New Balance Girls on the Run 5k Event Policies & General Information
November 12th, 8:30am – Noon; 10am 5k Start

Girls on the Run (GOTR) of Central Illinois is an experiential afterschool program for girls 3rd – 8th grade that uses the power of running to prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.  The GOTR curriculum creatively incorporates training for a 5k (3.1 miles) with 20 lessons that focus on building self-esteem and improving emotional and physical health, all while helping them develop essential life skills. The program culminates with all participants completing a celebratory 5k event which honors the girls.  Parents, caregivers, siblings and friends of participants as well as community members are encouraged to join in the celebration as 5k participants or encouraging spectators.

To ensure the safety of all participants and facilitate the success of the event, please review and abide by the following:

Race Participants – General Information:

  • Proceeds benefit Girls on the Run of Central Illinois.
  • The 5k event is non-competitive.  5k Girls on the Run medals will be given to all finishers.
  • No official timing will be performed. However, a race clock will be at the finish line, so that participants have the option of noting their time.
  • No strollers, pets or ear buds are permitted on the race course.
  • Only registered runners/walkers are permitted on the race course during the 5k.  All participants are expected to wear the provided race bib.
  • Parents are responsible to determine the appropriateness for their children to participate.
  • We will run rain or shine, but we will delay the race if there is thunder or lightening. We consider your registration fee to be a donation.  No refunds will be given even in the event of race cancellation because of weather.

Registration – Race Participants:

  • Fall program Girls on the Run participants, coaches and running buddies and do not need to register.
  • Online registration (www.gotrcentralillinois.org) is encouraged.  No online transaction fees are passed to registrants.
  • To guarantee a t-shirt, registration must be received by Friday, October 28th.  After this date, t-shirts are not guaranteed and are only provided as available.
  • Online registration cost is $25 through Friday, October 28th and $30 from Saturday, October 29th – Wednesday, November 9th.  Online registration closes Wednesday, November 9th.
  • Paper registration cost is $30 through Friday, November 11th (packet pickup) and $35 on race day.  Cash or check only.  On race day, registrations will be accepted from 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Registration – Volunteers:

  • Volunteers must register on-line (www.gotrcentralillinois.org) by midnight, Sunday, November 6th.  There is no registration fee for volunteers.
  • All volunteers 18 years or older must agree to a Background Check.  Instructions for completing the background check will be emailed within a few days of the volunteer registration being submitted.
  • All volunteers must be 14 years of age or older to be unattended.  Youth 10-13 must be with an adult.  No volunteers under age 10.

Packet Pickup: 

  • GOTR participants, coaches and running buddies do NOT need to attend packet-pickup.  Race bibs and bags will be provided to them on race day.  Coaches will be notified with specific race day instructions.
  • 5k registrants and event volunteers are encouraged to pick up their race bags (race bibs and t-shirts) on Friday, November 11th from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Girls on the Run of Central Illinois office located at 907 Clocktower Drive, Springfield (217-726-9808).  
  • Paper registrations will be accepted at Friday’s packet pickup. 
  • Packet pickup will also be available race day from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Registration Tent in Washington Park.

Event Logistics

  • Schedule: The fun starts at 8:30 a.m. with face and hair painting, along with other fun activities. GOTR participants should wear their Purple GOTR program t-shirts and arrive no later than 9:00 a.m. to meet their team at the School Village. The 5k start time is 10:00 a.m.  Post-race activities including snacks for participants and a dance party for all will last until noon.
  • Location: The November 12th, GOTR 5k Event is in Springfield, IL at Washington Park located at 1500 South Grand Avenue. The main registration tent and event venues are all located between the main pavilion and the tennis court area on the south side of the park.
  • Parking: Parking within Washington Park is very limited.  Please park on neighborhood streets located south of South Grand Avenue, across from the Washington Park Pavilion.
  • Race Etiquette: To facilitate a positive race experience for all runners and walkers, we ask that you practice standard 5k etiquette:
    • Do not push or rush to the starting line once the “gun” goes off.
    • If you plan to walk the race, please start in the back of the group.
    • Should you need to walk, please move to the side of your lane and try to ease your pace instead of abruptly stopping.
    • The race course is designed as an “out and back” course.  Please stay on your side of the road so returning runners/walkers can use the other side.

Please visit www.gotrcentralillinois.org for event Policies, Schedule, Map and FAQ’s.

For questions, please contact one of our 5k event Co-Director, Sarah Jones (sarah@gotrcentralillinois.org) or Annie Whiting (annie@gotrcentralillinois.org).