Sixth Annual Race For Refuge 5K & 10K

• Race For Refuge 10K Run:- Run 6.2 Miles
• Race For Refuge 5K Run/Walk:- Run 3.1 Miles

 - The 6th Annual Race For Refuge 10K/5K Run/Walk is scheduled for September 3, 2016 at 8:00 AM in the St. Louis Tower Grove Park – Sons of Rest Pavilion. Registration begins at 7:00 AM. 

This popular event generates funding for the St. Louis organization, The Covering House, which provides refuge and restoration to girls who have experienced sexual exploitation or sexual trafficking.

This race is for all ages, families and friends, with more than 550 participants last year.  The event includes several features that will be announced later this month.

5K Run/Walk cost per participant:

•  Early Registration: $30 - Before July 11 at 11:59 PM
•  Registration: $35 - After July 12 at 12:00 AM; before August 26 at 11:55 PM.
• Late Registration $40 - After August 27 at 12:00 AM; before the start of the race on September 3 at 8:00 AM

10K Run cost per participant:

•  Early Registration: $40 - Before July 11 at 11:59 PM
•  Registration: $45 - After July 12 at 12:00 AM; before August 26 at 11:55 PM.
• Late Registration $50 - After August 27 at 12:00 AM; before the start of the race on September 3 at 8:00 AM

Participants who register BEFORE Friday, August 19, 2016 will receive a free T-shirt. After August 19, T-shirts are first come, first serve!

Highlights include:

• Official timing
• Pre & post refreshments
• Pre & post-race massages
• Prizes awarded to the top male and female racers in the 5K/10K Run events.
• Gift bags given to each participant
• Free event T-shirt if registered before August 19.
• First name of race bib to all participants registered before August 19.

 - WE HAVE SOME OF YOUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE: 

I'm having trouble registering. What's going on? 
You are not alone. The registration tool can be a bit finicky at times, but we've found that the biggest challenge comes from the signature box at the bottom of the registration page. After checking the small box that notes that you agree to the above noted terms and conditions, you must also input an electronic signature in the big white box at the bottom of the page before moving on in the registration process. Many people have been missing this step. Once you've added your signature, you shouldn't have any problems going to the next page. 

Do I have to be on a team to participate in the race?
Nope! You can participate as an individual too. You do not need to select a team on the registration page in order to register. 

The team I want to be on isn't showing up when I register. Why not? 
You will need to ensure that the same team name has been created under each particular race - the 5K walk, 5K run and the 10K run. If a team has been created under just the 5K walk, that does not mean you will be able to find it when you sign up to do the 5K run if it has not already been added. If you are having troubles, we can always add it for you, or ensure that you have been added to that team. 

I am not a runner, but I still want to participate. What should I do? 
This event is not just a run, but a walk too! You can sign up to do the 5K walk in particular. All of the walkers will start behind the 10K and 5K runners. There will be several walkers, so you will have a sea of people to walk with! This event is also family friendly, so bring your kids or your pets to walk alongside you! 

I signed up for the 5K run, but I think I'll walk instead. Is this going to be a problem? 
Not at all! Instead of starting with the runners, you will start with the walkers. Or, if you start running, you can always walk if you decide you need a break. There will be plenty of people doing this. 

I can't make it to the actual race, but I still want to help out. What can I do?
If you can't make it to the race, but you still want to help out, you can do so by fundraising or making a donation. You can help us to reach our overall fundraising goal by doing so! 

Are strollers allowed at the race? 
Absolutely! Bring those little ones along! 

When is packet pickup, and when can I get my T-shirt? 
Packet pickup is scheduled for Friday, September 2 (the day before the race) from 2:00-8:00 PM at the Big River Running Companystore location in South St. Louis City - 5352 Devonshire Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63109. You will also be able to pickup your T-shirts at this time. If you are unable to make it to packet pickup, you can also pickup your packet and T-shirt on race day, however, we do advise that you do so beforehand to eliminate large crowds on race day. 

Can a friend pickup my race packet and T-shirt? 
Yes. 

Are all race registrants guaranteed a T-shirt? 
Unfortunately, no. Due to the high volume of race registrants, especially those that register as we get closer to the race, only those who have registered by August 19 are guaranteed a shirt in their selected size. Those that register after August 19 will likely still get a          T-shirt, but it may not be in the size that they have chosen. We have to place our T-shirt order a few weeks before the race, and as we try our best to account for all of those late and day of registrants, we cannot order an excessive amount of extra T-shirts. 

Can I register the day of the race? 
There will be an opportunity to register on race day, but if you are able to register online beforehand, we highly encourage you to do so. If you are registering the day of the race, registration will begin promptly at 7:00 AM. 

What can I do with all of my stuff and personal belongings on race day? 
We will have a bag check available for you that day. 

What is the schedule like on race day? 
Registration begins at 7:00 AM (this includes day-of registrants as well as those picking up their packets/T-shirts that did not pick these up during packet pickup), and the race will begin promptly at 8:00 AM. We will plan for our awards ceremony to begin between 10:00-10:30 AM. 

What happens if it rains? 
This event will take place rain or shine so be sure to plan accordingly! 

Where should I park? 
You can park anywhere in Tower Grove Park. The meeting place for the race will be at the Sons of Rest Pavilion - 4256 Magnolia Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110. Ensure that you give yourself plenty of time to walk if need be. You can view a map of the park and coursehere. 

How long do I have to fundraise? 
You can continue to fundraise up until race day, however, only those donations made up until 5:00 PM on Friday, September 2 will count toward your overall fundraising goal for top fundraiser awards. Create your own, or team, fundraising page by clickinghere. Make sense? 

When is the last day that I can donate to the race? 
As mentioned above, you can make donations up until race day, and you will even have the opportunity to make donations at the race if you choose. If you are making donations toward a fundraising team, though, only those donations made by 5:00 PM on Friday, September 2, the day before the race, will count toward their fundraising goals to qualify them for a prize. 

When is the last day to sign up for the race online?
Online race registration will close on Thursday, September 1 at 9:00 AM. This is because we will need to have all registration information sent over to Big River Race Management so that they can get everything organized for our packet pickup on Friday, September 2. After Thursday at 9:00 AM, any additional race participants who have not yet signed up will need to arrive at Tower Grove Park at 7:00 AM on race day to sign up before the race begins.