Battle Creek Patriot Run

The Battle Creek Air National Guard Base is excited to announce its 5th annual Battle Creek Patriot Run! Come on out and run the roads of the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base.  The event will be held on Sunday, October 11th and is open to the public.  Events will include a 5k run/walk, a 10k run and new in 2026 a handcycle/wheel chair category. This is a family friendly event and all abilities are welcome to participate.  We also encourage families and groups to sign up (discounted pricing available). 

Virtual Patriot Run Option: If you can't make the race and still want to participate, sign up for the virtual race and we will mail out a shirt and medal to you!  We will send out packets to you the week of October 12th.  Run your virtual race any time during the month of October.  Cost is the same as the in-person event and includes shipping. There are no awards for the virtual event, however you can enter your results after you complete your run/walk.

Price: 5k run/walk and Handcyle/Wheelchair  is $30 until 8/31, then $35, $40 on race day. 10k run is $40 until 08/31 then $45, $50 on race day. Families and groups of 3 or more people registering at the same time will receive $5 off per person. Run for free, details below!

Swag: All participants will receive a t-shirt guaranteed with thru 9/27. After 9/27 shirts are not guaranteed.  In addition all participants will receive a finishers medal.

Packet Pickup: Gate opens at 07:00 for packet pickup.

Schedule: Both races will begin at 8:00 am

Course: See course tab at the top of the page for a detailed course description and 5k and 10k course maps.  

Proceeds go to the 110th Wing Family Readiness Office to support struggling military families during the holiday season.

Results will be live during the race and posted on this website. The race will be professionally timed by the Michigan Running Foundation.

Awards: 1st Place Medals to the 5K Men’s Overall Winner, 5K Women’s Overall Winner, 10K Men’s Overall Winner, and 10K Women’s Overall Winner. Age group winner medals for both 5K and 10K for the following age groups Men and Women: 12 and Under, 13-17, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

A note about the location: Please use the smaller entrance just to the East of the Main Gate.  Since this event is located on an active military installation, all vehicles are will be searched upon entry.  Please remember that marijuana is still federally illegal and not allowed on military installations. Violators will be barred from entry. Use the drop down arrow under Race Info at the top of the page for specific parking information. 

The 5K course is a fairly flat out and back course with a visit to our fire department on your return trip.  There is only one sizeable hill on this course, though you do have to go over it twice as go over the overpass to our West property.  On the 10K course, not only do you get to tackle that same hill, but you also get to experience a few more challenges as you head out on one of our gravel perimeter roads that we here on base affectionately call "The Back Loop".  As the 5K peels off just as we start the back loop, the 10K continues on past a scenic pond and around the loop until they come out back to blacktop where you will loop around a couple of buildings.  Just about when you think you are going to meet back up with the 5K course, we turn you around to go back around the back loop counterclockwise and head back over to the East property and the finish line.  Perhaps you can help settle a debate for us runners on base: is the back loop better ran clockwise or counterclockwise?  Let us know what you think.  Keep an eye out in the woods as runners on base routinely see several varieties of wildlife and no, we're not talking about one of our former Ammo troops.  We routinely see deer, geese, turtles, and yes even the occasional skunk... though I am still not sure if that is a race better won or lost... 

5k course map 

10k course map

You will use the Battle Creek ANG gate directly south of the Airway Auto Parts & Recycling store as indicated by the gold star on the map.   Since we are hosting the race at a military installation; please know that you and your vehicles are subject to search.  Non-prescription drugs, alcohol, and weapons of any type to include ammunition are PROHBITED.  Even though marijuana is legal now within the state; it is still prohibited at the installation.  Once you arrive at the gate you will be directed to the parking areas in the red boxes on the map.   Once parked, please make your way to the blue star on the map for packet pick-up and our pre-race meeting. 

Donate $100 and you'll receive a FREE entry! Discounted entry fees for donations of $75 to $25! 

Free entry is valid thru August 31st, then it's a $30 discount off the 5k entry fee with a $100 donation and a $40 discount off the 10k entry fee. 

Steps to receive your free/discounted entry: 

1. Choose Sign Up and follow the steps to register for the race

2. You will be routed to the Donation page during registration, choose the donation level

3. Your discounted/free entry will be reflected in the cart during checkout.

* Please note if you go to the donation page first and enter the donation the discount will not be applied for a free entry. You must register by choosing Sign Up first. 

Thank you for your support!