Spider Dash FAQ

The Spider Dash 5K is open to all students, staff, faculty, retirees, and alumni — and their dependents and spouse or guest. Registration for the Spider Dash 5K opened in early December to students, staff, and faculty and will open in mid-January for alumni and retirees.

The 2025 Spider Dash 5k is an in-person race only. The committee will consider a virtual component for future events.

If you aren’t interested in running or walking but would like to be part of the event, volunteers are needed for a variety of positions. 

Registration costs are:

• $15 each for UR Students
• $25 each for alumni, UR staff, faculty, retirees, and their dependents
• $10 each for children 9 and under 

Registration for 2025 will open for students, faculty, and staff on Monday, December 2, 2024. Alumni and retirees will be able to register in early January 2025.

Packet pickup will be held in the Well-Being Center on February 21 from Noon to 6 p.m. Packets may also be picked up the morning of the race between 7:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.

Your ID will be required for packet pickup. Please remember to bring it along.

We are unable to mail race packets.

No, packets must be picked up in person.

Entry fees are non-refundable, even in the case of a race cancellation, postponement, event format changes, and/or if you are unable to participate. Race numbers and entries cannot be transferred to another person. No exceptions. This means once we have received your entry, you will not receive a refund if you cannot participate, and you may not give or sell your number to anyone else. Anyone found participating with another person’s number will be disqualified.

If you purchased the race insurance from Run Sign Up, you will need to submit your refund request to the insurance company directly. Read the information here on how to file a claim. 

The course from the SpiderDash 5k was designed and test run by staff in Recreation, Health Promotion, and Dining Services. 

The course is not certified. This is a fun run for the UR campus community. 

Walkers are encouraged to participate.

Yes, we use chip timing for the SpiderDash. A team of volunteers from the Richmond Road Runners Club will manage the race’s finishing. 

There will be three portable toilets on the Forum near the Gottwald Science Center. 

A water stop will be available mid-way through the course.

Baby joggers and strollers are allowed, but we ask those participants to stay toward the back of the pack so that they do not impede other runners.

Pets are not allowed at the SpiderDash 5k.

Headphones are allowed; however, we strongly encourage participants to abstain from using headphones during the race and enjoy the camaraderie of participating with fellow Spiders.

Parking will be available for participants in Lots W87, U6, and U8. 

Lot W87 is the Modlin Center lot. Participants can walk through the Modlin Center, across Westhampton Green, and down to the start at the Heilman Dining Center.

For lots U6 and U8, participants can walk through the Tyler Haynes Commons to the start line.

View Parking Map.

We encourage all participants and spectators to arrive with enough time to ensure parking and allow for adequate time to warm up. If you are picking up your packet the morning of the race, please arrive by 7 a.m.

The Spider Dash 5k volunteers are unable to store personal belongings during the race. Please leave all personal belongings in your room or vehicle. Throw away layers not retrieved by 10 a.m. will be donated.

The Spider Dash 5k will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2025. The race will run rain or shine. Participants must start the race on time in their chosen wave. So that roads can open as soon as possible, the race start will close at 8:12 a.m. and late starts will not be permitted. 

There will be 3 waves:

• 8 a.m. – Runners
• 8:05 a.m. – Walkers
• 8:10 a.m. – Runners/Walkers with strollers

Spectators are encouraged along the racecourse. Those wishing to participate in the post-race brunch and awards ceremony in the Heilman Center Dining Hall will need to purchase a meal prior to brunch. The Heilman Dining Center accepts credit, cash, SpiderCard, Dining Dollars, and student meal plan swipes.

There will be an awards ceremony during breakfast. Awards will be given to the top finisher in each age group by gender (Male, Female, Nonbinary). We will recognize first-place with an award, and second and third-place finishers with a certificate.

Remember to wear your Spider gear! An award will also be given to the participant with the most SpiderPride!