Where is the Great Bay 5K?
This point-to-point, “wicked-fast” mostly downhill race starts on Sandy Point Road in Stratham, NH (across from the main entrance to Stratham Hill Park, 270 Portsmouth Avenue, Stratham, NH), goes left along Route 33, then through quiet neighborhoods, along the Bay, and finishes at the Great Bay Discovery Center, 89 Depot Road in Greenland, NH. You can check out the course map for the route.
When and where can I pick up my Great Bay 5K packet?
If you registered for a virtual event, you can chose to have your shirt or hat mailed to you. Otherwise, packet pick-up for all participants is as follows:
Packet pickup for the race shirt, hat and bib is on Friday, October 28 from 2pm – 6pm at the Barn at the Great Bay Discovery Center, 89 Depot Road, Greenland, NH. You can also pick up your packet on Saturday, October 29 from 7am – 9am at Stratham Hill Park.
Remember, to receive a race shirt, please register by October 3rd.
Refunds and Transfers
The Great Bay 5K | Race for a Healthy Estuary does not give refunds or allow transfers of registration to a future year or another participant.
Custom Team Race Shirts
Any team with 10 or more members OR that orders extra shirts to get to 10 shirts, can have custom-made shirts with their team name or logo on the back. This can be a combination of 5K and 55K registrants. If you and your team only register for the 55K Challenge, you will need to purchase shirts for an additional $15 each.
Want extra race shirts for you and your friends? Just fill out this form and mail it in, with a check, to be received no later than October 3, 2022.
What are the age groups for the Great Bay 5K?
9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85 to 89, 90-94, 95-99, 100+.
Age group awards will be given out on race day.
Can I race with my stroller?
You may, but please start at the back of the pack. It is your responsibility to ensure that your stroller does not impede or injure other racers. Of course, the safety of your child should be your first responsibility.
Is there a kids’ Fun Run?
Yes there will be a Fun Run after the 5K. It will start at the Great Bay Discovery Center at approximately 9:50. There is no charge for the Fun Run, but registration is required. Registration forms will be near the Fun Run start.
Will there be chip timing?
Yes, the Great Bay 5K | Race for a Healthy Estuary uses bib-chips, which are attached to the back of your race numbers. Please do not bend your race number as bending may damage the chip. Pin your race number to the outside front of what you will be wearing in the race. If your race number is obscured, you may not get an official time for the race.
Can I race wearing a Halloween costume?
Yes! We encourage all racers to come in costume, whether you are walking, running, in a wheelchair, stroller or just stopping by to watch! There are costume awards too!
Can I race with my dog?
We like dogs a lot, but having them in the middle of a race is just too risky for everyone. So please leave your dogs (and cats, gerbils, snakes, etc.) at home, and go for a run with them after the race.
Will there be a post-race celebration?
The Race Committee is working on the details for a safe post-race celebration in 2021.
And don’t forget! Post-race offerings include beer, hard cider and oysters on site at various breweries and restaurants. Be sure to bring your race bib with you October 30 and 31 to one of the participating sponsors.
How can I get my extra clothes to the finish area?
There will be a bag drop vehicle at Stratham Hill Park into which you can put your warm clothes. The bags will be taken to the Great Bay Discovery Center, and will be there when you finish the race. We cannot provide security for your bags, so please leave your valuables in your car.
What time does the Great Bay 5K start?
9 a.m. sharp [8:45 a.m. sharp for wheelchair racers] on Saturday, October 29, 2022.
Can I register for the Great Bay 5K in person?
Yes, late registration will take place on Friday, October 28, 2022 from 2pm – 6pm at packet pickup at the Barn at the Great Bay Discovery Center, 89 Depot Road, Greenland, NH. Late registration will also take place from 7am – 9am on race day, Saturday, October 29, at Stratham Hill Park.
Please bring cash or check to register. Online registration will not be available. Download the in-person registration form.
Wheelchair Participant Q&A
What is the start time of the Great Bay 5K?
