The Gateway Resilience Run & Ride

Join Us for the Gateway Resilience Run & Ride – A Community Effort for St. Louis Tornado Relief

In times of crisis, the strength of our community shines brightest. Following the devastating tornadoes that impacted the St. Louis region, we're coming together to raise funds for relief efforts through motion, connection, and collective action.

Sunday, June 1

Timed 5K on the track for the running & walking community 
Timed 1-Mile Run/Walk on the track for kids, families (or anyone who wants a shorter distance option!)
15-Mile Group Ride for the cycling community 
Start time: Run or walk anytime between 6 AM – 10 AM (sign up for a time slot) or join the group ride at 8:00am 
Location: Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory School (701 N Spring Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108)

$50 Registration Fee – 100% of your fees go directly to local tornado relief funds
Includes a timed 5K or 15-mile group ride and an event shirt

This isn’t just an event — it’s a morning with community. We’ll have music, snacks, and plenty of opportunities to support our friends and neighbors. Whether you're running, walking, riding, volunteering, or simply showing up in support, your presence makes a difference. 

All event operations—including race timing and management—are being donated by the organizing groups so that every dollar raised goes to relief efforts. We’re also working closely with Cardinal Ritter to support their school community, which was significantly impacted.

Please note: No dogs allowed at the event.

All funds raised will be split between: 
Action STL 
City of St. Louis Tornado Relief Fund 

Let’s show what community really means.
Let’s move for resilience.
Let’s move for St. Louis. 

Want to become a Gateway Resilience Champion? It's simple. Sign up and complete all 6 Gateway Resilience Run and Ride distances and your name will immortalized here for all eternity. Once you've completed all 6 distances and have submitted your results, please email events@brrm.com and we'll add your name and picture to the gallery below...

GATEWAY RESILIENCE GALLERY OF CHAMPIONS

Check out our business letter here!

Q: How can my business participate?
A: Small businesses interested in providing an offer to our participants should complete this google form. Please read the form as a first step. After reading the form if you have any questions please email us at events@brrm.com. 

Q: Is there any cost to my business?
A: No, there is no cost to your business, however we do require you to provide an offer to all GRRR participants.

Q: Can my business participate?
A: All locally owned small businesses in St. Louis City and St. Louis County and surrounding counties will be invited to participate. Participating businesses will be required to provide an offer or incentive to the GRRR participants. Participating businesses are also strongly encouraged to spread the word of the event to their networks.

Q: Do I need to run in the event to participate as a business?
A: No, you do not need to run at all. You are more than welcome to sign up, participate, and donate to the cause but no one is obligated to run.

Q: What does my business get for participating?
A: Your business’s logo will be listed on the GRRR website and your offer will be provided to all participants at the time of registration. We also plan to feature one business each week to highlight offers, tell stories, and encourage people to sign up.

Q: When does the GRR start?
A: Registration opens the first week of April and participants have until the end of June to complete one or all of the distances offered.

Q: How many people will participate?
A: Participation will depend on the collective marketing efforts of all small businesses involved. It could be as small as 500 or as large as 10,000.

Q: How else can my business participate?
A: We are looking for businesses to offset the cost of t-shirts and finisher medals and welcome any additional sponsorships. By cutting costs the GRR can make a larger donation to the Gateway Resilience Fund. We are also looking for “attendance” prizes. In lieu of doing age group awards, we are planning on raffling prizes from our small businesses. If your small business would like to provide an attendance prize/s please let us know. Examples would include a small gift card, merchandise from your business or a service your business can provide.

Q: What kind of offer should I provide?
A: Totally up to you. An example offer from Big River Running Company is $20 off a pair of running shoes. Restaurants might consider an offer for curbside pick-up ($5 off an order of $25 or more, free side of X with $30 order) and one for in-house when you reopen your doors. Feel free to get creative on whatever your offer is.

Q. When should the offer expire?
A: The GRR will start in early April and go through the end of June. We strongly suggest your offer be valid for 6 months to a year, but ultimately it's your decision when your offer expires. You can also update your offer at any time on the Virtual Race Bag software used by The GRR.

