Getting to the Race & Parking
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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 8,000 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 I64/Highway 40 exits 38 B Market Street and 39 A Market Street/21st Street 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 unless otherwise posted). Some lots or garages may charge $5.
Drop-off & Pick-up zone is located behind Soldiers' Memorial on Pine Street. Enter Pine from Tucker Boulevard. 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 Street 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 Street just west of Tucker Boulevard.
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.
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 atmosphere 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?
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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 ChronoTrack Live and follow the instructions under "Messaging Set Up."
You MUST complete this second step in order for the texting to work.
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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 10.
In the race bag you will find special offers, coupons and sponsor messages.
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Save the Date
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11/16/13
Mark your calendars for the Fall 2013 Girls on the Run 5k. Join us on Saturday, November 16 in Downtown St. Louis!
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Sponsor Offers
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 Be sure to check the back of your bib after the race for a valuable coupon from Big River Running Company! Just bring your bib into any of the Big River locations to receive a free pair of socks with any regular priced shoe purchase. Don't worry - you'll get your bib back!
All Locations: Big River West County 14047 Manchester Road Manchester, MO 63011 Big River South City 5352 Devonshire Avenue St. Louis, MO 63109 Big River O'Fallon 2548 Hwy K O'Fallon, MO 63368
20% OFF AT CHILL
All School-Year Long!
Let any Chill Team Member know you are part of Girls on the Run St. Louis and not only will you receive 20% off your frozen treat all season long - you'll also receive a special "Chill Girl" punch card! Fill up your special "Chill Girl" punch card 5 times and chill for FREE on your next visit! Pick up your punch card at any Chill location.
ALL LOCATIONS:
Chill Wydown
7610 Wydown Blvd.
Clayton, MO 63105
Chill Des Peres
11935 Manchester Rd.
Des Peres, MO 63131
Chill Ladue
9793 Clayton Rd.
Ladue, MO 63124
Sponsorship Opportunities:
We are looking for companies to help us deliver our life changing program to thousands of girls in the St. Louis region. This means exposure to 5,000+ girls and their families, and 1,000+ adult volunteers for both fall and spring seasons, as well as visibility at our 5k race at the end of each season. If you're interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Katy Sommer.
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Support our Race Sponsors
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National Sponsors
  Local Sponsors             Media Partners
Food Truck Partners    
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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 Tanya. |
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Special 5k Race Edition - May 2013
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Letter from Executive Director
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Dear Girls on the Run Community,
3-2-1, BLAST OFF!
This Saturday, May 11, Downtown St. Louis will be taken over by our intergalactic superstars - nearly 3,600 amazing Girls on the Run from 159 different schools! This will be an incredible celebration!
This season our race theme is, "Out of This World," because we believe all our girls and coaches are exactly that: superstars who know that being a Girl on the Run means believing in who you are and knowing your own, unique ability to reach for the stars. One of our Girls on the Run from Illini Elementary in Fairview Heights affirmed this during my visit to their practice. "When you are a Girl on the Run you know who you are is awesome! I am AWESOME!" I couldn't agree more!
Thank you for being part of 10 life-changing years of Girls on the Run St. Louis and helping every girl know that she is AWESOME! I am excited to cheer each of you on as you run "Out of This World" on Saturday - astronaut suit optional!
Sincerely,
Courtney Berg
Executive Director, Girls on the Run St. Louis
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Girls on the Run 5k - Saturday, May 11
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The race is only 3 days away!
"Alien"up for an out of this world time and join Girls on the Run at our spring 5k on Saturday, May 11. As the largest timed 5k in St. Louis, our races are held in Downtown St. Louis (Soldiers' Memorial, 1315 Chestnut St St Louis, MO 63103).
The spring 5k acts as the culminating celebration of the season and benefits the GOTR-STL scholarship fund, which ensures every girl that wants to participate in the program can regardless of their ability to pay the program fee.
The bi-annual 5k run is a grand celebration with activities such as music and dancing, hair painting, food trucks, vendors, games and much more. The event is chip timed and open to the general public. GOTR anticipates nearly 8,000 runners at this family-friendly event. We welcome runners and walkers of all paces.
Registration
Online registration is still open and will remain open through race morning. Click here
to register online.
You can also register in-person at all three packet pick-up locations on Thursday, 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.
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 9 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and
Friday, May 10 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, May 11th from 6:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. in front of Soldiers' 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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Honorary Race Chair Shannon Leinert
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Olympic qualifier Shannon Leinert will serve as Honorary Race Chair
We are excited to share that our Spring 2013 5k honorary race chair is Shannon Leinert, Olympic qualifier, and St. Louis native. She will be the official race starter, running the 5k alongside the teams and celebrating with the girls after they run. Leinert is completing her doctorate in special education at the University of Missouri Columbia while training for the 2016 Olympic trials in track and field.
"Shannon truly embodies the Girls on the Run values that our girls have spent 10 weeks learning about and making their own. As she pursues her goals, we are proud to have her celebrate the culminating goal for the 3,500 girls in our program this season," said Courtney Berg, executive director of GOTR-STL.
Shannon would like to share a note of encouragement to all of the GOTR teams and runners. Here is an excerpt from her note to the girls:
Hi Girls on the Run, Coaches and Runners!
My name is Shannon Leinert and I am this year's Girls on the Run St. Louis honorary race chair. This means I will talk to you at the start of the race, run with you during the race, and congratulate you after the race. Who knows? You may even see me dancing in Race Village after the race!
I have been running just like you since I was 8 years old. Although Girls on the Run didn't exist when I was growing up, I was surrounded by supportive coaches, teachers, family, and friends who inspired me to LEARN, DREAM, LIVE, and RUN!
Now, Girls on the Run inspires you to LEARN, DREAM, LIVE, and RUN!
Please find the rest of Shannon's letter here. She is excited to participate in the race - keep an eye out for this shooting star in Race Village on Saturday!
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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 (Event Espresso, Free Happy Hair, Food Trucks, GOTR merchandise tent and more!)
7:00 a.m. - Suggested arrival time for GOTR participants. Meet your team in the School Village. Map available on our website.
7:40 a.m. - 5k runners should be lined up
7:45 a.m. - 1-mile Fun Run Starts
7:50 a.m. - Announcements from Executive Director, Courtney Berg; remarks by Honorary Race Chair, Shannon Leinert; and National Anthem sung by Grace Jegle, Girls on Track alum at Gateway Science Academy.
8:00 a.m. - START of 5k!
8:30 a.m. - Utopia music & dancing begins
9:45 a.m. - Duck Race results and raffle drawing at the stage
11:30 a.m. - Race Village Closes
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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 immediately behind the start line. Faster runners should line up toward the front of that group and slower runners should line up towards the back of that group, but before the Girls on the Run participants/schools. Grade school-aged children (boys or girls) will be asked to line up behind adults 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) 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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Girls on the Run Merchandise for Sale at the 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 ...
- Short-sleeved white 5k tech tee ($18)
- Long-sleeved hooded sweatshirts (red or pink) ($28)
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 Vendors to Offer Runners Fuel Post-Race
Each truck will be selling a variety of healthy, delicious treats.
Chill Frozen Yogurt will have some of their delicious frotzen yogurt cups for sale at their tent across from the DJ station in Race Village. And of course Event Espresso Catering will be in Race Village serving up coffee and espresso drinks and hot chocolate that will get you going in the morning. Help us welcome our newest partners and stop by when you're at the race.
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Thank You Volunteers
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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 more than 300 people who have signed up to volunteer and are committed to making this race a success.
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