GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – A popular race returns to Brown County this weekend.
The 41st annual Bellin Run starts at 8 am Saturday, with the 6.2 mile course (10K) winding through the streets of Green Bay and Allouez.
Assistant Race Director Linda Maxwell says drivers might see some longer travels times Saturday morning.
“We keep one section of Mason Street open, but the eastbound, East Mason Street: Webster Street to Clay Street is closed between 4-9 am. We have Clay, Porlier, Eliza, and Webster that are closed between 4am-Noon.”
Maxwell expects Webster, south of Porlier will reopen around 9:45 am, as will Green Avenue.
She says Libal, Irwin, and Garland will reopen between 10:30-10:45 am.
The assistant race director notes there should still be access throughout the race on Mason Avenue and Riverside Drive, as well as east of Baird and Libal.
Reroute signs should be in place to help drivers navigate through detours.
Maxwell also has advice for runners on how to get to the starting line.
“I encourage using our shuttle system so they can go to a centralized area in downtown Green Bay. We use the Main Street and Pine Street ramps, as well as the WPS lot. You can park there for free. We have two shuttle locations down there, they will all be signed.”
Maxwell says the shuttles run every five minutes between 6:30-7:30 am and take runners directly to Astor Park, where the race begins.
“We suggest people get moving toward their corrals by 7:45 am so when the gun goes off at 8 am, we’re all ready to go. We do have a special situation for our walkers. We encourage them to stay in Baird Park until all the runners go through.”
While temperatures aren’t supposed to heat up until later in the day, Maxwell says there will be cooling buses around the 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 mile marks.
“There will be a first aid station at every water station. The first one is at the second mile mark. Then there’s one right after the halfway mark, down at East River, St. Joseph’s, and Baird, Libal there, and then another one up on Clay Street.”
The shuttles are also expected to run from 9:30am-Noon to bring people back to their vehicles.
Maxwell notes runners can register for the race or pick up their packets Friday from 3-8 pm at Astor Park.
While registration is not allowed Saturday morning, packets can still be picked up.
As for spectators, Maxwell encourages them to arrive by 7:45 am, urging them to be loud and supportive as they line the sides of the course to cheer on the race participants.
She notes anyone who parks inside the course will not be able to get out until at least 9:45 am.
Over 13,000 participants are expected to compete, with roughly 30,000 people on hand Saturday morning, including spectators.
