NCSAA National 5k Run / Walk 2023
(and NCSAA Cross Country Championships)
Important Details
Thanks so much for registering to participate in the 2023 NCSAA National 5k Run / Walk (and 1-Mile Walk), or the NCSAA Cross Country Championships. We look forward to seeing you at Brady's Run on Saturday, September 16.
Here are a few details and reminders that you may need, in advance of the event:
Where will the race take place?
The NCSAA 5k Run / Walk and NCSAA Cross Country Championships will take place at Brady's Run Park (Beaver Falls, PA). The start (and finish) will be at the Route 51 side of the Brady's Run outdoor walking loop. If you need an address for your GPS, use the address for the Beaver Valley Rifle & Pistol Club (505 Constitution Boulevard, Beaver Falls, PA 15010), which is right next to the Route 51 entrance to the walking loop.
What time should I arrive?
Registration will begin at 7:30 AM, and the race will begin at 9:00 AM. (The starts will be very slightly staggered, with high school cross country runners at the front of the pack, middle school cross country runners next, and 5k participants after that -- with 5k runners advised to allow the faster runners to start at the front of that group.)
Be sure to arrive early enough to pick up your bib number (which also will have a disposable chip timer attached) at the registration table and warm up in preparation for the race start. (There is often a lengthy line at the registration table leading up to start time, so please do arrive a bit earlier to help reduce this back-up. Thanks!)
COVID REMINDERS - Because the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, please be considerate of others in your interactions at the race. The most important factor in this is to please stay home if you have active COVID-19, and if you are sick, please consider taking a rapid test before attending, to be sure that you don't have COVID. Thank you! If you would like to wear a face mask, you are welcome to do so -- and please be conscientious and considerate in your interactions with others who may be wearing masks or attempting to maintain a social distance. Thanks for helping us to make the event one that others can safely and comfortably attend!
Do I need to pay anything on the day of the 5k?
If you are a Standard 5k Participant that has paid online (or a Fundraising 5k Participant who has raised at least $25 per registrant), you do not need to pay anything on race day. If you are a Fundraising 5k Participant and have not raised at least $25 per registrant, you will need to pay the balance of your registration fees at the registration table. Please bring cash to pay any balance that you need to pay. Thanks!
If you are a Cross Country Championships team that has not yet paid its entry fee, you can bring a check to pay at the registration table.
Can I sign up on the day of the 5k?
YES...You are able to register for the 5k on the morning of the race (and if you'd like to invite someone to come along to the event with you, feel free to do so -- they can register that morning, also). Race-day registration begins at 7:30 AM. Race t-shirts will only be available to pre-registrants who registered by the date necessary to get shirts (or as supplies last). Please arrive early if you need to register on race day.
If you are a Cross Country Championships team that purchased t-shirts (or some of your families did), we'll have those packed and ready for you at the registration table.
Where can I park?
There is a sizeable parking lot at the Route 51 entrance to the Brady's Run walking loop. You are able to park there, free of charge. If that lot fills, additional parking is available down the street, at the Brady's Run Recreation Facility.
What is the race route?
All 5k participants will follow a course through Brady's Run Park (mostly along an off-road, paved path -- with one supervised road crossing), which begins and ends at the same point on the walking loop. A map will be provided at the registration table, and individuals (and signs) will be in place along the course to help you stay on the right path.
High school Cross Country Championships teams will run the same course, and junior high Cross Country Championships teams will run a two-mile course (starting and finishing at the same point, with a turnaround well-marked partway through the course).
All 1-mile participants will complete one loop of the Brady's Run Park walking loop.
Are there many hills?
The course is almost entirely flat, with the exception of a few small grades or hills.
How is the timing done?
We use The Runners' High timing service to time the race. Only the 5k and Cross Country Championships participants (not the 1-mile participants) will be officially timed. They will be timed using chip timers inserted in the race bibs. A large digital clock will be located at the finish line, to display the race time as you cross the finish line.
How will the team competitions be scored?
Team scoring is done via a cross-country-type format (each of your team's top five finishers earns points equal to their overall place in the race, and the team with the lowest score wins). All 5k team members are also eligible for regular age group awards, as well.
What are the age groups, and what awards will be presented?
5k awards will be presented to the top three overall 5k male and female finishers, as well as to the top three 5k male and female finishers in each age group (7 and under, 8-11, 12-14, 15-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+).
In addition to the race awards, we have a LOT of fun prizes available in the post-race drawing, which will take place immediately after the race. If you have registered for the 5k race, you are automatically entered into the prize drawing, as well. (Cross Country Championships teams are not eligible for the door prize drawing.)
Cross Country Championships awards will be presented to the top three teams in each division (high school girls, high school boys, junior high girls, and junior high boys), as well as to the top three overall individual finishers in each division. Remember that this is a national race, which means that other individuals and teams that have run from their own site (using the JustMove app or a race on a certified course) will also be included in these standings. We will also be providing a medal for the first-place finisher (in each division) on each team.
Do most people run? Are there really people that just walk?
There will be a mixture of runners and walkers in the 5k race. If you enjoy the challenge of running the race, you'll be chip-timed and will participate in a 5k age group division. If you just want to enjoy a walk in the park, you can join many folks who will be walking -- and we appreciate your being at the event to support NCSAA!
Will there be medical coverage at the race?
There will be a medic on-site this year, located near the finish line.
Are refreshments provided?
Yes. A water station will be available mid-way through the 5k course, and complimentary refreshments (fruit, cereal bars, water, etc) will be available to all race participants after they finish the race. Bear Fruit Smoothies will also be on-site to sell smoothies (and first-place finishers in each age group will will a free smoothie)!
Are restrooms available?
Yes. Restrooms are available at the Brady's Run walking loop.
Is there a time limit? Can I stop and take breaks during the race?
The race is an individual event, which you may complete at your own pace. If you need a break, you can stop and take a break. However, the 5k closing program and runner awards presentation will take place at 10:15 AM (or as soon as the final 5k walker finishes), near the finish line. If you have not finished by that time, you will officially receive a race completion time of 75 minutes.
The Cross Country Championships awards will take place as soon as all of the cross country runners finish the course. We hope to complete that ceremony before the 5k race walkers finish, to get the cross country teams on their way before that second ceremony takes place.
Are strollers permitted on the race course?
Strollers are permitted on the 5k race course, though we ask that you please be courteous to those running and walking around you. Please do not block the race course for those who would like to run or walk faster than you, or for those attempting to pass you.
Can I bring my pet?
Please do not bring your pet to the race, so that we can keep the course free of congestion and obstacles for all race participants.
If you have any other questions, please contact us at 724-846-2764 (phone) or questions@ncsaa.org (e-mail) in advance of the race. Thanks...We'll see you soon!
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