Date: Saturday, 7 April 2012, 9am Central/Chicago time.  Walk starts a few minutes after the run.  

Packet pick-up and registration: Race Day 7.30 to 8.30, or Friday night before, 6.30 to 8.30pm.  

Location: Valparaiso Family YMCA, 1201 Cumberland Crossing, Valparaiso, Ind. (Map, Weather, Parking Plan) 

Distance: 5K run, 10k run (double loop) and 5k prediction walk.  Please allow the fastest runners to start at the front.  You may switch between events until the day before the race - please contact the race director.

Teams: Register your team or family of 5 or more for team competition!  Teams are scored cross-country style.  All teams must register as runners.  No team registration on race day.  5K or 10K (all participants, same event).   

Athena/Clydesdale: Optional if eligible. Athena = female 150+ lbs, Clydesdales = males 190+ lbs. If you choose to register in this competition you will be taken out of the age group competition. No weigh-ins.  Weight cut-offs are the Striders' definitions.  

Prediction walk: Walkers should indicate their predicted 5K time (59 minutes or less) and should not wear watches.  Prediction time awards will be based on chip time, with awards going to the three male and three female walkers who finished closest to their predicted time.  The "walk" is non-judged and walkers may run part or all of the course.  

T-shirts: Shirts are made of wicking moisture management fabric, which helps you stay dry when exercising. Choose from men's short sleeve tee or women's fitted short sleeve tee. 

Awards: Run awards go 3 deep in each division, 5k and 10k. 

Free child care and gear check

YMCA facilities: only available for Valparaiso Family YMCA members with their membership card

Post-race food: a selection of fruit, granola, and water will be available.  We have eliminated the hot food because of the difficulty of serving everyone quickly

Course map and photos: The course map is under construction pending certification of the revised course for 2012.  The course will be similar to the prior year's course with a double-loop for the 10K

Uniformed police and medical professionals: We will have police and EMS support. Volunteer course marshalls will be stationed at major road crossings.

Prohibited items: As a large short-distance race, we ask all participants not to use any item that may interfere with the event's safety, including iPods and MP3 players, dogs, strollers, baby joggers, rollerblades, rollerskates/shoes, bikes, other wheeled items, and items at the race director's discretion. Exceptions for disability - kindly notify race director in advance if accomodation is needed.  

Course opening: The course re-opens to traffic at 10:15am.

Results are computed electronically and posted here after the race.

2011 results: [Overall | Age Group | Walk | Team]

2010 results: [Overall | Age Group | Walk | Team]

2009 results: [Overall | Age Group | Walk]

2009 Progressive Marathon: [Overall | Age Group]

2008 results: [Run]

2007 results: [Run]

2006 results: [Run]

2005 results: [Run]

2004 results: [Run]

2003 results: [Run]

2002 results: [Run]

2001 results: [ Run | Walk ]

2000 results: [ Run | Walk ]

Chip time determines place: By popular demand, we will use chip time to determine place.  Fastest runners must line-up at the front, slower runners and walkers in back. 

Same price for 5K and 10K

By March 26: $14 no-shirt, $20 with shirt, less discounts (see below), guaranteed shirt

March 27 to April 6: $19 no-shirt, $26 with shirt, no discounts

Race Day: There is a $10 surcharge for race-day registration - please register in advance - it is much easier for us!

Discounts until March 26:  
Discount $3 to members of Gold Cup or CARA.
Discount $1/person for families with 3+ members or
teams of 5+ participants registering together (same envelope, one entry form per person).
May combine family/team and club discount; max discount of $4/person.

THERE IS AN ERROR ON THE PRINTED ENTRY FORM - DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE THROUGH MARCH 26 (not March 21)

Directions to the YMCA: The new Valparaiso YMCA is located at 1201 Cumberland Crossing (formerly County Seat Plaza), near K-Mart in Valparaiso.  See "essential info" above.  (Map, Weather).

Parking: The new YMCA is located in a shopping center with a large parking lot.  Please be respectful of nearby businesses when parking.  Click here for a map and parking instructions.
 

Ringing in Spring 5K has Closest Finish in 17 Year History (2011)

Nagel Comes Back with Second Place Finish (2011)

Ringing in Spring Now Top Local Race (2010) 

Local Elites Lead the Field at Ringing in Spring (2010)

Ridge Runners Capture Team Title (2010)

Ringing in Spring 5K could become Region's largest local race (2010)

Now he's running: profile of race director Mike Jones (2009) 

East Chicago's Gutierrez overcomes injuries to finish second at Ringing in Spring 5K (2009)

Piaskowy defends Ringing in Spring 5K men's title, Nagel wins seventh straight women's race (2009)

Race draws more than 1,000 competitors (2009)

Nagel, Piaskowy win 5K titles (2009)

Valpo YMCA's annual 5K event moves to the north end of town (2009)

Nagel, Ahner win Progressive Marathon titles (2008)

Piaskowy, Nagel capture Ringing in Spring titles (2008)

Warm weather helps set record numbers at Ringing race (2008)

Nagel, Crague repeat Ringing in Spring titles (2007)

Frigid temps don't deter Ringing in Spring competitors (2007)

Race is proving ground for all ages (2006)

Teaching the Pack: Crague and Nagel repeat as Ringing in Spring winners (2006)

Ringing in Spring a fitness barometer (2005)

Former Valpo star overall Ringing in Spring winner (2004)

Ringing in Spring a success (2003)

Wilks takes Ringing in Spring title (2003)

Ringing in Spring enjoys record numbers (2002)

The Race of Spring: Valpo YMCA outdoes itself again at 5K run/walk event (2001)

Portage pair run to their marriage: Wedding couple wore running shorts and sneakers (2001)

"Two Crazy Runners" to be married at race (2001)

Ringing in the Spirit of Spring (2001)

Interview with Race Director Mike Jones

Race's Growing Numbers No Surprise (2000)

Eye on the Y: Race Director Mike Jones (2000)

Spring Training in Session (1999)

Hitting Their Times (1998)

Runners Ring in Spring (1997)

Ringing Brings Runners (1996)

Sponsors: Please thank our sponsors, listed at right.  For information on sponsoring our event or including your product in the "schwag bag", please contact us.

Race organizers: The event is organized by a veteran race committee led by volunteer race director Mike Jones, a veteran of over 50 marathons and countless more races over the last 30 years.  The committee includes some of the area's best runners and several members who have been with the committee since the first Ringing in Spring in 1995.

 » Biggest spring run

 » On-the-bib chip timing

 » High-tech shirts

 » Women's fitted shirts

 » No-shirt entry

 » USATF Certified

 » Team competition

 » Masters division

 » Athena & Clydesdale