Rochester Regional Health Flower City Challenge 

April 27, 2025

2025 PARTICIPANT GUIDE 

Everything you need to know for race weekend in one place! 

Please be sure to read all information thoroughly so you are most prepared for race day.

Please be sure to regularly check the website and social media for event updates

There are less than 90 Spots Left between All Events

Registration Ends Saturday, April 26th at 3:45PM

UNLESS the cap is met

Please note the deadline to switch to virtual is also Saturday, April 26th at 3:45PM. We will not switch anyone to virtual after this time.

PACKET PICK-UP STARTS Friday, April 25th!

Please go to Packet Pickup! Don't wait until day of!

Packet pick-up for ALL events will be held at the Fleet Feet Health & Wellness Expo. The Expo will be held at Fleet Feet (155 Culver Road, Rochester, NY 14620). Be sure to visit all our vendors check out the great deals on running apparel, accessories, footwear and even home services, plus enjoy the NEW Normatec Compression Station to help your legs feel great.

Others may pick up their packet for you at the Expo!

PACKET PICK-UP/EXPO HOURS:

Friday, April 25th     12:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Saturday, April 26th  10:00 am - 4:00 pm 

Expo Closes Promptly at these times

Fleet Feet @ The Armory

155 Culver Road, Rochester, NY 14620 

RACE DAY ON-SITE PACKET PICK-UP HOURS:

Please Do Not Wait Until Race Day

Race Day Packet Pick-Up for Half, 5K and Kids 1/2

at Parcel 5 at the tents closest to finish line from 6:00 am - 7:15 am.

Look for the Registration/Packet Pickup Flag

Packet Pickup For All Races Closes Promptly at 7:15 am on race day

Please Do Not Wait Until Race Day to Get your Packet

ALL WELCOME

Friday, April 25th from 12PM - 6PM

Saturday, April 26th from 10AM - 4PM

You Can Visit

adidas | ASICS | Balega | Brooks | CEP | Feetures | Floor Coverings International | HOKA | Mizuno | Nathan | New Balance | Normatec | Nuun | On | Puma | Reimer Heating & Cooling | Rochester Regional Health | Saltstick | Saucony | Shokz | XACT 

Special Expo Happenings

Enjoy the New Normatec Compression Zone showcasing the latest in Normatec Recovery Product

Plus Visit our Special Guests

Floor Covering International & Reimer Heating & Cooling (our Volunteer Sponsor) for any home projects

AND our Title Sponsor Rochester Regional Health with have special giveaways to make race day better

Limited Edition Trucker Hat

Limited Edition Socks

And there will be CRAFT Tech Shirts we will print on Demand

Limited Edition Visor

Take pride in our city - please keep it clean and do not drop anything on the ground anywhere on the course. Please be courteous, and do not litter.

Race Date & Time

Sunday, April 27th

7:00AM: Rochester Regional Health Group WarmUp at their Tent

7:20AM: National Anthem/Benediction

7:30AM: Rochester Regional Health Half Marathon Mass Start Time 

7:40AM: Family 5K Start Time

10:30AM: Kids 1/2 Mile Start Time

Parcel 5

285 E Main St, Rochester, NY 14604 

Start & Finish Line Details

The Half Marathon and 5K Start is on Cortland Street at Parcel 5 facing Main Street. Look for the big arch. The start is back loaded and corralled by barricades. You will see pace pillars along side of the start based on minute/mile from 7 minute/mile to 15 minute/mile. Be sure to line up appropriately with the pace you plan on doing. The Pace Leaders for both events will also be at their appropriate pace pillars with their finish time on a sign so you can find them easily to stay with them and meet your goals.

The Kids 1/2 Mile Start is on Elm Street by the drop bags tent (behind the stage). Look for the Kids Run Wild Flags.

