2026 BWELL STRIDES TOWARD WELLNESS PARTICIPANT GUIDE
HERE YOU’LL FIND IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR RACE WEEKEND
Please read through this guide in preparation for this year’s event!
3K, 5K, 10K and Challenge For Change
Packet Pickup and Late Registration Location and Times:
VERY IMPORTANT! 10K & Challenge for Change participants should be parked and in line for packet pickup no later than 6:45AM on race morning. 5K and 3K participants should be parked and in line for packet pickup no later than 8:30 on race morning. It is best to arrive early so that all registrants can collect their packets and be at the start line on time. We highly encourage all registrants to take advantage of early packet pickup on Friday.
Friday, September 25 from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM at the Saginaw YMCA
Saturday, September 26 from 7:00 AM - 9:15 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 at 2PM on Friday, September 18th. Registration for the 3K Turtles & Hares does not include a t-shirt or food tickets, but DOES include ice cream. Those that registered “with shirt” are guaranteed a shirt in the size selected. Extra shirts could be available. If so, they will be for sale for $10 on a first come, first serve basis at packet pickup.
Race Start Times:
7:30am — 10K Run
9am — 5K Run/Walk
9:30am — 3K Turtles & Hares
(Both the 5K and 3K courses go through the Saginaw Children’s Zoo!)
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 for the 5k and 3K on Saturday morning. We ask that everyone please try to arrive before 8:30AM 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 LEFT and head back down Ezra Rust Blvd toward the River Trail
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
Challenge for Change, 10K & 5K 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 & 3K Turtles & Hares - There will be one water station near the entrance to Hoyt Park. 5K runners will pass it twice
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!
ALL Participants receive a free ice cream from Overtime with a Twist!
Challenge for Change, 10K and 5K participants will also receive meal tickets for food truck options from Wonder Burger, TNT, Bubble Bee Tee and Frosty’s Pizzeria!
HARD CIDER!
Among the food/beverage selections available to Challenge for Change, 10K and 5K 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 at the finish line on the path behind 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 to the Ojibway Island entrance where they’ll take a hard right and head across the Court St Bridge before turning left onto Hamilton St. Runners will turn left 6 blocks later on Jackson St then left again on South Niagra. Runners will pass the Saginaw Silos and will take a left on Cass St and then right onto Hamilton St. Runners will take another right on Court St and will cross the bridge. They will then enter the Trail System in front of Ojibway Island and will return to the YMCA for the finish!
5K Course Description:
This race will also begin and end at the Saginaw YMCA! Runners will begin in the YMCA parking lot before turning left onto Fordney St in front of the YMCA before heading north and turning right onto Ezra Rust Blvd. Runners will Ezra Rust BLVD and will cross M-13, running through the Saginaw Children’s Zoo before and returning down Ezra Rust BLVD. Runners will then continue OVER the Court St Bridge before turning south down Hamilton St. Runners will turn left 6 blocks later on Jackson St then left again on South Niagra. Runners will pass the Saginaw Silos and will take a left on Cass St and then right onto Hamilton St. Runners will take another right on Court St and will cross the bridge. They will then enter the Trail System in front of Ojibway Island and will return to the YMCA for the finish!
3K “Turtles & Hares” Course Description:
This event will also begin and end at the Saginaw YMCA! Runners will begin in the YMCA parking lot before turning left onto Fordney St in front of the YMCA before heading north and turning right onto Ezra Rust Blvd. Runners will run down Ezra Rust BLVD and will cross M-13, running through the Saginaw Children’s Zoo before and returning down Ezra Rust BLVD. They will then enter the Trail System in front of Ojibway Island and will return to the YMCA for the finish!
Awards
Top 3 Overall Male and Female participants in the 10K & 5K Run/Walk events will receive an award. Age group results will be provided for USA Track & Field Sanctioning purposes.
Age group award coins will be provided to the first place (and only first place) male and female participant in each of the following age group categories:
6-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70+
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.