Frequently Asked Questions – Pre-Race

1. What if I want to switch the race I am participating in?

To switch the race before race day, you will need to call the Get in Gear Hotline at 612-722-9004 or send an email to (Get In Gear).

To switch the race on race day, you will need to visit the Trouble Table located in the T-Shirt Pickup Tent before the start of the race.

All changes in timing and scoring need to be documented by 8:00am on race day.

2. Can I run the 2K Fun Run with my child?

Yes. You will need to register yourself and your child through one of the available registration options. Packets can be picked up on Friday, April 23^th from Noon – 8:00pm at Minnehaha Park Pavilion.  Note: Get in Gear will absorb the cost of parking in the park on Friday, April 23, for people picking up their packets.

 3. Can I pick up a packet for someone else?

Yes. You can pick up a packet for someone else. You need the person’s name and address to ensure against distribution of incorrect packet. No additional ID is required.

4. Can I pick up my packet on Saturday morning?

Yes, but we strongly encourage you to pick up your packet and t-shirt on Friday to avoid long lines on Saturday morning before the events.

Saturday morning packet pick-up will begin at 7:00a.m. Please prepare to be on-site one hour before your race starts to pick up your packets and prepare for the race.  There may be long lines and the races will start on time.

All corporate participants will pick up their packets individually and meet at their designated signage behind the Pavilion near the waterfalls on race day morning.  Look for company name in alphabetical order.

5. What if I forgot my bib number or chip?

You will need to go to the Trouble Table located in the T-Shirt Pickup Tent to be assigned a new bib number and/or chip. All changes in timing and scoring need to be documented by 8:00am on race day.

6. What if I receive the wrong bib number?

Please go to the Trouble Table located in the T-Shirt Pickup Tent to return the incorrect bib number and someone will assist you in locating the correct bib number.

7. Can I pick up my t-shirt before the race?

T-shirts can be picked up on Friday along with your packet. They can also be picked up before or after the events on race day at the T-shirt Pickup Tent.  Sizes are Small-Medium-Large and X-Large.  A very limited number of XXL are available if needed on request.

8. Where can I drop off a food donation for Second Harvest?

Food donations can be dropped off on Friday, April 23, from Noon – 8:00pm at the Minnehaha Park Pavilion during Last Day Registration and Packet Pickup and on Saturday, April 24 during the event. The Second Harvest Heartland food truck and staff will be on-site to collect all food items. 

9. Can I donate money in lieu of a food donation?

You can donate money when you register for the Get in Gear. If registering online, indicate amount to be donated. That amount will be added to your registration and the total will be charged on your credit card. If registering by mail, in-store, or at last day registration, indicate amount on registration form and add this amount to your registration fee. Please write your check for this total amount.  Participants can also donate money during packet pick-up and also on race morning.  Second Harvest Heartland staff will be on hand on Friday and Saturday to answer any questions you may have regarding our partnership and mission to fight child hunger.

Not running but want to donate to Second Harvest Heartland? Get in Gear will also match your donations dollar for dollar up to $10,000.00 - click here.

10. Where do I park on race day?

Get in Gear provides a park-and-ride shuttle service from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) from 7:00am start to 12:30pm finish. The distance between the VAMC and Minnehaha Park is one mile.  Plan to jog or walk as an alternative option. The Metro Transit Light Rail is also an option.

For more information regarding parking, please visit the info page.  There is no parking available in the park without a pre-issued parking permit given to the executive committee of the Get in Gear events.

11. Can anyone use the VAMC park-and-ride shuttle?

Family and friends can use this shuttle also as long as they are aware of the shuttle time period.

12. Can anyone park inside the park?

There is NO PARKING allowed at Minnehaha Park on event morning. Vehicles are subject to being ticketed if parked in a "no parking area."

13. What time do the races start?

2K & FFF 2K: 8:00a.m.
10K & Half-Marathon: 9:00a.m.
  (Note: Three hour limit. Roads open to public at Noon.)
5K: 9:20a.m.

14. Where do corporate team members meet?

Corporate team members will meet along the rock wall on the south side of the Minnehaha Park Pavilion. There will be signs posted on this wall with the name of each corporation participating.  The signs are posted in alphabetical order of name of team.

All corporate participants will pick up their packets individually and meet at their designated signage behind the Pavilion near the waterfalls on race day morning.  Look for company name in alphabetical order.

