What's New for 2009?
Each year we strive to make Run to Feed the Hungry even better than the year before by making it more fun, organized, safe, and profitable.
This year is no exception. Please take a few moments to find out what we've got planned for this year.
Registration
We're "going green"!
In an effort to conserve on the massive amount of paper it takes to produce over 30,000 registration brochures annually, we have opted to mail postcards announcing the 16th annual Run to Feed the Hungry. They will provide all the basic information about the event and direct you to this website where you can get all the specific information you need and either register online or by printing a registration form(s) to mail in.
Timed or Untimed? That is the question!
We're backing up a couple of years to when we offered both timed and untimed registrations. This decision is both a cost-saving and safety measure. Less timing tags means more money for the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services and a safer arrangement for serious runners. So here's the rundown.
Timed Registration
We will be offering 12,000 bibs/tags for timed registrants. We encourage you to register for the timed event only if you intend to race. If you have family members joining you that do not wish to race, please abstain from registering them as timed participants. This will make the timed start fields dangerous for everyone and defeat the purpose of having this designation. We highly recommend you agree on a meeting place at the finish of the race - the band area in Scottish Rite parking lot for instance or the bus stop inside Sac. State if you will be leaving immediately - after the race. You can register for the timed event in the following ways: Online from home/office computer (through 11/24), via the mail (print pdf on Register page), and at the REI store in Sacramento (see Register page for dates/hours). Computers will be used for registering at the Sacramento REI so it is not necessary to complete a registration form before arriving. It will not be necessary to indicate whether you will participate in the 5k or 10k when you register but you will need to decide prior to the start of the first race (see below). There is no timed registration on race day. All forms of payment are accepted at all REI stores and on race day.
Untimed Registration
Untimed registration is unlimited. All those who wish to participate in the 5k fun run/walk or will be pushing a stroller or baby jogger should register for this event. You can register for the untimed event online from home/office computer (through 11/24), via the mail (print pdf on Register page), and at all 3 local REI stores: Sacramento, Roseville, and Folsom (see Register page for dates, locations, and hours). Computers will be used for registering at the Sacramento REI store so it is not necessary to complete a registration form before arriving. Folsom and Roseville will process registration forms manually. All forms of payment are accepted at all REI stores and on race day.
REI packet pickup. Come prepared. Leave happy!
Just as a reminder, pre-registered participants who wish to pick up their bib and race shirt prior to race day can only do so at the Sacramento REI store (see Register page for dates/hours/location). You will get in and out much quicker if you bring along your registration confirmation that you received via email when you registered. If you don't have it available or are picking up for friends and/or family members, bringing the bib numbers is just as helpful. You can use our Verify Registration function on the Register page to get these numbers if necessary. Without this information you will need to resort to looking up your bib numbers - and remembering them all! (no, just kidding, we'll provide a way for you to write them down). There will be lists of all those who have pre-registered at the store in alphabetical order by last name. You will need to provide the number(s) to one of our volunteers who will give you the corresponding bibs/shirts. It may take a little longer, but we'll do our best to move you through quickly. The lists - which will be posted outside the store entrance near t-shirt pickup - will be updated several times a day and there will be separate lists for timed and untimed participants. If you can't find an individual on one list you may need to check the other list. If you are still unsucessful, please come to the pickup area for assistance.
Race day packet pickup. We've moved!
In order to eliminate congestion and confusion we have relocated the race day pre-registration pickup area. You will find it on the right side as you enter Sac. State not far from the bus stop. If you have parked in one of the Sac. State parking lots you will pass by the race day registration area - where we were previously located - and continue towards the front entrance to campus. In this case, we will be on your left (west) side. Your race shirts will also be available at this same location.
About the race shirt . . .
Ok, we know you love the event, support the cause, and are incredibly loyal but let's be honest, "the coveted race shirt" ranks pretty high too! You'll want to read on so that way you'll only have yourself to blame if you don't manage to snag one this year.
