July 20
Midland, MI
Red Moon Trail Run - Presented by Blake’s Hard Cider Co.
2024 Overview
Dig Deep Race Events and Presenting Sponsor Blake’s Hard Cider Co. along with Bayne’s Apple Valley, Jolt Credit Union and Runners Athletic Company are inviting everyone back to the 8th annual Red Moon Trail Run!
The Race: Come out to Midland City Forest in Midland, MI – same site as the popular Snow Moon Trail Run - as runners embark on a 5k, 10k or 25k race along wide trails (not single track) marked by small LED lights as guides. Runners completing multiple laps will have split times as they pass through the 5k finish arch for each lap until they complete either their 10k or 25k events. A daytime 5K option is also available for those who’d like to see the course during daylight.
All participants will receive a professionally timed event with Red Moon Finisher Medals, a Red Moon/Blake’s Hard Cider Co. Pint Glass and (for those of legal age) a couple of Blake’s Cider Beverages. Online participant photos as runners pass through the finish arch will also be made available online and will be free of charge to participants for download and sharing.
A portion of proceeds will benefit the Eagles of Midland 2110 and their community efforts.
Date: July 20, 2024
Event Start Times*:
Packet pickup will begin at 5PM on race day and will close at 9:00PM.
Race Start Times:
DAYTIME 5K - 6PM
NIGHT TIME 10K and 25K - 8:45PM
NIGHT TIME 5K - 9:15PM
*We’ve had feedback about the 10K and 25K events starting before the 5K event and want all to know that this is being done so the 5K event can begin as close to nightfall as possible. The longer distances can begin earlier (during daylight hours) and still finish in the dark. The alternative would be to start the longer events at 9pm - which is WAY too late for many folks (a fact also obtained through feedback).
Location: Midland City Forest
Address: 2840 E Monroe Rd, Midland, MI 48640
Distances:
5K Run/Walk/Ruck
10K Run/Ruck
25K Run
Race Registration Prices*:
5K Run/Walk/Ruck - Day or Night (1 Lap) without shirt - $35
5K Run/Walk/Ruck - Day or Night (1 Lap) with shirt - $45
10K Run/Ruck (3 Laps) without shirt - $40
10K Run/Ruck (3 Laps) with shirt - $50
25K Run (5 Laps) without shirt - $45
25K Run (5 Laps) with shirt - $55
*NOTE: The option to register with a shirt will end on Sunday, July 14th at midnight so that shirt orders may be placed.
NOTE: EnMotive charges a nominal fee to participants when registering. We just don’t want you to be surprised when you go to register online!
Packet Pickup and Late Registration:
Saturday, July 20 from 5:00PM - 9:00PM in the field below the sled hill located at Midland City Forest’s Monroe Parking Lot
Course Description*:
The Red Moon Run will take place in Midland’s City Forest on flat, wide-track trails and mountain bike trails. The night course will be marked with small LED lights to assist with trail navigation. The race is composed of a 5k trail course with runners able to choose from 1, 2, or 5 lap options.
*Please note that Red Moon Trail Run Course has changed slightly from the Snow Moon Course. Start/Finish will be in field below sledding hill rather than in parking lot and runners will turn toward point 29 at point 30. Course will be well marked.
Overflow Parking
There will be limited parking at the Midland City Forest lot on race day. Overflow parking will be along the SOUTH side of Monroe Rd to the East and West of the City Forest Lot.
Amenities
All participants will receive Red Moon and Blake’s logo’d pint glasses as well as a 3” finisher medal, FREE online race photos*, custom race bib, and professional chip timing.
*Our event photographer is awesome, but there are challenges to taking night time photos of runners approaching with headlamps shining into the camera. He will do his best to capture at least one solid photo of each runner but please understand if for some reason your photo does not turn out.
Cold cider courtesy of presenting sponsor Blake’s Hard Cider Co. will also be provided! You must be 21 years of age and will need to present a valid drivers license at packet pickup to receive refreshments. Strictly enforced. No drinks will be allowed outside of the enclosed tent area and we ask that all please respect park rules. .
Shirts will be offered in a short sleeve cotton blend material. [Please note that all merchandise 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.]
