Sunburst moves finish line from Notre Dame Stadium to Century Center

For years, runners finished the Beacon Health System Sunburst Races' 5K, 10K and half marathon races similar to the way Notre Dame football players begin their home games.

Sunburst participants would run through the tunnel into Notre Dame Stadium, with the iconic Touchdown Jesus mural behind them and fans cheering from the stands.

However, unlike the Fighting Irish football team, after crossing the 50-yard line, Sunburst runners were done with their athletic feats for the day. Instead of lining up to tackle their opponents on the gridiron, the runners lined up for water, Gatorade and snacks.

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Tara Sabo of St. Joseph grew up in South Bend and has run Sunburst at least five times.

"Obviously, Notre Dame is a big deal. Anybody who lives around there knows that being able to get inside the stadium has always been a really big treat," she said. "Running Sunburst, having that 50-yard-line finish, running through the tunnel and getting that experience was really a big motivator to sign up for the race."

That's why, Sabo said, she is disappointed that this year, the Sunburst Races will not finish in Notre Dame Stadium. Instead, they will finish at Century Center in downtown South Bend.

"When I found out they weren't doing it this year, it kind of instantly changed the dynamics of the race, at least for me," Sabo said. "Now, it's just a standard road race with your everyday, average finish line."

Sunburst has been a South Bend summer tradition for 39 years. For the past 12, it has benefitted Beacon Children's Hospital's child life specialists, trained professionals who strive to make kids' stays in the hospital more comfortable through fun and age-appropriate activities.

This year's 5K walk and run, 10K run and half marathon races take place Saturday, June 3, along an out-and-back course starting and finishing at Century Center.

According to Sunburst race director Courtney Kipker, Sunburst organizers decided to move the finish line to Century Center to allow for more post-race activities. Kipker said that although the Sunburst team has a "great partnership" with Notre Dame and could have had the finish line at the stadium again if they wanted to, Sunburst decided to place more of an emphasis on "participant experience" this year.

"I mean, it is amazing to finish in Notre Dame Stadium … but at Notre Dame, we didn't have the opportunity to have a post-race celebration," Kipker said. "When a runner finished and left the field, they would go get their water, their Gatorade and their snacks, and there was really nothing for them to do to hang around and celebrate."

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At Century Center, Sunburst plans to host multiple post-race parties tailored to participants' interests. For example, Kipker said, they are planning an adult party with music, food and drinks as well as a family-friendly party that might include face painting, character meet-and-greets and balloon artists.

However, Sabo, who has finished many races over the years, said post-race parties are "not really a draw" for her when it comes to signing up for a race.

"I don't run a race for the post-race activities," she said. "I run a race for the camaraderie of running a race, for the thrill of getting to run through my town and for whatever else spectacular they add to it."

Sabo has not decided whether she'll register for Sunburst this year but said the races take place on what, for her, is a busy weekend because it's her son's ninth birthday. Last year, Sabo and her son ran Sunburst together, but this year, he is less interested in participating because it doesn't finish in Notre Dame Stadium.

Starting and finishing from Century Center will also make Sunburst more family-friendly

Despite worrying that participant numbers could be down this year because the races won't finish in the stadium, Kipker said current registration numbers are actually trending ahead of last year.

In 2022, 4,342 people participated in Sunburst Races. Each year, Kipker said, the races raise about $100,000 for the children's hospital.

"We're sure that there are people who are disappointed that they won't get that Notre Dame finish this year, but … we're looking at the positives," Kipker said. "Even though this is a change, we're still doing our mission of raising funds for Beacon Children's Hospital and putting on an event that we think is well-organized, professional and inviting."

In addition to allowing for post-race festivities, finishing at Century Center will allow participants to walk with strollers and wagons in the 5K walk for the first time because wheels were not allowed on the turf at Notre Dame Stadium.

"This way is a little more family-friendly for the family walk," Kipker said. "We can have families pulling kiddos in wagons, and, in that aspect, it is just more welcoming for families."

Kipker said the out-and-back course will also benefit Sunburst staff and volunteers who won't be as spread out and stretched thin in as many locations. In years past, Sunburst Races started at Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium, and participants had to take a shuttle back from Notre Dame Stadium. This year, shuttles will not be necessary.

Finally, Kipker added, finishing at Century Center will allow spectators and family members to support and reconnect with their runners more quickly because they can be "front and center" instead of watching from the stadium stands.

In Notre Dame Stadium, "you could see your runner on the video board, but you couldn't be right next to them when they finished and give them a high five," Kipker said. "So that's one thing we're excited about … which makes it really cool for participants because, when you've just run 13 miles or six miles or whatever, sometimes you're drained, but seeing happy, cheering people just gives you that motivation to actually cross the finish line."

Email Tribune Staff Writer Claire Reid at cereid@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend's Sunburst Races moves finish line from Notre Dame Stadium