Pre-Registered
We are ordering lots of shirts but are only guaranteeing race shirts - in the size selected - to every person that pre-registers for the race (including those that cannot pick their shirts up until or after race day). This is a very good reason to pre-register. If you have pre-registered and arrive late you can still go over to the pre-registration packet pickup area (new location - see below). We will leave this area setup and staffed until 9:30. If you are still unsuccessful in receiving your shirt you can call the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services at 916 456-1980. The remaining shirts will be available for pickup for one week after the race at SFBFS.
Race Day Registration
What were you thinking? You know you want a shirt! Everyone who registers on race day will have access to all remaining shirts in whatever sizes are available. There will be no signups for race day registrant shirts once they are gone.
Race Day
Get me to the start on time!
For the first time (ever!) we will be having 2 separate start times:
Timed 10k |
8:45 a.m. |
Bright Orange Bibs |
Timed 5k |
9:05 a.m. |
Bright Orange Bibs |
Untimed 5k fun runners, walkers, strollers, & baby joggers |
After 5k runners |
Blue and Red Bibs |
We're going to try to make this as easy as possible. We will be providing 'cheat sheets' with your registration materials that will help you locate your appropriate start area and time. Announcements intended to help direct you to the correct area will be made throughout the morning. Signs will be posted and balloons used extensively! This elaborate arrangement is intended to make the event safer and more rewarding for everyone. Here's how it's going to work.
Timed Runners
If you are running the timed event you must decide prior to the 10k start whether you will participate in the 5k or the 10k run. Once you've decided, please look for the appropriate area to enter based on the distance you selected. Each area will be roped off with a balloon arch indicating 10k or 5k at the front of each start area. Once you have found your way to the correct corral look for the pace markers. Please go to the area nearest to the pace marker that best reflects your anticipated minute per mile pace. Since there is a 20 minute gap between races there is no need for 5k runners to go to their corral prior to 8:50 am. Please be aware that only those wearing bright orange bibs - and not accompanied by a stroller, baby jogger or small pony (only kidding, any size pony is prohibited) - will be permitted in one of the two timed corrals so please plan ahead when registering. Once the 10k runners begin their race the 5k corral will move forward to the start line. Your net time will be based on your actual start (not gun time) & finish times provided you are careful to step on both the start and finish mats. You will not have the option to switch races once you have begun.
Untimed Fun Runners/Walkers, Baby Joggers & Strollers
While no official time has been set for the start of this event it will follow directly and immediately behind the last of the 5k runners. The area to line up in will be roped off and a balloon arch will identify it as the 'Untimed' area. Anyone can enter this area regardless of bib color but those wearing red or blue bibs will not be permitted to enter the 10k or 5k corrals.
Finished already?
You may discover on race day that you finished your run/walk much sooner than you have in prior years. It's true, not only did we move the finish line but we eliminated one all together. You can be sure of one thing however - you didn't get away with going a shorter distance. Our course is as accurate this year as it has always been. The new finish line is on H Street between 57th & 56th Streets. If you have already gone under the H St. railroad trestle you finished your run/walk a few hundred yards ago! Look for signs that will direct you to the post-race area as well as the Sac. State parking lots.
How did I wind up on this street ?
We changed the start area and moved the finish line so naturally we had to modify the race course to accommodate those changes and still have certified 5k & 10k courses. It is kind of hard to get lost when you're 30,000 strong (or at least very embarrassing if you manage to) but take a look at our map anyway so you'll know where you're going!
Awards
As always the awards ceremony will take place at 10:15 am on the band stage. We will recognize overall and masters winners in both the 5k and 10k. This year, however, all age-group winner's awards will be mailed to recipients.
What have we learned?
Well, mainly that there are a lot of new changes in 2009. We're excited about them and confident that they will contribute significantly to making this year's event the best yet. We don't expect you to remember all this information but we can't guarantee there won't be a pop quiz either.
We look forward to seeing you out there joining us and 30,000 of our best friends for the greatest Thanksgiving Day morning you could hope to have. Thanks so much for your continued support!
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