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5K Celebration

Confidence through
Accomplishment

Each season comes to an end with a celebratory 5K. This closing event gives program participants of all abilities a tangible sense of accomplishment. Crossing the finish line instills confidence through completion and is a joyful moment program participants always remember! Everyone in our program receives a commemorative medal to celebrate this incredible achievement.

5K Celebration

Confidence through
Accomplishment

5K Event Details

Event
Girls on the Run 5K Presented by EMC Insurance Companies
Date
May 20, 2023
Location

State Capitol Complex
1007 E Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50319

Time

8:30 AM- Girls on the Run Festival
10:00 AM - Girls on the Run 5K

Price

Registration Type Price
February 3-April 30 Early Bird $25
May 1-18 Standard Pricing $30
May 19-20 Packet Pick-up/Race Day $35

NOTE: Program participants and coaches have already been registered for the 5K and DO NOT need to register.

Let this information guide you for the big event! 

Every GOTR Participants needs a registered adult Running Buddy to accompany them on 5K day. A Running Buddy is any trusted adult 16+, who can run/walk alongside their participant and cheer them on through this day of accomplishment. All Running Buddies, parents and friends running the 5k must register. 

Current Girls on the Run program participants and coaches are automatically registered for the 5K and DO NOT need to register here.  

We have three different registration options for our event: 

  • Running Buddy: A 5K running buddy is someone who is signing up to run one-on-one with a Girls on the Run participants on May 20. This runner must be at least 16 years old and be able to run the pace of the GOTR participant. 
  • Sparkle Runner: Volunteer runners willing to be paired with a GOTR participant or team (as needed) on race morning. Volunteers must be women, 18+ and complete a background check. If Sparkle Runners aren’t paired with a team or participant, you will complete the 5K while cheering and encouraging all participants along the route. 
  • Community Runner: Additional family members, friends and community members interested in running the GOTR 5K. Your support helps fund our financial assistance program. Open to all ages.  

 

Packet Pick-Up 

Packet Pick-up is for running buddies, community runners and sparkle runners only. Coaches and GOTR Participants don't need to attend packet pick-up. At packet pick-up 5K participants will receive their race bib and t-shirt.

  • Friday, May 19 from 4-6 PM at Walnut Creek Y
  • Saturday, May 20 starting at 8:30 AM at the State Capitol Complex

 

Route 

The start/finish will take place on the west side of the capitol on Finkbine Dr. Click here for the full route.

 

Parking

Parking will take place at various Capitol Parking Lots and at the parking garage at E Grand & Pennsylvania. View available public parking options here. Enter the Capitol's address, 1007 E Grand to view all public parking locations.

Volunteers help ensure our end of season 5K celebration is possible. Interested in volunteering at our upcoming 5K event? Fill out our volunteer form today! 

We need volunteers for the following activities to ensure our event is a success! 

  • Set-up and Tear Down
  • Registration
  • Course Marshalls
  • Running Buddies
  • Water Stations
  • Cheer Stations
  • Happy Hair or Face-Painting Station

 

Adult 5K participant smiles while running outdoors through the city

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The course for a 5K is 3.1 miles. 

As a reminder, this is a fun, celebratory event for our participants and not a competitive race. While our fastest 5K participants will complete the course in 25 minutes, most cross the finish line in 30-50 minutes. Everyone who participates is encouraged to walk, roll, push, run or skip at their happy pace!

First, we understand that life happens, and circumstance might make it impossible to attend.

 

We strongly encourage that all participants attend and complete the 5K, as it is the goal that teams are preparing for all season long! It’s the ultimate opportunity to build confidence through accomplishment. Remember, this is the first 5K event for many – including coaches, participants, friends and family members. We are in it together!

For safety reasons, every participant must wear a council-provided race bib that includes their emergency contact information. To ensure every participant crosses the finish line, coaches help connect girls to a running buddy and event volunteers monitor the course. 

Yes. Girls on the Run 5K events are for everyone! All participants can walk, run, push or roll safely and at their own happy pace. Designated parking spots are available.

Running Buddies are an important support person for their GOTR participant at the 5K. Running Buddies accompany their GOTR participant at the event, keep them safe on the 5K course, and motivate them to run/walk the 5K at their own healthy pace! Running Buddies may be a family member, close friend, trusted neighbor, etc. We ask that Running Buddies be 16 years of age or older. Running buddies must register and pay 5K registration fee.

Yes! This is encouraged! This is a great way to accomplish a goal together. 

Community Runners are GOTR enthusiasts who are unaffiliated with a team or participant but interested in supporting our girls and our programming. The event is open to the public - the more the merrier!

5K registration includes a t-shirt, an official 5K bib with pins, a finisher medal, and finish-line snacks.

Yes! Family, friends and community members outside of our program can participate in the event, but must register.

Yes. All 5K registration forms include liability waivers.

Yes! Our Council is selling merchandise to support our program! Be sure to look for our merchandise booth/tent to commemorate this memorable event.

Yes! As this is the highlight of the season, there will be face painting, water stations, happy hair stations and more! Of course, we’ll have merchandise for sale, too!

The 5K will take place RAIN or SHINE. Please plan to join us even if it rains! If there is a chance of severe weather, we will work with local law enforcement to determine if the event needs to be delayed or canceled. Any updates will be communicated by the coaches to families via email and text.

Nous écrire

Interested in sponsoring our council’s programs,
5K or a future event?

Email Us

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Two Girls on the Run Coaches smile while running

Join us for our 5K!

Not a coach or a Girls on the Run participant?  
Register to join our 5K event!