Questions on the Youth Run

Below are frequently asked questions concerning the annual Fargo Youth Run.

LINKS TO QUESTIONS:

Q: What are the events for the Youth Run?

Q: What is the cost for the Youth Run?

Q: How do we register?

Q: Why do you ask for an e-mail address and cell phone number on the registration form?

Q: What time does the Youth Run begin and how long does it last?

Q: Where and when do the youth runners line up?

Q: Can I run with my child?

Q: What if I have kids in different age groups and want to have them run together?

Q: I have a child who wants to run without a parent tagging along. How do you help kids stay on the route?

Q: Where do I go to watch my child cross the finish line if I’m not running with him/her? Also, where do other family and friends go to watch?

Q: How do I meet up with my child at the end of the run?

Q: What if I get separated from my child?

Q: What if my child is older and wants to leave the corral?

Q: What if it rains that day?

Q: Will you time the children and name winners for each age category?

Q: Are you staffed for medical emergencies or for accidents that may happen?

Q: If I pre-register and then find out that my child can’t attend the run, can I get my money back?

A: The 2010 Youth Run events include a ½-Mile Run and a 1-Mile Run. Kids are free to choose whichever race they want to run. We are encouraging kids to run in only one of the races.

Q. What is the cost for the Youth Run?

A: The cost is $10 per child. If an adult (parent or other) wants to run with the child, there is no extra charge. The proceeds from the Youth Run benefit local Youth Charities such as MeritCare Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Museum at Yunker Farm. Registration is required.

Q. How do we register?

A: There are three ways to register:

BY MAIL: Please postmark by May 10 to ensure we receive the registration form. The registration form can be downloaded at How To Register.

ONLINE:Sign up securely at http://www.fargomarathon.com/register.htm by May 10, 2010 to guarantee a packet is prepared. There will be a link that will take you to the online registration webpage. Once there, click "Register Now" and it will take you to the webpage where you can log in (if you have a MyActive Account). If you don't have or want an account, click on "Guest Access" and it will then take you to the webpage where you will begin your online registration for your child(ren).

ON SITE: At the FargoDome, during the Fargo Marathon Week:

• Monday, May 17, 4:00 - 8:00 pm
• Tuesday, May 18, 4:00 - 8:00 pm
• Wednesday, May 19, Noon - 8:00 pm
• Thurday, May 20, Noon - 5:00 pm
  

Q. Why do you ask for an email address and cell phone number on the registration form?

A: The e-mail address is to alert you of any updates, including when photos are available from the run which you may want to purchase. The cell phone number is in case we need to reach you during the event, for example, if you get separated from your child. The number will be put on the back of your child’s race bib number. Your email and phone number will only be used for these purposes and will not be shared for any outside solicitation.

Q. What time does the Youth Run begin and how long does it last?

A: First of all, all runners MUST BE REGISTERED BY 5:00 PM ON THURSDAY, MAY 20! After 5:00 pm on Thursday, May 20, registration will close so that the Fargo Youth Run Committee and their volunteers are able to adequately prepare for the evening Youth Runs.

All youth runners must line up inside the Bison Sports Arena between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm. The Bison Sports Arena is located to the south of the FARGODOME. All youth runners will line up BY AGE GROUP. Please look for AGE GROUP SIGNS to determine where your youth runner(s) needs to be.

Q. Where and when do the youth runners line up?

A: Following a brief warm-up event, each age grouping will be ushered outside of the Bison Sports Arena to the start line on 17th Avenue North. This will be coordinated by the Youth Run Volunteer Staff. The 1/2-mile age groups will line up to start their races at 6:30 pm, followed by the 1-mile age groups at 7:00 pm.

1/2-Mile Runners	Start Time	1-Mile Runners	Start Time
6 and Under	6:30 pm	5-6 Year Olds	7:00 pm
7-8 Year Olds	6:38 pm	7-8 Year Olds	7:15 pm
9-10 Year Olds	6:45 pm	9-10 Year Olds	7:30 pm
11-12 Year Olds	6:55 pm	11-12 Year Olds	7:45 pm

Each age group will complete their race before the next age group "wave" begins their run.