For the safety of wheelchair participants, the wheelchair competition will start at 8:45am sharp.
What types of wheelchairs are allowed on race day?
Participants are permitted to use hand-operated wheelchairs. Motorized wheelchairs are not allowed on the course.
Can I participate if someone is pushing my wheelchair?
Yes! Duo runners are encouraged at the races! Each participant (both the wheelchair and the push person) must register. The able-bodied participant must push the wheelchair participant the entire race distance and maintain contact and control of the wheelchair at all times. The person being pushed will be scored in the Wheelchair division. The person pushing will be scored in their age division.
Can participants wear headphones?
Headphones are strongly discouraged on race day.
Will there be wheelchair accessibility on race day?
Yes! There will be wheelchair accessible parking, porta-potties at the start and end of the race, access to the Barn for the awards ceremony and easy access to post-race food!
Please note, it is the athlete’s responsibility to maintain their own equipment.
What are the awards for the Great Bay 5K?
The award ceremony will be at the Barn just past the finish line, and will start at approximately 10:15am, or as soon as the results are available.
SPECIAL AWARD: $1,000 if the male and/or female race winner is faster than the “All Comers” State of NH 5K records (male – 13:53 set by Alene Reta in 2009; female – 15:28 set by Lynn Jennings in 1993).
For full details, visit the Awards page.
Must be present to win.
Is there a Team Competition?
Yes! Go to the TEAM page for full team details.
Will I get a race shirt?
The long-sleeve, running and casual wearing race shirts will go to everyone who registers by October 4. If ordering Women’s shirts, please order one to two sizes up as they run small. There may be race shirts available at the Great Bay Discovery Center after the race for those who did not register by October 4. Those shirts will be available on a “first come -first served” basis.
This year we are making race shirts optional for those that register by October 4. The cost of the shirt, if you choose, will go to supporting the Great Bay Estuary. When you register, you can opt out of a free race shirt. Just click the appropriate button.
Want extra race shirts for your friends? Just fill out this form and mail it in with a check, postmarked by September 25, 2021. Extra shirts are $15 each. SIZE CHART
Will there be beer, hard cider and oysters?
Yes! After the race, take your bib (with tear-strip) to one of several great local craft breweries for a complimentary beer. Participating breweries are Empty Pint Brewing Company, Liar’s Bench, North Country Hard Cider, Sawbelly Brewing, Tilton Brothers Brewing, and Tributary Brewing Company. Registered racers will also receive a half dozen oysters from The Franklin (Portsmouth, NH). This offer is good on October 30-31, 2021. You must be over 21 to participate. One complimentary beer at one participating brewery per racer.
Where can I park for the race?
There is a large parking field at the end of Jack Rabbit Lane, off Route 33, next to Stratham Hill Park. Police and volunteers will direct you there. You can also park along Route 33 in front of the Park. Please arrive early so you’ll have plenty of time to park, pick up your packet, use the port-a-potties (yes, there will be lines!), and cross the street to the race start. In fairness to those who arrive on time, we will not delay the start for late-arriving racers.
Can I park near the finish area?
There will be NO RACE PARKING at the Great Bay Discovery Center. (If you do manage to get in to the Center parking lot, you will not be able to leave until every racer has finished and the timing mats have been pulled up.) You can park on nearby side streets, and can then do your warm up run up Depot Road to get to the starting line (approx. ¾ of a mile).
What is the MacKenzie Mile?
This is a unique race within the 5K. The first male/female racers to reach the one mile mark will each win a $50 prize (assuming they complete the race at close to the same pace).
Can I change or add a Team name?
Of course! Please email the Race Director at gb5k@greatbaystewards.org and let us know the team name that you’d like to add or join. Remember, deadline for Team shirts is October 1, 2021.
How can I get back to my car after the race?
There will be a shuttle bus from near the finish area to Jack Rabbit Lane. You can also walk up Depot Road back to the parking area. It is about a one mile walk, and a good post-race cool-down.
If you have a question that we didn’t answer, please contact the race director.
Countdown to the GB5K!
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