Girls on the Run of Gaston County 5k Event Guide Fall 2015 National Partners: 1
Table of Contents Checklist page 3 5k Details/Running Buddies page 4 What to Wear/Medals/5k Unity page 5 Registration/Packet Pick-Up. page 6 Weather/Pet Policy/Merchandise Sales page 7 GOTR Village Map. page 8 I m Here! What do I do now?... page 9 Event Timeline/ How to Volunteer page 10 Course Map with Parking page 11 Frequently Asked Questions page 12 Our Sponsors & Partners page 13 Thank you for your support on this exciting day! We are expecting 1,200 participants in our 5k. Our event guide will provide event details to enhance your experience. Kathleen Boyce, Executive Director - kathleen.boyce@girlsontherun.org - 704-675-7901 Anne Mallonee, Program Manager - anne.mallonee@girlsontherun.org - 704-675-7903 2
Checklist Read this Event Guide, visit our 5k webpage and contact us with any questions you still have. Review parking information and event maps Review team information you received from your coach Check the latest weather forecast and dress appropriately! Our event will be held Rain or Shine Set your alarm and get a good night s sleep! Wear your Garnet GOTR or Purple Heart & Sole program shirt, try to layer underneath so that your shirt shows! Wear running shoes Bring money - lots of fun GOTR merchandise will be on sale! Cash and/or Debit/Credit cards. No checks! Be prepared for some Super, Super GIRL POWER 3
5K DETAILS Who: GOTR Participants, Family, Sponsors, Spectators, & Running Buddies What: Girls on the Run of Gaston County 7th Annual Fall 5k When: Saturday, December 5, 2015 8:30 AM Where: Stowe Park Historic Downtown Belmont Why: Proceeds benefit Girls on the Run of Gaston County scholarship fund which make it possible for every girl to participate regardless of financial circumstances. Running Buddies: *For your child s safety, we remind you that a Running Buddy 16 or older must accompany your daughter. Your daughter is already registered for the race. Running Buddies must register and pay for themselves. We have a limited number of community volunteers who serve as Running Buddies. While Girls on the Run is a non-competitive running program, this event will be timed, so the cut-off for Race Day registration will be strictly enforced. Race volunteers will be monitoring the event. Non-registered participants (bandits) will be excused from the start line. 4
What to Wear: Girls on the Run program participants should wear their garnet program t-shirt. Heart & Sole program participants should wear their purple program t-shirt. Dress for the weather, you may want to layer a long-sleeved shirt underneath. Medals/5k T-shirts: Girls on the Run and Heart & Sole program participants will receive medals at the finish line. (Only program participants receive medals.) After your daughter earns her medal, she will need to wear it and show her bib at the T-shirt table to pick up her commemorative long-sleeved 5k shirt. The bib includes a label with her T-shirt size. Running Buddies will get their bib and shirt when they register or at Packet Pick-Up. Team Unity: We highly encourage GOTR teams to be creative with gimmicks to make their group stand out. Ideas: Tutu s Socks Hats Shoelaces 5
Registration: There are two ways to register for the Girls on the Run 5k: 1. ONLINE: www.gotrgaston.org NOTE: online registration closes Wednesday, 12/3 at midnight. 2. IN PERSON AT PACKET PICK-UP: Thursday 12/3 Noon - 6:00pm Friday 12/4 10:00am - 6:oopm Girls on the Run of Gaston Office 190 S. Oakland Street Gastonia, NC 28052 Race Day Registration: Registration Table is located at the 5k in Stowe Park (under the shelter.) REGISTRATION FEES: Thru 11/2 Through 12/4 5k Day Children 12 and Under $15 $20 $30 Individual $20 $25 $35 Family (4 participants) $50 $60 $85 All locations accept: cash, check, and debit/card cards Girls on the Run Program Participants are already registered for the 5k by GOTR. Packet Pickup: Packets may be picked up early to avoid lines on Saturday! PACKET PICK-UP: Thursday 12/3 Noon - 6:00 pm Friday 12/4 10:00 am - 6:oo pm Girls on the Run of Gaston Office 190 S. Oakland Street Gastonia, NC 28052 RACE DAY PACKET PICK UP: Stowe Park: Saturday, December 5th 7am - 8:15am (Timing is not guaranteed after 8:15am.) 6
