14th Annual 5K & 1 Mile Charity Event
Saturday, November 9, 2024 @ 10am
Our Story
In 2011, we launched our 5K charity race to raise money to feed 100 lakes region families during the holiday season. Today, Outrun Hunger is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization and has raised a total of $237,652, feeding 10,513 families right here in our community. Best of all, 100% of the donations/registrations are gifted to our partnering food pantries, Hospitality House Food Pantry of Commerce and Open Door Outreach Center of Waterford. Our goal every year is to be a catalyst for “outrunning hunger” in the Lakes Region of Southeast Michigan.
Thank you for another record success year at Outrun Hunger on Saturday, November 11, 2023. Whether you participated, donated, or both, you were the reason for making this impactful event possible. Our partnering food pantries, Hospitality House Food Pantry of Commerce and Open Door Outreach Center of Waterford, are grateful to you.
It was an amazing day all the way around, and we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. We thought you'd like to know the results from Outrun Hunger 2023. Because of your gracious efforts, together we:
Raised $32,698 for our partnering pantries (goal was $29,000)
Provided 726 families a holiday meal (goal was 644)
Registered 381 Michigan runners/walkers
Recruited 55 volunteers from our community
Received contributions from 88 donors
Benefited from the support of 23 sponsors
Exciting results, but our job isn't done. According to our partner organizations, they served 2,836 families and 9,343 individuals, distributing 230,393 pounds of food in November and December 2023. The "demand" often overwhelms the "supply."
Join us in our goal of raising $33,000 to feed 660 families in 2024!
Our charity race has now become an annual favorite and we pray that Outrun Hunger continues to be a charitable event that is both fun AND meaningful to our community. We hope you join us for our 14th annual event, Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 10 AM. Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, and X ) to stay connected and updated with the Outrun Hunger family.
Gratefully,
Kari Cotter, Director, Outrun Hunger
Dan Steinhart, Pastor, Grace Community Church
2023 Results
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381
Racers registered from our community
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88
Donors graciously gave
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$32,698
Raised for Hospitality House Food Pantry of Commerce and Open Door Outreach Center of Waterford
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726
amilies in the Lakes Region will now be able to enjoy a hot meal at Thanksgiving and Christmas
Donate
100% of your contribution to Outrun Hunger (excluding online transaction fees), goes back to our community for those in need. Outrun Hunger is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization and is partnering with Hospitality House Food Pantry of Commerce and Open Door Outreach Center of Waterford to help feed Lakes Region families.
Mail donations, payable to Outrun Hunger: EIN: 83-3020577
Outrun Hunger, PO Box 942, Union Lake, MI 48387
Our Generous Sponsors
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email info@outrunhunger.org for sponsorship details.
Photos
Explore some of the great memories that were created at Outrun Hunger
Race Day
Outrun Hunger
2024 Race Day Agenda & Information
Event Date: Saturday, November 9, 2024
Location: Commerce Township Hall
Race Starts: 10:00a 5K & 10:10a 1 Mile
➡ 8:30a: Race check-in and staging inside the Commerce Township Hall. Please enter and park on the North side of the building.
➡ Giveaways: will be provided at check-in (if registered by Oct 20th, you will receive a winter beanie, if registered by Nov 3rd, you will receive a Kroger gift card.
➡ Wear your past or present Outrun Hunger: race shirt or winter beanie during the run/walk race, for a chance to have your photo on our website.
➡ 9:35a: Pantry directors interview and thank you (outside, south patio side).
➡ 9:45a: Race Instructions, Prayer and National Anthem (outside, south patio side).
➡ 9:50a: “Rocky” music plays, queuing participants to make their way to start/finish line.
➡ 10:00a: 5K starts at start/finish line (see Race Day Information about the course). Your finisher medal, made just for you, awaits you at the finish line.
➡ 10:10a: 1 Mile starts at start/finish line (please do not line up with the 5K, see Race information about the course). Your finisher medal, made just for you, awaits you at the finish line.
➡ 10:45a: Director thank you, following 5K & 1 Mile awards (outside, south patio).
