Run the Ridge 2 x 5K Trail Relay

 3rd annual 2 x 5K Trail Relay May 14, 2016

 February 1, 2016, TRAVERSE CITY, MI – The 3rd Annual Run the Ridge 2 x 5K Team Relay, a Traverse City running race at Timber Ridge Resort, gets runners back to running on the forest running trails to celebrate the arrival of spring in northern Michigan, with the event set to go on May 14, 2016 at 5:00 in the evening.

The Run the Ridge 10K Team Relay is a 2 person relay, with each runner completing a 5K trail run.  For participants without a relay partner, a “solo” sign-up option matches runners to form a team.  Special awards will go to the 1st parent/child team, sibling team, husband/wife team, co-worker team, and grandparent/child team. Categories for relay teams include female team, male team, or co-ed team, with awards going to the top 3 in combined age categories including: Under 40, 41–59, 60-79, 80-99, 100-119, and 120+. Awards will be given for costumes with the theme of famous pairs/duos.

The online registration fee is $65 per team ($32.50 each) or $35 per solo, with online registration available through May 12, (at noon). Day of registration and packet pick-up will be available starting at 3:00 p.m. Saturday May 14 at the race venue at Timber Ridge Resort at 4050 E. Hammond Rd., Traverse City, MI 49696.

The event was created by the same organizers of the successful Farmland 5K Run and Free for All Bike, a cross country style race held annually the first Saturday of December which attracts nearly 500 local runners.  It is also recognized by the Pure Michigan Fitness Series as an endorsed event by the Governor’s Council on Fitness.

The 2-person race begins at 5:00 p.m. in the evening and is held on the private trails within the Timber Ridge Resort Trail system. The route is on established, firm dirt.  An awards celebration in the campground includes a free post-event camp style cookout including burgers, and s’mores on the campfire. 

All finishers will receive a custom finisher souvenir (reserved for the first 150 entrants). The event is professionally timed, and features a “rustic” theme emphasizing the use of all natural materials for course markings, and event signage.

Event organizers encourage a camping night out, with host Timber Ridge offering registered runners greatly reduced rates on its tent sites, camper/rv/popup sites, and basic and deluxe cabins on race weekend May 13-15.