When is the race?
Same day as the last 42 years - New Year's Eve (December 31).
Or, more specifically, Monday, December 31, 2012. The Fun Run (Open and Children's events) will start at 3:30pm. The 5k (Run and Racewalk/Fitness Walk) will start at 4:00pm.
How old do I have to be?
The Children's Fun Run is for kids 12 years old and younger.
The Open Fun Run is open to all participants, regardless of age. (This event starts with the Children's Fun Run so parents and older siblings can run/walk/stroll with the younger kids. We ask that faster runners please enter the 5k Run.)
The 5k Run and 5k Racewalk/Fitness Walk are also open to all participants.
Please note that all children 12 & under will receive a trophy, at the finish line of the race(s). While we try to accomodate all children, in both the Fun Run and 5k events, we may miss a few. Please see one of the Race Directors if you miss yours!
How do I register?
You can download the registration form
here. Forms may be printed, and either mailed (see the address below), or taken to Early Registration / Race Info Pick-Up at the Belle Isle Casino between 12pm and 3pm on December 29, or bring it with you on Race Day.
You can also register online
here. (Please note that there is an additional charge for online registration.)
Online Registration race fees for participants 13 years and older will go up after December 22 - online registration
closes at 6:00pm, December 30.
The race fees for 13 years and older will go up on Race Day, as well .
Mailed registration forms must be sent by Saturday, December 22, to ensure that they reach us on time.
Where do I send my registration?
Send your registration, with payment (by check or money order, in US funds) to:
Belle Isle Runners - Jerry Bocci
1415 Maryland Street
Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230
Mailed registration forms must be sent by December 22.
How much are the entry fees?
The fee for children 12 years and younger is $15, regardless of the event they enter.
The fee for all others is $25 up to Friday, November 30, $30 from December 1 through 22, and $35 from December 23 through Race Day, December 31.
There is an additional $2 charge for size XXL shirts.
Note that there is a processing charge for online registration.
What are the registration deadlines?
Mail-in registrations must be sent by December 22. Please do not mail your registration late and expect it to reach us before the race!
Online registration will close at 6:00pm, December 30.
Race fees for participants 13 years and older go up after November 30, and again on December 23 through Race Day, December 31.
Where are the races held?
The Start of all races will be in front of the Belle Isle Casino, on Belle Isle, Detroit, MI.
The Fun Run course goes around Scott Fountain and the end of the island, then finishes in front of Belle Isle Casino. (Please note that this may change based on construction schedules.)
The USA Track & Field Certified 5k course goes past Scott Fountain, then follow the roads around and through Belle Isle Park, to finish back in front of Belle Isle Casino.
Check the "Maps" tab, above, for course directions, and to download the course maps.
Where and when can I pick up my race bib and shirt?
Early Race Bib Pick-Up will be from 12:00pm until 3:00pm on Saturday, December 29, at the Belle Isle Casino. You will be able to get your race information, shirt, and bib.
Race Day Pick-Up will be from 12:00pm until race time (3:30pm for the Fun Run, 4:00pm for the 5k events), on Saturday, December 31, at the Belle Isle Casino.
We will not be able to accomodate other dates/times to pick up race bibs and shirts between December 29 and Race Day, as all shirts and bibs will be locked up after 3pm on 12/29.
If you entered the 5k events, please check the lists posted around the Belle Isle Casino. 5k bibs are arranged by race number; Fun Run bibs are arranged alphabetically.
Can someone else pick up my race bib for me?
Yes. Please be aware that race numbers for the 5k events are assigned to participants, and must match the B-Tag for that participant.
What is B-Tag Timing?
For the 5k events, we will be using a special RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip, which is attached to your race number bib.
Your chip "activates" when you cross the mats at the Start, and your starting time is recorded in the timing computer.
When you cross the Finish mats, your chip sends another signal to the computer to record your finish time.
Your race time is the difference between the two times.
All of the results will then be automatically captured.
Results will be displayed in and around the Belle Isle Casino as they become available.
In addition, race results will be posted online,
here, after the completion of the event.
We will also have the Top 10 finishers (male and female) of each race posted on this website, on or after January 1, 2012.
What are the shirts like?
After several years of using the dry-wicking "technical" shirts, we sought bids from several suppliers.
We are happy to say that we will once again have long-sleeve "tech" shirts!
The shirts will be black, and will feature the race logo on the upper-left chest, and the logos of our sponsors are proudly displayed on the back.
What are the awards?
All children 12 years old and younger will receive a trophy at the finish line (of the Fun Run and 5k events).
The top 3 Male and Female finishers in the 5k Run will receive gift certificates to Hanson's Running Shop.
