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Spectators

Our Race

If you have never been to the Portage Invitational, this event is VERY big and VERY busy. We have 17 total races which start every 20-30 minutes at 8:15am.

We have over 225 teams participating between the high school and middle school divisions throughout the day which totals over 6,200 runners. We anticipate 12,000+ spectators to join!

It. Is. Awesome. It can also get frustrating if you are not expecting an event of this size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for Race Day

● Give yourself enough time to find parking AND to walk from your parking spot to the course. Parking info included below.
● Ask your coach where to find the team tent or have your athlete text you the location they will be at on the campus.
● We have food options and commemorative shirts for your athletes and for you! Pricing and sizing info is below.
● The awards happen about an hour or so after the corresponding race.

8:15  Glory Days XC 5K Race (report 8:05)

Divisions 3 & 4

9:00 Division 4 Varsity and JV Men (report 8:50)
9:30 Division 3 Varsity and JV Men (report 9:20)
10:00 Division 4 Varsity and JV Women (report 9:50)
10:30   Division 3 Varsity and JV Women (report 10:20)

Middle School

11:00 Middle School Boys Varsity (report 10:50)
11:20 Middle School Girls Varsity (report 11:10)
11:40 Middle School Boys JV (report 11:30)
12:00 Middle School Girls JV (report 11:50)

Divisions 1 & 2

Division 2 Men (report 12:20)
1:00 Division 1 Men (report 12:50)
1:30 Division 2 Women (report 1:20)
2:00 Division 1 Women (report 1:50)
2:30 Division 2 Reserve Men (report 2:20)
3:00 Division 1 Reserve Men (report 2:50)
3:30 Division 2 Reserve Women (report 3:20)
4:00 Division 1 Reserve Women (report 3:50)

There is no need to declare your varsity runners or let us know of changes.
For high school – any of your seven (7) runners who were registered may run in the varsity races. For middle school – any of your ten (10) runners who were registered may run in the varsity races. You do not need to designate varsity. All other runners will run in the reserve races.
Runners must wear the bib on the FRONT of their singlet so that it is visible. Four (4) pins have been provided for each bib. Bibs may not be altered, such as cutting, folding or wrinkling.

PACKET CONTAINS:
Race Bibs with Magnetic Strips (DO NOT BEND OR BREAK STRIPS)
Pins for the number of entries your team submitted.
Course map
Coach Gift
(7) Free Short Sleeve T-Shirts (High School Teams Only). Small for Women’s and Medium for Men’s. Sizes can be exchanged if we have the size availability.

A basic course map that is drawn can be found under the FAQ’s 
Google map with elements like mile markers etc: https://www.google.com/maps/d/editmid=1m5KlKAQ2ZpQR05MfmnPFuMeDgwo7iZeq&usp=sharing
Strava Map – Free but still requires information.  The benefit is being able to see the elevation profile. https://www.strava.com/routes/3537814099191840566
Youtube Video of the course:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdWRXbAFXpM

This is a very large event with crowd sizes between 12,000 and 20,000 people. There will be
traffic congestion so plan ahead to ensure your team and spectators arrive with time to
spare. Additionally, there is not enough parking on the school’s campus to accommodate
everyone so many people park on the street or use the paid parking options below. Finally, at
7:45am Moorsbridge Road will be open to northbound traffic ONLY. You will not be able
to turn south onto Moorsbridge from Romence! Please map out your route in advance.
Paid Event and Handicap Parking
Handicap Parking is available in front of Portage West Middle School with a valid Plate or
Placard. Visitors can choose to park adjacent to the event at Portage West Middle School or
Moorsbridge Elementary for $10.00/vehicle. Those leaving will need to pay again to re-enter
the lot. Additionally, there is paid parking at nearby churches along Romence near Oakland
Drive (about .5 miles away from the school).
FREE street parking
There is an abundance of free street parking surrounding the event. Short walks of 5 to 10
minutes should be expected. We unfortunately do not have shuttles as a service this year.

INSTANT ON-LINE RESULTS will be made available online at www.portageinvite.com under the Results tab.
QR Codes to the results will be posted throughout the campus.

Awards start approximately 1 hour or more after the start of each race. Awards will be on the hill near the tennis courts. A schedule is posted online at https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/272656/info

Seven (7) Short Sleeve T-Shirts are provided to each High School Team.
Trophies to top three teams in each HS division (1, 2, 3, and 4).
Trophies to top two teams in each MS division (1, 2, and 3/4).
Seven (7) Championship Black Long Sleeve Tech Shirts to the winning team in each Varsity Division including Middle School Divisions (middle school divisions will receive ten (10) shirts).

Medals to the top 50 in high school races; to the top 30 runners in the middle school varsity race for each grade level (6 th , 7 th and 8 th ); and top 20 runners in the middle school JV race.

All vendors accept cash or credit card; all full meal vendors will have sizeable menus and a value meal option for under $10; snack or drink vendors have options ranging from $2 and up.
Off the Cuff
○ Breakfast, lunch and everything in between! Healthy and delicious options with low prices!
Roxie’s
○ BBQ and tacos! They will have a delicious sand affordable menu of food for you!
On the Roll
○ Delicious pasta(s) served on a garlic roll! Perfect for replenishing those carbs after a
hard race!
Big Mike’s Kettle Corn
○ Feeling like an awesome snack! Big Mike’s has you covered with Fresh Popped Kettle Corn, Caramel Corn, and Flavored Corn!
Coffee Rescue
○ Get your caffeine fix with warm (or cold) coffee drinks! Get a straight forward coffee or hot chocolate for about or make it a specialty drink!
Sweet Caroline’s Ice Cream
○ Enjoy some delicious premium ice cream while you watch or celebrate with your runner by having a delicious treat!
General Concessions
○ Looking for quick grab and go options? We’ve got candy, water, Gatorade and more to satisfy your snack needs quickly and affordably.

Official Gear will be available at the Portage Invitational.

● Commemorative 2026 Portage Invite Long Sleeve Tech Shirt $35
● Commemorative 2026 Portage Invite Poly Blend Short Sleeve Shirt $25
● Commemorative Portage Invite Hoodie $65
● Commemorative Portage Invite Sticker $5

You can also get your gear early at https://pi-invite.square.site/

As you navigate the course, please be aware of runners running on the course. There will be course marshals. Listen to them! They are volunteers there to keep you and the runners safe.The white line on the course IS THE CENTER OF THE ROUTE. Runners follow this white line and need to be within 3 feet on either side of this line. It is not a line for you. It is the line for the runners. Please stay 3.5 feet off that line on either side. Be respectful. We have a lot of volunteers and a lot of other people. Let’s be kind and set great examples for our young runners!

Please take care and do not change or place anything on the course.
Coaches are strictly forbidden to place any mark (paint or other) on the ground and are subject to discipline or ejection from the event. Athletes may preview the course throughout the day. Please ask your runners to move off the course when other races are competing.
DO NOT CROSS ANY TIMING MATS WHEN PREVIEWING THE COURSE. If a person wearing a chip crosses the timing mats while previewing the course it will invalidate their scoring for their actual race.
MICHIGAN UNIFORM RULES – If you should have questions, please ask one of the starters prior to your race.

Portage invitational course