BENEFITS STUDENT ATHLETES

A substantial portion of the race entry fees go to the local cross country programs at Chico High School and Pleasant Valley High School. When you participate in the Bidwell Classic, you are supporting local student athletes.

REGISTRATION

Register for the Bidwell Classic by filling out and returning the entry form or by clicking Active.com's link to the right.

Or you can register via this downloadable, printable entry form.

For registration by mail, send your entry form to

Chico Running Club
P.O. Box 1182
Chico, CA 95927

Mailed entry forms must reach us on or by March 5. If you have a paper entry form and are not sure it will reach us by that Thursday, please take it to Fleet Feet, directions to which appear below, any time up through March 6. Do not wait until race day to turn in your registration.

There is no race day registration. The last day to register is Friday, March 6 at Fleet Feet, from 12:00 to 9:00 p.m.

START TIMES

5K run and fun walk: 8:30 a.m.
Half marathon run, relay, and racewalk (first wave): 9:00 a.m.
Half marathon run, relay, and racewalk (second wave): 9:05 a.m.

Half marathon starting wave is determined by your estimated finish time.

ENTRY FEES

Pre-registered by February 21 (includes entries postmarked on or by the 21st):

Adults, 5K: $30
Children 13 and under, 5K: $15

Adults, half marathon: $40
Children 13 and under, half marathon: $15

Adult relay teams, half marathon: $60
Child 13 and under relay teams, half marathon: $40

Adult CRC*/SWEAT discount: $5 each member

After February 21:

Adults, 5K: $35
Children 13 and under, 5K: $20

Adults, half marathon: $50
Children 13 and under, half marathon: $20

Adult relay teams, half marathon: $70
Child 13 and under relay teams, half marathon: $50

Adult CRC*/SWEAT discount: $5 each member

Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

*CRC members must be active for the 2008 - 09 season to receive the CRC discount. If you need to start or renew a CRC membership, please fill out and send in this form.

For special school group rates contact the race directors at Under the Sun Events (via our CRC email address).

Every pre-registered entrant is guaranteed a shirt. Shirts available to entrants after February 21 while supplies last. See below for details.

COURSE CERTIFICATION AND MAPS

Courses are USATF certified. 5K: CA05008RS. Half: CA08067RS. Both are flat, paved, and free of traffic. All events start and finish at One Mile Recreation Area in Lower Bidwell Park.

The half marathon course is map is here. And here's the 5K map.

PACKET PICKUP

Avoid race day crowds by stopping by Fleet Feet on Friday, March 6 from 12:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Fleet Feet is at 241 Main St in downtown Chico. You can pick up your timing chip, race number, and t-shirt. Shirts available to pre-registered entrants and to those registering after February 21 while supplies last. See the T-SHIRTS section below for more details.

March 6 packet pickup is also the last opportunity to register for the race.

Or wait until race day, March 7, at Bidwell Park.
Packets available prior to race between 7:00 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. You must be registered to pick up your packet as there is no race-day registration.

DIRECTIONS AND PARKING

To the course:
Enter Chico via Highway 99 either from the north or from the south. If you are coming from the north on 99, take the Highway 32 offramp and turn right at the first intersection. If you are coming from the south on 99, take the 32 offramp and turn left at the second intersection. Now you're heading west on 32 (East 8th St). From here,

• Take 8th St just under a half-mile, then turn right on Sycamore St.
• Sycamore St runs a few blocks into Woodland Ave, which runs parallel to the park. The park itself will be closed to vehicle traffic on race day, so find a parking spot on or near Woodland Ave. Please be courteous and park legally. Do not park in a way that blocks local residents' entry to or exit from their homes.
• There are several entrances to the One Mile Recreation Area from Woodland Ave. For race-day packet pickup, look for the sign marked Pre-Registered. If you need to check clothing prior to your race, look for the Sweat Check. For any other assistance, make your way to the Information booth.

Here's a map.

To Fleet Feet packet pickup:
As above, from Highway 99 head west on Highway 32 (East 8th St). From here,

• Take 8th St about a mile then turn right on Main St.
• Drive north on Main St. Fleet Feet is located between 2nd and 3rd Streets. Fleet Feet's phone number is 530 345-1000.

Here's a map.

SWEAT CHECK

The sweat check dropoff is located near the start line. Place all extra layers in the race goody bag, write your race number on the bag, and turn it in at the dropoff. We transfer your goody bag to a pickup area near the finish line. After you're done present your race number to claim your bag.

Do not leave valuables at the sweat check. The Chico Running Club and the Bidwell Classic are not responsible for any lost items.