The Finish Line is located at the exact same spot as the Start Line

Timing Details - Half Marathon, 5K & Kids Race

Your timing chip will be on the back of your bib. YOU MUST MUST MUST WEAR YOUR BIB VISIBLY ON THE FRONT OF YOUR TORSO. If you lose your bib, forget it, misplace it etc, there is a $5 replacement fee. No chip, no time. You will get the Bib Chip during packet pickup. Be sure to wear your bib chip visibly on your torso, not your shorts, not your back, not your arm, not under a jacket etc. In addition, don't place your water bottle belt, hydration vest nor other obstruction over the top of it and be careful hitting stop on your watch as you cross the finish line, as systems have a hard time reading through the human body.  Also, no bib no medal! Being a bandit and racing with the wrong bib or no bib is not good running etiquette at all.

In addition, if you do not pass and record on all timing mat course points, you will be removed from the results as not finishing the course.

Virtual Race Details

All virtual participants have from April 27th at 7AM to May 4th (11:59PM) to complete your event. You will receive several emails on how to submit your time. Please be sure to check your spam and if you unsubscribed from Run Sign Up, unfortunately we are unable to change that. You can also go into your profile on Run Sign Up. Go to Flower City event and submit your time that way. You are more than welcome to get your packets at the expo on Friday and Saturday. They will not be at the race site. Otherwise, we will mail your virtual packet sometime mid next week. Reminder: You have until April 26th at 3:45PM to switch to virtual. Switches will not be allowed after this time frame.

Race Day Directions & Parking

For information on directions to the Parcel 5 and parking information, please click here. There are multiple lots and on street parking spots around the vicinity. Please know we have no control if fees are charged or not. You can not park at Parcel 5 and please know some parking lots are private.

Course Maps

The Family 5K Course Map can be found here. 

Rochester Regional Health Flower City Half Marathon USATF Certified course map can be found here.

Finish Line CLOSES 3 Hours and 30 Minutes after the start. Aid Stations close based on the Pace Chart times. Athletes can continue to the finish on their own, but times and results will not be recorded and athletes will be self-supported to meet the course time cutoff, you need to maintain a 16:00 minute/mile pace.

Participant Shirts, Bibs & Medals

Shirts: Sizes for shirts were guaranteed if registered by April 1st. The sizing for participants who registered on April 1st or later were on first come, first served based on when you register and while supplies last.

• Half Marathon participants receive a hoody (if signed up by 3/20) or crewneck sweatshirt
• 5K participants receive a unisex tee (or could upgrade to crewneck)
• Kids 1/2 Mile - Those that ordered a tee will also get their tee with their bib.
• There will be some vintage race gear for those who registered within the last week, selected "no shirt for me" due to out of stock. Simply go to shirt room after bib pickup.

All finishers with a bib will receive a unique finishers medallion as they cross the finish line.

Participant Photographs

Flash Frame will be at the race to take photos of participants that will be available to purchase after the race. This should be made available by mid week after the event.

Half Marathon - Course Time Limit

There is a 3 1/2 hour course limit for the Half Marathon (a 16 minute/mile). If you are not keeping up to pace, you will be asked to move to the side of the road or sidewalk, so traffic can resume. At this point, the course will no longer be supported by traffic control, Road Marshals, Water Stops or finish line. So please be sure to plan accordingly. The finish line will close at 11:00 am sharp. Should you want to exit the course because you are unable to finish nor want to, you will need to seek your own ride.

Once you finish you will receive your medal and water then head to the Parcel 5 Post Race Party featuring:

• Post race food for participants
• Live music from The Uptown Groove
• Kidz Zone with two large inflatables
• Recovery Zone to workout your post race kinks with medical professionals from Rochester Regional Health and North East College of Health Sciences. The Recovery Zone is FREE and a great opportunity for a post race workup.

Plus several backdrops and structures to take photos in front of to save your memories. This includes our 13.1 structure such this if you did the 13.1 you stand in front of the entire structure and if you did 3.1 stand in front of that part of the structure, PR Bell for Personal Bests, Backdrops and more.

