About the Challenge

The 39K for 39Y: Run for the Goal is the inaugural fundraising event for Tower Grove Soccer Club, NFP.

On February 21, 2026, as our club volunteer-president celebrates his 39th birthday by running 39 kilometers, we're inviting the entire STL community to lace up and move together in support of a very unique non-profit.

Whether you're a seasoned runner, a weekend walker, or a soccer parent cheering from the sidelines, there's a way for everyone to participate.

Choose from a Kickoff Weekend 5K, a 30-Day 39K Challenge, or sign up for both with our Combo Package.

All proceeds support youth soccer access in St. Louis, helping more kids get on the field with quality coaching, training, and facilities.

Register with your Tower Grove Soccer team and compete for bragging rights! Teams are ranked by total kilometers logged, number of participants, and average KM per member. This is more than a race -- it's about building endurance, discipline, and community, just like on the soccer field.

Our community goal is 3,900 km!

Team Competition: Rep Your Squad!

This isn't just a solo challenge -- it's a team battle! When you register, select the TGSC team you're associated with, and your kilometers, fundraising, and participation all count toward your team's totals.

Teams will be ranked across five categories:

1. Most Total Kilometers -- Which team logs the most distance?
2. Fastest 5K -- Who's got the speedster?
3. Most Fundraising Dollars -- Which team rallies the most support?
4. Most Participants -- Which team brings the biggest crew?
5. Greatest Average KM per Participant -- Small but mighty? This one's for you.

Which TGSC team should I pick?

Select the team you or your family are most connected to -- whether your child plays on the 2014 Green, 2017 Boys, or any other TGSC squad. If you're not directly associated with a specific team, choose "Friends of the Club" to show your support for the entire TGSC community.

You're also welcome to create your own team if you want to rally a group of friends, coworkers, or neighbors -- but we encourage you to join an existing TGSC team or Friends of the Club so we can keep the competition tight and the energy high.

All teams earn bragging rights, and every participant receives a certificate of completion. Lace up, pick your team, and let's see who comes out on top!

How It Works

1. Pick Your Event --
   1. Choose the Virtual 5K (Feb 21-23),
   2. the 39K in 30 Days Challenge (Feb 21 - Mar 23), or
   3. grab the Combo Package to do both at a discounted price.
   4. Youth pricing (ages 0-17) is available for all events.
2. Register & Select Your Team --
   1. Sign up online and choose the Tower Grove Soccer team you're supporting.
   2. Not on a team? No problem -- register as a Friend of the Club.
3. Run, Walk, or Move --
   1. Complete your distance anytime during the event window.
   2. The 5K can be done all at once during kickoff weekend.
   3. For the 39K Challenge, log your kilometers over the full 30 days at your own pace.
4. Submit Your Results --
   1. Log your activity through RunSignup.
   2. Track your progress and see how your team stacks up on the leaderboard.
5. Celebrate & Share --
   1. Earn bragging rights for your team,
   2. share your accomplishments on social media, and
   3. know that every kilometer helps support youth soccer in St. Louis.

The Tower Grove Soccer Club is a diverse group of families in St. Louis City who want to help our children thrive physically and socially through local sports. We believe in the power of team camaraderie as part of our goal to develop awesome kids who are strong in character and values. We want to foster our kids’ love for soccer and the outdoors, without the need for long-distance travel or expensive fees.

St. Louis City is blessed with beautiful parks and diverse neighborhoods, and together and we aim to build a close-knit soccer community in our own backyard that can grow together in the coming years.

Join us in continuing St. Louis’ commitment to be a premier soccer city!

Tower Grove Soccer Club is committed to providing children of all backgrounds with the opportunity to participate in competitive soccer by eliminating barriers, whether financial, behavioral, or logistical, and fostering a supportive, inclusive community on and off the field.

Learn more at Tower Grove Soccer Club, NFP

Zach is celebrating 39 years of life by running 39 laps around his block!

He's using this milestone as an opportunity to raise money for the Tower Grove Soccer Club (TGSC) non-profit, supporting youth soccer in our community.

Participants are welcome to join Zach on his run at any time during the event.

He'll be hitting the pavement on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from approximately 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at 3215 Hawthorne Blvd.

Whether you want to knock out your 5K, get in a few kilometers of walking or running, or just come out and show your support, all are welcome!

Refreshments will be provided, so come out, get moving, and help us raise funds for a great cause!

Tower Grove Soccer Club (TGSC) is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to bringing accessible, affordable, and high-quality youth soccer to families right here in St. Louis City. Many local families face barriers to club soccer, including long drives to the suburbs and fees that can exceed $1,200 per season. TGSC was created to change that by offering a neighborhood-based soccer experience in the heart of our community. The entire organization is volunteer-run -- the only people who get paid are our professional coaches, ensuring your dollars go directly to the mission.

Funds raised through this event go directly toward supporting TGSC's mission, including keeping registration fees affordable, providing scholarships for families in need, covering operational costs, and ensuring every young athlete has access to quality coaching and equipment. Since launching in Fall 2023, TGSC has grown from a single team to seven, serving players from neighborhoods across the city.

By lacing up your shoes for this 5K or 30-Day Challenge, you're not just getting a great workout — you're helping kids in St. Louis City stay active, build teamwork and character, and develop a love for the beautiful game without the financial and logistical barriers that keep too many young athletes on the sidelines.

Can't Run? You Can Still Score!

Our community fundraising goal is $3,900 -- $100 for every year Zach has been on this planet! Every dollar raised goes directly to supporting TGSC's mission of accessible, affordable youth soccer in St. Louis City.

Not everyone can lace up and hit the pavement, and that's okay! There are plenty of ways to make an impact:

1. Make a direct donation -- Any amount helps us get closer to our $3,900 goal.
2. Sponsor Zach's run -- Pledge $1 per kilometer as Zach tackles his 39K birthday run. That's $39 to sponsor the full run!
3. Sponsor a participant -- Know someone who's registered? Pledge per kilometer for their effort and cheer them on.
4. Share the event -- Spread the word on social media, forward the link to friends and family, or tell your coworkers. Every share helps us reach more supporters.

Whether you run, walk, donate, or share, you're helping put more kids on the soccer field. Let's hit $3,900 together!