Fifth Season Races medals held up by U.S. Customs

CEDAR RAPIDS — Nearly 2,000 runners crossed the finish line at Tuesday's 32nd annual Fifth Season Races in downtown Cedar Rapids.

But due to an issue with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, there were no medals for finishers to hang around their necks.

'The medals were held up in customs at Lexington, Ky.' Mark Powers, president of Corridor Running, which hosted the races, said in an email to The Gazette. 'The supplier invoice listed a value of $445,000 for the six boxes of medals. Obviously, the value placed on these medals had two extra zeros attached to the end."

Powers said customs officials would not release the medals for shipment until Corridor Running officials could provide a copy of the invoice.

'We learned of this on Monday, July 3, when UPS called me,' Powers said. 'Delivery was guaranteed to us by July 3.'

The Corridor Running Club is working with its vendor to determine when the medals are going to arrive. When the medals do arrive, participants will be able to either pick one up at a select distribution location or have it shipped to them in the mail.

According to Powers, race participants who live in the Corridor can pick up their medal at the following locations:

• We Run — 555 Highway 965 South, North Liberty and 1950 Dodge Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids.

• Iowa Running Co., 1000 Third St. SE, Suite 2, Cedar Rapids.

Proof of participation will be the runner's race bib. A complete list of finishers will be available at each of the local running stores as well.

'For those who may have discarded their race bib, we will still provide them with a race medal,' Powers said.

Medals will be mailed to finishers who live outside of the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City areas.

'The cost of mailing the medals will be covered by the medal supplier,' Powers said. 'We will mail the medals to the addresses listed on each participant's race registration.'

Those wish questions about how to get their medal can send an email to info@corridorrunning.com.

Powers said he appreciates the patience of participants as race organizers 'work through this unfortunate circumstance.'

'We work hard to deliver a great race day experience,' he said.

l Comments: (319) 368-8538; elianna.novitch@thegazette.com