So everyone can have a smooth event, please read through this very long, sometimes repetitive Participant Guide.  Yes, it's long but important.
 
What do I need for packet pickup?  Just a smile, patience, and your bib #. No IDs are required. 
ID's are not required and you are allowed to pick up someone else’s packet.  Please have their bib # handy. 
 
You can find bib #s under the Participant Information menu.  
17 & under Youth Participants are listed by the First Initial of Last Name.

Race Day packet pickup closes promptly at 8:00 pm
Don't be late!  Volunteers are reassigned from registration to other areas.  Anticipate evening traffic and long pick-up lines on race day
 
Official Catching Fireflies t-shirts
If you purchased a t-shirt with your registration, the back of your bib will be marked with your size, and our volunteers will direct you to shirt pickup.
Size changes will not be allowed until after packet pickup has closed.
 
Race Day Arrival for the 5k and 1m
Start and Finish will take place at the entrance to the school at 2200 Wakefield Pines Drive, Raleigh NC 27614
 
Packet Pickup opens at 6:30 pm and closes promptly at 8:00 pm.
Race and Walk start at 8:25 pm
 
Race Day Parking
Participants can park in Parking Lot 1- enter off Old Falls of Neuse Road using the student/bus entrance or Parking Lot 3 - enter off Wakefield Pines Drive using the Wakefield Middle School entrance 

Parking Lot 2 is reserved for Staff, Volunteers, Ainsley's Angels and Handicap Parking.

There is no bag check.  
The parking area is immediately adjacent to the start/finish area.  Please leave your non-running-related belongings, including backpacks and bags, in your vehicle.  But if you or a family member is bringing a pet, don't leave them in your car.  

YES, you can run with your pet; they must be leashed, and you must clean up after your pet.  Please have someone hold your pet if you need to use the restrooms, or while picking up your bib or t-shirt.  Pets are not allowed in the school, per our access permit. After the race, you will have access to your vehicle to get dry clothing, snacks, etc...
 
Water before the race? Water and Hydration will be available before and after the race.  There will be 1 water stop at the halfway point of the 5k. 
 
Where are the bathrooms?  You'll have access to the school bathrooms inside the building.  There will be NO porta potties on the course 
 
Spectating and Luminaries
Your friends and family may want to see you out on the course and check out the luminaries. The 5k and 1m are both out-and-back courses through the streets of Wakefield Plantation.
 
This is a share-the-road event, roads will not be closed. Check out the course map under the Course Menu, with cross streets marked to pick a great spot for them to cheer you on. There are turn-by-turn directions for the course on are also on the website. 
 
Luminaries that have been dedicated to a loved one or friend will be located along the memory mile at the beginning of the course.  

Timing Chip 
Only the 5k run will be electronically timed with a timing chip on the back of your bib. Do not bend or fold your bib number.  Please do not detach the timing chip or foam on top of the chip. 
 
To ensure proper timing, bibs must be worn as directed to be officially scored; bib numbers must be worn on the torso or bib belt, with the bib number visible and horizontal. Please do not wear it under your top layer, inside a jacket, on your back or down the side of your leg, the timing chip cannot be scanned by the system.  Also the backup timing support members need to be able to see your bib number clearly. 
 
If your number is not visible, you will not receive an official finish time and will not be eligible for awards
No chip, no number, no time.

You'll want your bib# visible for our Photog. You'll be able to look up your results and race photos by bib#.
 
Finish Time
After you cross the finish line, please give our Wi-Fi-enabled system a chance to update.  It can take up to 20 minutes from when you cross the finish line for you to see your results posted.  

You will be able to look up your time on the event website on the Results menu.  There will be QR codes near the results tent and sponsor booths that will direct you to the correct location.  
 
If your time does not show up, please do not race over to our timer to ask why.  This not only impacts your time but can also impact the timing of others, delay the posting of results, and the awards presentation.  You will be disqualified if you approach the timing area near the finish line.  
 
All timing is preliminary before 9:00 p.  If you feel your result time is incorrect or your time has not shown up by 9:15 pm please let a member of the FS Staff or a volunteer at the Results Area know; they will address the issue with our Timing Team.  You will be disqualified if you approach the timing area near the finish line.
 
All timing will be corrected before awards/prizes are distributed, and all Race Director decisions are final.  