Q: I’m in. How do I sign up?
A: Small businesses interested in participating and providing offers to our participants should complete this google form. Please read the form as a first step. After reading the form if you have any questions please email us at events@brrm.com

Q: What happens after I submit my interest application?
A: Someone from our team will be in touch within 1-2 days with details on how to officially submit your offer through our virtual race bags as well as provide marketing assets for your business to help spread the word of the event.

5M Course

Wake me when you need me.

Q: What will on-course support be like?
A: We will provide water stations on course, to see where they are located check out our Course Map (coming soon!). We ask that runners come prepared with energy gels, chews, or electrolytes needed before, during, or post event. For more information, please check out our Safety Measures page.

Q: What social distancing requirements can I expect at the race?
A: Unless you are from same common household, we ask that all runners stay socially distanced while in the event areas, including but not limited to packet pick up, start line, on course, finish line and the post-race festivities.

Q: Can I get my bib/swag mailed to me?
A: Yes, when you register you will have an option to add shipping of your bib and swag. There will be a $10 shipping fee for this add on. To receive your Half Marathon packet you must register before March 18th to add this service as we will need a couple weeks to process and ship prior to event day. The deadline for packet mailing for the in-person 5M is April 21st. Virtual participants will be invited to pick-up at our in-person packet pick-ups unless they choose to have their packets mailed.

Q: What can I expect at the finish line?
A: The finish line will be broken down into chutes, when you cross the finish we ask you to put your mask back on. While navigating the finish line chute, you will need to remain socially distanced and you will receive a finisher medal and some post race refreshments at the end of the chute.

Q: If the race is canceled, what can I expect?
A: If the race is canceled or shut down by county/city health officials we will transfer all in-person registrations to the virtual option, or allow you to defer to the 2022 race or defer to another Big River Race Management signature event. 

Q: What safety measures will be in place?
A: Safety is our number one priority, to see all of our planned safety measures, please visit our safety page. The Gateway Resilience Run wants all to feel safe while attending the event. Expect masks to be required, social distancing to be enforced, and low course density allowing everyone to enjoy their races. 

Q: Are spectators allowed?
A: Spectators are allowed, but must remain socially distanced from anyone not from the same household. We ask that there be no congregating at the start/finish line. There is plenty of space for spectators to hang out and watch the race from a safe distance.

Q: What do I receive with my registration? 
A: With your registration you will receive an official Gateway Resilience Run shirt, digital finisher’s certificate, commemorative finisher’s medal, access to the post race finish festival with refreshments/beer*, free parking, free finish line photos*, age group awards three deep*.
*In-person only 

Q: Will the race be timed?
A: Yes this race will be a ChronoTrack chip timed event. All results and awards will be based on chip times.

Q: Is the course certified?
A: Yes, both courses will be USATF certified.

Q: Is there a time limit?
A: Yes, we have a time limit of four hours from the start of the last wave, or roughly 18:30 min/mile in the half marathon, and 90 minutes from the start of the last wave in the 5 Mile.

Q: Where do I park?
A: Excellent question! Both Creve Coeur Lake and Forest Park have ample parking. Check out our parking map here (coming soon).

Teamwork - "Working together and helping each other releases brain chemicals that enhance motivation, pleasure, and bonding." 

Not incentive enough?  GRRR will give a case of a local craft beer to the largest team.

All packet pick up will be held on-site on Sunday, June 1.   

Please arrive prior to your start window or group ride start time (8am) to pick up your bib number and event shirt. 

When you sign up for the Gateway Resilience Run and Ride, you’re eligible to earn iconic swag and cash rewards when you refer friends and family to sign up

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?!?

Refer 4 friends - Earn a limited edition GRRR Trucker
Refer 7 friends - $20 of your registration fees will be refunded.
Refer 10 friends - Earn an iconic St. Louis Flag Shirt

Follow these simple steps...
1. Sign up for any Gateway Resilience Run and Ride distance.
2. Once your registration is complete, you will receive a unique referral link in your confirmation email to share with your friends, family or post on social media.
3. Get 4 friends to sign up using your unique referral link and you will receive a limited edition GRRR trucker hat. Boom!
4. Get 7 friends to sign up using your unique referral link and you will automatically receive a $20 refund on your credit card. Cha-ching!
5. Get 10 friends to sign up using your unique referral link and you will receive an iconic St. Louis flag tee. Score!
6. Congrats, you're a GRRR All Star!

