About the Event

RUN, WALK or CRAWL and join us for Kaila & Grace's Hope & Hearts Run/Walk on Saturday, September 17th, 2011 for this 6th Annual FAMILY EVENT which will include a 5K Timed Run, Memorial Walk, Kids' Fun Dash, "Hope Rocks" Kids' Carnival with exotic animal petting zoo, music and great food! Help make a difference join us as we...Run. Walk. Give Families Hope!

The first Hope & Hearts Run/Walk was held in Minnesota in 2006. April and Dan Wurst and Candy and Steve McVicar founded Hope & Hearts Run and began hosting the event in honor of their daughters, Kaila and Grace, who were both stillborn due to cord issues at 38 and 33 weeks gestation respectively. Hope and Hearts is about hope for the future through education and research and supporting the hearts of families who have lost to move forward.

Proceeds benefit the Missing GRACE Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit. The mission of Missing GRACE Foundation is to provide resources and support to aid families who have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss, infertility or adoption challenges and to advocate for proper management of pregnancies for all women. This event's banner and goal is to "Raise Awareness About Pregnancy Loss and Support Stillbirth Prevention." By participating and contributing to this event financially you help us achieve this goal.
www.missinggrace.org

Are you a bereaved parent in the Twin Cities area in need of support? Stop into the new Center for G.R.A.C.E., in Rogers, MN, where you will find a library, gift shop, free counseling services, a castle play area for children, and a fireside room where you can hang out with loved ones while enjoying a peaceful respite and some complimentary coffee, refreshments, and Wi-Fi. Missing GRACE offers support group meetings in Rogers and Coon Rapids as well as online groups which are accessible by bereaved and infertile couples worldwide.

Hope & Hearts Run/ Walk Event INFO

Fees:
$25 for 5K Run or Memorial Walk (when registering by September 6th, 2012 / $30 if registering onsite on the 8th of September).
$8 Kids' Fun Dash (when registering prior by September 6th, 2012 / $10 if registering onsite on the 8th of September).

REGISTER TODAY!
Online Registration will open in May 2012

Mail-in Registration Deadline:
Must be postmarked by September 2nd, 2012

Event Location:
Kaila & Grace's Hope & Hearts Run/Walk will take place at the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park

Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park (Anoka County)
9750 Egret Boulevard
Coon Rapids, Minnesota

Kaila & Grace's Hope & Hearts Run/ Walk takes place rain or shine!

* Please note: There are two entrances to the Coon Rapids Dam, please be sure to go to the EAST side entrance, which has the Visitor Center and Enter the park at 9750 EGRET Boulevard off of Coon Rapids Boulevard. It is the ONLY entrance in Coon Rapids. West River Road in Brooklyn Park is the WRONG entrance!

Saturday, September 8th, 2012 Minnesota Event Day Schedule/Timeline:
7:00am      Onsite registration and pre-registered participant check-in
7:00am      T-shirt Stamping/Personalization, Refreshments and "Hope Rocks" Kids' Carnival
8:15am      Welcome
8:30am      Kids' Fun Dash
9:00am      5K Timed Run
9:15am      Memorial Walk
10:30am    Awards Ceremony for Runners and Top Fundraisers
11:30am    Commemoration: Baby names read aloud, unified reading of poem and Hearts to Heaven Balloon Release

* Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and blankets along when you check-in or register onsite. You can then proceed to reserve your spot in front of the Balloon Release area where the Commemoration Ceremony takes place at the close of the event.

* Announcements made every 15 minutes for event times and start locations


Pre-register online by August 8th, 2012 to ensure you get your Kaila & Grace's Hope & Hearts T-shirt! Participants who register online after Saturday, August 17th or onsite can get T-shirts the day of the event, however, there will be a limited quantity available and will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. Another option is for participants to design their own T-shirts. If participants do not want the Hope & Hearts Run T-shirt, simply select the "NO T-SHIRT" option under the T-shirt size question.

T-shirts will be available beginning at 7:00am event day on a first come first serve basis in limited quantities.

The Fee Includes: Event participation, refreshments and balloon release along with your free T-shirt (if registered by August 8th, 2012)

For Children: The Kids' Fun Dash is for ages 12 and under. Children registering for the Kids' Fun Dash will receive a free event ribbon and T-shirt (if registered by August 8th, 2012)

Event Awards and Prizes go to:

1. 5K Run Top Male Finisher
2. 5K Run Top Female Finisher
3. Top Team Fundraisers (Most Funds Raised by a Team)
4. 2nd Place Team Fundraisers
5. 3rd Place Team Fundraisers
6. Youngest Top Fundraiser (17 years and younger who raised the most funds)

Pre/Post Race Food/Drink: You are invited to enjoy water, coffee, juice, bagels, muffins and fruit in the refreshment area.

Parking options: There is a $5.00 per car parking fee issued by Anoka County Park at the entrance to the park. All motorized vehicles are required to purchase a vehicle entry permit to the regional parks. Annual permits are available for $25, good for one year from date of purchase. Daily permits are available for $5 per day. The annual permit is honored at all Anoka County Regional Parks as well as regional parks in Washington and Carver counties. Once inside the park, ample parking is available throughout the Coon Rapids Regional Dam in various lots and along the streets within the park. The street parking outside the park entry, is a long distance from the Event site/ Registration/ Check-in pavilion, but is an option for those who prefer not to pay the parking fee.
* The 5 K Run is certified and timed by Running Ventures
** Parents are welcome to participate with their little ones in the Kids' Fun Dash