2021 Madison Mini Marathon, 5K & Kids' Run

Hoping this email continues to find you and your family healthy. Please take a moment to read a very important 2021 race update below.

The Madison Mini Half Marathon & 5K benefiting Girls on the Run of South-Central Wisconsin Team has spent the past 13 years listening to you and improving upon our race routes, building up our cheer challenge stations and hosting an unforgettable 14th Mile Post-Race Party on The Union Terrace. Because of your feedback and passion for this event, we were able to earn the title of RaceRave's 2019 Best Half Marathon in Wisconsin.

We are proud to have designed the courses of the Madison Mini Half Marathon, 5K & Kids’ Run to feature the beautiful University of Wisconsin – Madison campus including the Kohl’s Center, Camp Randall, and the Lakeshore Path. Starting in front of the Memorial Union on Langdon and finishing at the base of Bascom Hill, only to ultimately party it up on the Terrace have been can’t miss moments and cherished memories for so many over the years.

We have been communicating with local municipal organizations, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Public Health Madison Dane County, among others, while monitoring COVID-19 Pandemic updates, to understand what the future of large outdoor events looks like for the remainder of this year. Although the University of Wisconsin-Madison has made the decision to allow some external events after May 10, events such as runs, walks will not be allowed on campus (https://news.wisc.edu/uw-madison-school-college-and-division-covid-19-policy-for-summer-2021-events-and-meetings/). The UW campus is vital to the Madison Mini Half Marathon and 5K and hosting this race without this key element is not to the standard or quality our participants deserve.

The university’s decision is very disappointing. Our course scenery and landmarks are what differentiate the Madison Mini Half Marathon & 5K from other races. With this ruling by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, we will transform the 2021 Madison Mini Half Marathon, 5K & Kids' Run, into a VIRTUAL EVENT. Your continued support of this race still benefits and has massive impact on our charitable partner, Girls on the Run of South-Central Wisconsin.

Your virtual experience will include weekly inspirational emails, personalized bib, custom finishers certificate, virtual tracking and mapping, special sponsor offers, and more. You will still be receiving your participant ladies’ tank or guys super soft T-shirt, collectible bottle opener finisher medal, Virtual Race Bag, and any purchased merchandise including iTab. If you elect the virtual option, you will be refunded your Will Call and VIP purchase.

As promised in our Participant Protection COVID-19 plan, we are offering you the following options, if you do not opt to participate virtually:

OPTIONS AND NEXT STEPS:

• VIRTUAL**: As outlined in our waiver, all currently registered Madison Mini registrants in the Half Marathon, 5K and Kids' Run events will be automatically transferred to your respective Virtual Madison Mini Half Marathon, 5K and Kids' Run events, for which you registered. THERE IS NO FURTHER ACTION FOR YOU TO TAKE*.

If you remain a virtual participant, you will receive a FREE, bonus Madison Mini Sling pack in your race packet.

• DEFERRAL**: We hope you will join us for this years’ Virtual Race and support Girls on the Run; however, you do have options. You may defer your Half Marathon, 5K or Kids' Run registration (as well as purchased VIP, Insurance, and Will Call) to the 2022 Madison Mini on a TBD date. To defer, please follow the link and instructions below.

• REFUND – 50%**: As outlined in our COVID-19 plan, you do have the option of receiving 50% of your 2021 registration fee back. This does not include processing fees. To receive your refund, please follow the link and instructions below. Refunds will be issued starting June 15, 2021 to the payment method that you registered with.

• DONATION TO CHARITY**: As outlined in our COVID-19 plan, you do have the option of donating your registration fee to support Girls on the Run South Central Wisconsin. To donate your registration fee, please follow the link and instructions below. 100% of your registration would be tax deductible.

1) Visit your participant dashboard and sign in to your Race Roster account using the same email you registered with.*
2) Click “Edit Registration” on the right.
3) Update your information as needed.
4) Click “Save & Exit” to submit your change.

* Those registrants opting to defer, receive refund or donate, will not receive the 2021 Race Kit.

** All store purchased items are non-refundable and will be shipped to the participants in the event that the race is transformed into a Virtual Only Event

NOTE: Your selection must be submitted by May 31, 2021. Participants not requesting a change prior to May 31, 2021, are automatically registered for the respective Virtual Madison Mini distance for which they registered.

For the second consecutive year, we are heartbroken at the thought of not being able to be with you all in person, but we look forward to seeing your Virtual Madison Mini Half Marathon, 5K & Kids' Run stories and photos. Thank you for your continued support and understanding. Together, we will get past this final hurdle of the transition back to live events. We miss you all dearly and look forward to finally returning to the streets of Madison with you in 2022.

There are no transfers for this event (Half Marathon, 5K, Kid's Run). Reassignment or selling of registration is not permitted.

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