Disclaimer: I’m promoting the Bellin Women’s Half Marathon and 5k as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to find and write race reviews!”
Calling all strong, determined women! Mark your calendars for October 5th 2019!
The 5th annual Bellin Women’s Half Marathon and 5k is going to be an event you won’t want to miss!
I have run this event 3 of the last 4 years and am exciting to be promoting this event again this year as a BibRave Pro Ambassador! Last year’s event was by far one of my favorite years ever! The race moved to a new course, with plenty of areas for spectators and an awesome finish line downtown, on the City Deck!
The BWHM is always one of my favorites for many reasons and the only time I’ve missed it was because I had to work out of town the same weekend!
I am often asked WHY this race is always one of my favorites… and that cannot be answered in a few simple words! There is so much to love! 3 different race options to choose from means there is something for everyone! Choose from the Half Marathon or the Pink Pumpkin 5k. OR, if you want more that 3 miles, but are not up to running 13.1 miles, grab your best running pal to divide and conquer together with the half marathon relay!
But why else?? Here’s why!
THE RACE CREW! The crew that puts on this race is second to none! Their work starts month before race weekend gets here to make sure that all participants have the best race weekend ever! They take pride in working hard to put on a top notch race each and every year.
THE WEEKEND! It is not just a race. It is a weekend event! Everything kicks off with packet pick up and a fun boutique style expo downtown at the KI Center. Vendors, race merchandise, health and wellness professionals and so much more!
After you do a little shopping and hanging with your girlfriends at the expo, it’s time to head to the Inspirational Dinner of pasta and all the fixings! Then after dinner, grab a seat and enjoy the Keynote speaker. Past guests have include Molly Harper (Girls on the Run), Sarah Reinertsen (IronMan finisher and Championship Tri-Athlete) and Pioneer in Women’s running Katherine Switzer! I can’t wait to find out for sure who it will be this year, but I know it will be epic!
RACE TIME! After a good nights rest, it’s race day! The camaraderie around this race is amazing! When you get a group of runners together, great things happen. When you get a group of strong determined women together, EPIC things happen! The energy around the start like is electric! Whether you are running your best friends, your tribe or with a few thousand of your newest friends, the race course is never dull! With plenty of places for spectators to cheer, hundreds of volunteers manning well stocked aid stations and awesome views of the Fox River, the miles can fly right by on the relatively flat course.
POST RACE PARTY! Once you cross the finish line, the real party begins! The BWHM spares no expense an post race treats! Sandwiches, chocolate, sparkling cider, cookies, strawberry shortcake, water, beer and more! Catch up with your running pals, celebrate your accomplishments and grab a free post race massage!
RACE SWAG!! We all do it. We sometimes pick a race based on the swag we get for running. BWHM keeps ladies coming back because of some pretty fun swag! Soft long sleeve hoodies and headbands are always part of the package. Once thing that BWHM does a little different tho is race medals. Instead of the usual race medal, all finishers receive a finishers medallion – so you can wear your accomplishment proudly every day!
This year, once again they put out the call to local artist to create the artwork for the event. Last year, the artwork not only was available on a poster, but was also added to the cinch sacks that all runners receive! My amazing friend Rebecca was the featured artist last year! I can’t wait to see what is featured for this year!
New for 2019, participants can take advantage of lower-than-ever registration costs during the month of April. The half marathon is just $80, the relay is $130 and the 5K weekend experience (adding the Friday Women’s Inspiration Dinner) is $45. Early registration comes worry-free with the event’s new deferral policy – if for any reason registrants are unable to participate in 2019, their registration can be deferred to 2020 at no cost.
For more of my adventures with the BWHM, check out a few of my race recaps from previous years!
2018:
http://ampdwellness.crazyhamster.run/determined-to-push-to-new-levels/
2016:
http://ampdwellness.crazyhamster.run/fear_less_live_more_bellin_womens_half_marathon_2016/
So whatever your reason(s) for running the Bellin Women’s Half Marathon or 5k be sure to get yourself registered while the rates are cheapest! Registration opened today but stay tuned for a race discount just for being my friend!
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