***When we opened registration last August, we were hopeful that our event would be able to return to "normal" in 2021.  Unfortunately, being in Phase 3 does not automatically give us permission to run our usual River Road course.  There are new policies and procedures in place.  And while our team worked really hard this week to overcome some of the obstacles we faced, it doesn't look like we will be able to complete the process by Race Day.  So, we instead of running River Road, we will run the levee.  We greatly appreciate your continued patience and understanding as we do our best to navigate this challenging time.  Before you sign up, please read through the following information carefully.   PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS BECAUSE OF BASIC EVENT COSTS AND THE CHARITABLE NATURE OF OUR EVENT.  IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL US AT INFO.ANNASGRACE@GMAIL.COM.  THANK YOU!!!***

The Anna’s Grace Quarter Marathon is back in 2021, and we are once again running for the 1 in 4!  The race benefits Anna’s Grace Foundation which is designed to help families in the Greater Baton Rouge Area who have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth, or loss of a child under one year of age by providing financial and emotional support.

Our thanks to everyone who took part in the survey we sent out in January.  Your responses were instrumental in helping our Q Crew make important decisions about our event.  Based on the survey's results, the following plan was created.

GENERAL RACE INFORMATION

Because we are not able to run River Road, we have modified our race options.  Runners may either choose to run a virtual race or run the levee on Race Day.

All times (levee run or virtual) will be self-reported to our timing partner, Cajun Timing.  CHIP-TIMING WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE.

Physical awards will not be presented to our winners in 2021.  However, winners in the following categories will be recognized:

Quarter Marathon: Overall Male/Female; Top 3 Male/Female Finishers in age groups 9 & under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
5K: Top 3 Male/Female Finishers in age groups 9 & under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
One Mile:  Top 3 finishers in age groups 5 & under, 6-9, 10-12, and 13-14.

Winners will be announced for Top Fundraising Team and Most Participants on a Running Team.

T-shirt guarantee date is MARCH 5.  You must register on or before this date in order to receive an official race t-shirt.  We will not be ordering any extra shirts this year, so be sure to register early!

RUNNING OPTIONS

Choose to run virtually.

Not sure about running the levee or live out of town?  You can still participate and make a difference by registering for one of our Virtual Race Options.  Each distance (QM, 5K, 1M) offers a virtual option so you can run your own course in your own time.  We will even ship your packet to you!  PLEASE NOTE:  While we will do our best to ship your packet in time for Race Day, we cannot guarantee that it will arrive by March 21.

How do you participate in a virtual race?

• STEP 1:  Register for one of our virtual races.
• STEP 2:  Run, jog, or walk your selected distance, and record your time using any running app, watch, or electronic file.
• STEP 3:  After your run, submit your results (time and distance) on our designated Google Form that may be accessed here:  https://forms.gle/3eLdkV75HRhCwh5c8.  If you do not have a Google account, simply send your results to our time, Bertha Lanthier at blanthier54@aol.com.  You may send a photo of your watch showing your time and distance or a screenshot from your phone showing your results.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

• You may run your selected distance as many times as you wish, but you are only allowed ONE submission.  For example, if you run on March 8 and then have a better time on March 19, submit only your results from March 19.
• Submissions must be received by 10:30 am on March 21 to be included in our official results.

Run the Levee.

Register for one of our regular races, and run the levee on Race Day!  The course will begin at the levee ramp on the north side of L'auberge Baton Rouge.  It will be an out and back towards downtown.  PLEASE NOTE:  The levee is open to the general public and will not be shut down for our event.  Run at your own risk!

We will have one portable toilet and one water station along the course at the Ben Hur levee ramp location (approximately 1.25/5.75 mile marker).

In order to keep our numbers within restrictions, we will have staggered start times for runners.  More information will be available on how to sign up for a specific start time soon.  

How do you run the levee on Race Day?

