2022 Gold Star Mission Run for the Fallen ~ Results ::

• Half Marathon:- Run 13.1 Miles
• 5K Run/Walk:- Run 3.1 Miles
• 3K Run/Walk:- 3K Run/Walk

_ The 2022 Gold Star Mission Run for the Fallen:

Please join us for the Gold Star Mission Run for the Fallen Half Marathon Run / Walk / Ruck, 5k Run/Walk, and 3k Run/Walk [In person and virtually] by honoring Gold Star Families and our Fallen Heroes. The Run for the Fallen is presented by Gold Star Mission and sponsored by Cherry Valley Fire Department, Rockford Road Runners, Runners Image of Rockford, and Rockford Wildcats. The 5k and 3k will have special "Kid Friendly" pricing for ages 17 and under ( All runners must register on RunSignUp). This event is an opportunity to experience the scenic beauty of Winnebago County's forest preserves while supporting the efforts of the Gold Star Mission. This event is also a Rockford Road Runner Circuit Race.

The Gold Star Mission is a nonprofit organization that seeks to Honor and Support Gold Star Families by preserving the memory of our Fallen Heroes through service to others in need. The Gold Star Mission works to ensure higher education is a possibility for the family members of Illinois Service Members who have lost their lives in service to our country. The Gold Star Mission allocates funds raised through Gold Star Mission events to support the Gold Star Mission Scholarship Fund. The Gold Star Mission is an opportunity to ensure that these service members’ names live on forever, and that their sacrifices create opportunities to enrich the lives of others. 

All races will be held primarily within three beautiful Winnebago County Forest Preserves; Kishwaukee, Blackhawk Springs and Espenschied. Much of the half marathon is on trails ranging from grassy double-track to twisting and technical single-track. The remainder is on paved roads and paths. The 5k Run/Walk utilizes a mix of paved and gravel. The 3K Run/Walk (youth only) utilizes paved roads. Both races traverse a stretch of private property that is only open to registered racers on the day of the race. Scenic, well marked and with plenty of aid stations, these three events are ideal for first timers, but can also be a challenging race for experienced trail runners. Both courses will be supported and remain open for four hours, 8 AM to noon.

Some portions of the race may be very muddy due to weather conditions in the days leading up to the race. If access to Espenschied F.P. is not possible due to high water levels, an alternate shortened course for the half marathon will be used.

Half Marathon participants will receive a long sleeve shirt.  5K participants will receive a short sleeve shirt.  A finisher medal will be provided for all participants for the: 3k (17 and under only), 5k, and half marathon. *Day of registration sign-up may not receive a finisher medal or due to supply*   *Registrations less than 2 weeks out may not receive a shirt due to ordering and supply*. 

After the race, stay, and celebrate.  

*SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION*

Half Marathon →  Participants have 4 hours to complete the race.  Commemorative pint glasses Awards will be given to top 3 male & female overall finishers. Commemorative pint glasses to top 3 male & female finishers in the following age groups: 15-19; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-45; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70-74; 75+

5k (open to youth or adult)→ Commemorative pint glasses Awards will be given to top male & female overall finishers. Commemorative pint glasses to top 3 male & female finishers in the following age groups: 15-19; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-45; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70-74; 75+

3k (17 and Under only) → Commemorative pint glasses Awards will be given to top male & female overall finishers. Commemorative pint glasses to top 3 male & female finishers in the following age groups: 8 & under; 9-10; 11-12; 13-14; 15-17.

 ( All participants must register on RunSignUp).

Please connect with the Gold Star Mission community on social media ( Facebook *search "Gold Star Mission" or "Gold Star Mission Run for the Fallen" and on Instagram *gsm_run_for_the_fallen").  Share a picture , short video, or selfie when you finish to our community.  If you participating to remember one of our fallen military we would like for you to share their story with EVERYONE.  Tell us why you are participating and about your experience.  Please wear your race shirt to get our message out to remember our fallen military.  

"Loss, once it becomes a certainty, is like a rock you hold in your hand. It has weight, dimension, and texture. It’s solid and can be assessed and dealt with. What we do with this loss matters" 1. We can choose to hide it in our pocket and carry it around with no one knowing who or what the person was. Or, we can cast it out allowing it to skip along the water causing a rippling effect, keeping the memory of the person lost alive. 

A "Gold Star Family" is defined as a military family who has suffered the loss of a loved one due to the service member being killed in action (KIA) while engaged in combat with an opposing force. Gold Star Mission is an Illinois based nonprofit organization in good standing with the state. The Gold Star Mission is a non-for-profit organization dedicated to honoring and supporting Gold Star Families within the community. Our core mission is to ensure the memory and the legacy of these Fallen Heroes lives on through various endurance events, generous works in the community, and educational scholarships given in the name of a fallen military hero.

This is the third year the "Gold Star Mission Run for the Fallen" will take place.   In previous years we achieved great strides in bringing awareness and honoring our local Gold Star Families with events that had nearly 700 participants (virtually and in person) in Rockford, IL. The money raised by fundraising efforts and through the race entry fee will be used for scholarships, distributed annually, in the names of the Fallen Soldiers. The Run for the Fallen was able to raise $22,000 resulting in twenty-two $1,000 scholarships awarded between 2020 and 2021. This event consists of a half marathon run, 5k run/walk, and 3k (youth) run/walk. This event provides a platform to remember and preserve the memory of our Fallen Heroes - some of who are from our local communities.  

 
*See Gold Star Mission's website form more information related to the organization*
https://goldstarmission.org/

1 Quote by William Krueger

2022 Results at: runsignup.com
 

2021 Results at: runsignup.com
2020 Results at: runsignup.com