➡ 11:15a: Free adult and kid raffle giveaways from local businesses and sponsors (outside, south patio), please only take a ticket at check-in if you are staying for the raffle), we try to be as speedy as we can.
Our course has areas that wind through woodlands, wetlands and natural habitats. The course has a combination of crushed asphalt and pavement. The trail is only a few yards wide and could have more than 300 plus adult runners on the course at one time. Please be gracious and thoughtful towards other runners, volunteers and spectators. Since the course is narrow we ask that you line up at the start line by anticipated race pace. Please line up in the following way — fast runners (6:00/mile to 8:00/mile racers in the front of the pack), mid-pace runners (8:30/mile to 10:00/ mile racers in the middle of the pack) and casual runners/walkers (at the rear of the pack).
It’s very important to pay attention while on the course. In spots, the trail can be uneven and sometimes wet. Also, be aware that there are permanent, triple wood posts placed at intervals around the course (they are marked with tall, orange flags). The township utilizes these posts as vehicle barriers to keep motorized traffic off the trail. Please run aware and with your head up for what’s coming next! The trail is marked with directional arrows, mile markers, signs, small orange flags lining the course path and cheering volunteers. The course will have consistent fast runners passing slower paced runners/walkers. Please stay to the right of the trail and pass on the left. If you see caution tape or orange cones please pay careful attention to what they indicate. Water is provided at the 1.7 mile.
Our 5K and 1 Mile is professionally chip-timed by the Michigan Running Foundation. Race results will be posted on RunSignup and the Outrun Hunger website. We hope you achieve your goal time!
After the race, enjoy Leo’s Coney Island hot oatmeal, Biggby coffee, Kickstand Brewing Company soup and Kroger refreshments. Male/Female overall, masters, grandmasters and senior grandmasters, plus awards for first place Male/Female in each age group for the 5K and 1 Mile, will be acknowledged at our in-person award ceremony along with free adult and kid raffle giveaways. So be sure to stick around. (Note: we do our very best to accomplish the awards/raffles in a timely manner).
100% of the proceeds raised for this event (our goal is $33,000), goes directly to help people in our community. No funds raised from this event have been used for administrative costs or overhead. Thank YOU for helping us feed those in need this holiday season!
Commerce Township, Commerce Towne Place and the DDA have been vital to the success of our race. We are grateful to the Township authorities for allowing us use of the Township Hall properties and Commerce Towne Place trails. Thank you!
A thank you to our sponsors for their time, efforts and graciously donating food, products, services, awards and free raffles.
This year is the 14th Annual Outrun Hunger Charity Event. We hope the race will be a force for good in our community for years to come. Thank you to Hospitality House Food Pantry of Commerce and Open Door Outreach Center of Waterford for partnering with us to give back to our community. If you’d like to know more about Grace Community Church, you can visit us online at gotgrace.info, or stop by our building located a few blocks north of the Township Hall (at the corner of Martin Parkway and Oakley Park at 3275 Martin Parkway, Suite 129). We’d love to have you join us on Sundays at 9:30a for our morning worship gathering with programs for all ages.
Thank you for joining us. Have a great time at Outrun Hunger!
Course & Results
2024 Awards and Giveaways: Individuals and Teams
*Register by Sunday, October 20th, and receive a free Winter Knit Beanie
*Register by Sunday, November 3rd, and receive a free $10 Kroger Gift Card
Finisher medal for all race participants.
PARTICIPANT GIVEAWAY:
Sponsored by The Kroger Co. of Michigan
Winter Knit Beanie support from INKPRESSIONS.
*Register by Sunday, October 20th, and receive a free Winter Knit Beanie of your choice
*Register by Sunday, November 3rd, and receive a free $10 Kroger Gift Card
All participants receive a Finisher Medal after the race
Entry fee for participants 12 and under is $25 any time when registering (discount will show up in cart at checkout)
5K TEAM GIVEAWAY:
Sponsored by The Kroger Co. of Michigan
Attention all Organizations, Church's, Friends and Families! Bring together a team (5 or more to qualify) to run/walk the 5K. All team members must be registered for the 5K only. Choose "Team" when registering. Teams must be pre-registered, (no walk-ins). School teams do not qualify due to NHSA regulations.
