Coaches Information

One goal for this spring’s 5K is to ensure that any parent (or other family member or friend) who wants to run with their daughter can do so. This year the New Balance Girls on the Run 5K will be closed to the general public, freeing up many more slots for GOTR family members who want to run.

As a GOTR NOVA Coach, it is still important that you encourage your GOTR parents to register EARLY for the 5K. The procedure for parents or other family members to register as a Buddy Runner is described below. Registering early (by April 23) also ensures that buddy runners will receive a T-shirt in the requested size.

Please stress with your GOTR parents that there is an operational limit of 7,200 runners for the 5K event. This operational limit is the number of runners that the hosting facility, in conjunction with the George Mason University Police Department, have determined is the “safe” maximum for the event. GOTR NOVA cannot exceed this limit for liability reasons.

Buddy Runner Required

To ensure the safety of the girls while running the 5K, each girl is required to have a partner (Buddy Runner) to run with her. We suggest this running partner be a parent, older brother or sister, other family member or a friend of the family. If you think a girl on your team may be unable to find a Buddy Runner, please contact your GOTR NOVA Program Assistant who will assist you in finding a volunteer community runner (Road Runner), to run with the girl the day of the event.

Buddy Runner Registration

Please let parents know that Buddy Runner Registration is only available online. Anyone registering as a Buddy Runner will need the following information about the GOTR girl with whom they wish to run:

• Name of the school where she participates in GOTR

• Name of her GOTR Coach

• Her GOTR schedule (the days of the week she participates in GOTR)

Please make sure Parents know they need to have this information ready before they begin. They cannot register as a Buddy Runner without this information.

Race Registration Deadline

Please tell your GOTR Parents! The final registration deadline for Buddy Runners is 6:00pm, Friday, May 7, 2010. Also, please stress: This is our operational deadline. It is possible that GOTR NOVA may have to close registration before May 7, 2010 if we reach our capacity of 7,200 runners before May 7th.


Buddy Runner Registration


Post Race Activities

Following the 5K, we will celebrate the girl's achievements with musical entertainment, beverages and snacks, and a short program the whole family will enjoy. The post-race activities end at 11:00 AM.

Lost Child Procedures

Please review the following lost child procedures with your GOTR Parents in advance of the 5K:

Announcements will be made prior to the start of the 5K instructing children who get separated from a parent, or who are unable to locate a parent upon finishing the 5K, to report to the Volunteer Tent. The Volunteer Tent will be staffed from 7:30 AM - 11:00 AM on the day of the event. Volunteer Tent Staff will be equipped with cell phones and a walkie-talkie. This procedure will be communicated to all GOTR NOVA Coaches, event volunteers, Mason security personnel, and will be posted on the GOTR NOVA web site. Please note that no PA announcements can be made for a lost child until after the 5K run is over.

5K Run Policies

Important things to communicate Parents before the 5K:

GOTR NOVA asks that all 5K participants and fans please observe the following rules while participating in, or attending, the 5K. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

• No dogs may accompany a runner

• No umbrellas are permitted, as this represents a serious safety issue with the size of the crowd at the 5K

• No runner may use a jog stroller

• No iPods or headphones are permitted on the course.

Race Etiquette

Attention Coaches! Please review the following race etiquette with your teams, and remind all participants to observe these guidelines during the race:

• Only runners will be allowed to enter the Start line area.

• Faster runners should go to the front of each wave.

• Slower runners/walkers should stay at the back of each wave.

• When running please stay to the right of the cones at all times.

• Should you need to stop at any time during the Race, please move to the far right.

• Slower runners and walkers please stay to the far right.

• Allow for runners to pass on the left.

• Please pass slower runners/walkers on the left.

• If you see a runner who you think needs medical attention, please alert one of the Course Marshals stationed along the Race route.

• Run/walk the course in pairs only; no groups of three or more across the lane, as this would block faster runners from passing.

• Buddy Runners running with pairs; please run behind your pair.

• When receiving water at the Water Stop, take a cup of water and Keep Moving!

• Throw your cup on the ground; you have a license to litter, this time!

• When crossing the Finish line Keep Moving!

Packet Pick Up

Packet Pick Up for GOTR Coaches will be held at the GOTR NOVA office located at 10560 Main Street, (Mosby Tower, 2nd Floor Conference Room), Fairfax, Virginia 22030. A reminder to all coaches that you must return your coaches bag and curriculum binder at the time of packet pick up in order to receive your 5K T-shirts. Packet Pick Up hours are as follows:

• May 19, 1-6 PM

• May 20, 9-12 AM and 2-6 PM

• May 21, 9-12 AM and 2-8 PM

Staff Suggestions

• Review the Race Day Details on this web site, and share the information with the girls and your parents. Race Day Details include directions, parking tips, maps, Start Line Procedures, where to meet at the 5K, and much more.

• If you have individuals within your school community who want to get involved with the New Balance Girls on the Run 5K, encourage them to sign up online as a “5K Run Volunteer” or a “Volunteer Road Runner” (details and registration on this web site). We have a job for everyone who wants to help!

• As the 5K approaches, check the COACHES area of the GOTR NOVA web site for video tips on how to run a Practice 5K from some of our veteran coaches.

• Looking for a good rainy day activity for the girls? Have them practice pinning on their bib numbers. It’s not that easy!

• Another good rainy day activity is to go over the Race Etiquette guidelines listed in the section above. A fun way to do this is to have the girls “act out” some examples of good and bad race etiquette to drive the point home. Have the girls pair off -- with one girl acting out an example of bad race etiquette, and her partner demonstrating the proper etiquette.

• Please remind parents that GOTR NOVA is not responsible for items lost or stolen at the school sign on race day. Also a reminder that as Coaches, you are responsible for cleaning up your sign area after the 5K, including any trash left behind.

Questions?

Please contact your GOTR NOVA Program Assistant if you have additional questions about the New Balance Girls on the Run 5K.