• STEP 1:  Register for one of our regular distance races.
• STEP 2:  When available, select a start time.
• STEP 3:  You will need to attend Packet Pickup to receive your finisher medal and race t-shirt (if you sign up by the t-shirt guarantee date of March 5).  Times, dates, and location of Packet Pickup will be released soon.
• STEP 4:  On Race Day, report to the levee at your assigned time.  Run, jog, or walk your selected distance, and record your time using any running app, watch, or electronic file.
• STEP 5:  After your run, submit your results (time and distance) on our designated Google Form that may be found here:  https://forms.gle/3eLdkV75HRhCwh5c8.  If you do not have a Google account, simply send your results to our timer, Bertha Lanthier, at blanthier54@aol.com.  You may send a photo of your watch showing your time and distance or a screenshot from your phone showing your results.

Submissions must be received by 10:30 am on March 21 to be included in our official results.

***IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO ATTEND THE EVENT IN-PERSON ON RACE DAY, YOU MAY STILL RUN VIRTUALLY AND SUBMIT YOUR TIME/DISTANCE AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.  HOWEVER, YOUR RACE PACKET WILL NOT BE MAILED TO YOU.  YOU WILL NEED TO ATTEND PACKET PICKUP OR EMAIL US TO MAKE OTHER ARRANGEMENTS.

SWITCHING RACES

We know these changes to our event may alter the way you would like to participate.  Please note that we have always had a NO REFUND policy due to the costs of hosting the event and its charitable nature.  However, you may switch distances or between virtual and regular options.  The LAST DAY to switch is MARCH 10.  Here's how:

• Go to your confirmation email and click on "Manage Your Registration."
• Click on "Transfer Event" in the blue area.

You will have to go through the registration process to pick your preferred event.  This will show you the price change (credit or difference).  You will also be asked if you would like to remain on your current running team.

Running Teams

Teams make a huge difference in enabling Anna's Grace Foundation to fulfill its mission, and we hope that you will consider being a part of our efforts.  Please keep in mind that running teams and fundraising teams are distinct and separate groups.  You will be able to create a RUNNING TEAM when you register yourself for the event. 

Fundraising Teams

You Can Make a Difference! Please click here to create a FUNDRAISING TEAM!

A quarter of all pregnancies will end in a loss.  We are challenging our community to form teams to support the 1 in 4 and the mission of Anna's Grace Foundation.  

Awards will be given in the following categories:

> Top Fundraising Team*

> Most Race Participants on a Team

In order to be included on Race Day Banner or Official Race T-Shirt, teams must reach fundraising milestones by March 5, 2021.  *Donations must be collected by 11:59 pm on Friday, March 19, 2021, in order to qualify for the Top Fundraising Team award.  Any amounts collected after this time are greatly appreciated but will not be counted for the purpose of this team award.

If you want to create a FUNDRAISING TEAM, please click HERE. Thank you!

Virtual Race Options

New this year, we are including a Virtual Option for the Qtr. Marathon, 5K and 1 Mile distances.  

Virtual Quarter Marathon - $45
Virtual 5K - $35
Virtual 1 Mile - $30

These prices will remain the same until online registration ends on March 18th.
Virtual runners will not be included in awards.
Virtual prices include shipping of finisher medal and t-shirt (if you register on or before March 5).  We cannot guarantee that virtual runners will receive their packages by Race Day, although we will do our best to do so.  

Race Packet Pickup

Although packet pickup is available on race day, it is strongly recommended that packets be picked up BEFORE race day.  

Early Packet Pickup - SATURDAY, MARCH 20 - 10 am - 4 pm

The Offices of Stemmans & Alley, PLLC

2798 O'Neal Lane, Suite B-3, Baton Rouge, LA  70816

Click HERE for details.

Race Day Packet Pickup will be available in the L'auberge Baton Rouge River Road Overflow Lot near 777 L'auberge Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70820.

The Courses

Our modified in-person event will begin and end on the Mississippi River levee near L'auberge Baton Rouge.

Course Memorial Signs

Our Course Memorial Signs will line each race route in honor of the little ones we have lost.  They are a powerful reminder of our mission and WHY we are running.  For more information on ordering signs, please click HERE.

At approximately 10:30 am, we will remember our babies in a special way with a Remembrance Celebration featuring a balloon release.  Make plans to stick around to show your support of the 1 in 4 as we pay tribute to our little ones who were gone too soon.