TIMING

The Bidwell Classic proudly features chip timing. Participants who do not return chips on race day are responsibile for a replacement charge. Other timing information:

• You receive the timing chip at packet pickup. The chip is associated with your race number.
• Attach the chip to your shoe with the plastic ties from your race packet. If you wear the chip at another location on your body, the start and finish line sensors may not be able to record your time. After crossing the finish line allow a volunteer to remove the chip.
• Be sure to run with your timing chip. If you run with another participant's chip, your time may be recorded under their name or may not show up in the official results at all.
• Cross over all the start and finish line sensor mats during your race. If you run around any of the sensor mats, your time will not be recorded. The finish line has two sensor mats. Be sure to cross over both.
• The start mat is deactivated five minutes after your race start so do not intentionally start late otherwise you will receive no time.
• The finish line closes at 12:20 p.m. Participants finishing beyond 12:20 p.m. may not receive a finish time. If you want an official time, be sure you can complete your event in 3 hours or less.
• Again, make sure to return the chip to avoid the replacement fee. If you are unable to start or finish the race find a volunteer near the finish area so that they can remove it.

RELAY EXCHANGE

The relay exchange area is situated on South Park Drive near the start line. The exchange area is close to the halfway point on the half marathon course, with each runner doing one loop of approximately 6.5 miles.

AID STATIONS AND RESTROOMS

Mt Shasta Spring Water and Knudsen Recharge--The All Natural Sports Drink--are available at 5 aid stations along the half marathon course and at 1 aid station on the 5K course.

Porta-potties are located near the start line, and the park restrooms are also open on the day of the race. In addition to the park facilities near the swimming hole, more park restrooms are located to the right of road roughly 1.5 miles into the course loop.

KIDS UNDER 13 RUN

For runners 12 and under we have a free, quick run on the baseball field near Caper Acres park.

More details coming soon.

RULES

• No dogs, strollers, bicycles, unicycles, tricycles, inline skates, roller skates, or skateboards are allowed on the course. No pace bikes allowed. If you run with a pet or stroller, if you ride the race on or in any one of the aforementioned vehicles, or if you are paced by anyone riding or otherwise using one of them, you are subject to disqualification, and your team is subject to disqualification if you are running a relay. Your time and placing will be stricken from the results and you will not be eligible for any age group or overall finish awards.
• No food or drink assistance beyond that available at the official aid stations.
• In each event the fastest runners line up at the front of the wave, followed by the slower runners, followed by walkers. No children allowed to line up at the front.
• Upon crossing the finish line maintain your finish line order. Move through the chute without passing or dropping behind any other finishers. Precise finish line order is necessary to reconcile chip time finish order with bib number finish order.
• Nonregistered runners not allowed on course.
• No shortcuts. Anyone cutting the course is disqualified.
• Half marathon runners overtaking slower 5K participants give 5K participants a wide berth. Be courteous when overtaking slower runners or walkers.
• Race number must be visible on the participant's front side. Missing race numbers, obscured race numbers, or numbers not attached to the front of the runner's shirt or shorts can disqualify the participant.
• Start your race and wave at the proper time as noted above in START TIMES. For the half marathon, whether you run or walk, you are assigned a starting wave noted on your race number bib.
• Relay teams receive wave assignments for each runner. The first runner completes one lap of the course starting in his or her assigned wave, tags their relay partner's hand at the relay exchange, then the second runner completes the second loop. Team times are computed via associated bib numbers and timing chips; you do not need to wear any matching clothing to signify the team.
• The half marathon racewalk is unjudged. No course marshals check to ensure that racewalkers are maintaining allowable racewalk form.

T-SHIRTS

Every pre-registered participant gets a nice technical t-shirt-- men's and women's separate styles (and sizes) now available.

Entrants registering after February 21 receive shirts while supply lasts.

AWARDS FOR TOP FINISHERS

5K ceremony takes place at approximately 9:30 a.m., and the half marathon ceremony at approximately 11:30 a.m.

In addition to age group awards, awards are available to select overall event placers. Details on the size, shape, and distribution of prizes to come.

There is no "double-dipping." If you place overall for an event, you do not place in your age bracket.

PRIZE DRAWINGS

In addition to awards for top age group and overall placers, every entrant has a chance to win prizes. We will randomly distribute "claim ticket" envelopes in several race packets. If you receive a ticket, you can bring it to a special prize booth on the day of the race to pick up your prize.

HOLIDAY INN SPECIAL RATE

The Chico Holiday Inn is offering runners a special rate of $90 per night (single or double occupancy, plus tax) for the nights of Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7. This offer includes a full buffet breakfast with omelet and waffle bar. Make reservations by clicking the following icon.

You can also call the hotel directly at (530) 345-2491 and ask for the Bidwell Classic rate. Rooms must be booked by February 16 to ensure availability.

EVENT PHOTOS

Brightroom will have several photographers out on the course to take pictures of all the action. Be sure to wear your bib number on your front so they can fetch your pictures quickly after the race.

To sign up for email notification when your pictures are ready, click the Brightroom logo below.

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

Email Under the Sun Events, care of CRC.