Winter Blast Half Marathon Field Size Increased to 1,500; Registration is Now OPEN!!!

Portage Half Marathon Combined LogoKalamazoo Area Runners and the City of Portage are pleased to announce the field limit for the 2014 Winter Blast Half Marathon has been increased from 500 to 1,500 spots.  Join us in this extraordinary community celebration of health and wellness as Kalamazoo Area Runners and the City of Portage partner to present the 2nd Annual Portage Winter Blast Half Marathon and 5k.  Registration is now OPEN (See link on bottom of page).

New this year, we will also be hosting a Community Spirit Challenge. Groups of 10 or more volunteer to staff an aid and spirit station and are eligible for cash prizes based on half marathon participant vote.  The cash prizes are designated to a local non-profit 501 (c)(3)  organization of the group’s choice.   Volunteer groups may be businesses, the non-profit organization itself, or another group of 10 or more.   In addition, we will also hosting a hospitality area for all volunteers to enhance the experience for those who dedicate their time and talent in order to make the event possible. Last, Saturday’s Sponsor Expo and Late Registration/Packet Pick-up will be moved to the Portage Central High School Commons Area.

The USAT&F certified half marathon and 5k courses highlight the Portage Trail Way System and include a mix of mostly flat paved bike trail and roads.  All running events will start and end at Portage Central High School, 8135 South Westnedge Avenue, Portage, MI  49002 on Sunday, March 2, 2014.  5k start is at 8:00 am and the half marathon start is 8:10 am.

Current Members of the Kalamazoo Area Runners will receive a $10 discount on the half marathon, and a $5 discount on the 5k.  A discount code unique to the half marathon and 5k events will be emailed to all active members prior to registration open.

The half marathon will close registration once it attains its cap.  The cap will be raised and will be announced by registration open.   Cutoff time to be included in half marathon results is 3 hours, 45 minutes. Roads will be re-opened at 12:00 noon.

Sponsor expo, packet pick-up and late registration will be held from 2:00pm – 5:00pm on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at Portage Central High School in the Commons area.  Race day registration for the 5k only and half marathon packet pick-up will be Sunday, March 2, 2014 at Portage Central High School from 6:30 – 7:30am.   Race day registration for the half marathon will not be available.

Awards to first place overall open, masters, grand masters, senior masters and five year age division awards three deep in both the Half Marathon and 5k.   Finisher medals to all half marathoners finishing within the time limit.  All proceeds will support the Portage Winter Blast Half Marathon and 5k and the Kalamazoo Area Runners.

To register, or for more information on the event, volunteer and/or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.portagewinterblast.wordpress.com.