Sole Mates 5k & Brew Fest - CO

Shoes & Brews along with our "Sole Mates" Left Hand Brewing and Hoka present the 10th edition of our fall race series. 

With a focus on community, running, beer, and high fives, we host this event as a true celebration.

 

Saturday, November 2nd, 2024

 

**A Little Backstory on our Friends and Sole Mates**

Before Shoes & Brews became a reality, it was just a vision. In those early days, we reached out to our friends at Left Hand Brewing (LHB) with an idea: start a run club at their location and run a tab for the runners' beers afterward. To our delight, they not only agreed but insisted on covering the cost of the beers themselves! 

Their immediate support was incredible. We shared our vision for Shoes & Brews, explaining the community need we aimed to meet. LHB enthusiastically cheered us on from the start. This marked the beginning of a beautiful friendship between two businesses committed to supporting each other and the wider community.

Sole Mates holds a special place in our hearts. It's our way of celebrating the community that helped us get started and continues to support us through ten years of running, beer, and friendship.

Now back to race day and the awesomeness that comes with it.

We love running, beer, celebratory drinks, live music, friends, and giveaways! That’s exactly what our 5k race series is all about. It’s a day packed with all our favorite things. Join us for a scenic 5k run/walk followed by an unbeatable after-race expo featuring beer, cider, music, food, and giveaways. Best of all, everything is included in your race entry!

**GOODIES:**

**Custom Race Hat:** Your race entry includes an event-customized race run hat! Made with tech material, featuring a soft headband, and adorned with an amazing and exclusive race print. Two printed are available for you to choose from this year.

**Chip-Timed 5k:** Accurately track your race time with our chip-timed system.

**Free Race Photos:** Capture your memories with complimentary race photos.

**Race Expo Entry:** Enjoy Left Hand Beer, cider, and food at the race expo.

**Swag Bag:** Receive a swag bag full of fun from all our sponsors.

**Special Discounts:** Exclusive discounts at Shoes & Brews on both sale and full-priced items, with additional markdowns for that weekend only.

**Hoka Demo Shoes:** Try out Hoka demo shoes for packet pick-up and race day. Earn bonus raffle tickets by visiting the booth and testing the shoes!

**Hydration Station:** Stay hydrated with our friends at Skratch Labs. Stop by their tent before or after the race for hydration and our favorite sport energy chews!

**Raffle Giveaway:** Every participant is entered into a raffle giveaway with thousands of dollars in gear, beer, and more!

**Optional Race Tee:** Add an optional race tee during registration to guarantee the best price and stock, while supplies last!

**Wave Starts:**

**ELITE Wave:**
**Start Time:** 9:30 am
- For anyone feeling fast and fancy on race day! 
- If you believe you will clock in a time under 22 minutes for the 5k, select this option when registering.
- (Note: You can change your wave at any time if you're not feeling as fast on race day.)

**OPEN Wave:**
**Start Time:** 10:00 am
- For anyone feeling fancy and expecting a time over 22 minutes for the 5k!
- Run, walk, jog, skip—pups, kids, everyone is welcome in this wave.

**Prizes:**
- Each wave will have prizes for the overall female and male winners.
- Age group prizes will be awarded to the first and second place in each age group.

**Virtual Wave:**
- Can't make it on race day but still want to join the fun?
- Select the Virtual Race option and receive all the same goodies shipped directly to you!
- Track your run on race day from wherever you are.
- Receive a Free Pint card to visit us for that after-race beer whenever you have time!

**Race Start and Finish:**

**Chip-Timed:** The race is chip-timed for both the elite and open heats.
  
**Location:** The race will start and finish at Shoes & Brews (63 S. Pratt Parkway, Unit B, Longmont, CO 80501).

 **Course:** The course is an out-and-back with a lollipop loop along the beautiful St. Vrain Greenway. Race map to be updated shortly.
  
**After-Race Festivities:** All post-race activities will be at Shoes & Brews.

**After-Race Fun:**

- Participants, along with their friends and family, are welcome to attend the after-race festivities.
  
