstring Backpacks are available for the first 250 who register for the walk/race. They will be available at packet pick-up.
Can I purchase a Memory Heart? Yes! Memory Hearts are available for $20 each. They can be purchased in the on-line store and picked up at packet pick-up. We encourage you to take them home, decorate them and bring them back the morning of the walk/run and place them along Memory Lane. They are also available for purchase the morning of the Race at Packet Pick-Up. Don't forget to take them home after the race and place them in your yard or garden to enjoy all year long.
Can someone else pickup my packet? Yes.
RACE DAY PARKING
Where will I be able to park? Parking is FREE and available to all participants and their cheer leaders. Access to the Thomson Reuter Ann Arbor Campus is off of Whitmore Blvd & State Street or W. Textile Road & Interfirst Drive. Our parking volunteers will help direct you from there. As a courtesy to all Race participants and parking volunteers, please do not speed once on-site and follow the parking signs to the designated parking area. THERE IS ENOUGH PARKING FOR EVERYONE.
Which roads will be blocked off? Whitmore Blvd and Interfirst Drive will be blocked off promptly at 10:45 AM to help ensure the walk/run starts as scheduled. Please make sure to arrive in advance of this time in order to secure a parking spot.
Can I leave immediately after finishing my race? To help ensure everyone’s safety, cars will not be permitted to leave the parking lot until all participants have completed the walk/run.
RACE
Where is the Race being held? For the in-person event the Start and Finish line will be adjacent to the Thomson Reuters building at 6300 Interfirst Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. 2.5 times around the course is 5K, one time around is the 1-Mile walk/run. The Kids 100 Yard Dash will take place adjacent to the Thomson Reuters building. If you can’t join us in-person on Sunday, September 15th, we hope you’ll join us virtually and walk/run anywhere you choose!
Will the race be timed? YES! The 5K & Kids One Mile Run will be timed and each bib will have a chip with finish line timing.
Where can I find my race results? Race results are at https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/107641/
Will headphones be allowed? Headphones are allowed; however, we strongly encourage participants to abstain from using headphones during this race.
Will refreshments be provided? Bottled water and nutrition bars will be available for free to all participants at the Start/Finish line of the Walk/Run. Additionally, two water stations will be available on the course itself.
EVENT CANCELLATION DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER
Should the Ele’s Place Ann Arbor Healing Hearts Family 5K Walk/Run be cancelled due to inclement weather, notification will be made as follows: on our event webpage: https://www.elesplace.org/branch-locations/ann-arbor/events , on the home page of our event race page on the RunSignUp website: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/AnnArbor/HealingHeartsFamily5KWalkRun, on our automated telephone system at 734.929.6640, and via emails, texts and our social media pages, whenever possible. If the event is to continue as planned, no notice will be sent. Do to the nature of being an outdoor event run by a nonprofit organization with the help of volunteers, if the event the Walk/Run is cancelled due to inclement weather or any other unforeseen circumstances that could impact the health or safety of participants, no refunds are allowed for this event.
KIDS
Can kids participate in the Race? YES! If your child can do 3.1 miles, then register them for the 5K. There is also the Mission Mile option and Kids Dash. Please note, Kids Dash is FREE, but does not include a t-shirt. If you would like to purchase a t-shirt for your child, please visit our online store. Youth shirts will be available for sale at https://runsignup.com/Race/Store/MI/AnnArbor/HealingHeartsFamily5KWalkRun
Are strollers or joggers allowed? Strollers and joggers are allowed but must provide right-of-way to other walkers/runners without strollers or joggers. Please be aware of your surroundings and stay to the right to allow runners to pass by you. There will be a staggered start and individuals with strollers or joggers will be in the last corrals.
RESTROOMS
Where will restrooms be located? Port-a-johns will be available in the Thomson Reuters parking lot. PLEASE NOTE, WE WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE THOMSON REUTERS BUILDING FOR INDOOR RESTROOMS.
MEDICAL & SAFETY
Where can I find medical assistance if I get hurt? Please note that all our volunteers are here to help! Seek out a volunteer for assistance. The First Aid area will be located in the parking lot adjacent to the Start and Finish Line. Additional medical assistance will be on notice should the need arise.
If you are feeling ill, we request that you stay home and rest.
PETS
Can my dog run/walk with me? We welcome licensed service animals as required per medical need. However, dogs are not allowed to walk/run with you if participating in-person. If you are participating virtually and in a location where you can have a dog...enjoy!
AWARDS
Will there be awards? All participants under the age of 18 will receive a medal. Prizes will be awarded for the best heart-themed outfit.
SPECTATORS
Will spectators be allowed to view the finish? Absolutely! We invite you to help cheer on all walkers and runners at the finish line!
PERSONAL BELONGINGS / LOST AND FOUND
Will there be a bag drop off at the race? No. We have amazing Race Drawstring Backpacks for the first 250 people to register for the race this year. We encourage you to bring them with you the morning of the race and wear them so all your personal items are safe and secure. If you prefer not to, please safely secure any valuables you have in your vehicle.
If I’ve lost something, where can I find the lost and found? The Lost and Found area will be located at the registration/packet pick-up table near the Start/Finish line. Please feel free to ask a volunteer if you have questions.
FEEDBACK
How can I provide feedback? We will be sending out feedback surveys via email after the event. Your feedback is important to the success of our events and we appreciate it!
