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.

Every ORS Race Series race is professionally timed by the Michigan Running Foundation ensuring accuracy and consistency across the series. This includes both runs and walks, allowing you to track progress toward your health goals. Individual results are posted in real time on race day, and series standings are updated within 1 week of the event.

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.

The end of series awards ceremony is immediately following the first race in the new year – the Groundhog Gallop in the first week of February at Parkside Middle School in Jackson. Exact series dates for the new year are announced in November following the end of the series.

The 13 ORS Race Series events occur throughout Jackson County in popular parks such as Ella Sharp and Cascades, around lakes such as Clark Lake and Lime Lake, along beautiful trails such as the Falling Waters Trail, and through downtowns like Jackson, Grass Lake, and Hanover. Click on the individual race logo above to learn more about specific events.

Since each race is organized by different local community organizations, each race is a little different but generally walk or run participants can expect to pay between $25-40. Kids races are priced anywhere from free to $8 per child. Register early for each race to save.

The ORS Race Series is a not-for-profit series of events supporting the ongoing health and wellness of our communities. Each individual race is managed by various community organizations including but not limited to the Jackson YMCA, Grow Jackson, Family Services & Children’s Aid and more. The series is managed by Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists in partnership with the race directors from each community organization. ORS does not collect any revenue from the events. Participant funds go to each individual organization to cover costs for the race itself such as professional race timing, tshirts, etc and to fundraise for each race’s not-for-profit cause. We are honored to continue a long-standing Jackson County tradition to support the community dating back to 1987.