REFERRAL FAQ'S

Q: Where can I find my unique referral link?
A: Your unique URL can be found in:
 - Your registration confirmation email (register today!)
 - Your RunSignUp account: To find the URL, or the status of your referrals, log in to RunSignup.com, click on My Profile, under Runner Links section (at the bottom), My Referrals.

Q: How do I get my Trucker? 
A: When you hit your referral goal for the Trucker Hat we'll reach out to figure out how to get it to you. We'll either mail it to you, or we'll drop at one of the Big River stores for pick-up. 

Q: How do I get my $20?
A: Our system will automatically put $20 back on your credit card when the 7th referral is tracked to your unique referral URL. 

Q: Can I retroactively get credit for friend's I've referred?
A: Sorry, friends must register with your link at time of their registration. Those who sign up without your link can not be added to your referral count. Be sure they know to use your link when signing up.

** GRRR reserves the right to cancel this program at any time. 

Join the cycling community for a 15-Mile group ride to support tornado relief efforts. Organized by the team at Big Shark Bicycle Company, this will be a casual group ride that follows the rules of the road. Big Shark will have ride leaders and support riders along the way, and places to park your bike at the site so you can stay and enjoy community time post-ride. 

Ride Start Time: 8:00am

Ride Map:  (subject to change)
15-Mile Route

Join us for a timed 5K on Cardinal Ritter College Prep's outdoor track.  Each runner will select a one-hour window to begin their 5K.  Your time selection is only so that we can manage the volume of runners on the track at any given time.  Select a window from 6am - 10am. 

The staff at Big River Race Management will be using technology to count your laps (it's 12.5 if you weren't sure!) during your run so that you can run, enjoy cheers from your fellow running community members, and enjoy the experience. 

While we ask that you select a 1-hour block to start your run, you are welcome to come for as much of the morning as you'd like to. Visit with running friends, cheer on others, and help us raise funds to support tornado relief efforts. 

A final email with details will sent out prior to the June 1 event.  All packet pick-up will be held on-site during race morning at Cardinal Ritter. 

Our staff is passionate about running and providing quality events. We are committed to doing so while following the health and safety guidelines set by the CDC, St. Louis County and St. Louis City. Please see some of the safety measures we will have in place for the event, and please check back here often as guidelines are subject to change.

Masks
All volunteers and event staff will receive and be required to wear a mask throughout the duration of the event. Participants will receive a mask to be worn before and after running. You will not be asked to wear your mask while you are running. All staff and volunteers will have masks on.

Registration
Registration tents will have barriers to protect both volunteers and race participants. There will be no in-person race day registration available (online only). Friends and family welcome are to spectate and cheer, but please limit attendees to those living in your home, and remind them that they must wear masks on race site. 

Restrooms
Port-o-johns will be set side by side with a 3' foot gap between them, and they will alternate directions so lines are 6 ft. apart from each other. Hand sanitizer will be provided and hand washing stations will be available outside of the port-o-johns as well.

Wave Starts
We will be using a small staggered wave starts over the course of three hours to ensure safe and proper spacing on the course. We will assign wave start times by self reported expected pace per mile with the faster runners going first, followed by the slower runners. Please pay attention to race communications, as your start time will be shared with you 2 weeks out from race day via email. This will result in extremely low course density allowing runners plenty of space for peace of mind and enjoying the beautiful scenery of two of our favorite places to run in St. Louis. No one will be allowed into the start/race area until 20 minutes prior to the start of their wave.

Water Stations
We will have water stations on the course, but they will consist of small water bottles for each participant. Volunteers will be required to wear mask and gloves while setting up the tables. Tables will be sanitized prior to setting water bottles on them. Bottles will be placed 12" apart and runners will have to grab their own bottle. Volunteers will not be allowed to hand bottles to runners. Tables will be placed 8 ft. apart and on both sides of the roads to limit crowding at the water stations. Trash cans will be available to minimize our footprint. We will leave the course as clean. if not cleaner, as when we arrived.

