About the 29th Annual YMCA Run Thru the Woods

NEW in 2018!
Personalized Race Bibs with runners name if registered by October 17.

A local Thanksgiving morning tradition, YMCA Run Thru the Woods  has supported local non-profits with the goal of strengthening The Woodlands, Spring and Oak Ridge communities for 28 years. The event brings thousands of community members together for entertainment and run/walks designed for all ages.

Whether you’re a veteran runner or participating in your first race, we have an event for you, including a 3-mile run, 5-mile run, 3-mile walk and 1-Mile Kids Race and 1 Mile Walk/Run. We also have the best post-race party packed with food, a photo booth and a kids fun zone.

If you love to dress up for races, we encourage you to do so!

Not a morning person? Out of town on Race Day? The Sleep-In for a Cause option is for you! For those who prefer to snooze rather than lace up their running shoes, sign up to Sleep-In for a Cause, and help from home or wherever you’ll be on November 23.  When registering choose the "Sleep-In" Option as your participation type.

RACES
Multiple race options are available so everyone in your family can participate. Awards will be awarded to top finishers in 1 mile, 3 mile and 5 mile runs, (cash awards only to top 4 finishers in 5 mile Run) and everyone who crosses the finish line will receive a medal.

1 Mile Children’s Race at 7:45am Presented by Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands
• Ages 12 and younger
• Participant medal
• Shirt
• Awards for the overall top four finishers
• Awards for the top four finishers of each age group
• Age Groups:
o 0-5
o 6-8
o 9-10
o 11-12
• Cost:
$29 Early bird registration ends July 31
$32 August 1 - October 17
$37 October 18 - November 12
$42 November 13- 21.  Registration will close at Noon on Nov. 21. 
There is no race day morning registration. 

5 Mile Run at 8:15 am Presented by CHI St. Luke's Hospital The Woodlands
• All ages
• Participant medal
• Shirt
• Includes a Masters division for ages 40 and older 
• Awards and cash prizes for overall top four finishers, male and female
• Special prize for the overall fop male and female finishers
• Awards for the top three finishers of each age group, male and female
• Jogging strollers allowed at back of line
• Cost:
$35 Early Bird Registration ends July 31
$40 August 1 - October 17
$45 October 18 - November 12
$50 November 13-21.  Registration will close at Noon on Nov. 21. 
There is no race day morning registration. 

3 Mile Run at 8:25 am Presented by Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital
• All ages
• Participant medal
• Shirt
• Awards for overall top four finishers, male and female
• Awards for the top three finishers of each age group, male and female
• Master’s division for ages 40 and older
• Jogging strollers allowed at back of line
• Cost:
$35 Early Bird Registration ends July 31
$40 August 1 - October 17
$45 October 12 - November 12
$50 November 13-21.  Registration closes at Noon on Nov. 21.
There is no race day morning registration. 

3 Mile Walk at 8:35 am Presented by Alight Solutions
• All ages
• Participant medal
• Shirt
• Strollers and wagons welcomed

Cost
$25 Early Bird registration ends July 31
$27 August 1 - October 17
$32 October 18 - November 12
$37 November 13-21. Registration closes at Noon on Nov. 21.
Multi-family member discount available, $3.00 savings per walker
There is no race day morning registration. 

COURSE
Races begin and end on Lake Robbins Drive, in front of The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Water Stations will be available on the 5 Mile Run Course, 3 Mile Run Course , 3 Mile Walk Course and at finish line. Restroom on course will be available at Northshore Park.

For more information visit www.runthruthewoods.org.

Online registration is available with no additional processing fees. All participants are encouraged to register early to reserve their spot. For instant race day results and standing, runners can opt to have results emailed or texted to them immediately after they cross the finish line.

PACKET PICKUP
Friends and family members are allowed to pick up your packet. 
Pickup location:
THE WOODLANDS FAMILY YMCA AT SHADOWBEND
6145 Shadowbend Place
The Woodlands, TX 77381
281-367-9622

Pick-up dates:

For registrations received by November 12: Packet pick up is available November 16 – 21.
Packet pickup ends at 2pm on November 21.

For registrations received Nov. 13 - 18, packet pick up is available Nov. 20-21
Packet pickup ends at 2pm on November 21.

For Last Minute registrations received Nov. 19-21 
Packet pick available on race day morning 5:30am – 7:30am at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands.

RACE DAY MORNING

• PARKING
Parking is available at The Woodlands Mall. Please do not park in the movie theatre parking lot.
NEW!: Parking is also available in the parking garage on Six Pines adjacent to The Pavilion. Access parking garage from Timberloch.

Canned food drive collection barrels will be located in convenient strategic places throughout the parking area on race day morning.

• RACE RESULTS:
For instant results and standing, runners can choose to have their results emailed or texted to them immediately after they cross the finish line. Participants can manage their online registration and opt in for the service, if they forgot at the time of registration.

• BREAKFAST
A complimentary pancake breakfast will be provided by The Egg and I. Beverages, fruits and treats will also be available donated by our Community Partners.

• JOGGING STROLLERS
Jogging strollers are allowed for the 1 mile, 3 mile and 5 mile races. For everyone’s safety, if you have a jogging stroller, you are required to line up in the back.

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION
All participants are asked to bring a non-perishable food item with them on Thanksgiving Day Morning. Collection barrels will be located in convenient strategic places throughout the parking area on race day morning.

OUR CAUSE
In 2017, YMCA Run Thru the Woods brought together more than 5,000 people, who raised more than $160,000 for the benefiting charities and collected more than 1,000 pounds of food for Can-n-Keys Christian Food Bank.
Every dollar raised is an investment in our community. Net proceeds benefit local non-profits and their missions:
The Woodlands Family YMCA Annual Campaign – The YMCA Annual Campaign helps everyone, regardless of age, income or background, have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive at the Y. Programs include life-saving swim lessons, after school care, parent/child programs, summer day camp and youth sports.
Operation Graduation – Provides the a safe and fun overnight celebration for the graduating seniors at Oak Ridge High School.
Conroe ISD AFJROTC – JROTC educates and trains high school cadets in citizenship, promotes community service, instills responsibility, character and self-discipline while providing instruction in air and space fundamentals.
Education Outreach Program at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion - Educational outreach is an integral part of the mission of The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands, home of The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. The Pavilion uses the appeal of live performances to introduce children and youth, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or socio-economic status, to the world of performing arts.
Can-n-Keys, Christian Food Bank – Can-n-Keys desires to reflect the Kingdom of God by simply sharing food with the hungry in a graceful and responsible manner. The organization supplies canned goods to church pantries and other charitable organizations by fundraisers, canned food drives and other local programs.
The Woodlands Kiwanis Club works to support the efforts of our local Key Club. Key Club International, the largest high school service organization in the world, empowers its members to lead and serve by cultivating leadership skills, developing friendships, and performing community service. Key Club members have a passion for helping others and gain leadership skills they will carry with them for a lifetime.

For more information on Run Thru the Woods, please call 281-367-9622 or visit www.runthruthewoods.org.

Absolutely NO PETS allowed at the event or on course unless they are a service dog.

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