When is the race?
Same day as the last 40 years - New Year's Eve (December 31).
Or, more specifically, Thursday, December 31, 2009. The
One Mile Fun Run (Open and Children's events) will start at 3:30pm. The
Four Mile (Run and Racewalk/Fitness Walk) will start at 4:00pm.
How old do I have to be?
The
Children's One Mile Fun Run is for kids 12 years old and younger. All participants in this event will receive a trophy.
The
Open One Mile Fun Run is open to all participants, regardless of age. (This event starts with the Children's One Mile, so parents and older siblings can run/walk/stroll with the younger kids.)
The
Four Mile Run and
Four Mile Racewalk/Fitness Walk are also open to all participants.
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 / Packet Pick-Up at the Belle Isle Casino between 12pm and 3pm on December 26, or bring it with you on Race Day.
You can also register online
here. (Please note that online registration will not be accepted after 10:00pm, Wednesday, December 30, 2009.)
Where do I send my registration
Send your registration, with payment (by check or money order, in US funds) to:
Belle Isle Runners / Jeanne Bocci
1353 Grayton
Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230-1127
How much are the entry fees?
The fee for children 12 years and younger is $12 up to December 26, or $15 from December 27 through December 31.
The fee for all others is $25 up to December 26, or $30 from December 26 through December 31.
There is also an additional $2 charge for size XXL shirts.
Note that there may be an additional charge per person for online registration.
What are the registration deadlines?
Mail-in regsitration will close Saturday, December 26.
Please do not mail your registration on December 29 and expect it to reach us before the race!
Online registration will close at 10:00pm, Wednesday, December 30.
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 One Mile course goes around Scott Fountain and the end of the island, then finishes in front of Belle Isle Casino.
The Four Mile course goes past Scott Fountain, then follow the roads around and through Belle Isle Park, to finish back in front of Belle Isle Casino.
Where and when can I pick up my race packet?
Early Packet Pick-Up will be from 12:00pm until 3:00pm on Saturday, December 26, at the Belle Isle Casino.
Race Day Packet Pick-Up will be from 12:00pm until race time (3:30pm for the One Mile races, 4:00pm for the Four Mile races), on Thursday, December 31, at the Belle Isle Casino.
You may be able to make special arrangements to pick up your race packets after December 26 (and before Race Day). Please contact the Race Director for more infomration.
Can someone else pick up my race packet for me?
Yes. Please be aware that race numbers for the Four Mile events are assigned to participants, and must match the D-Chip for that participant.
What is CHIP TIMING?
For the Four Mile 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.
What is a TECH shirt?
This year, we are using a high-tech "dry wicking" shirt, favored by profesional, amateur, and casual athletes alike.
What are the awards?
All children 12 years old and younger in the One Mile event will receive a trophy at the finish line. The top 3 Male and Female finishers in the Four Mile Run will receive gift certificates to Hanson's Running Shop. In addition, all participants will receive commemorative awards.
What (else) do I get for my registration?
In addition to the race shirt and awards described above, all race participants can enjoy post-race food and beverages, offered in the Belle Isle Casino after the Four Mile 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.
Where should I park for the race?
Free parking will be available throughout Belle Isle Park, in designated parking areas. Please note that the race oourses will be closed to traffic until the last race has finished, to protect our participants and families.
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 if participants wait until late in the day to pick up their race packet (or to register). We suggest that you plan to arrive by 2:30pm, so that you may find adequate parking, pick up your race packet, 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.
Is there food/refreshment after the race?
Absolutely! Food and beverages will be available to all participants after the races.
If I cannot attend the race, can I get a refund?
Sorry, 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 One Mile Fun Run as a warm-up for the Four Mile events. We ask that, if you are planning to enter a Four Mile event, that you register for that, and just step aside at the finish of the One Mile (rather than go through the finish chutes).
How do I know if I am registered?
We will be posting the registration lists daily on this website. Also, pre-registered participant lists will be posted on Race Day at the Belle Isle Casino. 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?
Yes, if we have enough of the desired size.
We ordered a certain quantity of each size based on previous years;
shirts are reserved for paid, pre-registered participants according to what they had selected on the entry form.
Shirts which are not set aside are used for late registrants - if we still have the size you want, you may exchange it at the Registration Desk.
(This is another great reason to arrive early on Race Day - we may run out of your shirt size!)
Am I guaranteed a shirt?
Paid, pre-registered participants are guaranteed a shirt. Late registrants are
not guaranteed a shirt. As mentioned above, we ordered 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 Packet 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 People Who Run and Walk Downtown (a.k.a. Downtown Runners) next Tuesday evening.
