Getting to the Race
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Arrive early to allow time to get from your car to the race start. You may have to do some walking. There will be more than 5,500 race participants, so please be patient when parking.
We highly encourage carpooling! Metrolink is a GREAT option! The Civic Center stop (by Scottrade Center) is only one long block from Race Village. To ensure we have a safe environment for our race participants, the course will be completely closed to traffic and two highway exits will be closed.
Westbound highway exits 38 B Market St. and 39 A Market St./21st St. will be closed from 6:30 - 10 a.m. due to the race course.
Parking: There is LOTS of free street parking available downtown (no meter charges on Saturdays). Some lots or garages may charge $5.
Drop-off & Pick-up zone is located behind Soldiers' Memorial on Pine Street. Enter Pine from Tucker Blvd. Drivers can drop off passengers with an adult. This will also serve as the pick-up location after the race.
Buses - buses should drop off passengers on Pine St. behind Soldiers' Memorial and proceed away from the race course to find free street parking OR they may park at the lot at St. Charles and Tucker. The charge for that lot will be $10.
Handicapped Parking is available on Market St. just west of Tucker Blvd.
Maps and more information can be found on the Girls on the Run website. Click here!
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Race Etiquette & Policies
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To help facilitate a positive race experience for all runners and walkers, we ask that you practice standard 5k etiquette:
Please do not push or rush to the starting line once the gun goes off. The race is chip timed, so your time won't start until you cross the starting line. No need to hurry! Walk calmly and orderly to the starting line and then start running.
As much as possible, please try to run at an even pace the entire race instead of starting and stopping, sprinting and walking, etc.
Should you need to walk, please move to the far right of the street and try to ease your pace into a walk instead of abruptly stopping.
Allow runners to pass on the left.
Please pass slower runners/walkers on the left.
If you see a runner who needs medical attention, please alert a Course Marshal.
Run or walk in pairs only. No groups of three or more across the street as it would block other runners from passing.
No dogs may accompany runners/walkers in the 5k.
No bicycles are allowed on the race course (except for designated bike marshals).
Strollers are discouraged on the race course for safety reasons. If we see a stroller, we will tell the participant to move to the absolute very back of the race (even if running with a Girl on the Run participant).
iPods and other personal music players are highly discouraged. Running music free helps to make the race safer and allows you to really take in the atmophere of the race!
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Weather Policy
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We will run rain or shine, but we will delay the race if there is thunder, lightning or severe weather. We will post an announcement on the Girls on the Run St. Louis website and Facebook page if there is severe weather threatening the race. We will delay the start of the race (if necessary) up to one hour.
We consider your race registration fee a donation. No refunds will be given even in the event of race cancellation due to weather.
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| Did you complete the second step to enable free text messaging? |
If you registered online, you had the option to sign up for free text messaging and social media postings.
In order to complete set up of Facebook/Twitter messaging or text messaging, please refer to your confirmation email from Bazu Sports and follow the instructions under "Messaging Set Up." You MUST complete this second step in order for the texting to work.  |
| Virtual Race Bag |
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Girls on the Run St. Louis has partnered with Virtual Race Bags in an effort to "go green." Participants should expect to see the Virtual Race Bag via e-mail on Friday, May 11.
In the race bag you will find special offers, coupons and sponsor messages. But wait, there's more! Soon after the event, participants will also receive personalized results via email in their "results bag." So watch for your Virtual Race Bag and Get Your Green On!
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| SAVE THE DATE |
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 11/17/12
Mark your calendars for the Fall 2012 Girls on the Run 5k. Join us on Saturday, November 17 in Downtown St. Louis!
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Support our Race Sponsors
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National Sponsors
   Local Sponsors             Media Partners
Alum on the Run Sponsor
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Join Us, Follow Us, Share with Us
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If you have any questions or comments about this e-newsletter, please e-mail Katie. |
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Special 5k Race Edition - May 2012
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Dear Girls on the Run Superheroes,
Is your cape ready? Are you prepared to fly through the streets of St. Louis with 2,600 amazing Girls on the Run participants from nearly 130 different schools? The Girls on the Run 5k is here and I could not be more excited! What a wonderful way to celebrate 10 amazing years of empowering more than 10,000 girls by having our first race in downtown St. Louis.
