I'm a guy. Can I run it? or, I have a son that's old enough to run the 5k. Can he run it? We won’t say no, BUT we will not be giving awards in any male categories, and we only have women's cut shirts. In the Kids’ One Mile, we have both male and female awards.

Will there be water on the in-person race course? Yes, there will be one water station that you will pass twice on the looped part of the course. We encourage you to carry your own fluids to save waste. Unless it’s very hot/humid, you likely will not need fluids for a 5k race.

Where do I put my bib number? Pin it on your front. Do not remove the foam or the computer chip on the back. 

Can I wear my race shirt when I run? Of course! Wear the tee, or whatever you feel comfortable in.

Can I run with my dog? No dogs are allowed. If you require a service dog please email us HERE Please note that dogs are also not allowed in Ballard Park per town rules, so spectators should leave dogs at home.

Can I run with headphones? This is a huge safety issue. Please only use one earbud, or use open-ear-style headphones.You need to be able to hear police, volunteers, cars, and fellow runners. If you run with full-ear headphones you create a safety hazard for yourself and those around you (we’ve got stories). No personal speakers.

Is there a course time limit? There is a one hour time limit (that is approximately 19 minutes per mile pace) for the 5k. After that time (or slightly before as the police deem necessary), you will be asked to use the sidewalks as the roads will be completely open. There is a 20 minute time limit for the Kids One Mile (parents of toddlers, prepare to carry them if need be).

I can’t run. Can I get a refund? No, there are no refunds for any reason (including injuries or medical issues) but you can either: 

• “Gift” your bib to another person (and you work out the $$ amongst yourselves). You can transfer up until May 1, 2024. After that, we cannot accommodate transfers. How to transfer? Click here.

• Defer for one year only to the 2025 race. The deadline to defer is also May 1, 2024. Note if you defer you are not entitled to the 2025 race swag and the action cannot be undone. How to defer? Click here.

I registered for the Virtual, can I run the Ridgefield race? NO. Think of the virtual and in-person races as two different races. For instance, you wouldn’t show up to the Mother’s Day 5k with a Father’s Day 5k bib, right? If you registered for the virtual, but run the Ridgefield course on race day while the race is happening, that’s called banditing, which is not cool (see “banditing” below) and you will be DQ’d. If you want to switch, please contact us HERE

Can my kids run with me during the 5k? Only if they are registered. But younger kids they can join you when you enter Ballard Park for the last 50-ish yards! Have them wait by the corner gate at Main & Gilbert.

Can I run with my kid during the Kids One Mile? Yes, parents of preschoolers and younger can stay with them during the race (in our experience, be prepared to carry them!) Or any child with special needs who may truly need assistance to participate in the race may have a parent run with them. No wagons or strollers for the kids one mile please. Kids need to be able to finish the mile in 20 minutes or less to not delay the start of the 5k.

Can my friends run with me? Only if they are registered participants. (see banditing below). 

Are there prizes? Yes! TBD! We will have prizes for the Top Three overall female finishers and age group awards in ten-year increments.

My friend/spouse/child is not registered. Can he/she just run with me? NO. This is called "banditing" and is essentially using race resources without paying for them. Even if that person doesn't take the swag, water, or use the potties, they are still using resources they haven't paid for (police, EMS, insurance, labor, etc.). It's also a safety issue. If an unregistered person gets hurt (or wears someone else's bib) in a race, we don't know who they are! We have capacity limits set for the race as per Ridgefield Police Dept, so it's also like crashing a wedding or party you didn't RSVP for. Please don't bandit races, it's just not cool. 

This is my first race! Is there anything else I need to know? First, congratulations and thanks for picking Run Like a Mother for your first race! Second, YOU CAN AND YOU WILL finish! No Mother Left Behind is our motto. We even have a “Sweep Fairy” who will come in last so that no one else has to.