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NOTICE: Our event is still on as of August 22, 2020. We anticipate being able to put on a safe event. If you register for this event, please know that if we have to cancel due to changes in Michigan's requirements, the only option you will have is to defer your registration to our event in 2021.
PLEASE NOTE--STARTING TIMES WILL BE AT 6:00 FOR MARATHON, 7:00 FOR HALF MARATHON, 8:00 FOR 6-MILE. See below for wave times.
Marathon, 13.35 Half Marathon (with a 13.1 split mat!), and a 6 Mile option as well! At Secchia Meadows in Millennium Park, one of the great facilities of our Kent County Park system. LIMITED TO 100 RUNNERS PER EVENT!
WE WILL HAVE NO MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE ON SITE AT ANY TIME! SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS.
A good warmup for your fall marathon or just a chance to run in our beautiful Millennium Park! CONTACT US WITH QUESTIONS donkern1@gmail.com, 616 293 3145
COVID-19 Rule Changes for Millennium Meadows Marathon
(UPDATED 8/22/2020) Since the Millennium Meadows event is being run with a smaller crowd, we have more flexibility to accommodate runners. As of today, 8/22/2020, the Millennium Meadows Marathon meets the criteria to proceed under the Michigan Safe Start Plan Phase 4 Guidelines (maximum of 100 people in an outdoor gathering). However, please note that given the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 restrictions, this can change at any time. Stay tuned to our website for updates.
The Millennium Meadows Marathon will be redesigned to minimize runner, volunteer, and spectator risks in the current COVID-19 environment. Part of our redesign is dependent upon runners adhering to public health guidelines out of respect for their fellow runners and humans. Some of these changes are mandated by the State of Michigan Department of Health. Other changes are the result of medical team, Kent County Parks, volunteer, runner, and event input. We ask for everyone’s understanding and cooperation as we prioritize safety, your personal race goals, and race experience over some of our typical amenities and the spectator’s experience.
Here are some highlights of the redesign:
– 2020 Millennium Meadows Marathon will have a limited field capacity this year in order to comply with Michigan Phase 4.
– 2020 Millennium Meadows Marathon will be in separate waves. We will start the next wave as quickly as we can--but everyone needs to stay in the staging area until your group is called forward. Runners are seeded by qualifying times needed in Boston 2021. Waves will line up according to the pace signs near the starting area and will be kept apart by at least 50 feet. We will split waves up into smaller numbers so that a maximum of 50 runners per wave may be maintained. ALL RUNNERS MUST WEAR MASKS PRIOR TO RACE START WHILE IN THE STAGING AREA. We will provide a receptacle to dispose of masks shortly past the start line.
MARATHON EARLY START RUNNERS WILL BE RELEASED TO START ONE RUNNER EVERY 5 SECONDS.
Wave 1 – 6:00 a.m. Early Starters (Anyone planning to take more than 5:30 hours to run a marathon) IT'S GONNA BE DARK. BRING A HEADLAMP IF YOU WANT!
MARATHON GENERAL START RUNNERS WILL BE RELEASED TO START ONE RUNNER EVERY 5 SECONDS.
Wave 2 – 6:30 Marathon runners expecting to finish in under 4 hours
Wave 3 – 6:40 Marathon runners expecting to finish in over 4 hours
Runners who don't feel comfortable in staging area may start after the main field any time before the marathon start line closes at 6:45
HALF MARATHON - PLEASE PLAN TO ARRIVE ON SITE NO EARLER THAN 6:15
HALF MARATHON AT 7:00 AM (Please be in staging area between 6:45 and 7:00) RUNNERS WILL BE RELEASED TO START ONE RUNNER EVERY 5 SECONDS.
Wave 4 – 7:00 Half marathon runners expecting to finish in under 1:30
Wave 5 – 7:15 Half marathon runners expecting to finish in over 1:30
Half marathon start line closes at 7:30
Runners who don't feel comfortable in staging area may start after the main field any time before the half marathon start line closes at 7:30
SIX MILE - PLEASE PLAN TO ARRIVE ON SITE NO EARLER THAN 7:15
SIX MILE
Wave 6 – 8:00 6-mile runners
Wave 7 – 8:10 If numbers warrant, the slower 6 mile runners will start in a second wave
Runners who don't feel comfortable in staging area may start after the main field any time before the 6-mile start line closes at 8:15
STARTING PROCEDURES FOR ALL RACES
Runners will stage in the large grassy area located behind the Millennium Meadows pavilion. Signs will be posted by your projected pace. Hang out within a few feet of the sign that most closely matches your pace. Runners will be released from the staging area one at a time approximately every 5 seconds. Face covering (mask) must be worn until you have crossed the starting line. The race is providing a bandana for every runner which may be used as your face covering.
