The Genesee Valley Harriers (GVH) has been the Rochester area premier running team since its founding in 1996. Many of their members travel across the region and country to compete in cross country, road racing and track events. Simultaneously, GVH is deeply integrated with the local running community and supports running related activities and education for youth and adults alike throughout the community. The IEXC series sponsored by GVH and Innovative Edge Sports has been an important piece of this mission for over 20 years. The series is designed to be accessible, low cost, and fun for all ages. We welcome all to come out Thursday evenings in August and share in GVH's love of running!

Registration will remain open right up to the start of the race, although earlier registration is appreciated. Please bring cash if you are planning on same day registration. All participants in the Kids Fun Races are required to complete a registration, although there is no charge and they do not need to select which race(s) they want to complete.

There will not be packet pickup prior to race day. Athletes will check-in starting at 5:00PM on the day of the race to receive a bib with a pull-off tag. The tags will be used to determine age group awards as the athletes finish.

There will be three races geared towards our younger participants:

50 meter "final stretch" run for younger kids

1/4 mile loop around the field

1/2 mile loop around the field

Cost

The Kid's Fun Runs are free!

Awards

All participants will receive a ribbon and popsicle at the finish. The races will not be timed. Parents are welcome to run with their children. All spectators are strongly encouraged to cheer the kids on.

The 5k will be a cross country style race around Cobb's Hill Park. Most of the race will be on grass and trails with some short stretches on pavement (see the course map for more detail). The course will be marked with brightly colored flags and there will be several marshals on course to help runners.

Cost

The 5k races are free to all runners under 18 years old!

The 5k races are free to members of the Genesee Valley Harriers club. You will have an opportunity to join as part of registration if you are not currently a member.

$35.00 for all four 5k races (discount applied at check-out)

$10.00 for any single 5k race

Awards

Merchandise awards are provided by Innovative Edge Sports. Awards will be presented immediately following the race to the overall male and female winner plus the top five male and female finishers in each of the following age divisions:

Youth (13 and under)

High School (14-18)

Open (19-39)

Master (40+)

On August 21, Rochester Running Company will be on site showing off their collection of cross country spikes. We will also be giving away a pair of spikes to one lucky registrant.

The series will go out with a bang with the infamous Tour de Pain. Following the 5k race, athletes will run a 1 mile road loop up and around the reservoir. After the finish of the mile, there will be final dash around the field. No need to register separately - all participants of the 5k will have the opportunity to experience the pain for no additional cost. Finishers of all three events will receive a special prize.

What is your cancellation policy?

In most cases we will not cancel the race prior to 6:00. The race directors and volunteers will show up and make a determination at race time whether to start the race. We will not start the race if there is thunder or lighting in the area. If the weather appears to be improving, we will delay the race start by 30 minutes. If thunder continues, we will cancel the race.

If it seems obvious that the weather is not cooperating, we will send out a cancellation to the email addresses provided at registration at least a hour before the start time.

Do I need to register my child for the Kid's Fun Run?

Yes. For insurance and sanctioning purposes we need a count of total runners and parent/guardian acknowledgment of the waiver.

Shouldn't I have a timing chip?

Timing will be completed by hand, so no timing chip! But make sure that your number is clearly visible on the front of your shirt and that we're able to pull off your tag at the finish.

I'm participating in more than one race in the series. Should I use the same bib?

No. Since we pull off the tag at each race, you will need a new bib for each race.

How will I get the results?

Results will be uploaded to RunSignup by the end of the following day. We hope to be able to provide results in real-time, but there may be issues that need to be resolved before times are finalized.