FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Get answers to the questions most frequently asked about the Be The Light 5K event.

DATE

The 9th annual Be The Light 5K event will be on September 23rd, 2023.

ENTRY

Registration is available on our website here or you can sign up on Active, RunSignup, EventBrite, or RaceRoster.

SCHEDULE

Check-in: 2:00 PM to 6:45 PM
Pre-Race Announcements: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
10K start: 7:00 PM
5K start: 7:05 PM
Awards ceremony: 8:30 PM
Event wrap-up: 9:30 PM

*Note that final start times may vary on race day.

VIEW SCHEUDLE

LOCATION

West Creek Park
24247 Village Circle Drive
Valencia, CA 91354

VIEW DIRECTIONS

Check-in and packet pick-up will be held on race day at West Creek Park starting at 2:00 PM. Come early to get your bib and shirt, then hang out to visit all our awesome sponsors and vendor booths. Bring cash, we have sponsors selling awesome goodies.

West Creek Park
24247 Village Circle Drive
Valencia, CA 91354

VIEW DIRECTIONS

TIMING CHIP

The race will be chip timed for best accuracy using a MyLaps timing system with BibTag chips that are attached to your race bib. Final results will be posted on this website after the race on the Results page.

To ensure your chip is tracked and timed correctly:

Always keep the BibTag visible; do not remove or cover it with a jacket
Do not excessively bend or twist the BibTag
Do not attach beside or under a zip: metal has a negative impact on the BibTag chip
Do not wear on your back or side, or around your arm or leg
Do not cover the BibTag with your hand or arm when crossing the finish line: runners often do this when checking their watch when crossing the line
Always remember that the mat must 'see' the number when you cross the finish line
Do not separate the BibTag from the start number

CHECKLIST

The theme is "Be the Light," so at a minimum have a headlamp or compact flashlight to light up the trail, but don't stop there, get creative and have fun to shine your light.

We suspect that in late September it will still be fairly warm at sundown. However, if in doubt check the weather forecast and bring a light jacket.

WAIVER

In order to receive your race bib and participate, you need to have a signed event waiver and show your ID. Download and print the waiver ahead of time and bring it with you to help expedite your check-in.

DOWNLOAD 2023 WAIVER

PARKING

Parking is limited and on a first come, first serve basis. There are several areas to park including Rio Norte Junior High School, West Creek Park, and the neighborhood roads around the park.

Carpool

As parking space is limited we highly recommend to buddy up and carpool to the race to help ensure there is enough parking.

Parking Tips

Pay attention to event parking monitors
Do not block any driveways, cars will be towed
Lock your car and do not leave any valuables visible

VIEW PARKING

RESULTS & AWARDS

The event will be chip timed for the most accurate results. The final results will be posted online after the event.

5K Run/Walk

Trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd will be awarded to the overall top finishers.
All runners and walkers will receive a finisher's medal at the finish line.
All runners and walkers will receive an official finisher certificate via email after the race.
Top finishers by sex/age group will be recognized in the final results and finisher certificates will be emailed out after the race.

10K Run

Trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd will be awarded to the overall top finishers.
All runners will receive a finisher's medal at the finish line.
All runners will receive an official finisher certificate via email after the race.
Top finishers by sex/age group will be recognized in the final results and finisher certificates will be emailed out after the race.

5K Teams

UPDATE: Cross-country team ranking returns!
Teams of 5 or more on the 5K race will be ranked based on the fastest times of the top 5 runners in the team.
Trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd will be awarded to the top 3 teams with the fastest average time.

BAG CHECK

There will be a bag check available at the start/finish line so you can quickly access your bag after finishing the event. The event is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

BATHROOMS

There are bathrooms in the park by the race festival. There are no toilets on the course.

STROLLERS & WHEELCHAIRS

The course is paved and is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Unauthorized bicycles, skateboards, scooters, roller blades, or motorized vehicles are not permitted on the race course due to safety concerns.

LODGING

Traveling from out of town? Santa Clarita offers several lodging options. The Hyatt Regency and Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Santa Clarita is providing special event group discounts when you register online.

Hyatt Regency Valencia
24500 Town Center Dr, Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 799-1234
Use code: 193686 for the event group discount when booking.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Santa Clarita
27513 Wayne Mills Pl, Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 284-2101

Hilton Garden Inn Valencia Six Flags
27710 The Old Rd, Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 254-8800

MORE LODGING OPTIONS

CHANGES

Distance change requests are available, the cut off for all changes is 1-week before event date. Submit change request from the contact page.

REQUEST CHANGE

VIRTUAL

The virtual entry option is for runners who are physically unable to make it to a race but still wish be a part of and support the event. This includes persons who live far from event location and those with schedules that simply will not allow them to be present on the day of the event.

Participants choose one of the distances, 10K or 5K. They complete the distance where ever they are, on a favorite trail, at the park, on a track, even on a treadmill. Simply do the distance, track the time with a Garmin or app and send a photo with the final time to us via email. Virtual participants receive a medal, shirt, and materials via mail after the event. This can be done alone or with a group.

Running remotely will never be as good as running in person at the actual event, but for those with no other options, it offers a way to stay connected to their community to help them commit to and celebrate their achievements.

If a virtual runner is able to make it to the race they can request to upgrade their virtual entry to a regular participant entry or vice versa.

*Note: Virtual Runners do not qualify for prizes or placement trophy.

CANCELLATIONS

Unfortunately, due to the advanced planning and logistics entry fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. As per the terms agreed upon registering, once we receive and accept your entry, you will not receive a refund if you cannot participate. Sorry, no exceptions.

You do have the following options available:

Change your entry to Virtual and receive your medal & swag in the mail.
Defer your entry to the following year ($25 processing fee).
Transfer your entry to another runner ($25 processing fee).
Forego your entry and receive a 50% credit towards any of our other races in California within the next year.

Requests MUST be submitted before the race date. Requests on or after the race date will not be honored. Entries that have been deferred once can not be deferred a second time.

You may not give or sell your number to anyone else without submitting an official transfer request.

Please submit your request from the contact page.

Virtual Option

If you are not able to attend in person, we recommend changing your entry to a Virtual entry and complete the distance remotely. You can run or walk your chosen distance from anywhere you are, even on a treadmill. Simply track your time and send us a photo showing the final time and distance completed so we can include you in the virtual results.

Submit a change request from the contact page.

Event Cancellation

Unless there is severe weather on the days before and on the race day, the Be The Light event will be held whether it’s sunny, raining or anything in between. The weather only adds to the adventure to make for a memorable experience!

Yet, there are still potential risks that are beyond our control that could cause a race to be canceled. We hope that will never happen, however, we do have an event cancellation policy.

GOT QUESTIONS?

Can't find the answer to your question? Please contact us with your questions and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Check this page in the future as we will add more questions and answers as we get closer to finalizing the details for the Be The Light 5K event.

SAVE THE DATE

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 23, 2023.

ADD TO CALENDAR

FACEBOOK EVENT

Join us along with your fellow Be The Light 5K participants and volunteers on the 2023 Be The Light Facebook event for regular event updates.

JOIN FACEBOOK EVENT

Permits & Insurance

Be The Light 5K is an insured and permitted event. Thank you to the City of Santa Clarita for their support for permits, to the Rio Norte Junior High School, and local property owners for their support, and to Star Financial via Road Runners Club of America for event insurance coverage.

Please note that race information here represents what is planned for the Be The Light 5K. Locations, course variations, and changes may apply depending on conditions, availability, and improvements. We strive to make the best experience possible. Thank you for your understanding.