– No spectators in the race village/start-finish area until 8 am. Runners will finish the half marathon and marathon from 8:20 from 9:30 a.m. -12 p.m., so there will be plenty of time to see your runner on the loop course after the race has begun.
– Aid Stations Both aid stations will have water and Gatorade available, pre-poured and on the tables for runners to pick up—Volunteers will not personally hand cups to runners. Other nutritional supplements (gels, cookies, etc.) must be carried by runners for their own use.
– Limited Post Race Village amenities. Including pre-packaged post race food and beverages handed to runners by volunteers
– Time allowed in the Post Race Village will be limited so runners do not bunch. We’d love to hang around and have a party, but we’re just not going to. Post race food will consist of pre-packaged snacks and pre-bottled drinks. (And, darn it, we won't have beer for runners in the post-race area.)
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.
The course for the marathon is the same as the Last Chance BQ.2 Marathon - Grand Rapids. The half marathon uses the same course, but only 3 loops instead of 6 with a shorter leg to the finish line for a total of 13.35 miles (with a 13.1 official half marathon split mat). The 6 mile uses the marathon course but with only one loop. It's about a mile from the start to the loop, and about a mile from the loop back to the finish. FOR THE MARATHON ONLY--A 6:00AM EARLY START IS RECOMMENDED FOR RUNNERS WHO WILL TAKE MORE THAN 6 HOURS!
The loop is 4.05 miles long. Mostly flat. The section between 2.5 and 3.5 (on the first time around) rolls gradually uphill but there are no major hills.
Aid stations at the beginning of the loop (about the 1 mile mark) and in the middle (just past the 3 mile mark) with Gatorade, Water, and maybe a little extra nutrition as well. We're likely to have some GU packets available, but plan to carry your own stuff as well.
MARATHON ONLY--6AM START AVAILABLE FOR "VELOCITY CHALLENGED" RUNNERS. IF YOU PLAN TO WIN AN AWARD OR QUALIFY FOR BOSTON, YOU NEED TO START AT THE NORMAL START TIME AT 7AM
Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.
The half marathon race is 13.35 miles long. There's a certified split at the half marathon mark which will appear with your results, but the finish line is the same as the marathon finish line.
Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.
Six Mile Course (Note--the 6 mile finish line is adjusted to be at the same place as the marathon finish line, so the course is about 58 feet longer by the time you get to the finish line.)
PLEASE NOTE: 2020 IS A SPECIAL YEAR. WE'RE DOING THIS WITH LIMITED STAFF AND LIMITED RUNNERS TO MAXIMIZE SOCIAL DISTANCE AND KEEP THE GATHERING BELOW 100 AT ALL TIMES. PLEASE HELP US IN THIS PURSUIT BY MINIMIZING YOUR TIME ONSITE TO LESS THAN 1/2 HOUR BEFORE AND AFTER YOUR RACE
Age Limits? No. You or your parents determine if you're old enough.
Packet Pickup--On race day in the pavillion at the race site at 5:30 a.m. SATURDAY from 1pm-4pm at the Secchia Meadows All-season parking lot. (It's the lot out beside Maynard before driving all the way into the pavillion Look for the U-Haul truck) LATE REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLY. USE YOUR SMART-PHONE FROM YOUR CAR TO REGISTER. SUBJECT TO REGISTRATION LIMITS
Before picking up packets, runners must answer the following questions:
- Have you been exposed to anyone with COVID19 in the past week?
- Have you recently been tested positive for covid?
- Do you currently feel sick or have a temperature?
- Do you agree to wear a mask in the pre-race staging area
Your temperature will be taken (Limit at 100.3F) and your name/bib number will be verified as cleared.
Early Start for MARATHON at 6:00 a.m. General marathon start is at 6:30.
Finisher medals for all events. Gender specific T-shirts for all events. Age Group Awards for all age groups and places.
Timing All timing and placing will be chip time. If you have ego involved about crossing the finish line first, then start near the front and pass the person in front of you.
YES, this is a Boston qualifying course.
Time Limits? Keep moving and act like you're trying to finish in a reasonable time. We won't have any problems. Stop for a picnic and we'll probably go home without you.
THERE ARE NO REFUNDS. You can defer your entry to next year, or transfer to another person. Go look up your entry and click on the "MORE DETAILS" link. Then select Defer or Transfer to another runner.
Anyone signing up for the event after 8/25/2020 shirts will be available on race day after the event. If you don't get one at the event, we will get you one!
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