The 5K starts and ends before the start of the half and full marathon to ease on-course congestion, allow families to participate more easily, and allow some truly crazy participants to complete two distances (5K and half or full marathon) each race day because more miles equals more fun! So there are many options for participating over the two days. You pick and choose if you want to do a combo of events over the two days to earn a Challenge Plate, in addition to your individual finisher medals. 

​

Here are the combinations that earn a Challenge Plate:

• Double 5K's - This is a great challenge if you've done a 5K before since most people don't race in or even participate in 5K races two days in a row.

• Double "At Least 13.1 Miles" (Double Half Marathons, Double Full Marathons, or Half Marathon one day and Full Marathon the other) - This is a great challenge if you've done a half or full marathon tomorrow. You've done the distance, but could you do it two days in a row?

• Double Double- Double 5Ks and Double Half Marathons, or Double 5K's and Double Marathons - The biggest challenge for maximizing the miles and racing 4 times in 2 days!

​

Let's talk more about these 3 options!

​

Double 5Ks - Our 5K is very popular with families. Children as young as 4 have done the double 5Ks to earn their medals and Double 5K Challenge Plates! It encourages them to get active, shows them the fun of a race environment, and is a great family activity. Remember that our races aren't just walker friendly, they're celebrated as much as the fastest runners!

It's also a great challenge for those new to running and walking. Train to complete a 5K two days in a row, and it might even inspire you to pursue double half marathons for next year! We have a special, LOWER entry fee available for children doing double 5Ks. For most of them, they aren't interested in the race shirt and are most excited for the medals and Challenge Plate, so we remove the shirt and lower the price in the Kids entry version! Keeping it more affordable for families!

​

Combinations Double "At Least 13.1 Miles" - Double Half Marathons, Double Full Marathons, or Half Marathon one day and Full Marathon the other - These participants are completing at least 13.1 miles each day. With several months planning, there are many of you out there who CAN train to complete this Challenge. Half Fanatics enjoy the double half marathons to level up their Fanatic status, and Marathon Maniacs enjoy the double full marathons to level up their Maniac status. Ultramarathoners enjoy using the races as training for a longer distance event where a second day's long run on tired legs is excellent training. And everyone who does this loves getting the large Half-Full Challenge Plate we give for all those who accept and complete the Challenge of big distance to end one year and to start the next!

• Marathon Maniacs Members can achieve Iridium Level (4 Stars) by completing a marathon both days of the New Years Double race weekend. Don't forget to add your attendance to the Maniacs Race Calendar.

• Half Fanatics Members can achieve Jupiter Level (4 Planets) by completing a half marathon both days of the New Years Double race weekend. Don't forget to add your attendance to the Fanatics Race Calendar.

​

Double Double - A certain amount of entries are available for those who want to do a Double Double - Double 5Ks and then Double "At Least 13.1 Miles" (half or full marathon each day). Because the 5K is run before the half and full marathon start each day, you can actually compete in 2 races each day. That's a choice over two days of completing

• 32.4 miles (3.1 + 3.1 + 13.1 + 13.1),

• 45.5 miles (3.1 + 3.1 + 13.1 + 26.2), or

• 58.6 miles (3.1 + 3.1 + 26.2 + 26.2),

AND take home 4 medals and the Challenge Plate that holds all 4 medals for the achievement! You will still get one tech shirt for Eve AND one tech shirt for Day, even though you are running 4 races. 2 race days = 2 shirts. Though you are getting less shirts, you're counting much more BLING, and this is included already in the entry fee determination.