Our race theme is "Be Your Own Superhero," something the girls and coaches in our program live every day. Being a Girl on the Run means believing in who you are and knowing your own, unique inner strength, or super power. This Saturday, May 12, we will have the streets of St. Louis filled with superheroes!
Welcoming all of us to our new race home will be our two incredible Honorary Race Co-Chairs: St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay and Girls on the Run St. Louis Founding Council Director, Jill Indovino.
Thank you for being part of ten life-changing years of Girls on the Run. I look forward to cheering each of you on as you find your inner superhero at our 5k on Saturday, cape optional!
Sincerely, Courtney Berg Executive Director, Girls on the Run St. Louis 
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Girls on the Run 5k - Saturday, May 12
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| | The race is only four days away!
Girls on the Run St. Louis is celebrating 10 years helping more than 10,000 girls in the St. Louis metropolitan area improve their self-esteem through a character development program that combines life skills lessons with training for a 5k. During these 10 years, Girls on the Run St. Louis has grown from just 20 girls meeting at a park bench to nearly 2,600 girls at 127 schools in 19 counties in Missouri and Illinois this spring.
"Be Your Own Superhero" and join Girls on the Run at our spring 5k on Saturday, May 12. As the largest timed 5k in St. Louis, we outgrew Forest Park and will be holding the race in Downtown St. Louis (Soldiers' Memorial).
The spring 5k acts as the culminating celebration of the season and benefits the GOTR scholarship fund, which ensures every girls that wants to participate in the program can regardless of their ability to pay the program fee.
The semi-annual 5k run is a grand celebration with activities such as music and dancing, Happy Hair, food trucks, vendors, games and much more. The event is chip timed and open to the general public. GOTR anticipates nearly 6,000 runners at this family-friendly event. We welcome runners and walkers of all paces.
Registration
Online registration is still open and will remain open until Friday, May 11 at midnight. Click here to register online. Paper forms are no longer being accepted.
You can also register in-person at all three packet pick-up locations on Thursday or Friday or on race morning, starting at 6:45 a.m. at the Registration area in front of Soldiers' Memorial. NOTE: All girls who are participating in the program are already registered for the race. The coaches have the girls' race bibs. We cannot accommodate refunds or transfers. We will consider your registration fee a donation.
#1 Race Bib Auction
The winner of the Facebook auction for the #1 Race Bib is Emily Petterson, a head GOTR coach at Chesterfield Elementary. An anonymous donor wanted to recognize Emily for bringing the GOTR program to Chesterfield Elementary this spring. Congrats, Emily and thank you for your support of Girls on the Run St. Louis! You are a hero!
Packet Pick-Up
Because our race is so large, we highly encourage you to pick-up your packet prior to race day.
Packets will be available for pick-up on
Thursday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and
Friday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
at all three Big River Running Co. locations.
We are using "dynamic bib assignment" so your bib won't be assigned until you show up to pick it up. It doesn't matter what packet pick-up location you selected when you registered, you can go to any location to get your shirt and race number.
If you are unable to pick up your packet prior to race day, it will be available on race morning between 6:45 and 8:15 a.m. at the Registration area in front of Soldier's Memorial.
Commemorative race shirts will be available while supplies last.
NOTE: If your daughter is in the program, her coach has her race bib. The registration area will not have her bib.
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Race Timeline
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| | It will be a great day to be a "Girl on the Run!"
6:45 a.m. - Packet Pick-up and Race Day Registration Opens
7:00 a.m. - Race Village Opens (On-site Espresso, Free Happy Hair, Food Trucks, GOTR merchandise tent and more!)
7:15 a.m. - Suggested arrival time for GOTR participants. Meet your team in the School Village. Map available on our website.
8:00 a.m. - 1-mile Fun Run Starts
8:10 a.m. - 5k runners should be lined up
8:15 a.m. - Announcements from Executive Director, Courtney Berg; remarks by Honorary Race Co-Chairs, Mayor Slay and St. Louis GOTR Council Founder Jill Indovino; and National Anthem sung by Grace Jegle, 6th grade, Girls on Track participant at Gateway Science Academy.
8:30 a.m. - START of 5k!
9:00 a.m. - Utopia music & dancing begins
10:00 a.m. - Duck Race & Raffle drawing along finish area
11:30 a.m. - Race Village Closes
For a printable version of this timeline, click here.
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Race Timing, Start Procedure, Results and More!
