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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 19, 2024
Location

State Capitol Complex
1007 E Grand Ave

Time

8:30 AM- Girls on the Run Pre-Race Events
10:00 AM - Girls on the Run 5K

Price

Registration Type Price
February 16-April 30 Early Bird $25
May 1-May 16 Standard Pricing $30
May 17-May 19 Packet Pick-up/Race Day $35

NOTE: Our 5K is open to all! We invite all runners and walkers to join us for the 5K.

Join us for the 5K – open to all! Whether you run or walk, you're welcome as a community runner. Your participation supports girls throughout central Iowa, helping them be joyful, healthy, and confident. Let's shine together with our Star Power!

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

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

 

We have three different registration options for our event: 

  • 5K Buddy: A 5K Buddy is someone who is signing up to run one-on-one with a Girls on the Run participants on May 19. This buddy 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 5K 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 17 from 4-6 PM at Walnut Creek Y
  • Sunday, May 19 starting at 8:30 AM at the State Capitol Complex

 

Route 

Details coming soon

Parking

Public parking will be available on the State Capitol Complex and City of Des Moines parking garages.

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 5K 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.

5K Buddies are an important support person for their GOTR participant at the 5K. 5K 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! Buddies may be a family member, close friend, trusted neighbor, etc. We ask that 5K Buddies be 16 years of age or older. 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.

If the 5K Celebration is cancelled due to severe weather or another emergency, it will not be rescheduled, and no refunds will be given for this event. In the event of a weather cancellation, teams will move to a site-based 5K Celebration.

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!