3 ways to win a $10 Kroger gift card for each team member (maximum number of gift cards given to a team is 10). A team can only win once.
Largest team of participants
Fastest team to cross the finish line
Remaining qualifying teams will be entered into a drawing
1 MILE TEAM GIVEAWAY:
Sponsored by The Kroger Co. of Michigan
Attention all Organizations, Church's, Friends and Families! Bring together a team (5 or more to qualify) to run/walk the 1 Mile. All team members must be registered for the 1 Mile only. Choose "Team" when registering. Teams must be pre-registered (no walk-ins). School teams do not qualify due to NHSA regulations.
Win a $10 Kroger gift card for each team member (maximum number of gift cards given to a team is 10).
All teams of 5 or more will be entered into a drawing to win
FUNDRAISER GIVEAWAY:
Sponsored by The Kroger Co. of Michigan
Individuals and Teams have the opportunity to help us reach our goal of $33,000 this year. 100% of your fundraising goes back to our community to help families in need of food during the holidays. Top "Individual" (minimum of $250 of fundraising to qualify) will receive a $50 Amazon gift card. Top "Team" (minimum of $500 of fundraising to qualify) will receive a $10 Kroger gift card for each team member (maximum number of gift cards given to a team is 10). All fundraisers "Individual" and "Team" must be registered for the 5K or 1 Mile.
Please note: Giveaways are announced after the race. Must be present to receive.
AWARDS:
Sponsored by The Kroger Co. of Michigan
5K
1st place “overall" by age group awards for both Male/Female: $75 Amazon gift card:
Overall Male/Female (any age)
Masters Male/Female (40+)
Grand Masters Male/Female (50+)
Senior Grand Masters (60+)
Veteran Masters (70+) NEW this year!
5K:
1st place by “age group” for both Male/Female: $50 Amazon gift card:
5-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89
(kids 12 and under must be running/walking themselves, strollers do not qualify)
1 Mile
1st place by “age group” for both Male/Female: $25 Amazon gift card:
5-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89
(kids 12 and under must be running/walking themselves, strollers do not qualify)
Please note: Awards are announced after the race. Must be present to receive.
IF FIRST PLACE ISN’T FOR YOU, STICK AROUND AFTER THE AWARD CEREMONY FOR FREE RAFFLE DRAWINGS
The race will be professionally chip timed by the Michigan Running Foundation.
Testimonials
FAQs
Got questions? We’ve got answers.
Is there race day registration?
Race Day Walk-Ins are welcome, however, we highly recommend pre-registering especially for meeting the free giveaways deadline and paying a lower cost for the race. $10 extra for Walk-Ins.
Where will the race results be posted on race day?
Race results will be available by text message. All final results will be posted on RunSignup and the Outrun Hunger website.
Is a tax-deductible receipt available for my donation?
Yes, email info@outrunhunger.org to request a receipt.
Will there be a 1 Mile run/walk?
Yes, for both adults and children.
How will I receive my first place award?
There will be an award ceremony after the race plus free raffle giveaways so stick around.
Is the race course stroller friendly?
The course has a combination of crushed asphalt and pavement, only Running Strollers with extra large wheels have been successful on the trail.
Can I run or walk with my dog?
Because of safety concerns, pets are not permitted at this event.
When will I receive the giveaways?
At check-in on race day. So allow extra time, if needed, to go back to your car.
Will there be post-race food and drinks?
Yes, we love serving post-race fuel. Outrun Hunger will have a food tent supplying post-race food and drinks.
What is your cancellation/refund policy?
Because our race is an event for charity, race registration fees are non-refundable and cannot be deferred to another year.
Entries can be transferred to another individual at no cost. Please email info@outrunhunger.org
In the event the race should be canceled for reasons beyond our control (such as, but not limited to, inclement weather, local, state or national emergency) refunds will not be made. At such time, we will determine whether to move the race date or cancel the event all together and race giveaways will be available at a location to be determined.
