Event Description

Paws for Life Springfield is a licensed 501(c)(3) non-profit foster-based dog rescue located in Central Illinois.

This year Paws hopes to give runners and walkers an inspiration to get out there for an amazing cause! Join Paws in their inaugural Run For THEIR Lives 5K to help raise money and awareness for the hundreds of dogs all over Illinois in need of a FURever home.

All proceeds will benefit the work of Paws for Life Dog Rescue.  

IMPORTANT NOTES!

1. Online registration closes at noon on Friday, October 22, 2021.  There will be no paper registration at packet pickup or on race day.  
   
2. Race shirts will be guaranteed for all participants through September 24, 2021; additional shirts will be ordered, but quantity and sizing will not be guaranteed; swag is available to the first 100 at curbside packet pickup while supplies last.
   
3. All participants will start at 8 AM!  Wave starts are no longer applicable with Illinois in Phase 5. The start line will remain open for five minutes after the gun goes off to allow those who'd prefer a more distanced start the opportunity to do so.
   
4. Please note: There will not be any refunds.  If this race cannot be held as planned, all registrants will be converted to the Virtual Race option.
5. Can I push a stroller? Yes!
6. Can I run with my dog? While this race is to benefit the dogs, and this event is held at a public park, unfortunately, our insurance prohibits allowing them to run or walk with you in the event.

PACKET PICKUP 

• Packet pickup will be held on Friday, October 22, 2021, at 4:00-6:30 pm at the Springfield Running Center, 2943 W White Oaks Dr #1, Springfield, IL 62704.  Feel free to arrive anytime during the pickup time.
• If you registered by the September 25th t-shirt deadline, we will have a shirt for you!  If you registered after September 25th we will order extra shirts, but we can only guarantee shirts for those registered by the September 25th deadline.  Additional race swag will be distributed with race packets on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.      
• Please do your best to attend the Friday evening packet pickup.  You are welcome to have someone else pick up your packet for you if cannot make it.    
• Limited race day packet pickup will be available on race day morning in Southwind Park at 7:00-7:45 a.m.   
• There is no shipping option for those participating in the live race.   

START LINE

• The Springfield Park District has lifted race requirements for races to be held in waves!
• This means we will have a traditional start format (mass start) at 8:00 AM.  
• Since we understand that not all participants will be comfortable with large groups yet, we will provide accommodations to support a small staggered start.
• Therefore, the start line will remain open for five minutes (until 8:05 AM) after the gun goes off.
• Your time starts when you cross the start line. However, the overall race winner will still be based on gun time, the first person to cross the finish line is the winner, regardless of when starting.

FINISHER AREA

• There will be bottled water, bananas, and snacks in the finisher area for post-race socializing and the ability to get to know Paws for Life, what we do, and the dogs we currently have that need your help!
• Don't forget your PAWsome medal!

LIVE RACE RESULTS & AWARDS

• Results will stream live throughout the morning and be available at: https://fastscore.net/
• Award categories are Overall Winner,  Overall Male, and Overall Female. Award winners will be announced at 8:30 AM and on the Paws for Life Springfield Facebook page. 
• Winners will be able to pick up their awards at the time of announcement. Awards will not be mailed, but arrangements can be made for pickup at a later date. 

VIRTUAL RACE 

• Run or walk your 3.1 miles wherever you choose!  
• Beginning Saturday, October 23rd you will be able to submit your time (the link is not available until that day.)
• To submit your virtual time, click here: https://runsignup.com/
• Find this race in your list and select "submit virtual results" on the right-hand side of the screen.
• You can submit results from October 23rd - October 31st.  
• Final results will be available on November 1st.
• Virtual participants will appear in the race results but are not eligible for age group awards.
• Race packets for virtual participants will be available for free pickup on October 22nd.  
• However, there is a shipping option available for a $10 fee for virtual participants. PLEASE NOTE: Shipping is only available in the USA. You may purchase this option during registration if you want your packet shipped by mail.  Packets will be shipped AFTER the race.