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5K Celebration

Confidence through
Accomplishment

Each season comes to an end with a celebratory 5K. This closing event gives program participants of all abilities a tangible sense of accomplishment. Crossing the finish line instills confidence through completion and is a joyful moment program participants always remember! Everyone in our program receives a commemorative medal to celebrate this incredible achievement.

5K Celebration

Confidence through
Accomplishment

5K Event Details

Event
2025 Gingersnap 5K presented by Novant Health
Date
November 22, 2025
Location

Downtown Waxhaw

202 W. North Main St.

Waxhaw, NC 28173

Time

7:00-7:15 AM- GOTR teams arrive at flag stations by Waxhaw United Methodist Church

8:00 AM 5k Starts

Price

Registration Type Price
August 1-August 29 (Online) $30
August 30-November 21 (Online) $35
5k morning (in-person) $40

NOTE: Fall Program participants and coaches have already been registered for the 5K and DO NOT need to register. Guaranteed t-shirt deadline is on October 31, 2025.

Let this information guide you for the big event! 

2025 Fall 5K Event Guide - Click Here to View

2025 Fall 5K Spanish Event Guide - haga clic aquí para ver

Packet Pick Up Info - 

  • Thursday, November 19 from 10am-6pm at GOTR office (1930 Weddington Road, Weddington, NC). 
  • Friday, November 20 from 5pm-7pm at Novant Health Waxhaw (3614 Providence Rd. S, Waxhaw, NC). 
  • Saturday, November 22 at the Registration Tent at gravel lot (located next to Mary O'neill's Pub - 116 W. North Main Street, Waxhaw, NC) starting at 6:30am. 

Day of Event Info - 

  • Street parking is available within downtown Waxhaw except for on the 5K course. Participants are encouraged to park at the grassy lot located at the corner of Hwy 16 and Blythe Mill Road. 
  • Please ensure you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the event to warm up and ensure everyone in your group is checked in at registration.
  • Girls on the Run / Heart & Sole Participants need to show up by 7:15 am and meet at their designated flag color.

 

Volunteers help ensure our end of season 5K celebration is possible. Interested in volunteering at our upcoming 5K event? Fill out our volunteer form today! 

We need volunteers for the following activities to ensure our event is a success! 

  • Set-up and Tear Down
  • Parking 
  • Registration / Packet Pick Up
  • Course Marshalls
  • Running Buddies
  • Water Stations
  • Cheer Stations
  • Happy Hair Stations
  • Clean Up Crew

Note: All volunteers appointed through our council will undergo a background check. 

 

Adult 5K participant smiles while running outdoors through the city

The course for a 5K is 3.1 miles. 

As a reminder, this is a fun, celebratory event for our participants and not a competitive race. While our fastest 5K participants will complete the course in 25 minutes, most cross the finish line in 30-50 minutes. Everyone who participates is encouraged to walk, roll, push, run or skip at their happy pace!

First, we understand that life happens, and circumstance might make it impossible to attend.

 

We strongly encourage that all participants attend and complete the 5K, as it is the goal that teams are preparing for all season long! It’s the ultimate opportunity to build confidence through accomplishment. Remember, this is the first 5K event for many – including coaches, participants, friends and family members. We are in it together!

For safety reasons, every participant must wear a race bib (provided by the council). Our council ensures every participant has a running buddy, and only critical 5K volunteers have access to confidential information.

To ensure every participant crosses the finish line, we monitor the course and conduct head counts. Our council has a safety plan in place, which trains staff and volunteers on how to respond during an emergency or incident.

Yes. Girls on the Run 5K events are for everyone! All participants can walk, run, push or roll safely and at their own happy pace. Designated parking spots are available.

A "5K Buddy" is an individual who is either the parent/guardian of the participant or an individual selected by the parent/guardian that registers for the race and completes the 5K alongside their program participant during the 5K event, for the entire duration of the course.

A "Sparkle Buddy" is a volunteer designated by the council to complete the 5K alongside a program participant during the 5K event, for the entire duration of the course, if the participant does not have a designated 5K Buddy.

Yes! This is encouraged! This is a great way to accomplish a goal together. 

Absolutely! Every registered participant who completes the 5K will receive a medal.

Yes! Family, friends and community members outside of our program can participate in the event, but must register.

This means our end-of-season 5K is an external 5K, or a community 5K that is developed, organized and managed by an organization outside of Girls on the Run. Our council has chosen to participate in this event as our culminating 5K.

Yes. All 5K registration forms include liability waivers.

Yes! As this is the highlight of the season, there will be water stations, happy hair stations and friendship bracelet exchange station. Plus, sponsored booths in our vendor village!

For non-program participants, the price will increase three weeks out from the event.

Nous écrire

Interested in sponsoring our council’s programs,
5K or a future event?

Email Us

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Two Girls on the Run Coaches smile while running

Join us for our 5K, community members are welcome!

Not a coach or a Girls on the Run participant?  
Register to join our 5K event!