FAQ GOTR

Girls on the Run Michiana (St. Joe/Elkhart County, IN) 5k Event
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Potawatomi Park
Do I have to know a Girls on the Run participant to register for the 5k event?
You do not need to know a Girl on the Run to register for the 5k event. Anyone who wants to
participate and support our program is welcome!
My daughter is a GOTR participant; do I need to register her for the 5k?
You do not need to complete the online 5k registration or submit an additional payment for
your daughter as long as she is participating in the current Girls on the Run season.
Where is the event this year?
We do have a new location this year! The Start/Finish line and the center of the 5k activity
will be at Potawatomi Park just west of the Potawatomi Pool on Wall Street. Click Here for
an interactive Google map.
Where do I park the morning of the 5k?
There will be parking available along Wall Street, in the John Adams High School lots, Kids
Kingdom and two IUSB parking lots off of Esther Street. We have a custom interactive
Google map that highlights the closest parking lots to the event. Please arrive early to give
yourself extra time to find a parking space and walk to the team meet-up area. We will have
volunteers at the parking lots to assist with parking and wayfinding.
Where and when is the Packet Pick up before the event?
New this year!! Friday May 15th from 4 pm - 7 pm at Fleet Feet Sports (3522 North
Grape Road, Mishawaka) you can pick up your technical tshirts and bib. You may also
register for the event at this Packet Pick-Up time at the early registration rate of $20 for
adults $15 for children 12 and under.
Are we required to attend the pre-event Packet Pick Up days?
Picking up your packet at at the Packet Pick-Up day is optional. Packet Pick-Up will be
open from 7:00 am – 8:45 am the morning of the 5k, in the same location as the team meetup area. The lines can get long. Visiting Packet Pick- Up the day before the event will save
you time Saturday morning!
*Girls on the Run participants will receive their bib numbers from their coaches at the event
Where do spectators go?
You are invited to cheer on the participants at the start, along the course and the finish.
The route this year loops back so that you can potentially see your runner 3 times and only
have to walk 1⁄4 mile! You may congratulate your runner once they have exited the finish
chute and then proceed to the Finishers Photo Station to snap a picture of your Girls on
the Run with her medal in front of the 5K backdrop. Google map
How do I find my daughter after the 5k event?
We strongly encourage you or another family member/close friend to register and run/walk with
your daughter. Participating with her is a great way to model healthy behavior and support her
in achieving her goal. It’s important that this person is able to encourage the girl to go her own
happy pace! This event is not about being first or fastest, we want every girl to have fun and
enjoy the event! If you, or someone else from your family, are unable to participate with your
daughter, let her coach know. We have course marshals all along the 3.1-mile course to
ensure that our participants are supervised at all times. Please make sure to make a meet-up
plan with your girl prior to the event so you both know where to go once she has finished.
My daughter is a Girls on the Run participant, what
should she wear?
Girls on the Run participants must wear their GREEN
program t-shirt and running shoes.
What time should we arrive on Saturday if we have yet to pick up our packets?
Packet Pick-Up will be open from 7:00 am – 8:45 am on Saturday morning. The lines are often
long so we encourage you to arrive early to give yourself plenty of time to park, check-in and
use the restroom.
Are jogging strollers allowed on the course?
Absolutely! We just ask that you line up at the back of starting crowd, to ensure your safety
and the safety of the other participants.
Can we bring pets?
No. Please do not bring pets to the 5k event to ensure a safe
morning for all!
Can I purchase Girls on the Run merchandise at the 5k
event?
Yes! We will have additional technical, race t-shirts for $15 each
that morning. So bring either cash, credit card or a check.
What time do the roads close for the 5k?
Road closures will begin at 8:45 am. All roads of the 5k route will be completely closed
to vehicle traffic as long as 5k participants are on the route, or until 10:00 am. These
road closures will be monitored and enforced by South Bend Police Department.
Can I register the morning of the 5k event?
Yes! There is an additional $5 fee for late registration during this period ($25 per adult
registrant).
What time will the event finish?
We encourage spectators and participants to stay and cheer on the finishers until the last
participant crosses the finish line (close to 10 am). This teaches our girls to support her
teammates and practice good sportsmanship.
What time should we arrive on Saturday if we have already picked up our
bib numbers and t-shirts?
Girls on the Run participants must meet their coaches at their designated Feather Flag, in the
Team Meet-Up Area no later than 7:45 am. We encourage you to come earlier to enjoy the
Celebration Expo activities, which open at 7:00 am. *Anyone who is not running with a Girls on
the Run participant will want to be at the starting line by 8:50 am.
What if it rains, storms or snows?
Participant and spectator safety is first and foremost with race officials and Girls on the Run. We
will closely monitor weather conditions for race weekend, but due to rapidly changing weather
we may not be able to make any official decisions regarding the race until Saturday morning.
Parents/Guardians are encouraged to evaluate the situation as well, and make their own
judgments regarding the weather.
The event will occur rain or shine, but below are steps if there is a risk of severe or inclement
weather:
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If there is a threat and/or we are experiencing lightning on race morning the race will be delayed
10 minutes from the start time to allow the threat to pass.
Should the threat remain, the race will be postponed 10 more minutes. If needed a final 10
minutes will be used in hopes that the skies clear.
If after a full 30 minutes of delay, lightning is still in the area, the 5K event will be cancelled.
Unfortunately, no refunds will be issued due to weather situations.