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| Race is Chip Timed
The 5k will be chip-timed. Every runner will receive a timing chip affixed to the back of their race number. The chip should NOT be removed from the race bib. Do not bend or wrinkle your race number. Please wear your race number visibly on the front of your shirt (not on your back). Starting Procedure The chip will record the time you cross the starting line and the time you cross the finish line. There is no need to rush to the front of the start. Please be patient and know that your time doesn't start until you pass over the starting line. General public runners should line up in Area 1 at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the race. Area 1 - All General Public Runners
Any runners who are not running with a girl are encouraged to line up in the first area regardless of their projected finish time. However, faster runners should line up toward the front of Area 1 and slower runners should line up towards the back of that area, but before the Girls on the Run participants/schools. Grade school-aged children (boys or girls) will be asked to line up behind adults in Area 1 regardless of how fast they are. Girls on the Run Participants & Running Buddies The GOTR participants, coaches and their running buddies will be lined up in School Village (Areas 2, 3 & 4) along Market Street and then onto 13th street. The schools will be lined up alphabetically. The schools will proceed to the starting line after the race begins. Remember ... there is no rush to get to the starting line. Results Age group awards for the top three finishers will be available on-site at the Information tent starting at 9:15 a.m. All runner's results will be available immediately after a runner finishes the race in the Results area in front of Soliders' Memorial. That afternoon, all results will be available online at www.girlsontherunstlouis.org and www.bigriverrunning.com. 
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Quack, Quack
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| | Duck Race & Raffle Benefit GOTR Scholarship Fund
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Johnson Wabash's Team Duck!
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The Girls on the Run Junior Board presents the fourth annual duck race in connection with the spring 5k. Girls on the Run St. Louis will "race" thousands of small rubber ducks down a man-made stream along the streets of downtown St. Louis.
Duck raffle tickets are being sold to raise money for the GOTR scholarship fund to allow us to continue providing our empowering program to all girls regardless of financial status.
Purchase your duck raffle tickets online here through Thursday, May 10 or on race morning at the Information tent until 8:30 a.m.
Tickets are $5 for one or $20 for five tickets.
Prizes: The first place winner will receive $1,500, second place $1,000 and third place $500. Need not be present to win. *The winner of the duck raffle will be determined by a random computer drawing and not by the ducks in the actual race.*
Watch the duck race at 10 a.m. on Chestnut Street near the finish area!
This season each Girls on the Run and Girls on Track team had a rubber duck as their mascot. Many of the teams decorated their mascots and the girls took turns bringing the duck home with them between practices.
We invite you to check out the teams' ducks, which will be on display in the park across from Solider's Memorial in Race Village.
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Girls on the Run Merchandise for Sale at Race
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| Get the latest and greatest "merch" at the race and support a great cause
As always, we'll have plenty of GOTR-branded tech tees and merchandise for sale at the race so everyone will have a chance to sport GOTR gear all while supporting this great organization!
Some of the items include ...
- 5" inseam shorts ($30)
- Short-sleeved black tech tee ($20)
- Short-sleeved yellow-green premium tech tee ($25)
- Long-sleeve white soft cotton tee ($15)
Classic GOTR merchandise will also be available. We can take credit cards! Proceeds from your purchases help Girls on the Run St. Louis continue to operate and expand! Sizes subject to availability.
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Satisfy Your Hunger After the 5k
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| | Food Trucks to Offer Runners Fuel Post-Race
Girls on the Run is excited to partner with four amazing food trucks who will be vending delicious fare after the race. Once you've worked up a sweat and an appetite, either running or walking in the race or cheering, visit Go! Gyro! Go!, Sarah's Cake Stop, The Summer Truck and Zia's Food Truck who will be downtown in the GOTR 5k Race Village.
Each truck will be selling a variety of healthy, delicious and sometimes indulgent treats to keep you fueled up for the day. Just like Girls on the Run St. Louis, the trucks are homegrown and ready to support the girls. Help us welcome our newest partners and stop by when you're at the race.
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Thank You Volunteers ... Still Need a Few More
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| 300 people will help make our race run smoothly
It takes a lot of man/girl power to create an incredible race experience for Girls on the Run 5k participants. We've had an overwhelming response from volunteers.
A huge thank you to the nearly 300 people who have signed up to volunteer and are committed to making this race a success.
We still need a few more course marshals on race day. Click here to sign up to volunteer. It's a great volunteer job because you get to watch all of the runners go by. Be ready to cheer! |
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