- Participants will receive complimentary beer, cider, and after-race snacks with their bibs.
  
- Friends and family can purchase a brew fest ticket to drink outside or buy drinks inside at the bar. Both options are available and can be decided race day as well. 

**Prizes and Winning Gear:**

**ELITE Wave Prizes:**
- **Overall Female and Male Winners:** If you win overall in the ELITE wave, you’ll walk away with **YOUR WEIGHT IN BEER** from Left Hand Brewing! That's right—cases of beer piled up high! Keep it all, share with friends, or throw an epic party to celebrate!

**OPEN Wave Prizes:**
- **Overall Female and Male Winners:** Win the OPEN wave and receive a pair of brand new kicks from our footwear sponsor, Hoka!

**Age Group Prizes:**
- **Categories:** 21 and under, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, 71-80, 81 and up.
  - **1st Place:** A growler and fill from Left Hand Brewing.
  - **2nd Place:** A Crowler fill of your choice from Shoes & Brews.

**Raffle Giveaway:**
- Not feeling fast? No worries! Stick around for the awards and enter our massive raffle giveaway. Drop the special pull tab from your bib into our raffle basket for a chance to win hundreds of prizes, including shoes, apparel, beer, accessories, gift certificates, and more!

**Supporting Our Community:**

One of the highlights of our race series is knowing that your participation benefits the community. 

This year, we're excited to announce that part of the race proceeds will support **The Left Hand Brewing Foundation**. Their mission, which we wholeheartedly support, is to "brew a stronger community where we work, live, and play." The LHB Foundation collaborates with local non-profits to address issues and emergencies right here in the Longmont community.

Learn more about the great work they do [HERE].

**Important Details:**

 **Race Day:** Saturday, November 2nd, 2024
 **Wave Starts:** 9:30 am (Elite) & 10:00 am (Open).
 **Race Start & Finish Location:** Shoes & Brews (63 S. Pratt Parkway, Unit B, Longmont, CO 80501).
 **Parking:** Available in and around Shoes & Brews. A team of parking attendants will guide you to designated spots. Carpooling, drop-offs, and biking are strongly encouraged.

**Race Registration:**

**Online or In-Store @ Shoes & Brews**

   **$50** through September 30, 2024
   **$55** from October 1 to October 29, 2024
   **$60** from October 30 to race day / sell-out

**Packet Pickup:**

 **Thursday,  10/31:** 3:00-8:00 PM @ Shoes & Brews (Join us for a shake-out run along the course during our weekly SOCIAL run at 6:00 PM)
  
 **Friday, 11/1:** 2:00-8:00 PM @ Shoes & Brews
  
 **Race Day, Saturday, 11/2: ** 8:30-9:45 AM @ the Shoes & Brews tent

**Note:** Packet pickup before race day is suggested if possible.

**Race Day Highlights:**

 **Beer:** Left Hand Brewing & Shoes & Brews
 **Cider:** Wild Cider
 **Live Music:**
 **Hydration:** Skratch Labs
 **Water Sponsor:** 
 **Non-Alcoholic Beverages:** Athletic Brewing Company
 **Partners @ After-Party:** 
 **Warm-Up Leaders:** Training for Warriors—leading a pre-race warm-up at 9:45 AM
 **After-Race Food:** 

**A Few Reminders & Notes:**

 **ID Requirement:** If you plan to enjoy any +21 beverages, please bring your ID. Our staff will be on hand to check IDs and provide wristbands for those over 21.

**Friends and Family:** They are welcome to join us on the race course to cheer everyone on and at the after-race festivities at Shoes & Brews. There is no fee to enter the after-race expo. However, if you want to enjoy an adult beverage, you can purchase a brew fest ticket as a spectator. Drinks are included for all participants. We also have a 20-tap system with beer and cider available inside, as well as wine, sodas, kombucha, sparkling hard seltzer, and some great non-alcoholic options!

 **Volunteers:** Interested in volunteering and earning some free beers, food, and swag? Email [email protected] for details.

 **Get Involved:** If you or your business want to get involved, reach out to us at [email protected].