Support those Living with Hydrocephalus

The 14th Annual Brainy Day Celebration

Presented by Subaru of Muskegon

Voted "Best Trail Race" & "Best Finish Line Food" in West Michigan – 2019 Stellafly Awards

As with most races these days, we had to go virtual with this year's event. However, we see it as a blessing in disguise. We're always trying to make Brainy Day bigger; going virtual helps us to achieve that. We have people signed up in 3 of 7 continents and 5 of the 50 states. With a virtual option, you can help us grow the race and make more people aware of hydrocephalus. Also, we've added a few extra incentives to sign up...

Every participant will receive the following:

• Opportunity to participate in 5 different races
• Custom Finisher Medal
• Running Buff
• 24oz. Specialized Water Bottle
• 15% ASICS Coupon
• 20% Off Race Entry for 2021

There are five different races that you can participate in this year – all for one entry fee of $35.

• 8k Run / Walk
  
• Olympic Distance Duathlon (Run 1 mile / Bike 25 miles / Run 6.2 miles)
• Olympic Distance Triathlon (Swim .93 mile / Bike 25 miles / Run 6.2 miles)
• 14-Day 5k Challenge (Starts September 17)
• BYOG – Bring Your Own Game – You pick the event and distance; we'll reward the effort

We're counting on you to make this virtual event series a success.

Our goal with adding multiple events to the virtual event was to encourage activity from anyone – no matter what they're interested in doing. The most important factor is we want to make more people aware of hydrocephalus. By choosing to coincide with National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month, we are bringing Brainy Day to the National stage, and with your help providing opportunities to introduce people to the great work we do for people in our community. Along with supporting The Brainy Day Fund, this year's virtual event will also support the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation, a national organization aimed at funding research facilities throughout the United States – including here in Michigan at Central Michigan University.

By opting to participate in our virtual race series, you are helping us reach our fundraising goals for 2020. This year we started a support group for families affected by hydrocephalus and we would love to continue operating that into 2021. We also provide monetary assistance to families as needed.

Already registered? We've got you covered.

If you already registered for the Brainy Day Trail Run, you are able to participate in all of the events listed above. We hope you will continue to stay registered, support The Brainy Day Fund, and be a part of our Virtual race experience. Overall Finisher Awards will be given to the Top Male & Female Finishers for the 8k, Duathlon, and Triathlon. You must upload your results by midnight on September 30 to be considered for awards. Our virtual event is unlike any you've seen so far. We may not be racing in person, but you can expect the same top-level service as you would if we were racing in Nunica.

Special Award Categories

With a virtual event, we want to have award categories that are not always performance-based. The following Special Award Categories are presented by our Title Sponsors.

"Best Subaru Selfie" – Sponsored by Subaru of Muskegon, Brainy Day's Presenting Sponsor

With us going virtual, we won't be offering premium parking for those runners who own a Subaru. However, we are doing a special award category across all of our virtual events for those folks who share a post-race picture that shows a Subaru in the photo – whether it is your Subaru, a friend's, or your neighbor's. Our friends at Subaru of Muskegon will pick their Top 3 Favorite posts as winners of this category. Those lucky runners will win a pair of Subaru sunglasses and an awesome keychain.

**To be entered into this category, you must post your photo on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter by September 30 and use the hashtags "#SubaruSelfie" AND "#BrainyDay2020" along with your race results.

"Best Virtual Race Finish Line" – Sponsored by Clarity Realty

We've seen some creative finish line creations in other virtual race events around the world. Get creative with your finish line photos (or videos) – decorate the door of your house, string some toilet paper across your garage opening, get your quarantine buddies to cheer you on "down the final stretch." Julie Grevengoed, owner of Clarity Realty, and her awesome team will pick their Favorite post as the winner of this category. The winner will receive an awesome Clarity Realty messenger bag.

**To be entered into this category, you must post your photo or video on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter by September 30 and use the hashtags "#MoveWithClarity" AND "#BrainyDay2020" along with your race results.

"Best Costume Run" – Sponsored by Health Pointe

What sort of race these days doesn't have a costume category? This is a first for Brainy Day, but something our race founder has always wanted to do. This category is pretty self-explanatory, but we have a few bonus curveballs. Bonus points will be given if: 1) you and your running partner match, 2) include your dog on the run, or 3) take a photo with Health Pointe (in Grand Haven, Mich.) in the background.

**To be entered into this category, you must post your photo or video on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter by September 30 and use the hashtags "#HealthPointe" AND "#BrainyDay2020" along with your race results.

"Best Route Art" – Sponsored by Drivn Threads

Here's your chance to get creative with your course mapping skills. Set out on your run and make it interesting with some route art (Google that if you need some inspiration; please keep it G-rated). The wonderful team at Drivn Threads, the brain power behind the branding of our race, will be judging all entries and pick a winner. The lucky winner will get a custom t-shirt with your map.

**To be entered into this category, you must post a screenshot of your route with your results and on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter by September 30 with the hashtags "#iamDrivn" AND "#BrainyDay2020" along with your race results.