Make a difference. Support American Cancer Society.
What is Run the Bunyan Relay? Run the Bunyan Relay is an American Cancer Society team relay run between Ann Arbor and East Lansing. Grab a few of your friends and spend the day with us running approximately 80 miles, showing your school pride for the University of Michigan and/or Michigan State University, and raise vital funds to support the American Cancer Society.
Will I need to run the entire distance? No, you're going to run in relay-style with your friends. We will have designated "exchange points" on course (each "leg" will be roughly every 5-8 miles), where one of your team members will stop running and another will take over running the next "leg".
How long will this take? The course will be roughly 80 miles (course details will be finalized by late Spring of 2024) and the time it will take will vary with each team. In order to ensure everyone's safety and running in daylight, each team should be prepared to maintain an average running pace of faster than 12 minutes per mile (5 mph). Once we have the course finalized, we will update the course time limit to ensure everyone participates safely.
When will our team start on August 10th, 2024? Teams will start in waves, based on the average pace submitted by the team captains. Slower teams will start earlier in the morning and faster teams will start later in the morning. The goal is to have everyone finishing around the same time, while also ensuring safety by finishing before sunset.
How many people do I need on our team? We recommend teams of five to ten runners, depending on how far each runner wants to run. Legs will vary in distance from 5-7 miles. You can have more or less runners, but that will impact the number of miles each runner will complete.
Do we need to bring our own food and hydration? At each exchange point, we will have water, light snacks and portalets. Teams should pack their vehicle with additional supplies that runners need, but runners should carry with them all the hydration and nutrition they need to complete each leg (we will not have aid stations between legs).
How many miles will I end up running? The number of people on your team will determine how many miles each runner will complete. The team is still responsible for completing the total mileage (approximately 80).
Do we have to run the legs in the same order? No, you can divide up the legs among your team members as you see fit.
How will we know the course? The course will be marked with signage and exchange points will be visible due to the additional tents, portalets and volunteers. You will also receive a detailed course map and routes for each leg, so runners can take a photo and keep it with them on their route. As long as you're paying attention to the course markings, you'll be fine.
What if I can't find enough people to be on my team? Try talking with the rest of your team to see if they have friends. We also recommend using our Facebook page to post if you are looking for additional runners to join you. Other team captains on the page may have additional runners interested in participating and looking to join a team.
Will we be running at night? The goal is for everyone to finish before sunset. That may mean some teams (based on their average pace) may have to start earlier in the morning, to ensure the ideal finish time. We will have different cutoff times along the race, but these will be communicated well before race day. As long as your team average pace is faster than 12 mins per mile (5 mph), you should be able to finish during the course limit we provide.
What does the rest of the team do while someone is running? Have fun with your friends! You can go grab a bite to eat, drink coffee or cheer at the next exchange point? This event is all about fun with fellow (and rival) running friends who are all passionate about UM/MSU and the American Cancer Society.
Will the race provide transportation? No, teams are responsible for their own transportation. They are also responsible for ensuring the safety of their team members. In the event of an injury on-course, we recommend teams meet their runner where they are, and have another runner complete their leg (and future legs). We will have medical staff at the event and medical contact information will be provided prior to race weekend.
What will I get for completing the Run the Bunyan Relay? All participants will receive an event shirt and medal. You'll also be making a meaningful difference in the lives of cancer patients and caregivers, by raising vital funds to support our mission.
What happens if I don't meet my fundraising minimum? When you register for the event, you will provide a credit card to ensure you meet your fundraising minimum (of $400 per person or surpassing your team minimum). If you have not met your fundraising minimum by (August 2nd), the remaining balance to reach your $400 minimum will be place on your credit card on (August 5th). There is also a Fundraising Optional registration option for a fee if you prefer.
Can we start in a different start wave? No, teams are assigned to a start wave based on their average pace (which helps us determine when they would finish). To ensure everyone's safety and that the course is prepared for all participants, teams are required to start in the wave they are assigned. If you start too early, you may reach the finish line too early. If you start too late, you may end up being forced to skip a leg to ensure you finish by the cutoff time.
Can I run the entire course myself? If you are capable of maintaining the necessary pace throughout the entire course, YES!
Can we change runners at places other than the course-marked exchange points? Only in the event of an injured runner that is unable to complete their leg. In all other scenarios, teams should only utilize the exchange points we designate on course.
Can I run with my dog? We love dogs, but dogs are not permitted as part of the Run the Bunyan Relay. Some areas of the course with narrow shoulders or sidewalks could pose a safety hazard to other participants. Pets are allowed to be in your support vehicle, but please ensure you pick up after your pet at all times.
What is the role of a team captain? The role of the team captain is to be the person that we can communicate with regarding event updates leading up to race day. As a team captain, you are able to set the running pace of the team, register participants, and change the name of your team. If you register participants to your team, you take the financial responsibility of your teammates if they do not reach their fundraising minimum. As a captain, you do not need to register participants, however, it is an option.
What is the role of the non-participating team captain? The role of the non-participating team captain is to be the person that is the designated driver on race day. We ask that each team has a member of the team that will not be running, but we can communicate with in the case of weather or injury. The non-participating team captain can recieve a tech shirt if they raise the $400 minimum. It is not required to fundraise in this role and the card on file will not be charged if they do not meet the $400 minimum.
What is a relay team member? As a team member, you will recieve communciation from the race team, as well as your team captain regarding race day. If you are a team member, you will not have the access to add/remove team members or register members.
What is included in the registration fee? Your registeration for the Run the Bunyan
includes your event tech shirt in your desired school colors (or house divided) and finisher medal. Shirts come in unisex (SM - 2XL) and women's (XS - 2XL) sizing.
What happens if a team member can no longer participate in the run? If a member of your team can no longer participate in the run, please email Alexis at Alexis.Velazquez@cancer.org to remove the team member.
Can I add/remove members of my team as the captain? Team captains are able to add team members, however they are not able to remove members from the team. If you need to remove someone from the team, please email Alexis at Alexis.Velazquez@cancer.org.
Can I change the captian of my team? Once registered as the team captain, you can not change your role. If this is something you need to change, please contact Alexis at Alexis.Velazquez@cancer.org.