Here’s What to Know for Race Week
Race week info
The time has arrived to Run Your Bass Off. This is the 45th year of our great race, and we are thrilled you’re part of it!
Here’s some important info you’ll need for this year:
Packet pickup — We have some awesome volunteers who put together race packets this year. Whether you are a 2 year old running the Kids Race for the first time, a 2 Mile walker enjoying the town, or a serious seasoned runner, your packet is ready! You can pick up your race packet at Ben Franklin’s, one of our really cool business sponsors on the hill downtown (301 Superior Ave). Just stop in during business hours on Thursday (10:00-5:00) or Friday (10:00-7:00). We will also make packets available on Saturday at Runkle Park where the start line is from 5:00-7:00 p.m., at the soccer field on the left as you enter the park. If you miss those pickups, we’ll have the rest available at the start line starting at 7:00 a.m.
Registration Absolutely Closes — For the sake of minimizing the stress of our volunteers, and to stay in the good graces of our timing company, we will be closing registration at 8:45 a.m. sharp on race day! If you know folks who are “But I’ve always shown up at 8:57 and registered!”, please let them know that won’t work this year.
Course Changes —
- Start/Finish Line — We have moved the start/finish line of the Run Your Bass Off from the campground to the soccer field. When you turn off of M-69 into Runkle Park, you will see the softball fields on the right and the tennis courts and soccer fields on the left. No need to head into the campground this year.
- Half Bass and Full Bass — No significant changes here. We made some minor changes so we can avoid running on the highway. Always run against the flow of traffic, except for the stretch on M-69 from Runkle to the first turn downtown. For that stretch, stay on the sidewalk.
- 2-Mile Walkers — The start of your walk is identical to the Half Bass, so follow them all the way to Harding Ave and Wagner St (by the golf course). Then follow Wagner St down the hill to the highway and back to Runkle. Keep your eyes open for the Half Bassers when you’re back at the highway … they’ll be coming up behind you.
- Kids Run — We believe campfire smoke inhalation should be kept to a minimum, so we’ve changed the Kids Run course to avoid the campground as much as we can. They also will run the same start as the Half Bass and Walkers, but when they get out to the baseball field, they’ll run around it and come back. It’s not quite a mile but more like .8 miles. We hope they won’t be disappointed.
T shirts — We had a limited number of shirts made this year. If you registered before June 15, we guaranteed you would get one in this size you indicated. After that, it has been first come, first served. If we ran out of your indicated size, we sized up. If you want to exchange your shirt for a different size, we might have some at the start line but won’t promise anything. We totally encourage bartering with your neighbor! Nothing would give us more pleasure than there being a black market for our shirts!
Awards Ceremony — We have some really cool awards to hand out this year. Crystal Steel House (really cool sponsor!) has made us some new medals that we’re really excited about, and our overall winners get the highly coveted laser-cut UPs. We are also giving away four (4) pairs of shoes, courtesy of Queen City Running Co. (really cool sponsor!), and will be given to those who finish in the middle of the pack. We want to celebrate the Average Joes and Average Janes who grind it out knowing they won’t quite be at the top, but still choose to do it anyway. Here’s to you, and here’s to healthy living!
Parking — We have over 250 participants this year and the Bass Festival is going on, so parking at Runkle Lake will be tight. Arrive early to find a spot. Since the start/finish line is in the soccer field, we need to ensure a safe start and finish. We will have construction cones and barrels indicating a no parking zone by the field where the race course is. Feel free to park up to those cones and in the lot across the road. You can also park along the road past the campground if you can do it safely. Let’s just do our best to stay out of the campground. No one wants an F150 up on their picnic table while they’re eating breakfast!
Bathrooms — There is a bathroom across the road in the parking area that will be available to us on race day. There is one port-a-potty out there too, but the bathrooms will be the better choice.
Waste — We are intentionally trying to keep our areas clean, and you can help significantly! We will have garbage cans all over for your garbage. We will also have designated recycling barrels for your recyclables. Let’s work together to keep the garbage and recycling separate. We also have some folks who love to garden who really want your fresh food waste for their compost. There will be a bucket or two by the food table for your banana peels, orange peels, carrot sticks and apple cores. Good stuff for a good earth!
Be Prepared! — It is predicted to be very warm on race day. Make sure you hydrate well beforehand and adjust your pace accordingly.
Thank you for helping us continue this great tradition in Crystal Falls! Your support of our community is greatly appreciated. And, your participation in the Run Your Bass Off supports our Forest Park Trojans Cross Country program. Thank you so much for helping us instill a love of running in the next generation!
Gratefully yours,
The Run Your Bass Off Planning Team