Race Guide
You can get all of your comprehensive information for race day in our Polar Dash Race Guide! Wondering about port-a-potties, bag drop and water stops? Click here to read the race guide online or download and print your own version (or click on the image at right).
Much of this information is already on the website, but the race guide has it in one place for you.
Enjoy!
USATF Certification
Our Polar Dash 10K and Half Marathon events are timed races. Both courses are USATF certified.
You can take a moment and see the official certification documents here!
Half Marathon USATF course certification
10K USATF course certification
Half Marathon & 10K
The Polar Dash Half Marathon and 10K will be a fun and frosty adventure on New Year's Day. This is our inaugural Polar Dash Half Marathon. Runners will be in the mood to kick their new year off right with a good, old fashioned winter race! Because in Minnesota we run outside YEAR 'ROUND!
Both the 10K and the Half Marathon are chip-timed races on a USATF-certified course that takes runners along the Mississippi River. See Course Information here. All runners get their Polar Dash fleece as well as a finisher's medal. Click here to see the Great Gear! Once you complete this race we'll have Hot Chocolate waiting for you at the finish line!
Register for the Half Marathon or 10K Now!
This is a cold weather race and participants must come ready to run in any kind of wintry weather. We will have off-site parking with a shuttle service bringing participants to and from the race. Please pay for your parking pass when you register for the race. This pass will hold your space on race day (depending on availability, we will sell the parking passes at packet pick-up as well). Click here for Parking & Transportation information.
Polar Dash Half Marathon & 10K Highlights
- 10:00 a.m. Start Time (5K starts at 10:15 a.m.-*Updated 5K Start Time)
- Chip-timed races
- USATF certified
- Hot Chocolate at the Finish Line
- Unisex Polar Dash fleece
- Stained-glass medal
- Bag Drop/Pick-up
- Bib/chip/gear mailing option during online registration only -- until December 16, 2011
- Shriners Hospital for Children in Minneapolis is the beneficiary for this race. It does fabulous orthopaedic work for children all over the U.S.
5K Race
The Polar Dash 5K is a fun, quick jaunt along the snow-banks of Mississippi River Boulevard which travels along the Mississippi River. See the course information here. All runners get their Polar Dash fleece as well as a finisher's medal. Once you complete this race we'll have Hot Chocolate waiting for you at the finish line!
Register for the 5K Now!
This is a cold weather race and participants must come ready to run in any kind of wintry weather. We will have off-site parking with a shuttle service bringing participants to and from the race. Please pay for your parking pass when you register for the race. This pass will hold your space on race day (depending on availability, we will sell the parking passes at packet pick-up as well).
Polar Dash 5K Highlights
- *NEW 10:15 a.m. Start Time (10K & Half start at 10:00 a.m.)
- Hot Chocolate at the Finish Line
- Unisex Polar Dash fleece
- Stained-glass medal
- Bib/gear mailing option during online registration only -- until December 16, 2011
- Bag Drop/Pick-up
- Shriners Hospital for Children in Minneapolis is the beneficiary for this race. It does fabulous orthopaedic work for children all over the U.S.
Course Information
For the first time, the Polar Dash is doing a New Year's Day Half Marathon in addition to the 10K and the 5K! Now is the time to challenge yourself! How many people can say they ran a Half Marathon on New Year's Day in Minnesota!
Polar Dash Half Marathon
- Starts at 10:00 a.m. Start is located at Shriners Hospital for Children:
2025 East River Pkwy.
Minneapolis, MN 55414
See Shriners Map Here
Two loops of our 10K course (see 10K course at right), but the second loop will be slightly longer. - A tentative map of the Half Marathon course is available to download here.
- See the elevation of the tentative Half Marathon course.
- This course is USATF Certified. See the certification.
Polar Dash 10K
- 10K starts at 10:00 a.m. Start is located at Shriners Hospital for Children:
2025 East River Pkwy.
Minneapolis, MN 55414
See Shriners Map Here - 10K goes out approximately 3.1 miles and then turns around to come back (see map at right). View detailed map of tentative course here.