In addition, the first 1500* registered participants will receive commemorative awards with race logo and year.
(* We have to order the commemorative awards well in advance of the race.)
What (else) do I get for my registration?
In addition to the race shirt and awards described above, all race participants may enjoy post-race food and beverages, offered in the Belle Isle Casino after the 5k event has begun.
Are restrooms available at the race?
Yes. The restrooms at the Belle Isle Casino provide a rather unique experience for race participants. We are also providing outdoor "Port-a-John" facilities.
Where should I park for the race?
Free parking will be available throughout Belle Isle Park, in designated parking areas. There are plenty of paved, secure parking spaces in the old Grand Prix parking area in front of the Belle Isle Casino, as well as additional lots close to the Casino.
Please note that the race courses will be
closed to traffic until the last race has finished, to protect our participants and families. If you feel that you must leave before the 5k has passed, please park on the right (water) side of Strand. (You will need to drive around the northern end to exit Belle Isle, as Inselruhe will be closed.)
Download Parking Map
When should I arrive for the race?
As early as possible!
Not only will the courses be closed for the races, the Belle Isle Casino can get rather congested, particularly for participants who wait until late in the day to pick up their race bib or to register.
We suggest that you plan to arrive by 2:30pm, so that you have time to find adequate parking, pick up your race information, and warm up prior to your event.
Do you have a Baggage Check?
Yes, we will have Baggage Check available, on the second floor of the Belle Isle Casino.
Will there be food and/or refreshment after the race?
Absolutely!
Food and beverages will be available to all participants after the races.
There will be adult beverages (for those 21 or older, with valid ID), hot chocolate or coffee (while it lasts), water, and juice, as well as fruits and other food.
Post-race food and drinks will be provided at the Belle Isle Casino once the 5k race begins.
If I cannot attend the race, can I get a refund?
Sorry, but no.
As has been the case for several decades, we have a No Refund policy for the race.
Can I run in more than one race?
Yes! Many participants use the Fun Run as a warm-up for the 5k events.
We request that, if you are planning to enter a 5k event, that you register for that, and just step aside at the finish of the Fun Run (rather than go through the finish chutes).
Also, keep in mind that the Fun Run is intended to be enjoyed by the children - our lead vehicle will remain with the lead 12 & under throughout the race, which means that faster runners might find themselves ahead of the car.
How do I know if I am registered?
Data entry for mail-in registration is being handled by Everal Race Management.
At this time, we do not have a way to display registered participants on the website.
Lists of pre-registered participants will be available at the Belle Isle Casino at Early Registration / Race Info Pickup on December 26, and on Race Date (December 31).
If you are unsure whether we received your registration, please check the posted lists before asking the Help Desk.
I ordered the wrong size shirt, or I would prefer a different size, can I exchange it?
No. Because of the time required, shirts have to be ordered well in advance of the race, in quantities based on what had been requested by previous years race participants.
Shirts for paid, pre-registered participants are reserved according to what was selected on the entry form, and given to participants when they receive their race information.
Remaining shirts (any which were not set aside) are distributed to Late Registration, to be given to participants who wait until Race Day to register.
(This is another great reason to arrive early on Race Day - we may run out of your shirt size!)
After Late Registration is closed (around 4pm), you may attempt to exchange your shirt for a more appropriate size at the Help Desk.
Am I guaranteed a shirt?
Paid, pre-registered participants are guaranteed a shirt, provided they get their shirt and race bib before the race.
Late registrants are not guaranteed a shirt. As mentioned above, we order a certain quantity of shirts - when we run out, we're out.
Do you need more volunteers? How can I volunteer?
Yes! We need volunteers to help pass out entry forms at local races, volunteers for Race Info Pick-Up / Early Registration (December 26), and volunteers for numerous positions on Race Day.
Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator (see the
Contact Us page).
You can also come join the
Downtown Runners and Walkers of Detroit next Tuesday evening.
How secure is the payment process?
BelleIsleFunRun.com has partnered with Hughesware Software and Everal Race Management for online payment processing.
Hughesware offers a secure website for event registration and credit card processing, utilizing Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption technology to secure data transmissions and to provide website authentication.
Please note that there is a Convenience Fee of $2.75 per registration.
Are dogs allowed?
Registered participants are allowed to bring their dogs with them in the race, provided that the dog is leashed at all times, and is not taken into the Belle Isle Casino.
Dog owners need to be aware that they may be held responsible if their animal harms another animal or person. Also, the dog's handler must immediately "clean up" after the animal, as necessary.
These rules are in compliance with the City of Detroit Ordinance 04-04, Article I, Sections 6 and 21.
Copyright © 2009-2012 Belle Isle Fun Run All Rights Reserved.