Please join us on Thursday, November 11, 2021 for the 2nd Annual Veterans Recognition 5K Run at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in Niagara Falls, New York. This will be a chance for military members and their dependents, retired military personnel, Emergency Services Personnel, Civil Servants, and Civilians to run alongside our honored Veterans! The route on the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station which is mostly flat will provide participants an opportunity to run and view some of the KC-135 Refueling Tankers stationed at the Base. The finish line will feature some static military vehicles, and a giant American Flag as the backdrop which will provide spectacular photo opportunities. Each participant will receive a commemorative coin and event shirt. Awards for the various age groups to be presented by Veterans representing the brave Americans that fought for our freedom in WWII, Korean War, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
START/FINISH
The Opening Ceremony will feature a Joint Military Color Guard and a live performance of the National Anthem. The race will start promptly at 10:00am in front of the Community Activity Center using a brand new USATF Course #NY19021JJ certified by Jeff John from BuffaloRunners.com. The finish line will feature static military vehicles, and a giant American flag as the backdrop.
ITINERARY: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021
0800-0930 Race Packet Pickup and check-in Building #503
0940- 0945 Presentation of Colors 914th Honor Guard
0945-0950 National Anthem
0950-0955 Welcoming Remarks
1000 Race Begins
1045 Race Concludes (Or until all participants finish)
1100-1115 Comment’s from guest Veterans
1115-1130 Awards
1115 Food & Beverages
REGISTRATION & PACKET PICKUPPlease note that online registration will close on Thursday November 4th at 2pm. There will be no civilian registration option after this deadline as all participants must be pre-screened prior to entering the base and will be asked to enter their drivers license number or other ID information as requested during the online registration process. All pre-screened participants will be asked to show their ID at the security gate before being allowed to enter the base. We are not responsible if you forget to bring your ID and are refused access.
Military personnel holding a valid Common Access Card (CAC) will be allowed to register on race day, however it is preferred that they register by Thursday November 4th so we can order you an official race shirt.
Check-in and packet pickup will take place at the Heritage Center from 8:00am right up until the start of the race at 10:00am. Be sure to arrive early to avoid potentially long lines at the security checkpoint. We are not responsible if you miss the race due to security delays.
- 5K RUN/WALK REGISTRATION
- $15 through 10/25/21 then $20
- $30 through 10/25/21 then $35
- Please contact Michael Williams to register
- Veterans & Current Military Members
- Civilians
- ROTC Battalions
- SPECTATOR REGISTRATION
- Spectator (+)*........ $25 until 11/4/21 at 2pm
- Free Spectator*…. Free, however registration is still REQUIRED
*Specators (+) must be pre-registered and will receive base access, an official race shirt, commemorative coin, along with food and beverages provided by the Brickyard Brewing Company.
*Free spectators must also be pre-registered and will receive base access. You will NOT receive an official race shirt, commemorative coin, or food and beverages being provided by the Brickyard Brewing Company.
Each 5K participant will receive an official Veterans Recognition Run custom race bib with RFID tag along with a food & beverage voucher for a delicious provided by the Brickyard Brewing Company. In addition, all participants will receive an official race shirt along with a spectacular custom collector coin as a keepsake.
ROTC BATTALION CHALLENGE
Area ROTC commanders are encouraged to register their school battalions to participate in the ROTC Battalion Challenge! We'll take the average time of the fastest 5 members of each battalion to determine who takes home a very special ROTC trophy being created by DB Designs just for this event! All battalion members will receive a commemorative coin and race shirt (must register by 11/4/21 to receive shirt) Commanders will be contacted by base officials in the coming weeks and we are working to obtain full funding for all cadets to participate! Please contact Michael Williams (see below) for additional information and to register your battalion.
POST RACE CELEBRATION
PARKINGThere will be plenty of free parking on the base but plan to arrive early as all civilians will be required to enter via the main gate and are subject to security inspection.
Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station
10405 Lockport Road
Niagara Falls, NY 14304
AGE GROUPS & AWARDSTrophies will be presented to the top overall male and female civilian runners along with the top male and female Veterans. Limited edition collector coins will be presented to all participants, spectators, volunteers, and sponsors! Age group awards will be given out to the top three male and female 5K runners in each of the following age groups:14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80 and older.
VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
If you would like to volunteer in support of the event, please contact Paul Beatty or Michael Williams (see below) for additional information. All volunteers will need to notify us of their intentions by October 31st for us to plan accordingly and to receive the security clearance needed to enter the Air Base. As a thank you for helping out, volunteers will receive one of our commerorative coins and enjoy lunch and beverages with us after the race!CONTACT USFor additional information on the race please contact Paul Beatty at 716-998-5777. To become a sponsor please click on the SPONSOR button located at the top of this page and choose from the packages shown. For in-kind donations please contact Paul directly to make arrangements. Questions for Air Base Officials shoud be directed to Michael Williams, Director of Ground Operations-Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station at michael.williams.43@us.af.mil or (716) 236-2198.
DIRECTIONS COMING FROM BUFFALO:
- Take I-190N (toll road)
- Take exit 23 Packard Rd towards NY-182/Porter Rd
- Turn Right onto Packard Rd
- Continue Straight on Packard Rd
- Turn Right onto Entrance Ave (Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station)
DIRECTIONS COMING FROM ROCHESTER:
- Take I-90 West toward Buffalo (toll road)
- Take exit 50 (I-290) toward Niagara Falls
- Use the Right 2 lanes to take exit 3 for US 62/Niagara Falls Blvd
- Turn Right onto Niagara Falls Blvd
- Turn Right onto Walmore Rd
- Turn Left onto Lockport Rd
- Turn Left onto Entrance Ave (Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station)
PROCEDURES FOR GATE ACCESS:
- All persons in the vehicle are required to show a Valid Driver’s License or CAC (100% ID check)
- All vehicles and participants are subject to random search
- All participants must be pre-screened prior to entering the base.
- All pre-screened participants will be asked to show their ID at the security gate before being allowed to enter the base. We are not responsible if you forget to bring your ID and are refused access.
- Once you have cleared Security, please follow the signs for Parking.
TIMING & FINISH LINE SERVICESGun start/chip finish timing services using industry leading Jaguar Electronic RFID timing will be provided by Race Management Solutions. Results are updated throughout the race in real time and can be accessed at any time after crossing the finish line using any one of the following options:
- FREE ITSYourRace Mobile App
- RMS Race Results Kiosk/Printer
- Scrolling Results TV Monitor(s)
- ITSYourRace.com
- RaceManagementSolutions.com
Race participants can also use the ITSYourRace platform to view and share finish line photos with family and friends for free on Facebook. Custom finisher certificates can also be downloaded from the results page at no charge!
