About the Program

What is Get Ready to Run?

The Get Ready to Run School Program introduces students to the benefits of running, physical fitness and healthy lifestyle choices in a fun and rewarding way! Our goals are to assist K-5th graders in building endurance, setting and accomplishing long-term fitness goals and enhancing their self-esteem while teaching valuable lessons about making health and fitness a regular part of their lives.

The Get Ready to Run lessons and activities were developed by health and wellness experts at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi in cooperation with the Mississippi Department of Education and fully support the Mississippi Framework for Physical Education.

Eligible students from participating schools will also have the opportunity to run the Get Ready to Run Kids’ One-Mile Fun Run at no cost! Students who participate in the Fun Run can also help earn $2,000 in award money to support their schools' P.E. program. Each region will have its own separate Kids' One-Mile Fun Run. Students will register and participate only in the Kids' One-Mile Fun Run associated with their school's region.

Benefits of the Get Ready to Run Program:

Weekly curriculum that meet the guidelines for the Mississippi Department of Education’s Physical Education Standards.
Fun and practical ways to help your students learn how to be active and stay healthy for life.
Entry to the Get Ready to Run Kids’ One-Mile Fun Run at no cost.
Each participant will receive an official runner's packet that includes a t-shirt and shoelaces.
Each participant to cross the finish line will receive a finisher’s medal.
Opportunity to win award money for your school’s P.E. program.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I need to contact you?

Please email GetReadytoRun@bcbsms.com for answers to any other questions you may have.

FAQ Sections:

Registration

How do I register?: 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.
Who can participate? (age, grade, schools): 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.
What is the cost to register?: There is no cost associated with this race as it is the culminating event for schools participating in the Get Ready to Run program.
Can I register if I do not see my school listed?: This program is only open to students enrolled with our participating schools.

Race Packet Distribution

How do I get my packet? Can someone pick up my packet for me?

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

What is in my packet?

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.

What is a runner bib/race number?

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.

Can I exchange my t-shirt size?

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

Are t-shirts available for purchase?

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

What if my child did not get their race packet?

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

Race Day Details

What is the time and location of the race?: Visit the Race Day Info Page and select your region for details on time and location for the race.
What is the distance of the race?: The course is one (1) mile long.
Where should I park on race day?: Please refer to the Race Day Info Page, select your region to see a map of the race course which includes suggested parking areas.
Where do we go once we get to the race site?: 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.
Do I need to check in on race day?: 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.
Can I register to participate on race day?: There is no race day registration.
Can I bring my bike, roller blades, baby jogger/stroller?: 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.
What happens in the event of bad weather?: Please call our weather hotline at (601) 664-4933 for the latest updates on the morning of the race.
Can I run with my child?: 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.
Can a sibling run with participating children?: A parent can opt for a sibling age 15 or older to run with a kindergartener.
I have two children registered for the race. Can my 3rd and 5th graders run together?: 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.
I registered my three children to participate in the race. My schedule has changed and we will be out of town. Can I give my race numbers to a parent who missed the deadline?: Registrations cannot be transferred. Each race number has been assigned based on specific registration information on file for that runner.
How do you keep children safe along the course?: Official Race Staff, Security and Course Marshals are located along the course to assist children as needed.
Where and how do parents pick up children after the run?: 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.
What if I don’t have my claim ticket?: 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.
What is the race route?: 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.
What do I wear?: 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.
What should I expect?: 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!
What if I misplace my child’s race packet?: 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!
Do runners have to run the full mile?: 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.
Will I receive a medal?: Each child will receive a finisher’s medal upon crossing the finish line. Parents of kindergartners will not be awarded medals.
Is there a lost and found?: Yes. Any items found will be brought to the Information Booth on race day.
Will there be snacks and drinks available for purchase after the race?: Each child will be given a bottle of water after crossing the finish line. No other snacks will be available.
What if my child can’t be there on race day? Will I receive a medal?: 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!
Where do I go for questions on race day?: The Information Booth has Race Staff available on race day to answer all your questions!
Will there be first-aid on site?: Yes. We will have a first aid tent staffed with RNs and an ambulance available for emergency situations.
Will there be restrooms?: Yes. We will have several portable restrooms on site for your convenience.
Where can I find photos of the race?: We will be posting photos of the race by region in the Photo Gallery.
Are awards given for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners?: 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.
Will there be an award ceremony?: There will not be an award ceremony. The winning schools will be announced via the website and emailed by Wednesday following the race.
Is this a timed race event? How do I see results?: Yes. The race times will be posted on the Get Ready to Run website by race number.

School Coordinators

What schools can participate?

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.

When are school winners announced?

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

What are the school awards?

Students can also help win an award for their schools. Schools will be divided into small, medium and large categories based on student enrollment at the time of school registration. Awards will be given to the school in each category that has the highest number of students to cross the finish line on race day.

2 Large Category Winners - $5,000 each
2 Medium Category Winners - $5,000 each
2 Small Category Winners - $5,000 each

Can we bring children to the race on a bus?

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.

Are we required to provide transportation to the race for our students?

Schools are not required to provide transportation.

What is the final check-in?

At the end of the Get Ready to Run School Program, schools are asked to submit a Student Participation Log indicating the lessons from the curriculum have been completed.

Volunteers

How do I register to volunteer?: Go to Register to Volunteer. Be sure to select the correct region for the race where you want to volunteer!
Who is eligible to volunteer?: We are seeking adult and high school student (16 years and older) volunteers to help support our races!
What will I do as a volunteer?: 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!
How do volunteers receive training?: Volunteer training is completed during the registration process after a volunteer chooses their desired position.
Who should I contact if I have questions about my volunteer role?: Please contact us at GetReadytoRun@bcbsms.com with any questions you may have.
Can I get community service credit?: Yes. Race Staff will initial your community service paperwork at the end of your volunteer shift.
What do I wear as a volunteer?: 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.
Are the volunteer t-shirts available for purchase?: The volunteer t-shirts are not available for purchase.