T-shirt sizes available:
Unisex Small
Unisex Medium
Unisex Large
Unisex Extra Large
Unisex 2XL
Ladies Cut Small*
Ladies Cut Medium*
Ladies Cut Large*
Ladies Cut Extra Large*
*Note: Please keep in mind that Ladies Cut shirts generally run smaller than standard unisex t-shirts as they are designed to be somewhat form fitting. Participants will receive the size and type shirts ordered. Exchanges will be unavailable.
Awards
Day Time Top 3 Overall Fastest 5k (1 Lap) Male & Female (gun start – chip finish)
Night Time Top 3 Overall Fastest 5k (1 Lap) Male & Female (gun start – chip finish)
Night Time Top 3 Overall Fastest 10k (2 Lap) Male & Female (gun start – chip finish)
Top 3 Overall Fastest 25k (5 Lap) Male & Female (gun start – chip finish)
*Awards will only be determined based on GUN START times. Age group awards are not offered but age group results posted online per USATF requirement are also based on gun start time.
Results
Results should be available online at HERE at Enmotive.com shortly after finishing your event we will post those results at DIGDEEPRACES.COM within 48 hours of race completion.
Volunteers
Interested in volunteering at one of the funnest “aid stations” you’ll find at an event? This one is captained by the super-duo of Matt and Sharon Pilaske and is a party in itself. And hey, great events like this can’t be successful without great volunteers! Sign up HERE and we’ll be in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run in both the day and night events? Absolutely! The option to select more than one event will be available when registering.
Can I bring my dog to this race? Unfortunately, No. This event is sanctioned by USA Track & Field. Per USATF: “USATF sanctioning policy does make a distinction between service dogs and pets. Service dogs are allowed to participate, where family pets are not. It’s a matter of liability, we just can’t approve events that allow animals (excluding service animals)”
Do I need a head lamp or running light? YES. You definitely will need one to see what you're running on. Trail races by nature require greater attention to where one steps. Darkness increases the need to be more aware of your footing. We recommend you visit our friends/partners at Runners Athletic Company Stores in Midland, Saginaw, Bay City, and Mount Pleasant to find the best available options!
Will the trail be lit or marked? The trail will not be lit. However, there WILL be LED lights and course markings to guide runners through the course. If you have your headlamp or run light, you should have no problem seeing the signs. ;)
Will there be an aid/water station on the course? Yes, there WILL be a water station out on the course (at the bridge) that runners will pass twice on each lap. This station will have water and gel packets.
Do I need special running shoes for this race? Not necessarily, though trail specific shoes would help tremendously in keeping your footing on this course. We recommend you visit our friends/partners at Runners Athletic Stores in Midland, Saginaw, Bay City, and Mt Pleasant to find the best available options!
Can I walk or ruck instead of run? Absolutely. We ask that you sign up ONLY for the 1 Lap 5k or the 2 Lap 10k races and that you remain to the side of the trail and out of the path of runners if you choose to walk or ruck though. Also - please begin your event early enough to finish prior to midnight!
If I can’t make it to the race can I get a refund or transfer? Refunds are not available for this race. Transfers MAY be allowed by the race director for verifiable injuries and only to the following year’s Red Moon Trail Run event and ONLY if the transfer is requested at least 3 days prior to race day.
Can’t make it on race day. Can I still get my medal, bib and shirt? We will allow a friend to pick up your items for you on-site on race day. We MAY offer shipping for a fee and will have that information available in the Participant Guide going into race day. All merchandise (i.e., shirts, hoodies, etc.) 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.
Will there be age group awards for this event? Unfortunately, no.
What happens if the race has to be cancelled for whatever reason? If on-site race is unable to happen for any reason, we will look at the possibility of rescheduling on a date that makes sense. If unable, all registrants will be moved to a virtual format in which runners will “participate” on their own time and at a location of their choice. Race Management will do our best to hold “packet pickup” for participants to retrieve shirts, bibs and medals. Shipping of items MAY be available and will be at the discretion of Race Management. Participants will be notified of options if and when race is cancelled.
Will masks be required? If the governor’s mandate that all citizens wear masks while in groups is in place then all attendees at the event (including staff, volunteers, spectators, etc.) must wear masks while in and around the event area EXCEPT while running the race. We ask that everyone maintain proper social distancing while picking up packets.
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-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.