Please note that all races are fluid processes and slight alterations to the process or route may occur on the actual race day. Be sure to arrive early for line-up and final instructions on race day.

Q. Can I run with my child?

A: Yes! One parent (or designated adult) can run at no extra cost with each child during the event. Because we anticipate a large number of kid runners (goal of 5,000), we need to keep it to only one adult runner per child.

Q. What if I have kids in different age groups and want to have them run together?

A: No problem. Choose which wave (age group) you want to all the kids to run in together. It might be easier to have the older child join you and the younger child(ren) in the younger age group.

Q. I have a child who wants to run without a parent tagging along. How do you help keep kids on the route?

A: We will have volunteers assisting at the start, along the route, and at the finish to help all runners have a successful and enjoyable run. If you have any questions on the day of the run, feel free to ask any of the race volunteers (designated by aa blue marathon jacket).

Q. Where do I go to watch my child across the finish line if I'm not running with him/her? Also, where do other family and friends go to watch?

A: In 2010, we are starting and finishing all of the Youth Run events at the same point on 17th Avenue North - just outside of the Bison Sports Arena (click HERE to see Youth Run Course Map).  This allows Parents and family to see their child(ren) take off at the Starting Line and then wait for them in the same spot to cross the Finish Line. 

Q. How do I meet up with my child at the end of the run?

A: After crossing the finish line, all kids will pick up their Finisher's Medal, then be led into the appropriate AGE GROUP CORRAL in the South Parking Lot of the FARGODOME (click HERE to view the overall Youth Run Course Map). Please look for the signs which indicate where the AGE GROUPS are located.

All Youth Run participants will receive a race bib to be worn on the front of their shirt and the participant's parent/guardian will receive an identical bib number as their child, when registering for their child's race. Each runner must have their bib number pinned to the FRONT of their shirt and a parent/guardian must present the identical bib number at the end of the race to remove their child from the corral area.

Parents will receive the identical bib number as their child when registering for their child's race. Each runner must have their bib number pinned to the front of their shirt and a parent/guardian must present the identical bib number at the end of the race to remove their child from the corral area.

Security staff and volunteers will assist in matching up the parent and runner bib numbers at the entry/exit checkpoints. This process is to keep children from wandering off and getting lost. Please assist the Youth Run Volunteer Staff by having your bib number ready to present when picking up your child from the designated corral area.

Q. What if I get separated from my child?

A: We will have security and volunteer staff posted all along the route to ensure your child has a safe and successful run. All participants who expect to be met at the finish line corral area by a designated adult will not be allowed to leave the finishers’ area until they are matched with their parent or guardian. You should review with your child your plan to meet up after the run.

If your child cannot locate you, they should talk to a security staff/volunteer in that area, who will work with our staff to contact you. If you are concerned your child isn’t where he/she is supposed to be, please contact one of the security staff/volunteers in the finishers’ area.

Q. What if my child is older and wants to leave the corral?

A: Please inform us when picking up the race packet – we will mark the back side of the race bib your child will wear, indicating they are free to exit the finish area by themselves. If your child is not old enough to stay by themselves, please do not leave them at the race unattended. We do not have childcare facilities set up for this event.

Q. What if it rains that day?

A: Runners run in all kinds of weather! Please assist your kids in dressing appropriately for the run. We ware utilizing the Bison Sports Arena this year in order to keep runners out of inclement weather (rain, cold or hot sun). While our plans are to let the Youth Runners finish outside of the FARGODOME in the south parking lot, we may utilize the Bison Sports Arena for the Finish Area if waranted by weather issues.

Q. Will you time the children and name winners for each age category?

A: Speed is not a factor here as there are no awards for first place – everyone is a winner and they will each receive a Youth Run medal!

Q. Are you staffed for medical emergencies or for accidents that may happen?

A: Yes. An experienced staff of medical professionals from the Fargo Moorhead region will be on hand to assist with any injuries or mishaps that occur.

Q. If I pre-register and then find out that my child can't attend the run, can I get my money back?

A. No, due to the minimal cost of registration, there are no refunds. You can, however, come to the FARGODOME and pick up your child's race packet if you want him/her to have the Youth Run t-shirt.