September 14, 2024

Location Information - In Person and Virtual Event for 2024
Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center – 5500 Armstrong Road Battle Creek, MI 49037

About This Event

We are excited to announce that we will be holding the event live in person this year and a virtual option for people as well!     

 With a virtual race you can run the 5K distance anywhere, in your neighborhood, on a treadmill, at a nearby park. You will have between Saturday, September 14th and Saturday, October 5th to complete your 5K. Once you have the 5K completed you will enter your time in the Run Sign-up website.

 We hope people will come together in person and virtually to let others know they matter. Together, we can raise awareness towards suicide and save lives! Please consider still joining us to show people they matter.

 If you participate in the event either in person or virtually you will receive a race t-shirt!  We will plan for drive through packet pickup on Friday September 13 between 4:30-6:00pm and Saturday September 14 from 7:00-9:00am at the entrance to the VA, as we have done in years past.  Thank you all for your understanding as we take things one day at a time.  We must take care of each other now, more than ever. 

The 12th anniversary of the Alive and Running VA 5K is a 5K Fun Run/Walk. This event is designed to raise awareness to the growing problem of suicide within the Military, Veteran and youth populations. The course is located on the campus of the Battle Creek VA Medical Center. The race starts in the parking lot located at the entrance of the medical center. The run goes up the main hill and around the historic campus twice before returning down the hill to the finish. The race this year will be timed. Runners will start first, with walkers to follow.  Children and strollers will be allowed - note that children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times.  Dogs will not be allowed (please email the race administrator regarding service dogs). In the event of inclement weather, the race may be delayed or cancelled. No refunds will be given. Please join us for this event to celebrate life, and to raise awareness towards suicide. We want everyone to know they matter.  This event is brought to you in collaboration with our community partner Gryphon Place, who both supports and provides suicide prevention services for Veterans and others across our region.  

Events and Schedule - Saturday, September 14, 2024
The Alive and Running VA 5K is both LIVE and VIRTUAL.  Choose your preference of participating in the live event on September 14 or participating in the Virtual Event from September 14th to October 5th.

Packet Pickup 
Friday, September 13th, 4:30-6:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 14th, 7-9:00a.m.  Located in the parking lot at the entrance of the medical center.  If you want your race packet mailed, an additional fee of $7.00 will be added to your race registration.  You must include this when you register or your packet will not be mailed. 

Online Registration
Early bird registration - $15 through July 01, 2024.
$20 registration July 2nd through September 13th.  **Note - Online registration closes on September 13th (11:59 pm).
$20 registration on Friday packet pickup - Late online registration will be open - registration must be done by computer or phone
$30 registration on race day. Late online registration will be open - registration must be done by computer or phone

No paper registration on site. 
** Note that only online registrations received by midnight September 1, 2024 will be guaranteed a race T-Shirt.
** Shirts for same-day registrants will be on a first come- first serve basis. (Registration fees cover the cost of the race and do not contribute to fundraising efforts or programming.) 

**Race Packets and Shirts must be picked up at packet pick up.  There will be NO late packet pick up. If you want your race packet mailed, an additional fee of $7.00 will be added to your race registration.  You must include this when you register or your packet will not be mailed. 

​To Register online click here.

Mail In Registration

Early bird registration - $15 - must be postmarked by July 01, 2024.
After that registration is $20 and must be postmarked by September 5, 2024.
Mail in registrations will not be accepted after the postmark date of September 5, 2024. 
Send copy of registration form (with the waiver signed) including an email address to:

Gryphon Place, P.O. Box 378, Portage, MI 49081.

Registration form for mail in registrations can be found here: 5k Registration Form 2024.docx

Make checks payable to Gryphon Place.  (Registration fees cover the cost of the race and do not contribute to fundraising efforts or programming)

To Register online click here