There will be a LED Board that will show your time that you can use as a back drop for photo.

Be sure to visit Rochester Regional Health tent and thank them for their 15 years of support of this event! Visit Reimer Heating & Cooling and thank them for their support in sponsoring the Volunteer Squad.

And, visit the Fleet Feet X ASICS shop with special post race products and features and Visit the Normatec Recovery Stations at this area.

Before, During or After

Visit Travelin' Tom's Coffee, Kona Ice or Schutt's Fried Cake Trucks will be located on Andrew Langston Way at Parcel 5 near the finish line. You can purchase a variety of coffee, fried cakes and flavored ice options and get that quick Sunday AM pick me up to get your day going!

There are 7 Aid Stations approximately 2-3 miles apart.

Aid Stations 1-6 will have water, XACT electrolyte drink and Mile 6ish will have XACT nutrition. There is also a portopot at each aid station except WS 7. Be sure to thank the volunteers!!

 Please Note: The 5K has one water stop at Mile 2ish by Innovative Field   

2024 Half Marathon Water Stops:

• WS 1 (Mile 2ish) - Rochester Speed Skating - Innovative Field
• WS 2 (Mile 4ish) - Irondequoit Football - Just East of Alexander St
• WS 3 (Mile 6ish) - Black Girls Do Bike/Rochester Chapter - this stop will also have XACT Chews for nutrition
• WS 4 (Mile 8ish) - Canandaigua Girls Academy School Boosters - On Reservoir Rd just before Mt Hope
• WS 5 (Mile 10ish) - Cancer Support Community - Genesee Valley Park (Near RUN585 start area)
• WS 6 (Mile 11ish) - St Ambrose School - On River Path overlooking downtown across from U of R Security
• WS 7 (Mile 12ish) - School of the Arts XC team - on River Path. This is a last chance water stop with just water.

Thank you XACT Nutrition, the Official Drink & Fruit Bar of the Flower City Challenge. You will find their hydration and fruit bar energy chews at select water stops to keep you fueled.

Thank you to the above volunteer charities spending their morning fueling you.

Be Sure to Thank ALL VOLUNTEERS!

They are dedicating their time to ensure you have a successful event

The Volunteer Squad is Sponsored by Reimer Heating & Cooling

This is the first race in the Fleet Feet Grand Prix Series Presented by HOKA. We are so excited to be able to offer cash prizes for top athletes in the Half Marathon plus other events throughout the year. In addition, age group winners get into the series and could race the remainder of the series and win a pair of HOKA Footwear. Details about the Fleet Feet Grand Prix Can Be Found Here.

Both "net time" (the time from crossing the start line to crossing the finish line) and "gun time" (from the time the gun goes off to crossing the finish line) will be provided in the official results. All awards and placing are determined by the official "gun time". "Net time" is provided for the runner's convenience and is not used for placing.

Please note there is no awards ceremony except for the Top 5 Male/Female in the Half Marathon at 9:45AM at the stage (see below), BUT there will be an awards table in the Athlete Village. 5K Awards will be ready at the table starting at 8:15AM. We need to have the majority of athletes through first. We will print an updated 5K Awards sheet at 8:30AM. The Half Marathon Awards will start to become available at 9:30AM, then an updated list will be provided every half hour until 11AM. Please check the online results before going to the table to ensure you earned an award.

Half Marathon Awards:

Top 5 Male and Female in the Half please be at the Stage by 9:45AM so we can do a special public recognition, then adjourn to the Awards Tent for a group photo on the Podiums

Half Awards are:

Overall

• First M/F: $250.00
• Second M/F: $100.00
• Third M/F: $75.00
• Fourth M/F: $50.00
• Fifth M/F:$25.00

Age Group Award: Top 3 Male and Female in 5 year age groups (19 & under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 & up)

All Cash Award winners Must Fill out the provided 1099 Form in order to receive the cash prize in the form of a check mailed to the address on the 1099 Form. There will be a deadline for each race as to when the form must be returned in order to receive the cash prize. 

