2023 Ashland Balloonfest 5K

NEW INFORMATION:

RACE PACKET PICK UP: 

THURSDAY, JUNE 22 FROM 6 PM TO 8 PM AT SPRENG-SMITH INSURANCE AGENCY, 320 COLLEGE AVENUE, ASHLAND, OHIO 44805

SATURDAY, JUNE 24, FROM 7 AM TO 8 AM NEAR THE START.  LOOK FOR VOLUNTEERS.

NEW AS OF 2022 START LOCATION:  FREER FIELD IN THE AREA NEAR PARK STREET

Ashland Balloonfest 5k 2023

Event date/location:  Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 9 am. NEW LOCATION AS OF 2022:  Freer Field, start/finish Located at 1301 Park St, Ashland, OH 44805. This is near the new community building off Park Street. 

Parking: Parking is unavailable in the small side parking lot located on Freer Field. Parking is available on public side streets close to the starting line. 

Restroom Facilities: Are located on-site at the community building where the race starts and finishes. 

Event Details: The 30th Annual Ashland Balloonfest 5K will be put on by the Ashland Cross Country Parents Organization (ACCPO). The Balloonfest 5K Run and Walk is the longest-running 5K in Ashland County. Proceeds from the 5K benefit the children of Ashland Middle and Ashland High School cross-country teams.  This race supports fundraising efforts that directly benefit our Ashland Middle and High School Cross Country Athletes. 

This year will include a Fun Run for children 12 and under to participate in with registration for this being on-site only, beginning at 8:00 am, and the fun run will begin at 8:30 am.  This event is free.  There is no online registration for this event.

We recognize that it is important to maintain your health with good habits such as running, social engagement, and being outdoors. This race provides our community with an opportunity to engage in these healthy habits while participating in a competitive race.  We look forward to supporting our cross-country athletes and the community through this event!

Mid Ohio Race Management (previously known as Vertical Runner Race Management) will provide chip timing.  Chip timing allows your time to start once your feet cross the starting line.  

Please note the following for 2023 participants: 

• There will be no on-site registration for this event.
• Pre-registered participants should plan to arrive at the race site beginning at 8:00 am, the race begins at 9:00 am.
• Fun run participants:  this is the only on-site registration, and this will begin at 8:00 am, the race begins at 8:30 am.

Pricing and Registration 2023:

5k Race Early Registration (now through JUNE 6) = $25.00 with guarantee of t-shirt   (edited 6/7/2023) PLEASE NOTE, T-SHIRTS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE--WE ARE SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE, BUT OUR T-SHIRT SUPPLIER NEEDED TO BEGIN PRODUCTION OF THE SHIRTS JUNE 6. 

5k Race Late Registration (June 7 through June 21) = $25.00, no t-shirt (we are sorry, but we will NOT be able to provide t-shirts to participants who register after June 6) 

Race Day registration:  NO on-site registration for this event

UPDATED AS OF April 3, 2023----Packet Pick up directions for 2023:

Early pick up to be determined:  THURSDAY, JUNE 22 FROM 6 PM TO 8 PM AT SPRENG-SMITH INSURANCE AGENCY, 320 COLLEGE AVENUE, ASHLAND, OHIO 44805

RACE PACKETS CAN ALSO BE PICKED UP SATURDAY, JUNE 24, FROM 7:30 AM TO 8:30 AM NEAR THE START.  LOOK FOR VOLUNTEERS.

You or a designee are asked to make plans to pick up your packets at the above-listed date/s and times.  

T-Shirts:

Shirts are guaranteed with registration prior to June 6 and will be available in the following sizes: 

Adult:  Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large 

Youth:  Small, Medium, Large, X-Large

Awards Ceremony 2023:    10 am, Saturday, June 24, 2023

A brief awards ceremony will be held for race participants to receive awards.

Prizes:

Medals for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place male and female runners for the following categories:

10 and under

11-13

14-16

17-19

20-24

25-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60-69

70 and up

Awards for the top overall male runner and the top overall female runner

Awards for the top overall male Master's runner and the top overall female Master's runner (Master's is 40 years+)

About the Course:

Roads will be blocked off and volunteers will be stationed at each roadblock to make sure runners are safe. There will also be members from the police and sheriff’s department on hand that day for extra security and safety measures.