Beat Yesterday Challenge

The motto for this race is #BeatYesterday. Our goal is to provide a race that will allow you to challenge yourself to improve on where you are today. We offer a fast, flat course where you will find support and encouragement in order to help you achieve your desired outcome. Whether it is a new PR or your first 5K/8K, or you are coming off injury and want to get better, no matter what your situation is, if your desire is to #BeatYesterday, this is the race for you.​

One of the unique aspects of this race is not just the idea of self improvement with the Beat Yesterday slogan but that we provide you with an additional tool in the quest for improvement. The Challenge Option is made to promote runner comradery and competition. By selecting the Challenge Option, you will be asked for your goal time for the race. After providing this information, you will be matched with another participant that has a similar goal for the same race. Prior to race day, you will be emailed with the name and bib number of the runner you have been matched with. On race day, there will be a Challenge Tent where you can meet your challenge partner. The best part of this matchup is that you can decide to “race” each other and push each other to accomplishing your goal or you can pace each other and support each other on the way to your efforts to Beat Yesterday. Regardless of how you choose to approach the race with your partner, the Challenge Option is one of the most fun aspects of our event.

Additionally, your challenge partner does not have to be a random stranger, although that can be an awesome way to make a new friend who runs your pace. Complete the form below and send a Challenge email to a friend. Once they sign up, you will both be assigned to challenge each other.

The 5K will start at Fabyan Forest Preserve on the west side of the river near the Pavilion. The course will head south towards downtown Batavia. You will make a left turn on the sidewalk just before you reach Wilson St. The path will take you across the river on a wooden bridge at which point you will turn left and head north on the east side of the river. Running on the sidewalk for a short while, you will jump back on the trail and run under Fabyan Parkway. You will come to where the Windmill is located and turn left again to cross the river on two bridges. Once across, you will make one final left turn to complete the circuit and finish the 5K a few feet after where you started.

The 8K follows the same path as the 5K except when the course reaches the park where the windmill is located, it will continue to head north on the path for another 0.92 miles. You will reach a turn around point where you will return south on the same path until you reach the bridge by the windmill where you will turn right to cross the river and finish the course the 5K takes.