Frequently Asked Questions – Race Day  [back to top]

1. What time do the races start?

2K & FFF 2K: 8:00a.m.
10K & Half-Marathon: 9:00a.m.
  (Note: Three hour limit. Roads open to public at Noon.)
5K: 9:20a.m.

2. Is there a course map for each race?

There are course maps available for each race. Please visit the website www.getingear10K.com On the Home page, select Course Maps for a map and description of each course.  There will be large course maps posted at the Pavilion and Information Tent for participant’s viewing as well.

3. What if I want to switch the race I am participating in?

To switch the race on race day, you will need to visit the Trouble Table located in the T-Shirt Pickup Tent before the start of the race.

All changes in timing and scoring need to be documented by 8:00am on race day.

4. What if I forgot my bib number or chip?

You will need to go to the Trouble Table located in the T-Shirt Pickup Tent to be assigned a new bib number and/or chip. All changes in timing and scoring need to be documented by 8:00am on race day.

5. What if I receive the wrong bib number?

Please go to the Trouble Table located in the T-Shirt Pickup Tent to return the incorrect bib number and someone will assist you in locating the correct bib number.

6. Can I pick up my t-shirt before the race?

T-shirts can be picked up either before or after your race begins.  The t-shirt tent will be ready to distribute t-shirts beginning at 7:30am throughout the morning.

7. Where are the bathrooms located?

There will be portable bathrooms located near the 10K, 5K and 1/2 marathon start line. You can also use the Minnehaha Park Pavilion bathrooms.  A handicapped portable bathroom will be available near the start/finish of the 10K and 1/2 marathon.

8. Will there be water available before and after the race?

There will be water and cups set up on tables in the park for the start of all races.  Additionally there will be bottled water available at the post-race food area and this will be distributed to all participants of the 2K, 5K, 10K and 1/2 marathon events.

9. Is there a bag/clothing drop-off?

A bag/clothing drop-off will be set up at Minnehaha Park inside the Pavilion for your convenience.  A bag will be provided for you and marked with your bib number for convenience in pickup when you come back to retrieve it.

10. Where can I get medical attention?

A first aid tent will be located near the start/finish line of the 5K, 10K and 1/2 marathon for your convenience.  Medical attention will be determined and administered by the medical staff in the first aid tent.

11. Is there a lost and found?

Lost and/or found items are generally brought to the Information Booth located on the north side of the Minnehaha Park Pavilion.  If something is lost you may check with the Get in Gear office within 2 weeks of the race to see if there are unclaimed items.  All items unclaimed after two weeks are given to Goodwill.

12. Are there showers available after the race?

LifeTime Fitness-Highland Park will offer showers to those participants that show their race number after the race.  You will be asked to fill out a short form for record-keeping purposes.

13. Where do corporate team members meet?

Corporate team members will meet along the rock wall on the south side of the Minnehaha Park Pavilion. There will be signs posted on this wall with the name of each corporation participating and in alphabetical order.  You will meet with your team members near your corporation’s designated sign.

14. Where do I line up?

You will line up behind the designated start line for your race.  The 2K start/finish is near the Bridge and the 5K start is in the same area.  The 10K and 1/2 marathon start is located further back (west).  The 10K, 5K and 1/2 marathon finish line are the same.  Elite runners (those with bibs numbered 1-99) line up at the front with other participants lining up behind them for the 10K.  The 5K is on your honor for the front line. Slower runners and walkers line up towards the back. Strollers are only allowed in the 5K.

15. Are there mile markers on the courses?

There are mile marker signs posted at each mile on the 10K, 5K and 1/2 marathon courses and they each have a balloon attached.  Time splits will be given at mile 1 and 2.  A clock will be placed at the 5K mark of the 10K.  Mile splits will again be given for mile 4 and 5.  Time splits will be given at mile 1 for the 5K.

16. Are results going to be available?

Unofficial results will be posted outside the Minnehaha Park Pavilion as soon as the top results are complete.  Results will be posted at www.getingear10K.com by 5:00pm.  For two weeks results will be modified as needed and made official by May 15, 2010. 

17. Is there an award ceremony?

There are no award ceremonies.

18. How do award winners receive their awards?

Awards will be mailed to the 10K, 5K and 1/2 marathon award winners within 2 weeks after the event. 2K finishers receive their medallions once they cross the finish line.

19. What do I do with my tear-off tag?

A tear-off tag is not needed for timing and scoring.