Awards
There will not be an award ceremony, as we want to limit crowding at the finish area. Runners will be encouraged to depart earlier than a traditional race, and awards will be mailed or arranged for pick up for all age group and overall winners.

If you have any concerns about these measures, or would like more information please feel free to contact us.

Q: How does a virtual run work?
A: Once you register for a distance, the next step is to complete the distance and earn your finisher medal. The distance set by the event that you register for can be completed at any location of your choice, and can even be completed indoors on a treadmill or stationary bike! You have until May 31st to complete the distances.

Q: Where should I run my race? 
A: That's the beauty of a virtual race, you can run wherever and whenever you like! We do however insist you stay safe by observing all local, state and federal social distancing orders as well as respecting any closures or social distancing rules of local, county or state parks. Also if you're not feeling well or experiencing any symptoms of COVID19, it's best you stay home, rest and seek medical attention if necessary. 

Q: I'm not ready to run a full half marathon, can I break it up?
A: Sure! Just keep track of your subtimes, add them together when you're ready to submit your final time. If you'd like a training program to help you prepare, we're here for that, too!

Q: What do I get for participating?
A: Participants get a custom limited edition Gateway Resilience Run t-shirt, a custom finisher’s medal denoting the distance completed, a virtual race bib, and virtual results.

Q: Where do my participation fees go? 
A: After expenses are paid (t-shirt, medal, shipping, etc.) all proceeds will go to one of the local charity beneficiaries listed on the webpage. 

Q: What activities are there for me to participate in? 
A: 5 mile and half marathon distances are available this year, but if you want to snag one of last year's medals, you can sign up for a classic distance.

Q: How do I submit my results?
A: Click on results, and then Submit Virtual Results.

Q: Is there a minimum age to complete a virtual race?
A: Nope! Running and racing is for everyone.

Q: When do I receive my finisher medal?
A: You can come to an in-person packet pick up, or opt to have it mailed it prior to race week along with any other swag you have.

Q: How much of my registration is donated to charity?
A: $5 of every fee is automatically set aside for the Urban League of Metropolitan Saint Louis, our charity partner.

Our weekly featured business for this week is The Watering Bowl.

The Watering Bowl is a cage-free doggy daycare, boarding & training facility.  The Watering Bowl was founded in 2010 by a couple of local dog-lovers, and they have since grown to four area locations in St Louis & St Charles County. 

TWB provides a safe, fun environment for your pup to run & play with other friendly dogs.  With large indoor play spaces & expansive outdoor play yards your dog is sure to come home happy & tired.  TWB posts daily pics & videos so you can see what your pup is up to while you’re away.

They also offer some of the very best training around through their But Sniffers Academy.  Their certified trainers offer a variety of training options from Stay & Trains to Private Lessons to Group Classes.  There really is something for everyone!

If you are ever headed out of town, or just occupied for the night, they also offer overnight boarding.  TWB is staffed 24/7, so there is always someone keeping an eye on your pup, and ensuring they are having the best possible time in the safest possible environment.

The Watering Bowl has recently been selected as a Top Workplace in St Louis by the Post Dispatch, and they were also chosen as the Best Pet Daycare and the Best Boarding facility on St Louis Magazine’s A List issue.

It really is an incredible place that both you & your pet are going to love! 

You can find them on the socials or check out their website, www.thewateringbowl.com.

A virtual run/ride event is similar to a traditional running/cycling event except the participant completes it entirely on their own. There is not a required location that the event must be completed nor a mandatory time. A virtual run/ride event creates positive motivation by helping everyone get outside running to stay active and healthy. Many virtual runs, including the Gateway Resilience Run/Ride, are associated with giving back and creating awareness to a specific cause, charity, or organization. The Gateway Resilience Run/Ride wants to help the St. Louis community, including local businesses get through this unprecedented time.

Participants first choose the distance they’d like to run or ride, just as they would during a live running event. Once you choose your virtual event and complete your registration, the next step is to conquer the distance you signed up for and earn the finisher medal. The distance set by the event which you registered for can be completed at any location, and at any time of the day. The choice is completely up to you. Also, there is no time limit the distance must be covered in, and you can split up the distance between multiple days. The important thing is to at least finish the event, complete the distance, and have fun. Once finished, simply go online and submit your time to be included in the race results page!