Our Spring 2023 5K Celebration is on Saturday! Below you'll find everything you need to know, including the itinerary, parking info, weather updates, and more. All of this information is extremely important so please read the full email!

As a reminder, this is a fun, non-competitive event to celebrate the accomplishments of our program participants. We encourage everyone to go their "happy pace" and run, walk, hop, skip, or roll their way to the finish line. Please encourage and support the kiddos in a way that's positive and cheerful!

Weather Note: As of right now, the weather looks great on Saturday! The 5K Celebration will occur rain, wind, or shine. If the weather forecast changes and there's a chance of any serious inclement weather, we will contact teams regarding any possible delays or cancellations. 

We can't wait to celebrate our program participants with you on Saturday! If you have any questions, please text or call (319) 214-0154.

5K Day Itinerary

Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023

Location: Riverfront Crossings Park

Address: 1101 S Clinton St, Iowa City, IA 52240 (Parking is NOT available at the park. Scroll down for parking options!)

11:00 AM: Check-in for coaches starts. 

11:30 AM: Check-in for Community Runners and Sparkle Runners starts. 

11:45 AM: Program participants, families, Running Buddies, and Family Runners start to arrive! Upon arrival, these individuals should go directly to their team's meeting location in the Team Village. 

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM: Pre-5K activities start, including a STEM Station with Dasia Taylor, Inspiration Station (gratitude posters and sign making for families), Tattoo Station, and Happy Hair Station.

12:45 PM: Pre-5K warm-up with Jaecee Hall from Unbreakable Female Athletes.

1:00 PM: 5K starts! We're using a "wave start" with three total waves, starting a few minutes apart.

1:15 - 2:30 PM: Post-5K activities start, including yoga cooldown and stretch, refreshing snacks, and free Kona Ice (first-come, first-served & sponsored by Vondra Law Office).

Packet Pick-Up & 5K T-Shirts

For Running Buddies and Family Runners: Because you are associated with a GOTR team, you will receive your 5K bib from your team's coaches at your meeting spot in the Team Village. If you ordered a 5K t-shirt, your team's coaches will also have that for you. You should go directly to the Team Village once you arrive at the park. 

For Community Runners and Sparkle Runners: Starting at 11:30 a.m. on 5K day, you should go directly to the HQ table at the park to pick up your 5K bib and your 5K t-shirt (if you ordered one). 

We have re-opened 5K t-shirts for purchase with the extra stock we have. This is the same commemorative 5K t-shirt you previously had the opportunity to purchase and that's mentioned above. If you missed out on purchasing it before but still want one, you can purchase it here. If you do purchase one now, it will need to be picked up at our HQ/information table.

Parking

Parking at Riverfront Crossings Park will be limited to event staff and persons who require accessible parking for disabilities that limit or impair their ability to walk. If you require accessible parking, please be sure to have a removable placard, license plate, or sticker with you.

Below are the closest parking options. There is also street parking available and more parking ramps in downtown Iowa City. Please review the options and make a plan before the 5K. Carpooling is recommended!

Johnson County Veterans Affairs Building

Address: 855 S Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA 52240

Distance to start/finish: across the street

FREE

Johnson County Administrative Building

Address: 913 S Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA 52240

Distance to start/finish: across the street

FREE

Lot 36 (next to Iowa Public Radio)

Address: 710 S Clinton St, Iowa City, IA 52240

Distance to start/finish: 6-minute walk

FREE

Lot 41 (University Services Building)

Address:  603 S Madison St, Iowa City, IA 52242

Distance to start/finish: 9-minute walk

FREE

Harrison Street Parking Ramp

Address: 175 E Harrison St, Iowa City, IA 52240

Distance to start/finish: 9-minute walk

Cost: .75/hour, first hour free

About the Course 

• The 5K course is a 3.1 mile loop (see the route below). Runners will be crossing a few non-busy streets and business driveways. We will have volunteers monitoring traffic at all intersections.

• Two water stations will be available on the course around mile one and two.
• There will be cheer stations along the course to keep you motivated and energized! 
• Each team will be assigned a color that will determine their wave. Teams will know their wave based on which row/colored flag their team is assigned at the 5K. Community Runners will participate in wave three and Sparkle Runners will be dispersed throughout all three waves.

• You can check out our website for a full list of all 5K FAQs!

Thank you for helping to make our participants' experience fun and joyful! We can't wait to share this day with you!

THANK YOU TO OUR LOCAL PARTNERS!