5K Awards:

5K Awards will be available from 8:15AM to 10:30AM at the Awards Tent. Please keep in mind we will get printed lists as we go. Be sure to check online results first before coming to the table.

• Top 3 Male and Female
• Top 3 Male and Female in 5 year age groups (14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 - 79, 80 & up)

All Awards must be picked up on race day. These will not be mailed.

Please note if you are in Four Season Challenge, you will receive a separate email on how to get your medallion.

There will be some road closures & delays the morning of the race. We appreciate the efforts of the Rochester Police Department, who along with volunteer road marshals will do their very best to lessen the impact to the community while keeping the runners and walkers out of harm's way.   Click here for the traffic advisory. 

Complimentary Drop Bag Service brought to you by Fleet Feet.

By following just a few simple directions you can help make drop bags go smoothly.

• You must use the supplied bag as your drop bag. Bags will be at the race expo on Friday or Saturday or race morning at the start (again, not advised to wait). We can not accept other bags or items not in bags for delivery.
• At the start, you will bring your drop bag to the designated area which is located on Elm just behind the stage as you head into the Start Line
• All items must fit inside the drop bag.
• No valuables or keys in bags.
• We are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
• Be sure to write your bib number on the white space on the front of the bag.
• Once the drop bag has been given to race staff, it can not be retrieved again until you Finish
• To retrieve your Drop Bag after the race you MUST Show your bib number and you'll be given your bag. The staff will get your bag for you.
• You will not be able to claim your bag if you don't have your bib!
• All bags must be claimed by 11:00 am on event day. We are not responsible for any bags not picked up.

Kids Half Mile Participant Information

Please don't forget to go to Packet Pickup/Expo

Kids Race Schedule:

Sunday, April 27th on Elm Street at Parcel 5 - Start Time - 10:30AM

For Race Day: 

• Be sure to pick up your bib & amenities at the Expo/Packet Pick-Up (April 25 & 26 at Fleet Feet @ The Armory)
• All finishers receive a medal as they cross the finish line
• The final 1/2 mile will be professionally timed
• Race Day Packet pickup closes at 7:15AM so please go to Expo/Packet Pickup
• We do ask that adults try not to run with the children so there is egress for all athletes and for safety. But you can run along the sidewalks. Half Marathoners will be finishing as well and we want to make sure all participants have room.
• The Kids Race is Paced by the Volunteer Pace Leaders from the Half and 5K. They will be helping you child to completion.

Where to go on Race Day:

The Start Line for kid’s races is on Elm Street near the Drop Bag Tent behind the stage.. You should report to the start line area by 10:20AM. There will be Kids Run Wild Flags to denote the start.

Kids Course:

The course map can be found here. It is a single loop, and finishes at the same finish line as the 1/2 and 5K.

1. We Repeat, Thank the Volunteers!
2. Wear your bib VISIBLY on the front of your body and not obstructed
3. No Littering
4. Always WATCH YOUR FOOTING and stay upright
5. Go to Packet Pickup/Expo!
6. Come to the Shake-Out Run/Walk on Saturday morning at 9AM then carbo load with us
7. Get to the start line early
8. Set your gear out the night before and don't forget your bib!
9. Stay Upright!
10. If you are using a Pace Leader to get your time, with a mile to go get as far ahead of them as you possible can. That's your time to fly!
11. Have FUN!!! Enjoy the city streets seeing the sights, hearing the sounds!
12. Enjoy the Post Race Soiree complete with Live Music from The Uptown Groove, Recovery and Kidz Zones and lots of Instagramable stations
13. Don't forget to ring the PR bell if you did a personal best
14. This is not a race tip, but a HUGE Thank you for joining us! We so appreciate you joining us! Put that smile on and let's get ready to Run the Roc!