Please contact us if you would like to pick-up your award at the YMCA (top 3 per age group)
Extra shirts are available for sale at the YMCA for $8
Essential info
Date: Saturday, 5 April 2014, 9am Central/Chicago time
Location: Valparaiso Family YMCA, 1201 Cumberland Crossing, Valparaiso, Ind. (Map, Weather)
Registration: 7.30 to 8.30 at the YMCA.
Fees: TBD. Same price for 5K as 10K. If you can't attend but want your shirt, please send a friend to packet pick-up. Entry fee is non-refundable and substitutions are not allowed on race day
Shirts: Made of wicking moisture management fabric to help you stay dry when exercising. Choose from men's short sleeve tee or women's fitted short sleeve tee. First-come, first-serve unless pre-registered. Shirts tend to run small (particularly the women's fitted shirts) - order a size larger if you prefer a looser fit or longer length.
Included with your entry: Disposable chip timing. Wicking shirt. Gear check. Water stop. Fruit and water at the finish line (but not a big breakfast or lunch). Awards up to 3 per division. Free parking. [Child care is full. We cannot accomodate any child not already pre-registered for child care.]
Not included: Members wishing to use the YMCA's indoor facilities (locker rooms etc.) must present a Valparaiso YMCA membership card. We typically do not provide a race packet full of papers etc. - just the shirt and bib.
Events
Distance: 5K run, 10k run, and 5k prediction walk. Course info. Please allow the fastest runners to start at the front.
Event switching: If you registered as a runner and want to switch between the 5K and 10K, you do not need to notify us. Both courses start at the same time / same place. If you want to run the 10K, just follow the 10K course (which separates from the 5K at about mile 2.8 on Bullseye Lake Rd.) There are separate finish areas. Whatever course you run = the finish line you cross = the race for which you will be scored. Team members must run the same course (5K or 10K) to be counted for team scoring. Walkers must do the 5K course. The 5K is the Gold Cup course, and the 10K is the Extra Mile Championship Series course. Traffic control on the courses will end 75 minutes after the start.
Prediction walk: Walkers should indicate their predicted 5K time (90 minutes or less) and should not wear watches. Prediction time awards will be based on chip time, with awards going to the three male and three female walkers who finished closest to their predicted time. The "walk" is non-judged and walkers may run part or all of the course.
Team competition: Register your team or family of 5 or more for team competition! Teams are scored cross-country style. All teams must run the same event (5K run or 10K run) and register at least four days before the race.
Awards: Up to 3 deep in each division. Masters and Overall. The 5K is part of Gold Cup and the 10K is part of the Extra Mile Championship Racing Series. We do not give participation awards, but you are encouraged to keep your race bib as a souvenir. After the race, if you have won an award, come to the pavilion to collect it.
Divisions (run): 6-8; 9-10; 11-12; 13-14; 15-18; 19-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70-74; 75-79; 80+
Safety information
Prohibited items: We ask all participants not to use any item that may interfere with the other participants' safety, including strollers, baby joggers, shoes with wheels, bikes, other wheeled items, or dogs (except seeing eye dogs). Accomodations can be made in case of disability - kindly contact us in advance. Participants using music players are asked to keep the volume low enough to be able to hear course marshall instructions and nearby runners to avoid injury to themselves or others.
Medical professionals: will be on call at the fire station within sight of the starting area. Volunteer course marshalls will be stationed at major road crossings. In case of emergency, call 911 and immediately notify race or YMCA officials.
Traffic control: This is a city race and there may be motorists on the race course despite our best efforts. The 5K course reopens to traffic at a 20 minute pace. The 10K course reopens at 10:15.
Race beneficiary
Race organizers: The event is organized on behalf of the YMCA by a volunteer committee of local runners, many of them having participated on the committee since the first Ringing in Spring since 1995. Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering for the race committee.
This website is maintained by volunteers on behalf of Ringing in Spring. Statements made race day take precedence over the website. The YMCA is not responsible for the content of this website.