Infant Loss Resources 19th Annual Strides 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk 2026

Dear Friends and Participants,

You are invited to the 19th Annual Infant Loss Resources Strides 5K Run/1 Mile Walk on Sunday, October 18th at our new location, Tower Grove Park - Sons of Rest Pavilion, St. Louis, MO. 63110.

In recognition of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we gather to honor and remember lost loved ones while supporting families in our community. Join us for a meaningful day of family-friendly events and activities!

Help us build momentum—start or join a team, and spread the word today!

Here's how it works:

1. Pick a race distance and/or virtual challenge.
2. We will mark the beginning of the event with a live Facebook Race Day kick-off.
3. Run your race and/or participate in the virtual challenge and submit your results either by text message or email (if you've opted in) or by heading to the results page here by the deadline of October 16, 2025, at 11:59 PM (Central Standard Time). Results update in real-time as people submit their times. Be sure to take a selfie and post it on social media with the #ILRStrides2026.
4. Tune into our Social Media platforms for Event updates on Sunday, October 18, 2026, and see how other people participated and learn more about Infant Loss Resources.

There are many options for your participation:

• Sign up for either the 5K Race or 1-mile 2026 Strides for Families Fun Run/Walk.
• Share the spirit virtually by registering for the 5K Virtual Run or 1 Mile Virtual Walk.
• Register as an individual, family of 4 or group of 10 with special discounts.
• This year, you can start your own online fundraiser (click on Become a Fundraiser)
• Donate! Donate! Donate! Every stride counts! 

Best Ways to Participate:

• Become a Fundraiser -The Annual Strides event provides critical funding for Infant Loss Resources' programs supporting grief support, spreading awareness, and education for safe infant sleep best practices. Please consider setting up a fundraiser page to help support our mission here. This fundraising page can be connected to Facebook fundraising to help share and raise awareness with friends and family.
• Start/Join a Team - Invite family and friends to participate in the events this year and share results to encourage each other. 
• Track your distance and time yourself by following a local St. Louis area route provided by Big River Running here
• Refer family and friends using your referral code (included in your confirmation email), receive $10 toward your registration fee for every 5 people referred through your code (maximum of $20)
• Sibling Activity Challenge - Set up a fundraiser and encourage family and friends to commit to matching every minute of activity with a donation.

If you are unable to join us on October 18 in Tower Grove Park, share the spirit by joining us virtually from October 18, Join us on your own by running, jogging, or walking where you ae, in yout neighborhood, on a track, tradmill or walking in place at home. Celebrate with us at the virtual finish line with an online community and donation. 

Fun for the entire Family!

1. T-shirt for all participants
2. Medals and 1st Place Awards Ceremony.
3. Food and Beverages.
4. Kids zone with musuc, fitness activities, special visitors!
5. Group and family discounts available.
6. Family friendly event- strollers, and dogs are allowed!

At Infant Loss Resources (ILR), the COVID-19 pandemic prompted us to reassess our approach to connecting with communities and planning events. While remote tools have become essential, we still value the importance of in-person connection.

For Strides for HOPE 2025, we are offering both in-person and virtual options to ensure everyone can participate safely.

Here’s how we’re staying connected:

- Most meetings are held virtually via Zoom or Webex.
- Staff are available by phone or email. Visit infantlossresources.org for more info.
- Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@infantlossmo), and Instagram for updates.
- Office phone messages are checked twice daily; we respond within 24 hours.

We remain committed to supporting families affected by SIDS/SUID-related loss through individual support, education, and outreach. Our team serves families, expectant parents, healthcare providers, and community organizations across Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas.

Infant Loss Resources is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting people with programs and services related to infant loss and prevention. If we can’t help directly, we’ll connect you with someone who can.

We’re here for you.

Visit our website to learn more about our programs, discover how to get involved, and stay informed about our latest activities.

The Infant Loss Resources 18th Annual Strides Run/Walk Event is open to all runners, walkers, and individuals looking to stay active, whether participating in our in-person race day event or the virtual event.

Our version of a virtual race or event means a course or activity of your choice, whether at home or in your community.

Start a fundraising page and connect it to your Facebook to encourage others to donate to the Infant Loss Resources Mission (optional).

Registration is open NOW!

You can record your results through our RunSignUp page or by email and compare them against those of other participants. 

The 18th annual Strides 5K Run/1 Mile Walk event will host a live Facebook stream to encourage participants to engage and donate.

Dates:

Saturday, August 9, 2025

• Honor families and your babies. 
• Recognize event sponsors.
• Share race results and participation.
• Update on Infant Loss Resources programs.

DESCRIPTION

Celebrating our 18th Annual Infant Loss Resources STRIDES 5K Run/1 Mile Walk Memorial event for family members who have lost an infant to SIDS or SUID (Sudden Unexpected Infant Death). All proceeds will go to benefit Infant Loss Resources. The 5K Run/1 Mile Walk event will be held as both an in-person and virtual race at Frontier Park-Katy Trails, located in St. Charles County. Our theme is: "Steps of Hope". Strides 2025 combines a competitive 5K race with a family-friendly 1-mile walk and Kid's Zone. Please come out and join us in celebrating babies gone too soon!

Families from our surrounding St. Louis Metropolitan and Metro East areas are invited to join us for a day of family fun. People of all ages are invited to come out for a great day and an even greater cause. This is our way to raise awareness! Please join us on August 9, 2025, at Frontier Park-Katy Trails in St. Charles, MO, for a fantastic day filled with families, fun, and friendly competition! 

This race motivates us to stay active, compete against family and friends, and support an organization dedicated to providing FREE family resources and building awareness around infant health. 100% of the race proceeds will go to supporting Infant Loss Resources and educational ABCs of SAFE SLEEP and grief support programs. 

Here's how it works:
Pick a race distance and/or virtual challenge.
We will mark the beginning of the event with a live Facebook Race Day Kick-Off.
Run your race and/or participate in the virtual challenge and submit your results either by text message or email (if you've opted in) or by heading to the results page here by the deadline of August 8, 2025, at 11:59 PM (Central Time). Results are updated in real-time as people submit their times. Could you please take a selfie and post it on social media using the #ILRStridesForHope2025 hashtag?

Tune into our Facebook and Instagram pages for Event updates during the event on August 9, 2025, and see how other people participated, as well as learn more about Infant Loss Resources.

Here's what you get for signing up:
A Strides Swag bag, T-shirt, and other goodies, along with a connection with other families remembering lost loved ones, motivation to stay active, and the good feeling that comes with supporting our community.

Best Ways to Participate:

Become a Fundraiser - The annual Strides event provides critical funding for Infant Loss Resources' programs, which support grief counseling, raise awareness, and promote education on safe infant sleep practices. Please consider setting up a fundraiser page to help support our mission here. This fundraising page can be connected to Facebook fundraising to help share and raise awareness with friends and family.

Start/Join a Team - Invite family and friends to participate in this year's events, and share your results to encourage one another. 
Track your distance and time yourself by following a local St. Louis area route provided by Big River Running here.
Refer family and friends using your referral code (included in your confirmation email), receive $10 toward your registration fee for every five people referred through your code (maximum of $20)

Start a Sibling Activity Challenge - Set up a fundraiser and encourage family and friends to commit to match every minute of activity with a donation.
 
 

All registered participants will receive a swag bag and a t-shirt.

Please pick up your packet on the day of the race!

Race Day morning: Check-in begins at 8:00 am and is located at the Jaycee Stage, Frontier Park Race Site. The race starts at 8:30 am. 

If you are participating virtually and cannot attend pickup, and would like your packet shipped, please select the shipping option during checkout.