HERE YOU’LL FIND IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR RACE WEEKEND

Please read through this guide in preparation for this year’s event!

5K, 10K and Challenge For Change

Packet Pickup and Late Registration Location and Times:

  • Friday, September 27 from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM at the Saginaw YMCA

  • Saturday, September 28 from 7:15 AM - 10:15 AM at the Saginaw YMCA

What happens at packet pickup? Participants will receive race bibs (number plate) with pins, tickets for food trucks and t-shirts (if registered for them)*

*A reminder that the opportunity to register “with shirt” ended on Friday, September 20th. Those that registered “with shirt” are guaranteed a shirt in the size selected. A small number of extra shirts were printed and will be for sale for $10 on a first come, first serve basis at packet pickup.

Race Start Times:  

  • 9am — 5K Run/Walk

  • 9:05am — 3K Turtles & Hares

    (Both the 5K and 3K courses go through the Saginaw Children’s Zoo!)

  • 10:30am — 10K Run

Location:  Saginaw YMCA

Address:  1915 Fordney St., Saginaw, MI 48601

IMPORTANT INFO - PLEASE READ

  • 5K and 3K Turtle & Hare registrants, please try to arrive to packet pickup as early as possible - and no later than 8:30AM on Saturday morning. We ask that everyone please try to arrive before 8AM so that the start of the races are not delayed

  • NO DOGS will be allowed in the Saginaw Children’s Zoo. Dogs should not be participating in any of the events but we need to emphasize that pets are not allowed in the Zoo

  • Race bibs (numbers) must be worn on the FRONT of the body and cannot be covered by clothing

  • 5K and 3K participants - A CHALK LINE will be on the ground to guide you through the Saginaw Children’s Zoo. PLEASE do not stray from the chalk line as you make your way through the zoo

  • When exiting the Saginaw Children’s Zoo, 5K runners will turn RIGHT and run around Hoyt Park. 3K Turtle & Hare participants will turn LEFT and head back toward the finish line

  • Strollers/wheelchairs, and other accommodations are welcome to participate in the 3K “Turtles & Hares” and 5K events but only jogging strollers are allowed for the 10K

  • Participants will receive meal tickets during packet pickup. Those picking up on Friday - please do NOT forget to bring your meal tickets on Saturday!

  • All participants will have a photo taken at the finish line. These photos will be posted on the race website for FREE download. SMILE!

  • Water Stations

    • 5K - There will be one water station halfway around Hoyt Park

    • 3K Turtle & Hares will not have an on-course water station

    • 10K - There will be a water station at approximated 2.25 mile mark (turnaround at the end of Wickes Park) and at approximately 4.5 miles as you pass the YMCA toward Ojibway Island

DRINKS & ICE CREAM!


Registrants will receive two tickets that can be used at T&T, 5-2-Oh, Bubble Bee Tea, or Baynes Appley Valley.  Overtime with a twist will also be providing ice cream!

HARD CIDER!

Among the food/beverage selections available to participants after the race will be both hard and regular cider provided by Baynes. Adults 21 and older wishing to use their free food/drink tickets for hard cider must have ID. Drink responsibly!

10K Course Description:

This race will begin and end at the Saginaw YMCA! Runners will begin in the street (Fordney St) in front of the YMCA before heading south and entering WIcke’s Park Drive for an out-and-back section of trail along the Saginaw River. Runners will reach a turnaround near East St before heading back toward the YMCA. There, runners will pick up along the river trail heading north onto Ojibway Island where they’ll do a loop of the island with a short “hitch out-and-back stretch of the river trail” before heading back toward the finish line at the YMCA.

5K Course Description:

This race will also begin and end at the Saginaw YMCA! Runners will begin in the street (Fordney St) in front of the YMCA before heading north and turning right onto Ezra Rust Blvd. Runners will cross M-13, running through the Saginaw Children’s Zoo and turn back onto Ezra Rust Street. A short distance later and runners will enter Ojibway Island for a loop before getting on the path toward the finish line at the Saginaw YMCA.

3K “Turtles & Hares” Course Description:

This race will also begin and end at the Saginaw YMCA! Runners will begin in the street (Fordney St) in front of the YMCA before heading north and turning right onto Ezra Rust Blvd. Runners will cross M-13, running through the Saginaw Children’s Zoo and turn back onto Ezra Rust Street  getting on the path toward the finish line at the Saginaw YMCA.

Awards 

Top 3 Overall Male and Female participants in the 10K & 5K Run/Walk events will receive an award. The top overall male and female in the Challenge for Change will receive an award. Age group results will be provided for USA Track & Field Sanctioning purposes but age group awards will not be given for 2024.

Results

Results will be online at Great Lakes Race Management shortly after completing your event and will be posted at DIGDEEPRACES.COM within 48 hours of race completion.

Refund and Transfer Policy

We completely understand that plans change and registrants will sometimes be unable to compete in an event they've signed up for.  We also understand that registering for one of our events is a financial investment in that race. We accept your registration funds with the full intention of putting on the promised event with the listed amenities and we use your registration funds to pay for the necessary items and services needed to host the event. With that in mind, refunds will not be provided for this event unless the event is cancelled for reasons within our control.  The following are examples (but not limited to) of reasons an event might be canceled that are NOT within our control: Dangerous weather; natural disasters; pandemics; acts of terrorism; local emergencies; government mandates; and any situation creating a threat to safety of participants, volunteers, staff or bystanders.

Should a registrant have an injury or other medical issue keeping them from competing in an event they've registered for, we would be happy to transfer their registration to a similar Dig Deep-owned event up to and including the same event the following season.  A doctor's slip may be required as proof of injury or ailment.  Failure to provide proof if requested will result in non-transfer of the event.

Transferring registrations to other runners/athletes is NOT allowed.