The Bellin Run in Allouez grows in popularity just about every year. This past summer more than 16-thousand people participated in the race. But as NBC26 reports, some who live along the races route are fed up with the street closures they have to deal with.
Tonight Allouez village leaders are hearing from residents along the path of the Bellin Run. They've opened up the discussion to see what they could possibly do to appease those on the front lines of the race who don’t appreciate there vehicles and life being put on hold as the race wraps up.
The Bellin Run started in 1977 with just over 700 athletes. Today one of the region’s largest races brings in over 16-thousand runners. And with numbers like that some neighborhoods are shut down for part of the day, as participants run the course...
"There's gotta be an alternative to allow residents to be able to leave their homes during the race," says a concerned citizen of Allouez at Tuesday’s Village Hall meeting.
At Allouez Village Hall the board is listening to those impacted.
"It's closed every which way where I am," adds one concerned citizen.
The board understands some don't like to be confined to their homes for hours as a result of what's going on in their front yards. Representatives of the Bellin Run understand too.
"Every year we get a handful a couple of concerns," says Randy Van Straten the Executive Director of the Bellin Run.
Van Straten goes one step further saying that he wants the feedback.
"In many cases they help us basically improve confidences for residents," adds Van Straten.
And the village board, they decided Tuesday evening to encourage Bellin to continue the run as is. Though they did suggest that Bellin give more details about where and when to park vehicles, to those neighborhoods impacted by the daily foot traffic.
The Bellin Run will celebrate 40 years in the Green Bay area this summer. Organizers say if you do need assistance getting in or out your neighborhood during the events, it's best to contact them early to see if they can help you. Adding that in many cases, they likely would.
