The Golden Grizzlies Festival of Races
- Date Sun 27th September 2026
- Time 9:10AM EDT
- Location Rochester, Michigan
- Price Free - $44.15
- Races 6 races
- Distances 5km, 10km
Event summary
Join us for the exciting Golden Grizzlies Festival of Races on Sunday, September 27, 2026, in beautiful Rochester, Oakland! This vibrant event welcomes participants of all ages and abilities, offering a scenic route through Oakland University's picturesque campus, culminating in a finish at the renowned Elaine Leigh track facility. Runners can choose between a 5K run/walk and a 10K run, with medals and t-shirts awarded to all finishers, ensuring everyone walks away with a memorable souvenir from the day.
The festivities kick off at 9:10 AM with a Kids Run/Walk for ages 10 and under, followed by the 5K and 10K events starting at 9:30 AM. Participants can look forward to fun post-run activities, including sponsor tents and live music, plus a coffee truck from Rootless Coffee for an extra boost! With exciting awards for top finishers and a special medal series featuring the historic Meadowbrook Hall, this event is not to be missed. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or a casual runner, come celebrate fitness and community at the Golden Grizzlies Festival of Races!
The festivities kick off at 9:10 AM with a Kids Run/Walk for ages 10 and under, followed by the 5K and 10K events starting at 9:30 AM. Participants can look forward to fun post-run activities, including sponsor tents and live music, plus a coffee truck from Rootless Coffee for an extra boost! With exciting awards for top finishers and a special medal series featuring the historic Meadowbrook Hall, this event is not to be missed. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or a casual runner, come celebrate fitness and community at the Golden Grizzlies Festival of Races!
Organiser's Description
The Golden Grizzlies Festival of Races is an event for all ages and abilities! Join us as we run a scenic loop through Oakland University's campus and finish with a lap on the Elaine Leigh track facility! We will be holding a 5k run/walk and a 10k run with medals and t-shirts for all participants. Proceeds from the race will go to benefit the Oakland University Cross Country and Track and Field programs.
STARTING TIMES:
9:10 am - Kids Run/Walk (meant for ages 10 and under)
9:30 am - 5K run/walk and 10K Run
PACKET PICKUP: PACKET PICKUP ON RACE MORNING ONLY. Packet pickup open from 7:30-9:00 at race site.
AWARDS: Each finisher of the 5k and 10k will receive a race t-shirt and a medal. Kids run participants will also receive a special OUCU T-Shirt and also a medal.
This year, Hansons Running Shop will be awarding gift certificates to the top finishers in the following categories:
10k
Top Three Overall Men and Women
$250
$150
$100
Masters Overall Man and Woman
$150
5k
Top Three Overall Men and Women
$150
$100
$50
Masters Overall Man and Woman
$100
$15 FOR OAKLAND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS using their oakland.edu email address. Students who get 3 friends to sign up with their unique registration code will be refunded $10 as well.
NEW MEDALS FOR 2026!!
Year 2 of our Medal Series!!
Our medals this year will feature the historic MEADOWBROOK HALL. We are excited to provide this memento for you all to remember your trip around our campus, and the beautiful scenery of Meadowbrook Hall. Learn more about the Meadowbrook Hall here: Meadow Brook Hall | Rochester, MI
POST RUN FESTIVITIES:
Please stick around after your run or walk and visit our sponsor tents and enjoy some music. We will also have Rootless Coffee with a coffee truck on site for that extra energy boost!
CORPORATE/OPEN TEAM RACES:
We will have a 5k team race for Corporate, Open, and Oakland University Department runners.
We plan to award the first place team in each event. Scoring will be based on individual age group placings. Only your top 5 runners will be configured into the scoring. We will have the results posted on our race website after the competition.
For those of you in charge of creating corporate teams, you will have to create a corporate team in the corporate section on our website. You will be able to customize your settings for payment. You will put your teams together in the groups/teams section as well under corporate teams. If you have any questions please dont hesitate to reach out!
SPECIAL ALUMNI BIB:
Just like in 2025, the first 350 alumni to sign up will receive a special gold race bib!
STARTING TIMES:
9:10 am - Kids Run/Walk (meant for ages 10 and under)
9:30 am - 5K run/walk and 10K Run
PACKET PICKUP: PACKET PICKUP ON RACE MORNING ONLY. Packet pickup open from 7:30-9:00 at race site.
AWARDS: Each finisher of the 5k and 10k will receive a race t-shirt and a medal. Kids run participants will also receive a special OUCU T-Shirt and also a medal.
This year, Hansons Running Shop will be awarding gift certificates to the top finishers in the following categories:
10k
Top Three Overall Men and Women
$250
$150
$100
Masters Overall Man and Woman
$150
5k
Top Three Overall Men and Women
$150
$100
$50
Masters Overall Man and Woman
$100
$15 FOR OAKLAND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS using their oakland.edu email address. Students who get 3 friends to sign up with their unique registration code will be refunded $10 as well.
NEW MEDALS FOR 2026!!
Year 2 of our Medal Series!!
Our medals this year will feature the historic MEADOWBROOK HALL. We are excited to provide this memento for you all to remember your trip around our campus, and the beautiful scenery of Meadowbrook Hall. Learn more about the Meadowbrook Hall here: Meadow Brook Hall | Rochester, MI
POST RUN FESTIVITIES:
Please stick around after your run or walk and visit our sponsor tents and enjoy some music. We will also have Rootless Coffee with a coffee truck on site for that extra energy boost!
CORPORATE/OPEN TEAM RACES:
We will have a 5k team race for Corporate, Open, and Oakland University Department runners.
We plan to award the first place team in each event. Scoring will be based on individual age group placings. Only your top 5 runners will be configured into the scoring. We will have the results posted on our race website after the competition.
For those of you in charge of creating corporate teams, you will have to create a corporate team in the corporate section on our website. You will be able to customize your settings for payment. You will put your teams together in the groups/teams section as well under corporate teams. If you have any questions please dont hesitate to reach out!
SPECIAL ALUMNI BIB:
Just like in 2025, the first 350 alumni to sign up will receive a special gold race bib!
Races
-
5k Run/Walk
Incl. $3.83 Fee & Race Shirts
Sun 27th September 2026 (9:30AM EDT)
$38.83
-
10k Run
Incl. $4.15 Fee & T-Shirt
Sun 27th September 2026 (9:30AM EDT)
$44.15
-
Kids Run! (Ages 10 and Under)
Sun 27th September 2026 (9:10AM EDT)
Free
We are introducing the kids run to the Golden Grizzlies 5k/10k weekend! A 400m run/walk around the Elaine Leigh Track! All participants get finisher ribbons and it is free of charge! -
Student 5k (Only Registrations With an Student oakland.edu Email Will Be Accepted)
Incl. $2.53 Fee & Student T-Shirt
Sun 27th September 2026 (9:30AM EDT)
$17.53
Students must sign up with an Oakland.edu email address and be ready to show student ID on day of race. -
5k Race Day Registration Without Race Shirt
Incl. $3.83 Fee
Sun 27th September 2026 (9:30AM EDT)
$38.83
OPENS 26 SEP -
10k Race Day Registration Without Race Shirt
Incl. $3.83 Fee
Sun 27th September 2026 (9:30AM EDT)
$38.83
OPENS 26 SEP
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Recreation and Athletic Outdoor Complex (Elaine Leigh Track and Field Complex at Oakland University), 6000 Meadow Brook Rd, Rochester, 48309, MI, United States
The Golden Grizzlies Festival of Races
