Race to Restore: A Unique 5K in a Cemetery

Halloween races are the best. With cooler temperatures and festive atmospheres, they offer the perfect blend of fun and competition. After all, who wants to be beaten by a giant dinosaur?

This year, Race to Restore 5K caught my eye. This race offers a unique experience as participants make their way through the historic Mount Hope Cemetery.

Known locally for its challenging terrain, Mount Hope Cemetery is a favorite spot for hill repeat training. The rolling hills and steep inclines offer plenty of opportunities for building endurance and strength. It is the perfect setting for a challenging 5K.

Race to Restore Course

The Race to Restore 5K was a single-loop paved route that participants had to complete twice. It was not an easy course but the challenges made it all the more rewarding. There are plenty of hills with very little flat ground in between, making it a fun and tough race for anyone looking to push their limits.

The course was well-marked with cones and had plenty of volunteers directing and cheering runners on. The volunteers were some of the best!

The cemetery itself was beautiful. The grounds are obviously well cared for and feature a mix of towering mature trees, meticulously maintained path ways, and centries-old gravestones. It is by far one of the prettiest cemeteries I have ever been to.

The Swag

Gravestone medal and finisher medal from Race to Restore

One of the highlights of this race is the gravestone-shaped finisher’s medals. These medals are one of the most unique medals I’ve seen this year. Receiving one of these cool keepsakes is a big part of why I signed up.

Amie holding the first female finisher medal from Race to Restore 5K

First male and female finishers also receive these very cool metal gravestone awards. Also incredibly unique and fun! I’m happy to share that this was the only time I’ve ever finished as the first female finisher.

There was also an option for participants to contact the race organization and buy a shirt.

 Friends of Lansing’s Historic Cemeteries

Friends of Lansing’s Historic Cemeteries is the organization behind the Race to Restore. This is a group of dedicated volunteers that helps improve and maintain the cemeteries that belong to the city of Lansing. They raise money to restore broken or toppled markers and monuments as well as perform landscape maintenance, and deal with pesky woodchucks.

Funds from this particular race go specifically to uprighting downed monuments and markers at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Overall

For $25, participants can gain entry into one of the most unique and challenging paved 5Ks in the area. It is fun, fulfilling, and for a great cause – preserving history. The volunteers are wonderful, the swag is fun, and overall, this is a race I plan on returning to it.

For more information or to register for next year visit RunSignUp.com.

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