Run Your Socks off 5K + a little extra

🎉 Welcome to the Run Your Socks off 5K!

The Down Syndrome Association of SWLA invites you and your family to participate the Run your Socks off 5k +, in honor of World Down Syndrome Day! Our run will not be the traditional 5K (3.1 mile) but will be a 3.21-mile walk/run. The 3.21 represents that individuals with Down syndrome carry 3 copies of the 21st chromosome. So, our route will include that “little something extra”. We have also had a small group of individuals with Down syndrome who have been training to run or walk this event, so this will be their moment to shine and show our community their “capABILITIES.”

We couldn’t think of a better day to host our run but on the weekend before World Down Syndrome Day (3/21) March 22, 2024. We invite all runners or walkers with varying abilities to join us.

📅 Race Day Schedule

UPDATE: Online registration will Close on Thursday March 21 at Midnight! Packet PU Friday 3/22 4:30-6:30 Sale Street Baptist Church Parking Lot! You will still be able to PU morning of the race.

• 6:30-7:30am: Onsite registration and packet pick up
• Cost: Onsite/Day of registration increases to $40 per runner
• 8:00: Race Begins
• 9:15 approx: Awards

🗺️ Route Description

The flat 3.21-mile route will take you down Ryan St weaving back to the beautiful tree-lined road of Shell Beach Drive and return back to Police Jury Parking Lot.

📦 Packet Pick Up

Location: Police Jury Parking Lot

Address: Corner of Lakeshore Dr. & Gill St.

Date: Saturday, March 22, 2024

Time: 6:30 am – 7:30 am

⏱️ Electronic Timing & Results

The official timer and scorer for this event is Race Pace Multisport, LLC. Times for this event will be posted:

• Race Registration Website: Runsignup.com
• Location: Near Finish Line
• Email: Through email to participants who provide valid email addresses
• Social Media: On Facebook Page

🛑 Participants' Bib Assignments

• Responsibilities: Each runner will be issued a bib number at Packet Pick up. It is the responsibility of the runner to wear the bib during the race and to wear it in the correct place.
• Position: Race Bibs are to be worn on the front of the abdominal area throughout the race.
• Security: Runners without bib numbers while on the course will be removed for security reasons.
• Emergency: Please remember to fill out the emergency medical information on the bib number.

🏆 Age Group Categories & Awards

Awards will be issued to the following categories:

• Overall Male & Female: with Down syndrome
• Overall Male & Female:
• Overall Masters Advocate: (40-49 years) Male & Female
• Overall Grand Masters Advocate: (60 years and older) Male & Female
• Top Male & Female: runners in each age group: 19 years & younger, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

❓ Registration Questions

All registration fees are non-refundable. It will be considered a donation to a great organization. Registrations cannot be transferred nor deferred to alternate year. Day of Registration: $50.00.

👕 Shirts

T-shirt sizes are guaranteed if you register by 11:59 pm on 2/24/2025. Race day registrants are not guaranteed race shirts. T-shirts will be a soft cotton this year and will be the same style for male and female.

🔑 FREE Key Check

Participants have an opportunity to check their keys on race day. Bands will be issued in the packet. Place band through key or chain and return to Registration desk. Pick up keys after race at Finish line.

📦 Lost and Found

DSASWLA is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Lost items that are found and turned in will be returned to the Registration desk after the event. Contact Race Director via phone (337)540-5992 or by email dsaswla@dsaswla.org to request your lost item. Items not requested identified or requested by April 1, 2024, will be donated to a local non-profit agency.

🌦️ Weather

The races will be held rain or shine. If there is lightning in the area, the race will either have a delayed start or, depending on the intensity of the weather, be cancelled. The Race Director will make the determination. If the race is cancelled due to inclement weather, or other reasons, your registration fee will be considered a tax-deductible donation to the Down Syndrome Association of SWLA.

🚗 Directions

From Baton Rouge/Lafayette/Lake Charles:

• Travel west on I-10 towards Texas
• Take Exit 30 B towards Ryan Street (keep right)
• Turn right onto Ryan Street
• Turn right onto Broad Street
• Turn right onto Lakeshore Drive
• Turn right into parking lot south of the civic center

From Texas & Sulphur:

• Travel East on I-10
• Take Exit 29 onto Lakeshore Drive toward the Civic Center
• Take a right on Lakeshore Drive
• Take a right into the parking lot south of the Civic Center

🙌 Volunteers

Volunteers are very much needed. We appreciate your talent and time. Please contact Tina Harris at dsaswla@dsaswla.org or go to https://www.dsaswla.org/volunteer if you or your organization is interested in volunteering.

Volunteer opportunities exist for the following duties:

• Race packet stuffing and organizing
• Race site setup
• Cheer and hydration stations along race route
• Cleanup

💼 Sponsors

Sponsors are what help to make this event happen and help to continue our mission. If you are interested in sponsoring this event either monetarily or in the way of an in-kind donation please contact Melanie Sarro at dsaswla@dsaswla.org or call 337-540-5992.

🔗 More Information

For more details, visit the race page at Run Your Socks