Weekly Back Cove Series Rules
The Back Cove Weekly 5k Series registration requires the same donation no matter what point of the series that registration takes place. Registration costs a flat rate of $40 and only needs to be paid once whether you run 1 race or all 14.
All proceeds are donated to Portland Trails. Over the past 4 years alone, we have been able to donate $60,000 to the maintenance of Portland Trails!
Registration is online only. (Click here to register.) Prior to your first race, you can pick up your bib in the Portland Store for the week from May 22nd at 10am through Wednesday, May 29th at 4pm during store hours. If you aren't able to pick up your bib at the store before the series starts, you can pick your number up at the Back Cove before the start of each race from 5:15pm until the race starts at 6pm.
Please keep your bib for the entire series as you will only receive 1 bib!
T-Shirts will be given out randomly to 10 people at each race.
Because of the construction on the Back Cove, the course will have a different start and finish than in years past. Please check the map for details.
Due to city requirements, we may only have 250 participants in each Wednesday Back Cove 5k. Registered runners will be required to check-in on line each week. Check-in begins on Saturday morning and continues until Wednesday at 2:00 pm or until capacity reaches 250, whichever comes first. Check in will be closed at that time. See below for directions on the check-in process.
Please note, if you do not plan on running, please do not check in! If you run in the weekly Back Cove without checking in, you risk having the event cancelled. Please respect this request and don’t run if you are not checked in!
The entire series is treated as one event. Once you register, and pick up your race number, keep your WBCS number and visibly wear it. Your race number is how we identify you.
Please keep your WBCS race # for the entire Summer series!
The Big Run 2024 - June 5th is Global Running Day at Fleet Feet Maine Running! As in previous years, we will use the Weekly Back Cove Series as our race portion, the course distance is 5K and will begin at 6pm. We will also offer a casual group run, about 3-5 miles in distance, leaving directly from our Portland location at 6pm. No registration is required for the group fun run but you must be registered and checked in to participate in the Back Cove race.
After both the Weekly Back Cove Series and our group fun run, everyone will meet back at Fleet Feet Maine Running - Portland for refreshments and socializing. We hope to see you on June 5th!
New in 2024: Themed Races!
- May 29th- PJ Run
- June 12th- Rainbow Race
- June 26th- 80's Night
- July 10th- Happy Belated Birthday America.
- July 24th- On Wednesdays We Wear Pink
- August 7th- Twinning Day
- August 21st- Superhero Finish
Awards
Grand Prix Series – open male/female top 6 times with lowest cumulative time receives 2 pairs of running shoes courtesy of Fleet Feet Sports Maine Running!
Age Group Awards - Age group winners based on top 6 times with lowest cumulative time receives a $50 Fleet Feet Sports Maine Running certificate. Age is determined on the date of the last race of the season, and the categories are:
- 19 and under
- 20-29
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50-59
- 60-69
- 70 and over
Maine Track Club Running Community Spirit Award – will be awarded to a participating individual or individuals who represent the “Community Spirit” of the Back Cove Series for commitment, improvement, determination and dedication to the event!
Results will be posted here at the website.
For more information call Fleet Feet Sports Maine Running Company at 207-773-6601 or go to backcove.runtowin.com.
Check-In Process
The maximum number of runners each week is 250. So far, 536 runners have checked in for the next race.
To Check-In, click on the link to your individual race results which should have been emailed to you when you registered. You can also check the complete runners list and click on your name there in to reach that page.
Once there, you will see a list of all of this year's races. Each week, the next race will have a button next to it that will look like one of the following:
- Check-In Not Yet Open...
This button means that the check-in process for the next race has not yet started. Check back on Saturday morning at 8:00 to check-in. - Click to Check-In...
This button means that check-in has opened for this week and there are spots available. Click this button in order to check-in. If check-in is successful, the button will change to: - You are checked in!
This button means that you have checked in for the week and can come to the next race. - Race Limit Reached!
This button means that you missed the check-in period, either because our race capacity for the week has been reached or because it is after 2:00 in the afternoon on the day of the race.
Please remember that the city is limiting our number of participants each week and if you don't check-in but race anyway we may have to cancel the series. Please only come to the race if you have successfully checked-in. Thank you!