IMPORTANT UPDATE!! ALIVE AND RUNNING VA 5K HAS A LIVE AND VIRTUAL FOR 2026

We are glad to announce that we are having a LIVE and VIRTUAL race for 2026. Participants have the option to run the LIVE event on the VA location or stay at home and run/walk your event with VIRTUAL options.

VIRTUAL EVENT

With a virtual race you can run the 5K distance anywhere, in your neighborhood, on a treadmill, at a nearby park. You will have between Saturday, September 12th and Sunday, October 3rd to complete your 5K. Once you have the 5K completed you will enter your time in the Run Sign-up website.

If you participate in the virtual event you will still receive a race t-shirt! We will plan for drive through packet pickup on Friday September 11 between 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm and Saturday September 12 from 7:00 am-9:00 am at the entrance to the VA, as we have done in years past. Thank you all for your understanding as we take things one day at a time. We must take care of each other now, more than ever.



ABOUT THIS EVENT

THIS EVENT IS BROUGHT TO YOU IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNER GRYPHON PLACE, WHO BOTH SUPPORTS AND PROVIDES SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICES FOR VETERANS AND OTHERS ACROSS OUR REGION.

The 14th Annual Alive and Running VA 5K Run/Walk is a 5K Fun Run/Walk for all levels of participants. This event is designed to raise awareness to the growing problem of suicide within the Military, Veteran and youth populations. The course is located on the campus of the Battle Creek VA Medical Center. The race starts in the parking lot located at the entrance of the medical center. The run goes up the main hill and around the historic campus twice before returning down the hill to the finish. The race this year will be timed. Runners will start first, with walkers to follow. Children and strollers will be allowed - note that children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times. Dogs will not be allowed (please email the race administrator regarding service dogs). In the event of inclement weather, the race may be delayed or cancelled. No refunds will be given. Please join us for this event to celebrate life, and to raise awareness towards suicide. We want everyone to know they matter.

This race is an opportunity for all of us to show Veterans, their families, and the entire military community that THEY matter. Our goal for the 14th year of this event is to have our biggest turnout yet. Please come join us for the 14th Annual Alive and Running VA (Battle Creek) event, brought to you in collaboration with our community partner Gryphon Place. Together we will do our part to prevent suicide and raise awareness.



PACKET PICKUP AND REGISTRATION

* Friday, September 11th - 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. @ Located in the parking lot at the entrance of the medical center.
* Saturday, September 12th - 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
* Race Time, Saturday, September 12th - 9:00 a.m.

ONLINE REGISTRATION

* Early bird registration - $15 through July 01, 2026.
* $20 registration July 02nd through September 11th. **Note - EARLY Online registration closes on September 11th (11:59 pm).
* $20 registration on Friday packet pickup. ** Late online registration will be open - Registration must be done by computer or phone**
* $30 registration on race day. ** Late online registration will be open - Registration must be done by computer or phone**
* **NO PAPER REGISTRATIONS ON SITE.
* ** Note that only online registrations received by midnight September 01, 2026 will be guaranteed a race T-Shirt.
* ** Shirts for same-day registrants will be on a first come- first serve basis. (Registration fees are collected to fund the race.)



MAIL IN REGISTRATION - MAIL IN REGISTRATION FORMS CAN BE FOUND HERE: DOWNLOAD FORM HERE - 5K REGISTRATION FORM OR THE PDF LINK BELOW [http://www.aliveandrunningva.com/about.html]

* Early bird registration is $15 - must be postmarked by July 01, 2026.
* After that registration is $20 and must be postmarked by September 03, 2026.
* Mail in registrations will not be accepted after the postmark date of September 03, 2026.
* Send copy of registration form (with the waiver signed) including an email address to:

Gryphon Place, P.O. Box 378, Portage, MI 49081

REGISTRATION FEES COVER THE COST OF THE RACE AND DO NOT CONTRIBUTE TO FUNDRAISING EFFORTS OR PROGRAMMING
(MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO GRYPHON PLACE)

TEE SHIRTS

* To be guaranteed a tee shirt, race registrations must be made by Sept. 1, 2026 (11:59 pm)

AWARDS AND AGE CATEGORIES

* Male and Female Overall
* Top 3 in each age division - 14 and Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and Over