FAQs

General Event Questions

What weekend is the next Tour de La Porte?

Tour de La Porte is held on the 4th weekend of August each year. This year our event will be held August 24, 25, 26, 2018.

What time zone are you in?

We are in CST time (think Chicago, not Michigan).

Do you have a minimum age to participate?

Participants of all ages are welcome with the following notes:

Mini Fun Run is just for kids 4 to 8.
If you have a slightly younger child you’d like to have participate, use your best judgement – you know your kid!
Trail Run is not recommended for children (11 and under) due to the rough terrain. (Note: rough terrain means not suitable for strollers or wagons!)
Half Marathon is not for children (11 and under).

What is the best way to get to the event?

From Pine Lake Ave (Hwy 35), turn onto Waverly Road (one option for turn!) From Waverly Road, Soldier’s Memorial Park/Cummings Lodge is the first left. This is the safest entry point for event participants.
Take caution on Saturday morning – park entrance will be closed briefly for the 10K start as they run through the park area (approximately 7:15 – 7:30 am). Allow extra time and remember our goal is to keep all runners and walkers safe!
Local participants, take note of the running/walking routes to find the best way from your home to Cummings Lodge. Many of the back roads around the lake will be closed off Saturday morning for the safety of all participants.

What is parking like at the event?

Cummings Lodge parking is the first to fill, but we also have parking on the softball fields. Please drive with caution and follow volunteers’ directions to help fit as many cars as possible! As the lot fills, your walk to Cummings Lodge will get a little bit longer so arrive with plenty of time to prevent having to rush to your starting line.

I’m from out of town, is lodging available?

Yes – many providing a discount for TdL Participants using code TourdeLP18! We are working presently to finalize this list so check back!

Plans changed/I was injured – can I get a refund?

Sorry, no refunds. No exceptions. We are happy to transfer your registration to another participant – contact us at connect@tourdelaporte.org with all required information to make this change (i.e. name, DOB, gender, shirt size).

What happens if there is bad weather?

View our Weather Policy.

When can I pick up my packet?

We provide early packet pick up on Friday from 2 – 7 pm. You can also pick up your packet during check-in on event day (just arrive with enough time to accommodate!).

Can my friend pick up my packet too?

Yes – that is fine! Packets include your running bib and/or cycling bracelet with the emergency support number. Make sure you don’t forget to get these items and bring them with you to the event!

Do I get a t-shirt?

Registrations prior to August 18th include a complimentary t-shirt (excludes Mini Fun Run – $1 per child ages 4-8). Following August 18th, shirts are limited based on availability. Not participating or know of someone who’d love a shirt? Shirts can be purchased for $10 prior to August 18th or while supplies last at the event. You can add this purchase when you register for the event or buy one here (Extra shirts and jerseys will be available as of July 1).

What about those cool jerseys?

2018 cycling jerseys will be available next summer for purchase for $70. We have a small supply of 2017 jersey’s still available for $35. You can add this purchase when you register for the event or buy one today here.

Is there food at the event?

Yes – we have a great selection at Cummings Lodge all weekend and at our SAG Stops on Sunday. Al’s Supermarkets do a great job so make sure to tell them Thank You!

What kind of fluid replacement will you have?

At water and SAG Stops, we have water and Gatorade for you. Don’t get them confused and pour the wrong cup on your head!

I ordered the wrong shirt size, can you fix it?

As long as we know in advance, we’ll make the change before you even pick up your packet! Email us at connect@tourdelaporte.org. On event day, we’ll do our best as long as we still have shirts in your desired size! Check in at the on-site registration table to see if an exchange is possible.

Run | Walk Event Questions

How do I make sure I don’t get lost along the running course?

We will provide you the following:

Signage along the side of the route
Directional painting on the road
Volunteer road guides who are familiar with the route
You can also check out the running routes before the race to help educate yourself.

Are headphones allowed?

They are but make sure you can hear all course and safety instructions from volunteers, race coordinators and police.

Are strollers allowed?

Yes, but be careful not to run anyone over as you pass! Also, if you don’t believe you’ll stay at the front of the pack, please don’t start there.
Strollers are NOT allowed for the Trail Run – the terrain is not safe or appropriate for children or strollers.

Are wagons allowed?

Only for the 5K walk, and please start toward the rear of the walkers for everyone’s safety.

Are pets allowed?

For safety reasons, we prefer you do not bring your pet.

Who receives awards?

All Half Marathon Runners receive a finisher medal.
Top three winners in each age category (both male and female) receive awards for the Trail Run, 5K, 10K and Half Marathon.

Can I walk the half marathon?

If you can walk at a 13.50-minute mile pace – yes! If not, then sorry, no. We cannot block traffic and keep our volunteers on the site past the 3-hour finish limit we have set. Because of this, the roads would open for traffic, and you would no longer have road guidance or water stop support.

Can I start the half marathon early to finish in time?

No – for the same reasons listed above.

How do I access route maps – do you have turn by turn navigation?

Yes – though Ride with GPS is generally for cyclists, we’ve take advantage of this app to provide offline maps or turn by turn navigation information for our runners too!

Create a (free) account through Ride with GPS
View our Event
Select RSVP and indicate that you plan to attend the event
Download Ride with GPS on your mobile device via Apple App or Google Play store
Sign into Ride with GPS on your mobile device and select the My Events to select your route distance
Option One: If you would like to have the route accessible via map, not utilizing navigation
- Click Route to View Map
- Select Download icon in lower right corner
- Select Save Map & Route and Click Save
- Select Settings from main menu, toggle offline mode, which will reduce battery use and ensure no data used.
Option Two: If you would like to have the route accessible via turn by turn navigation
- Click Route to View Map
- Click ellipses (…) in top right corner and select Ride This
- When prompted, click start

Cycling Event Questions

Are the cycling events timed?

They are not. As this is not a closed course, we don’t want to encourage you to take safety risks in an effort to have a faster time!

Why do you have start times for the cycling routes?

These start times help us better plan and provide support for you at the SAG locations along the route. They also allow you the opportunity to find other cyclists who ride at your pace to enhance your experience and safety. We will provide a lead car for the first several miles of each distance (except for 5 miles) at the suggested start time (for the reasons listed above).

Are cycling helmets really required.

We are helmet advocates – so yes! Cyclist must wear a bike helmet.

Are tag-a-longs, tandems or bike trailers allowed?

This is a family friendly event, these types of items are definitely allowed!

How do I make sure I don’t get lost?