ORS Race Series

If you plan to run or jog at ANY point during the race, you MUST register or update your registration to the "Run" category to avoid disqualification from the walk results. This helps maintain the integrity of the event and ensures fair competition for all participants.

Note: Races are professionally timed by the Michigan Running Foundation, but are not staffed with course marshals. ORS will not be responsible for determining whether a participant has broken this policy, so we ask all participants to acknowledge the rules during registration and before each event.

Definition of Race walking per the Racewalking Association: Race Walking is a progression of steps so taken that the walker makes contact with the ground so that no visible (to the human eye) loss of contact occurs. The advancing leg must be straightened (i.e., not bent at the knee) from the moment of first contact with the ground until the vertical upright position.

For example, for my age group AND in the overall, masters, or senior master categories?

We love a go-getter, but you can only win ONE award for the end of series awards. Each individual race will also include awards and/or medals provided by the individual organizations, so you do get the chance for some incentive along the way.

No, dogs are not allowed at these events – including for race participants, spectators and volunteers. We have adopted a strict NO dog or animal policy out of an abundance of caution for the safety of all people attending and participating in the races.

**NOTE: Service dogs are allowed; in accordance with The Americans with Disabilities Act, including titles II and III of the law. Those that wish to run/walk with a service animal, please communicate directly with the specific race director to provide supporting documentation, as well as have the animal in their appropriate service animal attire on race day.  We will also ask that you start at the back of the group to allow the crowd to disperse, allowing an open road course for participants.

Since each race is organized by different local community organizations, each race is a little different but can include t-shirts, medals, even treats for runners and walkers alike! All kids participating in the kids' races will receive a custom-engraved keychain with the race logo. For specific prizing click on the individual race logo above to learn more.

Don’t forget: if you participate in 6 or more races you qualify for end-of-series awards!

Your age group is determined annually for the series by your age as of January 1.  You will remain in the same age group for the duration of the series.

Example:  You are 44 on January 1, 2025, and in March you turn 45. You run in Hanover Firecracker on July 4. Your points will still be calculated in the 40-44 age group even though you are technically 45 years old.

RUN AGE GROUPS:
0-12,13-14, 15-17, 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69. 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89

WALK AGE GROUPS:
0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

*Please note: all points calculated for the end of series awards will be scored using these age groups. In some cases, race directors have opted to use different age groups for prizing at their individual event. In these cases we will still use the above age groups for scoring in the series so you may place differently than you did at that race.

At the end of the series with the final scoring, in the event of a tie, the runner who has the most head-to-head victories against a tied competitor will be awarded the prize. If there is still a tie, the winner of the last head-to-head meeting will be declared the winner.

Individual races are scored separately from the series. If you noticed you finished 1^st for a specific race, and then were listed on the series scoring as 2^nd, it is likely due to this common scenario.

• Jane Smith is 42 years old and finished the Oktoberfest 5K with a chip time of 25:32. She placed 1^st for the 5K for the Female 40-44 Age Group award.
• However, Bekah Brown is 41 years old and finished the same race with a chip time of 24:45. She took home the “Female Masters” award. She is NOT counted twice in the individual race results – so she does not show up in the Female 40-44 Age Group.
• Since the series scores across the board and DOES count twice, Bekah is listed on the series scoring page as 1^st and awarded 10 points, while Jane is awarded 2^nd place and awarded 8 points.

One common scenario that can make it appear as though races are missing/not being counted in the series scoring is due to the difference in age determination between individual races and the series.

• John Smith is 45 years old when he runs the Oktoberfest 10K. His birthday was August 1. He placed 1^st in his Male 45-49 age group.
• When John sees his series results, Oktoberfest isn’t even listed.
• John was 44 years old on January 1 (see FAQ above “How is my age group determined”)
• Upon further review, John discovers his chip time put him in 6^th place with the 40-44 year olds who ran the same event.
• Thus, he did not earn 10, 8, 6, 4, or 2 points for top 5.

This is one reason your results may not be showing - but we are not perfect, just a group trying to keep a good competition going for the community. If you have any concerns, please reach out to raceseries@orsmi.com

We are always happy to help if you think there is an error with your series scoring. One common cause for confusion is worth checking before you reach out.

Your scores from your best 6 races are added together for your series standing total.

Example 1: you have run 8 races to date, and placed 1^st in 7 of them, and 2^nd in 1 of them – you would have 60 points.

Example 2: you have run 8 races to date, placed 1^st in 3 of them,  2^nd in 3 of them, and 3^rd in 2 of them – you would have a total of 54.
    10 points (1^st place)
    10 points (1^st place)
    10 points (1^st place)
     8 points (2^nd place)
     8 points (2^nd place)
+   8 points (2^nd place)
54 points (the 3^rd place race points don’t add to your total)

The best part? Your best races are recalculated after each race! So in Example 2, let’s say you ran race #9 and placed first. Your new series total would be 56. One of the 8 point races is replaced by the new 10 point race.

Reminder: see the above FAQ about how a tie is determined. This is a good motivation to run more than 6 races even if you came in 1^st place for all 6.