United Financial Freeland Walleye Races 5K/10K

🏃‍♂️ Race Overview

United Financial Credit Union is once again proud to present the 17th Annual Freeland Walleye Festival Race for 2026! Join several hundred participants in running and/or walking USATF sanctioned 10k and 5k Freeland Rail Trail/road courses and a Kid’s Fun Run.

🎖️ Included with Entry

• Finisher Medals: Awesome custom finisher medals
• Race T-shirt: Race t-shirt included
• Timing: Professional timing results
• Photograph: Free online finisher photograph

This year’s race is limited to 450 participants. This race is organized as part of the 40th annual Freeland Walleye Festival through a joint effort between United Financial Credit Union, Dig Deep Race Events, Walleye Festival Organizers and Tittabawassee Township with proceeds being placed back into the Freeland community through the Freeland Lions Club, a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

📅 Date & Location

• Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026
• Location: Freeland SportsZone, 5690 Midland Rd, Freeland, MI 48623

🕒 Start Times

• Kid’s Fun Run: 8:45 AM
• 10K Start: 9:30 AM
• 5K Run/Walk Start: 9:35 AM
• 5K Fun Walk Start: 9:36 AM (untimed)

💵 Prices

This year, participants may choose to save $5 by opting out of the shirt at registration. The “with shirt” option will end at Midnight, Sunday, April 19. Guaranteed shirt sizes for those opting to register with a shirt are available ONLY until midnight, Sunday, April 19. The following day shirts will be ordered and inventories placed in the registration system.

• 10K Run: $35.00 with shirt, $30.00 no shirt
• 5K Run/Walk: $35.00 with shirt, $30.00 no shirt
• 5K Fun Walk (Untimed): $30.00 with shirt, $25.00 no shirt
• Youth (13 & Under) 5K Run/Walk: $25.00 with shirt, $20.00 no shirt

📋 Packet Pickup & Late Registration

• Saturday, April 25: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Bayne’s Apple Valley, 5395 Midland Rd, Freeland, MI
• Sunday, April 26: 8:00 AM to 9:15 AM at Freeland SportsZone
• Registration Fee: Runsignup charges a nominal fee to participants when registering.

👕 T-Shirts

T-shirts sizes are guaranteed ONLY to those who register for the “with shirt” option online on or before midnight on Sunday, April 19! These shirts are of high quality and will be available in unisex, ladies cut, or youth sizes.

📏 Shirt Sizes Available

• Small
• Medium
• Large
• Extra Large
• 2XL
• Ladies Cut Small
• Ladies Cut Medium
• Ladies Cut Large
• Ladies Cut Extra Large
• Youth Small
• Youth Medium
• Youth Large

⏱️ Times and Timing

The 5K and 10K Run/Walk event will be timed in accordance with USATF sanctioning requirements.

🏆 Age Groups/Divisions

• 9 & 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 & over

🏅 Awards

Awards will be provided 3 deep to overall male and female winners of the 5K and 10K events. In addition overall winners will receive free entry to next year’s Walleye Festival Event in the category they win. 2nd Place overall finishers will receive 50% off and 3rd Place overall finishers will receive 25% off entry to the event the following year. Finish times for this year’s event for overall awards will be determined by “gun” start and chip finish.

📊 Results

Both actual and adjusted results from Great Lakes Race Management will be displayed at the event and will be posted at DIGDEEPRACES.COM within 48 hours of race completion.

🤝 Volunteers

Interested in volunteering? Events like this can’t be successful without great volunteers! Sign up at the link at the top of this page and we’ll be in touch.

❓ FAQ’s

🐕 Can I run with my dog?

We love dogs too! Unfortunately, the sanctioning body for this event (USA Track & Field) strictly prohibits the participation of dogs (other than service animals) at events.

🍼 Can I run/walk with a stroller?

The narrow racecourse utilizing out and back runner traffic on the Freeland Rail Trail means that we cannot allow strollers.

📝 What does “USATF Sanctioning” mean?

It means that organizers have followed a process with USA Track & Field that requires creation of a safety plan and purchase of outstanding insurance covering participants, volunteers, sponsors, partners and organizers of the event. It also means that your race results will be official for scoring purposes (assuming you track that sort of thing).

❌ What happens if the event is cancelled? Will I receive a refund?

Unfortunately, no. We’ve had to wait this long for registration to open because we wanted to be reasonably sure the event will take place. At this point, most of the registration money has been allocated to shirts, medals, race bibs, etc. and this weird year’s financial toll on race management means that refunds will not be possible should the event be forced to become virtual due to safety reasons or government mandates.

🏅 How will overall winners be determined?

Finish times for this year’s event for overall awards will be determined by gun start and chip finish.

💳 Refund and Transfer Policy

We completely understand that plans change and athletes will sometimes be unable to compete in an event they’ve signed up for. We also understand that registering for one of our events is a financial investment in that race. We accept your registration funds with the full intention of putting on the promised event with the listed amenities and we use your registration funds to