I ran The Big Run 5K hosted by Fleet Feet Sports to celebrate Global Running Day! The packet pick up/registration was only one day - the day before the race - and you had to go to the local Fleet Feet Sports running store from 12pm-7pm to pick up your race packet. I wish they would have expanded the time or allowed for packet pick up the day of, because I live outside of Fort Wayne and work until 5:30pm every day, so I felt a little rushed. I thought the swag was well worth the $25 signup fee. Every participant received a commemorative Big Run T-shirt, a large finisher's medal, packet of nuun and 2 packets of stinger energy jelly beans. Your $25 fee also gets you a Popsicle from Xisco's Pops.

The race was held at 6:30pm at Indian Trails Park in Fort Wayne, Indiana. There was plenty of parking available which was great. There was a DJ playing music getting everyone pumped up for the race. At the start line there were signs separating each pace group, which I thought was very helpful. The course started out on the running trail in the park, then wraps around a neighborhood, and continues back onto the trail in the park for the finish. I really enjoyed this course. Along the way, I only saw two aid staions, but it was a shorter run so that's probably to be expected.

At the finish line, every participant received a finisher medal and either water or a nuun drink. They also had a photo booth station with signs that people could hold up and take photos with and post to social media for a chance to win prizes. After all the runners had finished, there were hot dogs & chips to eat and music playing. I ended up staying for the awards ceremony then headed home. Overall, I really enjoyed this race and will continue to do it in years to come!