FREAKY 5’S PARTICIPANT GUIDE

THANKS FOR JOINING US AT THE INAUGURAL FREELAND FREAKY 5’s - 5K & 5 MILE

presented by United Financial Credit Union

Below you’ll find information about this year’s event. Please read through it to help understand the where’s and when’s for everything Freaky 5’s.

The inaugural Freaky 5’s in Freeland is a Halloween-themed running race along the newest section of the Great Lakes Bay Regional Trail system. Taking place at Hayes Park in Freeland, participants can expect professionally timed 5K Run/Walk and 5K Run events and an un-timed youth 1 Mile Fun Run.

Costumes are highly encouraged! In fact, there will be youth and adult costume contests with prizes for the Top Overall youth (13 & Under) and adult costumes. Adult Costume Award Bowl includes Halloween treats and the following Gift Certificates: $50 from Runners Athletic Company and $20 from Baynes Apple Valley. Youth Costume Award bowl includes the following GIft Certificates: $20 from Barney's Bakehouse Bakery & $20 from Baynes Apple Valley

After the race, a gift basket from Bayne’s Apple Valley will be given away on-site to a lucky participant using a random number selection of race bib. Winner must be present to win!

Date:  Saturday, October 26, 2024

Start Times:  

• Kid’s Fun Run 11:00AM

• 5 MILE start Noon

• 5K start 12:05PM

Location:  Hayes Park, 9200 Midland Rd, Freeland, MI 48623

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW

• This race is an “out and back” event along a beautiful, new stretch of the Great Lake Bay Trail System that was generously added by DOW and is managed by Chippewa Nature Center. Please remain on the right side of the trail for the direction you are running in.

• Please do not spread across the trail as runners will be returning on the same trail. There will be 2-way traffic on the trail.

• Always wear your race bib on the front of your body and do not cover it up. The race number bib has a chip attached and the chip readers at the start/finish line will be unable to read it if covered up or on the back of your body.

• The “with shirt” option was only available until midnight, Sunday, October 20th. We will have a limited number of extra shirts for sale for $10 at packet pickup. Arrive early for the best chance at getting a shirt if you didn’t register with one.

• Please note that shirts not picked up before close of packet pickup will be forfeit by registrant and will not be refunded. If unable to attend event it is the responsibility of the registrant to have someone pick up their items or to arrange alternate pickup prior to the event.

• There will not be a separate category for Walkers at this event. All participants in the 5K are free to run and/or walk as they see fit. Youth pricing is available only for the 5K event and is not available for the 5 Mile event.

• Please note that all youth participants in the 1 Mile Fun Run must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when running.

• Dogs are not allowed to participate in this event as prohibited by USA Track & Field sanctioning and insurance.

• Strollers may be used, but we ask that those using them remain to the rear during the start and to the right side of the trail at all times.

• There will be one water station for the 5K event. It will be near the turnaround. The 5 mile event will have 3 water stations. The 1.5 mile water station will be passed twice (going out and returning). The other water station will be at the 2.5 mile turnaround.

• A number of sponsors and vendors will be on hand with goodies for the participants! McIntosh & Associates will provide goody bags for everyone to collect their treats!

• The costume contest and Bayne’s Basket Drawing will take place after the last runner/walker has finished (approximately 1:15PM)

• Smile at the finish line! Todd Boone from Meaningful Moments Photography will be taking finisher photos that will be added to the website for FREE download.

• This race will most likely sell out at 400 spots. Please try to arrive more than 30 minutes before race time to secure a parking spot and to get your race packet. Too many participants arriving shortly before race time could delay the start of the races.

Packet Pickup and Late Registration:

• Saturday, October 26 - 9:00AM to 11:45AM at Hayes Park, 9200 Midland Rd, Freeland, MI 48623

Awards

NOTE: Overall Awards will be announced and handed out at approximately 1:15PM. Age Group Awards will also be distributed under the DIG DEEP Vendor Tent at that time.

OVERALL AWARDS

Awards will be provided 3 deep to overall male and female winners of the 5 Mile and 5K events. In addition overall winners will receive free entry to next year’s Freaky 5’s Event in the category they win. 2nd Place overall finishers will receive 50% off and 3rd Place overall finishers will receive 25% off entry to the 2025 event. Finish times for this year’s event for overall awards will be determined by “gun” start and chip finish.

AGE GROUP AWARDS

The top male and female finisher in each age group listed above in the 5 Mile and 5K events will win an age group award. Results will be posted almost immediately after each participant finishes. They can be accessed by scanning the URL code on the race participant’s race bib. Age Group Awards may be collected shortly after completing the race. Please BE SURE TO CHECK RESULTS AND COLLECT AGE GROUP AWARDS on race day. Even if you don’t think you’ve won, we ask that you PLEASE CHECK. Awards not collected will not be mailed. It is the participant’s responsibility to collect them on race day.

5 Mile and 5K Age Groups/Divisions:

• 9 & Under

• 10-14

• 15-19

• 20-29

• 30-39

• 40-49

• 50-59

• 60-69

• 70-79

• 80 & over

NOTE: All participants will receive high quality finisher medals at the finish line upon completion of their event!

Course Description:

All races will begin and end on the Great Lakes Regional Trail in front of Hayes Park. The course is “out-and-back” for all events and will lead runners along a short section of trail running parallel to Old Midland Rd (and past Pine Grove Cemetery!) until turning toward the Tittabawassee River. Once participants make the turn toward the river, they’ll be on open trail through winding path with no vehicle crossings. It is a BEAUTIFUL section of trail! Runners will turn around at their respective halfway points and will return to the start/finish arch.

Race Sponsors

RACE PARTNERS

Results

Both actual and adjusted results will be displayed at the event and will be posted at DIGDEEPRACES.COM within 48 hours of race completion.

Volunteers

Interested in volunteering? Events like this can’t be successful without great volunteers! Sign up at the link at the top of this page and we’ll be in touch.

FAQ’s 

Can I run with my dog?

We love dogs too! Unfortunately, the sanctioning body for this event (USA Track & Field) strictly prohibits the participation of dogs (other than service animals) at events.

Can I run/walk with a stroller?

Yes. This is a change. We WILL allow strollers, but participants must remain to the rear of the starting pack and stay to the far right at all times. At no time should 2 strollers be running or walking next to each other.  

What does “USATF Sanctioning” mean?

It means that organizers have followed a process with USA Track & Field that requires creation of a safety plan and purchase of outstanding insurance covering participants, volunteers, sponsors, partners and organizers of the event. It also means that your race results will be official for scoring purposes (assuming you track that sort of thing).

What happens if the event is cancelled? Will I receive a refund?

Unfortunately, no. We’ve had to wait this long for registration to open because we wanted to be reasonably sure the event will take place. At this point, most of the registration money has been allocated to shirts, medals, race bibs, etc. and this weird year’s financial toll on race management means that refunds will not be possible should the event be forced to become virtual due to safety reasons or government mandates.

How will overall winners be determined? Finish times for this year’s event for overall awards will be determined by gun start and chip finish.

Refund and Transfer Policy

We completely understand that plans change and athletes 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 an athlete 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 Race Events-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.