Holiday Hustle 5K

COVID-19 Protocols

Our entire team has been strategizing on how we can execute a safe event, and we want to share our plan with you. As always, safety is our #1 priority, and now more than ever, the success and ability to hold events in the coming months will be dependent on everyone doing their part. In order to participant you will be required "sign off" (via your RunSignUp registration) that you have read and agreed to abide by the race protocols here. A few highlights are as follows:

1. All race staff will wear face coverings for the duration of the event. Runners will not be required to wear face coverings while running, but will be required to wear a mask before and after the race while in the area.
2. Race registration for the in-person event (normally capped at 650) will be limited to 400 people. The virtual event can accommodate another 200 runners.
3. All registrants will receive emails 10 days prior to the race, and 5 days prior to the race, reminding runners who feel ill or believe they may have come in contact with someone exposed to COVID-19 to stay home. Runners will be given the option to defer their race registration to 2021.
4. Packets will be available curbside at Charm City Run Bel Air on Saturday, December 12th, as well as on race day at the lower Equestrian Center pavilion.
5. You will be asked to select a 15-minute starting window between 9 AM and 11:00 AM, which will be your designated time to report to the staging area. Runners and walkers will stage by wave (50 people per wave) in the upper Equestrian Center pavilion, and be directed by race staff to begin during that 15-minute period. Runners must remain socially distanced while waiting to begin by standing on the designated marks.
6. Spectators are not allowed to gather at the start/finish line. We ask that only registered runners and walkers (with the exception of minors) attend the event in order to minimize the number of people in the area at any given time.
7. Results will be posted online, and winners can pick up their award at Charm City Run Bel Air any time beginning on Monday, December 14th.
8. Anyone not abiding by the protocols outlined in our race plan will be given a friendly reminder, and then asked to leave if the situation is not corrected. We will not jeopardize the safety and well-being of our staff and fellow participants - it is your responsibility to read the guidelines and follow them!

ENTRY FEES

$20 from February 5th until February 9th (special early bird price)
$25 until July 26th
$30 until October 31st
$35 until December 11th
$40 at packet pickup and on race day

Kids 10 & under are welcome to participate in the 5K race at no charge, but will not receive a race premium (they will receive a finisher medal/ornament). This discount will be applied at check-out. If you would like your child to receive a race premium you will have the option to add one for $10 during the registration process.

There are no refunds of entry given for this event.

Want to run for free? With our referral program you can have your registration fee refunded!

Here is how it works:

1. Register online for the Holiday Hustle 5K.
2. Receive a unique referral link via your confirmation page and email.
3. Share this link with your friends, family or post on social media.
4. After 5 registrants sign up using your unique referral link you will automatically receive a refund of your registration fee.

VIRTUAL OPTION

We have created a virtual race option for those who would like to participate but are not local, or do not feel comfortable attending an in-person race at this time. Due to limitations on race swag, we have a 200-person cap on the virtual event. Here's how the virtual race works:

1. Register for the virtual event, and sign up for text or e-mail notifications
2. Your race swag will be available for pickup at our Saturday packet pickup. Those packets that are not picked up on Saturday will be mailed using the "mailing address" provided during the registration process starting the following week. Please note that if you do not pick up your packet at Packet Pickup you will receive your race packet after race day.
3. You'll receive a text or email (if you opt in) when the virtual race "starts" on December 12th.
4. Run your race and submit your results either by text message or email (if you've opted in) or by heading to the results page here by December 13th at 11:59 PM Eastern Time). Results update in real time as people submit their times. Be sure to take a selfie and post on social media with the hashtag #charmcityrun or share by heading to the runsignup.com photo page.
5. Virtual race performances are not eligible for the overall event awards, but we'll certainly be acknowledging the winners in our post-race communication.

PACKET PICK-UP

Saturday, December 12th from 10AM-2PM

Charm City Run Bel Air
126 South Main Street, #2
Bel Air, MD 21014

Race Day:

On-site starting at 7:30AM

AMENITIES     

• Race premium (image below) 
• Finisher medal that can double as a holiday ornament (see below)
• Mile splits will capture your progress through the course
• Optional text message and/or emailed results
• Holiday goodie bag with hot chocolate mix, cookies, and other goodies!
• Water will be available on the 5k course, and course marshals will direct racers at all turns.

COURSE

Due to use restrictions on the Harford Community College campus, we have relocated the Holiday Hustle to the Harford County Equestrian Center. The 5K course begins on the Equestrian Center campus and travels around the property and onto the Ma & Pa Trail toward Annie's Playground before returning to the Equestrian Center for the finish.

The course is entirely on paved and crushed gravel surfaces. For safety reasons, pets, roller skates, and other wheeled devices (with the exception of wheelchairs) are not allowed on the course. Jogging strollers are permitted, but we ask that you start in the back of the pack so that your stroller does not create a tripping hazard. In order to hear instructions from course marshals and safety personnel during the event we STRONGLY discourage the use of headphones.

AWARDS

Top 3 overall males and females, as well as in each age group as follows:

10 and under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+

First male and female runners to finish the course in a complete Santa costume (red long sleeve shirt/jacket, red pants, beard, and hat). These costumes do not need to be shopping mall quality, but red running shorts are NOT pants 

The first 500 registrants are guaranteed to receive a Holiday Hustle medal that can double as an ornament. We even provide the hooks to use for your tree! 

WEATHER & EVENT CANCELLATION

Please review the Charm City Run Weather and Event Cancellation policy here prior to registering for this event. If you have any questions about the policy please email us at events@charmcityrun.com prior to registering.
 

Interactive Race Day Experience with RaceJoy

Live Phone Tracking, GPS Progress Alerts and Cheers!

We are providing you with RaceJoy as part of the official race experience for the Holiday Hustle 5K.

Download the RaceJoy mobile app in advance to ensure proper phone setup. Invite your friends and family to track you and send you cheers!

Some key RaceJoy features include:

GPS Progress Alerts

• Receive continual progress updates as you complete your goal.

Live GPS Tracking

• Remote spectators can track your progress live in a map view. You can also track others.

Send-a-Cheer

• Receive supportive audio cheers from remote friends & family.

Virtual Results (virtual events only)

• Enter your race-assigned bib number to automatically submit your finish data for real-time scored results.