Weather: Be prepared to run in any weather, the 5k will run regardless. The police will determine if we will require a delayed start if we experience lightning prior to the beginning of the 5k start. We do not have a weather makeup date. IMPORTANT NOTES: There will be NO refunds for the 2015 races. Entries are non-transferable. GOTR of Gaston County reserves the right to cancel or modify the event due to unfavorable conditions. Registration fees are not refundable in the event of cancellation due to Acts of God Pet Policy: Sorry, no furry friends allowed on the course or at the event! Merchandise Sales: Please remember to bring cash or credit/debit card to purchase items. Checks are not accepted for merchandise sales. Girls on the Run of Gaston County will be selling items with a portion of the proceeds being used for scholarships to ensure that EVERY girl can participate. 7
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I M HERE! WHAT DO I DO NOW? GOTR/Heart & Sole Participants: 1. Find your team and report to your coach. Teams will be lined up in ABC order. 2. Pin your bib on the front of your outer clothing so that it shows. Only pin at the top. Coaches: 1. Check in at Coaches Corner to get your sign and bibs. 2. Locate the sign on the hill with your School/Site name on it. 3. Display your sign until the race begins (take turns with a parent or another coach) this makes it easier for girls to locate their team. 4. Give out No Fizz prizes to girls who participated. Parents/Running Buddies: 1. If you are running and have already registered, go to Packet Pick-Up. 2. If you need to register, go to Race Day Registration to get your bib and T-shirt. Then, Everyone: 1. Go to Happy Hair, Family Fun Zone, and other vendor tables. 2. Shop for great GOTR merchandise! After the Race: 1. Get your medal, a banana, and a water. GOTR/Heart & Sole ONLY: 1. Pick up your long-sleeved 5k T-shirt. You will need to show the back of your bib to get a T-shirt. 2. Take lots of photos at our Photo Stop and Selfie Station! 3. Go to the Gazebo for Awards and No Fizz prizes! 9
Event Timeline: 6:00am 7:00am 8:00am 8:15am 8:30am 9:30am Volunteers arrive for setup Vendor/Sponsor Set-up Race Day Registration Begins Pre-Event Festivities Begin-Happy Hair, Mean Stinks, Tattoos, Music Warm-up/Stretch Session Opening Ceremonies 5k Start Awards, No Fizz Challenge Drawing*, Festivities and Fun *You must be PRESENT to win prizes! Volunteer: Girls on the Run is seeking volunteers to help during the 5k event. Please register to volunteer at: www.raceplanner.com/registrationinfo/event/eypyk2dkyp2c36o Questions? Contact Anne at: 704-675-7903 anne.mallonee @ girlsontherun.org 10
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Frequently Asked Questions: Where is Packet Pick Up and Registration? Packet pickup is at GOTR of Gaston County office: 190 S. Oakland Street - Gastonia, NC 28052 on Thursday, Dec 3rd from 12-6 and Fri. Dec. 4th from 10-6. Can I sign up on race day? Yes! Race Day Registration will begin at 7:00am in Stowe Park. The fee is $30 for children; $35 for adults; and $85 for a family of four. Cash, checks, credit/debit accepted. Is the GOTR 5k timed? Yes! Girls on the Run is non-competitive but we welcome other runners and know that some girls like to try to better their times. Times will be posted after the race and online as well. Is the GOTR 5k for girls only? NO, the event is open to the public! We encourage parents, siblings, friends, grandparents, extended family and supporters to register to run. Do I HAVE to register to run in the race? YES! Every runner must sign a waiver to protect GOTR from liability. Also, the revenue generated from this race allows us to provide scholarships so that EVERY girl can participate, regardless of income. If you are not wearing a bib, you will be asked to step off the course. NO Bandits, Please! Can I run with a jogging stroller? Yes! We just ask that you begin at the back of the starting line pack and keep an eye out for others while on the course. Is the event pet friendly? NO FURRY FRIENDS allowed. I registered, but I cannot make the run, can I get a refund? Unfortunately, we cannot process any refunds. Please think of your money as a donation to a great cause! I have additional questions, who can I contact? Lots of information is available on our website, or you can contact any of the Girls on the Run of Gaston County Team! Our phone numbers and email addresses are listed on page 2 of this guide and on our website at: http://www.gotrgaston.org 12
Presenting Sponsor Finish Line Partners COLLEGE PARK PHARMACY Mile Marker Partners Start Line Partners 13
Community Supporters 14