Frequently Asked Questions

The Get Ready Run School Program provides seven fun and interactive lessons and activities for schools to incorporate into their existing PE classes. The lessons help children learn how to prepare and enjoy running. The program culminates with our Kids’ One-Mile Fun Run where they get to experience a race atmosphere complete with race numbers, timing chips and medals!

Go to Register my Child. Please complete all fields and submit the runner registration form. You should receive a confirmation email shortly after you submit. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact us at getreadytorun@bcbsms.com.

This program is open to students in Kindergarten through 5th grade at our participating schools. All area schools are invited to participate but must register to be eligible for students to participate in the run.

There is no cost associated with this race as it is the culminating event for schools participating in the Get Ready to Run program.

This program is only open to students enrolled with our participating schools.

Visit the Race Day Info Page and select your region for details on packet pickup.

Packets include runner bib (race number), safety pins, t-shirt (color based on grade), shoelaces, an official wristband (for kindergarten parents only) and race day information.

The runner bib is the race number that has been assigned to each registered runner. The number is associated with the registration information you provided when you registered your child to run. The bib has two timing chips on the back that will record the time it takes your child to run from the start line to the finish line.

The runner bib should be pinned to the front of the runner’s shirt and the parent/child claim ticket portion at the bottom should be detached and kept by the parent in order to verify they are authorized to pick up each runner at the finish line.

Please see the Race Day Info Page for details specific to your region's race.

Race t-shirts are used to identify registered runners and their grade and are not available for purchase.

Please refer to the Race Day Info Page and select your region.

Visit the Race Day Info Page and select your region for details on time and location for the race.

The course is one (1) mile long.

Please refer to the Race Day Info Page, select your region to see a map of the race course which includes suggested parking areas.

Walk with your runner to the tall flag that matches the color of his or her race t-shirt. Parents should wait with runners until their group is called to the Start Line. Parents should be sure to detach the parent/child claim ticket from the bottom of the runner’s bib and pin it to their own shirt. This ticket is the way parents will be verified to pick up their children at the finish line. Parents will not be able to pick up children without the parent/child claim ticket.

No. There is no race day check-in. If you have the race number and t-shirt for your child, they are ready to run.

There is no race day registration.

For the safety of the runners, bikes, roller blades, baby joggers/strollers are not allowed on the race course. Only registered runners, designated volunteers and parents accompanying a kindergartener and wearing an official event wristband will be allowed on the race course.

Please call our weather hotline at (601) 664-4933 for the latest updates on the morning of the race.

In order to ensure a safe and manageable course, only parents accompanying a kindergartener and wearing a designated wristband will be allowed to run with a child.

A parent can opt for a sibling age 15 or older to run with a kindergartener.

For safety reasons grades do not run together. Runners are called to the start line and released onto the course by grade starting with the 5th graders.

Registrations cannot be transferred. Each race number has been assigned based on specific registration information on file for that runner.

OOfficial Race Staff, Security and Course Marshals are located along the course to assist children as needed.

Parents should go to the gate number that matches the last digit on the parent/child claim ticket. Children will be directed to the correct gate number inside the finish line area by our volunteers. Parents and children will be matched up based on the runner bib and the parent/child claim ticket by a volunteer before being released to leave the finish line area.

We strongly encourage parents to pin the claim ticket to their own clothing first thing when pinning the race number to their child’s shirt. In the event a claim ticket is lost or not removed from the race number, parents will be directed to the Information Booth where Race Staff will follow a verification process to ensure the proper parent is matched up with the proper runner before being released.

Please refer to our Race Day Info Page for the appropriate race region to view a map of the race course, start/finish lines and parking areas.

Runners should wear running shorts or pants with sneakers and the following items provided in their race packet: official race t-shirt, race number (pinned to the front of their shirt) and the blue shoelaces.

Parents and children should expect to have a safe, exciting experience in a real timed race event setting! Lace up your shoes and get ready to have some fun!

Please come to the Information Booth on race day and we will issue your child a new race number. If you have also misplaced the race t-shirt, please dress your child in a shirt the same color as the grade flag. We cannot guarantee a replacement t-shirt will be available. Be sure to come early in case there is a line!

Runners are not required to run the full mile; however, they are encouraged to pace themselves with intervals of walking and running. Medals are not awarded unless they finish the mile.

Each child will receive a finisher’s medal upon crossing the finish line. Parents of kindergartners will not be awarded medals.

Yes. Any items found will be brought to the Information Booth on race day.

Each child will be given a bottle of water after crossing the finish line. No other snacks will be available.

Medals are only awarded to runners that cross the finish line. If you can’t be there, be sure to watch for registration for the next year!

The Information Booth has Race Staff available on race day to answer all your questions!

Yes. We will have a first aid tent staffed with RNs and an ambulance available for emergency situations.

Yes. We will have several portable restrooms on site for your convenience.

We will be posting photos of the race by region in the Photo Gallery.

Awards are not given for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. Awards are given to the schools with the highest percentage of students to cross the finish line based on reported enrollment.

There will not be an award ceremony. The winning schools will be announced via the website and emailed by Wednesday following the race.

Yes. The race times will be posted on the Get Ready to Run website by race number.

All public and private schools with grades K-5 in the program region are invited to participate. Schools must register for the school program in order for their students to be eligible to participate in the run.

School winners will be announced via the website and emailed by Wednesday following the race.

Registered schools that participate in the school program, submit midpoint and final check-in, as well as a Story Board are eligible for the awards.

• 1st Place - $2,000 will go to the school with the highest percentage*
• 2nd Place - $1,500 will go to the second highest percentage*
• 3rd Place - $1,000 will go to the school with the third highest percentage*
• Story Board - $500 will go to the school depicting the "Get Ready to Run" theme with the best health message

* Refers to percentage of students to cross the finish line. A minimum participation of 10% of student population grades K-5 is required.

Yes. We welcome schools to bring their runners on a bus! Please contact us at GetReadytoRun@bcbsms.com to indicate you plan to bring a bus. We will provide details for bus drop off, parking and pick up prior to the race.

Schools are not required to provide transportation.

The Story Board is a tri-fold board that will be delivered to schools. Schools are asked to illustrate their experience with the Get Ready to Run School Program on the Story Board.

The Story Board is required for schools to be eligible for school awards, however, the Story Board is not required for schools to participate in the Get Ready to Run School Program or the students to participate in the Get Ready to Run Kids’ One-Mile Fun Run.

All school Story Boards are displayed at the race (weather permitting).

At the half-way mark of the Get Ready to Run School Program, participating schools are asked to submit a Student Participation Log showing the progress each school has made in completing the seven lessons.

Go to Register to Volunteer. Be sure to select the correct region for the race where you want to volunteer!

We are seeking adult and high school (11th-12th grades) volunteer support for our races!

Responsibilities range from distributing medals or water, working the start and finish lines, to lining the course as a course marshal to ensure the safety of our runners! We promise you will have a great time at our race!

When registering to volunteer, you will select the day and time for training that works best with your schedule.

Please contact us at GetReadytoRun@bcbsms.com, and we will provide additional training times that you can attend.

Yes. Race Staff will initial your community service paperwork at the end of your volunteer shift.

Volunteers should wear comfortable athletic clothing and tennis shoes. Each volunteer will receive a volunteer t-shirt on the day of the race. The volunteer t-shirt should be worn as the outer most layer of clothing.

The volunteer t-shirts are not available for purchase.