20. What do I do with my chip if I forgot to return it?

We use a disposable chip. No need to return.

The race will be timed by Mtech using the MYLAPS BibTag timing system. The BibTag system is a revolutionary new technology introduced by MYLAPS Sports Timing, formerly known as ChampionChip.

The BibTag is a disposable timing chip in the form of a sticker that comes attached to your Bib. You are no longer required to place a timing chip on your shoes.

Please follow these instructions when attaching the Bib:

- Do not fold or crumple the Bib

- Do not remove the foam

- Attach the Bib using pins on all four corners

- Position the Bib correctly on your chest: visible and on top of your clothing

21. What time does the last bus leave?

The last shuttle bus back to the VAMC will leave Minnehaha Park at 12:15pm.

22. Are there water stops on the course?

All of the races have water available at the start and finish.

Water stops on the course as follows:
- 10K at the half way point (approximately 3 miles).
- 1/2 marathon water stop info to be posted.
- 2K no water stop on the course.
- 5K no water stop on the course.

If additional water is needed please carry a water bottle.

23. Can I wear headphones?

Get in Gear discourages the use of headphones during the road races but will not be enforcing otherwise.

Please see USATF amends headphone rule

Frequently Asked Questions – Corporate [back to top]

Get in Gear events and Second Harvest Heartland have partnered to offer corporations the ability to blend both the components of wellness awareness and fund raising awareness.  Click here

1. Is there a minimum number of people needed per team?

There is no specific team size per corporation. However, in order to compete for corporate awards, a team must have a minimum of 5 people registered with their respective corporate team. 

2. Is there an additional fee?

There are no additional fees for corporations or individuals signing up for a corporate team.

3. Is there a discount?

There are no discounts for corporations or individuals signing up for a corporate team.

4. What is the benefit to signing up as a corporate team?

Being a corporate team with the Get in Gear provides opportunity for corporate competition within a fun and low-cost arena.

Corporate teams are tabulated in the results as a whole and additionally tabulated as Corporate Only results.  Awards are given to the overall award winners and additionally to the Corporate age group winners.  See our website for specific information on awards given.

Corporate teams meet in a designated area of the park (next to the Water Falls) marked by their team name in alphabetical order. 

5. Can family members and friends sign up through my corporate team?

Family members can join your corporate team. They will need to sign up online through corporate entry and select your corporate team.

6. Can any event be part of the corporate team entry?

Only the 10K and the 5K can be a part of the corporate team entry.

7. If there are 10K and 5K participants for a corporation, does there need to be separate teams?

You only need one corporate team. When individuals register online, they need to specify which race they are participating in and the results will reflect each event’s corporate competition.

8. Where is packet pickup?

You can pick up your race packets at the Pavilion on Friday from 12:00 noon to 8:00pm or Saturday morning at the t-shirt tent beginning at 7:00am.  Please prepare to be on-site one hour before your race starts to pick up your packets and prepare for the race.  There may be long lines and the races will start on time.

Note: Get in Gear will absorb the cost of parking in the park on Friday, April 23, for people picking up their packets.

All corporate participants will pick up their packets individually and meet at their designated signage behind the Pavilion near the waterfalls on race day morning.  Look for company name in alphabetical order.

9. Can packets for family members and friends be picked up on Saturday?

Packets for people registered through corporate teams can be picked up on Saturday by going to the Corporate Packet Pickup Line in the T-shirt Pickup Tent.

10. Where do corporate team members meet?

Corporate team members will meet along the rock wall on the south side of the Minnehaha Park Pavilion. There will be signs posted on this wall with the name of each corporation participating. You will meet with your team members near your corporation’s designated sign.

Frequently Asked Questions – Fit-For-Fun  [back to top]

1. Where do I meet my school?

You will meet your school on top of the hill on the north side of the Minnehaha Park Pavilion. The tent is located near the swing sets in the park.

2. Where do T-shirts get picked up?

T-shirts are picked up either before or after the 2K at the T-shirt Tent in the park.

 3. Where is the start line?

The start line for the 2K is near the Bridge.  Balloons will mark the start line on either side of the road and the finish line is the same as the start line.

4. Where are the medallions picked up?

Once you cross the finish line, there will be a person directing you to where you can pick up your medallion.  Medallions are given out in a tent next to the Fit-For-Fun check-in tent and located near the swing sets.