The Golden Grizzlies Festival of Races
- Date
- September 27, 2026
- Distance
- 5k Run/Walk · 10k Run · Kids Run! (ages 10 and under) & more
From the Organizer
The Golden Grizzlies Festival of Races is an event for all ages and abilities! Join us as we run a scenic loop through Oakland University's campus and finish with a lap on the Elaine Leigh track facility! We will be holding a 5k run/walk and a 10k run with medals and t-shirts for all participants. Proceeds from the race will go to benefit the Oakland University Cross Country and Track and Field programs.
STARTING TIMES:
9:10 am - Kids Run/Walk (meant for ages 10 and under)
9:30 am - 5K run/walk and 10K Run
PACKET PICKUP: Packet Pickup on race morning only. Packet pickup open from 7:30-9:00 at race site.
AWARDS: Each finisher of the 5k and 10k will receive a race t-shirt and a medal. Kids run participants will receive a ribbon for finishing one lap of the OU track! Kids race will start and finish inside the OU track facility.
This year, Hansons Running Shop will be awarding gift certificates to the top finishers in the following categories:
10k
Top Three Overall Men and Women
$250
$150
$100
Masters Overall Man and Woman
$150
5k
Top Three Overall Men and Women
$150
$100
$50
Masters Overall Man and Woman
$100
$15 for Oakland University students using their oakland.edu email address. Students who get 3 friends to sign up with their unique registration code will be refunded $10 as well.
New Medals for 2026!!
**Stay tuned for our 2026 medal reveal!
Introducing our new medal series! Our medals this year will feature the gorgeous Elliot Tower. Elliot Tower will be the first of a multi-year series of medals featuring different parts of our beautiful campus here at Oakland University! Learn more about the Elliot Tower here: https://www.oakland.edu/elliott-tower/
POST RUN FESTIVITIES:
Please stick around after your run or walk and visit our sponsor tents and enjoy some music. We will also have Rootless Coffee with a coffee truck on site for that extra energy boost!
Corporate/Open Team Races:
We will have a 5k team race for Corporate, Open, and Oakland University Department runners.
We plan to award the first place team in each event. Scoring will be based on individual age group placings. Only your top 5 runners will be configured into the scoring. We will have the results posted on our race website after the competition.
For those of you in charge of creating corporate teams, you will have to create a corporate team in the corporate section on our website. You will be able to customize your settings for payment. You will put your teams together in the groups/teams section as well under “corporate teams.” If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out!
SPECIAL ALUMNI BIB:
Just like in 2025, the first 350 alumni to sign up will receive a special gold race bib!
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
69°
Typical Low
49°
Chance of Rain
34%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Pontiac Wwtp, 6 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Rochester, MI
Population
76,086
as of 2023
Elevation
804 ft
Nearest Airport
DTW
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport · 34 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at The Golden Grizzlies Festival of Races, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
111
Days to train
- Race
- The Golden Grizzlies Festival of Races
- Date
- September 27, 2026
Coming Up
More Running races near Rochester, MI
Stevenson Cheerleading 5K Run/Walk
5K
6 miles away
Woodhouse 5K for New Day
5K
Less than a mile away
URBAN TRAIL SERIES
Less than a mile away
Sacred Hearts 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run
5K
Less than a mile away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is The Golden Grizzlies Festival of Races?
- The Golden Grizzlies Festival of Races is a running race held in Rochester, Michigan on September 27, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is The Golden Grizzlies Festival of Races?
- Sunday, September 27, 2026 in Rochester, Michigan at Recreation and Athletic Outdoor Complex (Elaine Leigh Track and Field Complex at Oakland University), Rochester, MI. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for The Golden Grizzlies Festival of Races?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
The Golden Grizzlies Festival of Races
Sep 27, 2026