Please do not get upset with the volunteers providing the result time. If you speak to a volunteer in a rude manner about your time, you will be disqualified. 
Concerns with results will be directed to the Race Director -  Brent Dorenkamp.  
 
Aid Stations
There is 1 aid station at the halfway point of the course with water and/or Gatorade. 

There are NO Port-a-pots at the aid station. Restrooms are located inside the school. You can carry your own secret fluid concoctions in a handheld or hydration pack, too.

Medical
We will have medical volunteers at the aid station and the results tent.  When in doubt, please check in with the volunteers at the aid station or on the course. If you require medical attention at the finish area, please alert a volunteer, and you will be escorted to the medical area.
 
This is a share-the-road course
ROADS WILL NOT BE CLOSED for this event, and runners will follow the flow of traffic. Meaning you will be running with traffic, not against.  
 
Wake County Sheriff's Deputies will be along the course to help monitor traffic.  Help them and our volunteers by please keeping to the right as you are running along the street, and try to only run at most 2 people across for the safety of yourself and your fellow runners.  

This is a night run, please wear any reflective and/or light-up running gear.  Our friends at Run N Tri Outfitters can provide suggestions if you are in doubt.  
 
There is a 1.5-hour time limit for the course. This rule will be STRICTLY ENFORCED, and you will be asked to move to the sidewalk, where you will be subject to all pedestrian rules.  Please do not argue with the police or the volunteers, as this is a condition of our permits.  
 
Awards
The awards will be at approximately 9:30 pm.  No awards/prizes will be given out prior to this time.*
Top 3 overall Male and Female finishers will be announced.  Top 3 Age Group finishers can pick their award up at the results table.
 
Top Overall winners are not eligible for age group awards. In other words, if you win the top overall, you can't also win your age group. You'll get one or the other - not both, and race director decisions are final. 
 
Please check your time online under the Results menu. If you are a Top 3 finisher, please pickup your award at the results tent.
 
*You must be present to claim your award. If you must leave early, please designate a person to receive your award for you.  Awards are not saved or mailed. Please do not email on Monday to ask, you know the answer.

Volunteers
There will be over 50, yes 50 volunteers helping on Friday.  We cannot host events like these without our amazing volunteers, many of whom are students.  The people on the course, at the expo, handing out your bibs, and at the finish line are volunteers.  Wakefield High School students volunteered their time to assemble and set up over 1,200 luminaries. 

We all want to make sure everyone has a great race. If there are any concerns or compliments, please let an FS Series Staff person know, but remember, many of us out there are volunteers!

Deferrals/Refunds
All registration issues and deferral requests are closed, starting on Monday the week of the event.  If the event is canceled, the race will move to a virtual event.

Even if you are not able to run/walk the race, you can still get your bib, t-shirt and attend the Expo. 
 
Inclement Weather Procedure
As we all know, Mother Nature can be quite unpredictable.  This event is RAIN or SHINE.  If it is raining, yes, we are running, and the event will take place. 

If there is thunder and/or lighting prior to the start of the race, a 15 min delay will take place from the last flash and/or bang.  Our permits only allow for up to a 30 min delay, if the event cannot start by 9:00 pm the event will be canceled and held virtually. 
 
If there is thunder and/or lightning after the start of any distance.  The event will be canceled, participants will be asked to clear the course, return to their parked vehicles, and to finish the race virtually at a different time.
 
If the event is canceled before the start or during, you must pick up your finisher medal before leaving the event site.  NO MEDALS WILL BE MAILED.

Emails and Social Media
We love hearing from you!  Beginning on Monday, the week of the event, we will be busy marking the course, picking up supplies, coordinating volunteers, along with any last-minute details for the event and will have limited time to respond to any emails or monitor social media. 

We may not get to your message till after the weekend, but we will do our best to respond.

Don't forget what the event is all about.
By registering for the Catching Fireflies 5k run or 1m walk, you are helping to support Cancer Research. 
 
There are lots of things that go right on race day, and a few things that will go wrong.  Focus on the positive; have fun, enjoy the cheers of encouragement, run forward, enjoy the luminaries that help light the way, stay hydrated and stay positive. 

It’s a time for you to enjoy just being out on the course, taking time for yourself, and knowing you’ve burned a few calories while doing good to benefit many families impacted by cancer. 
 
Thank you for choosing to participate in the Catching Fireflies 5k run and 1m walk

We'll see you at the start line!
FS Series Crew