- See the elevation of the course.
- This course is USATF Certified. See the certification.
Polar Dash 5K
- 5K starts at 10:20 a.m. Start is located at Shriners Hospital for Children:
2025 East River Pkwy.
Minneapolis, MN 55414
See Shriners Map Here - 5K travels out to 1.5 miles and turns around to come back to the finish line (see map at right).
- See detailed course map or see the course elevation.
All course layouts are pending finalization and approval of the Cities of Minneapolis & St. Paul.
Click on maps to enlarge, download and print.
Packet Pick-up
Packet Pick-up for the Polar Dash is coming up! Choose which day will be best for you!
1. Friday, December 30, 2011 at Team Ortho Office (new date added!)
Time:3:00-7:00 p.m.
Location:
NEW Team Ortho Office (See Parking Map) (See Google Map)
2906 2nd Street North
Mpls, MN 55411
2.Saturday, December 31, 2011 at Team Ortho Office (*NOTE new location).
Time: 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. (updated times)
Location: (new Team Ortho Office: see map and address above)
- Bib, chip (10K and Half only) & number
- Polar Dash Fleece (Stop by Gear Exchange if your fleece doesn't fit. We'll do our best to try and accommodate your size)
- Merchandise at the Team Ortho Store
- Parking pass purchasing available (limited availability)
- The opportunity to sign up for our Monster Race Series! (get your Get Lucky hoodie when you sign up!)
Please note, there is NO race-day packet pickup for the Polar Dash. As always, you can have a friend or family member pick up your packet for you they just need a photocopy of your ID and your Polar Dash bib number.
Click here to get your Get Lucky Bib Number for Early Bird Packet Pick-up
Packet Pick-up Parking: There is free parking in a lot in front of our office for the two Packet Pick-up opportunities on December 30th and 31st (See Parking Map). Parking attendants will be on-site to help you.
Two Ways to speed up your trip through packet pick-up:
1. Bring your bib number and photo ID with you
2. If you want to come when it's least busy, consider coming during the middle hours of packet pick-up. While steady with participants, those middle hours are usually easier to navigate because they are after the early rush and before the late rush.
Bib Numbers
This is where you need to be if you're looking up a bib number. You will need this number for packet pick-up.
Polar Dash Bib Numbers 12-30-11
The numbers are updated often, but are not instantaneous with your registration. If you do not see your number here, please check our print out available at packet pickup. We also will have a help desk available for changes or questions.
Gear
The Polar Dash has GREAT GEAR for its runners! In 2012, racers will receive a super cozy Polar Dash Fleece that is thicker than last year's, has more embroidery (see photo of the back below) and pockets! And if it doesn't fit quite right, take it to our courtesy gear exchange at packet pick-up or on race day. We'll do our best to accommodate your size.
Also, every finisher gets the 2012 stained glass medal!
Race Weekend Schedule
Thank you for joining us for the Polar Dash in the Twin Cities! Please note your race weekend schedule below.
*New Packet Pick-up Date added!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Packet Pick-up
3:00-7:00 p.m.
Location:
NEW Team Ortho Office (See Parking Map) (See Google Map)
2906 2nd Street North
Mpls, MN 55411
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Packet Pick-up (*Note Updated Location at Team Ortho office)
12:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (*Note updated times)
Location:
NEW Team Ortho Office (See Parking Map) (See Google Map)
2906 2nd Street North
Mpls, MN 55411
Sunday, January 1, 2012
8:00 a.m.: Shuttles begin rolling
10:00 a.m.: Half Marathon & 10K start
10:15 a.m.: 5K starts (*Note updated 5K start time from 10:20 to 10:15)
The race start and finish are all at Shriners Hospital for Children in Minneapolis
Shriners Hospital for Children
2025 East River Pkwy.
Minneapolis, MN 55414
See Map Here
After You Finish:
Once you finish you'll get your toasty warm hot chocolate. But if you want to celebrate your great race in style, head over to The Liffey for our Post-Race Party! Click here for information and directions.
