Run & Remember

Run & Remember is more than a 5K. Each year Lost & Found Grief Center hosts our memorial event and 5K to bring our community together to honor the memory of loved ones who have died. This is an opportunity for you to invite others to remember your loved one with you. Being alongside others with shared experience helps create a sense of togetherness, showing that no one is grieving alone.

5K RUN/WALK & 1 MILE MEMORY WALK: Run & Remember is an all ages, all abilities event. You can run or walk the 5K through downtown Springfield or follow the shaded path back to the park on the 1 Mile Memory Walk that ends at the Memory Garden. Runners, walkers, strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs are all welcome.

MEMORY GARDEN: There is a special area at the park we call the Memory Garden. You can purchase a memorial sign, which will include the name and a photo of your loved one. These are displayed in the Memory Garden as a place for reflection and remembrance during the event. You may take your sign with you at the end of the event or pick it up from the Lost & Found office the following week.

REMEMBRANCE PROGRAM & RACE AWARDS: Race awards will begin at roughly 7:30 after most runners finish the race. Immediately following awards, we will have a short memorial program. The Lost & Found Programs team puts together a meaningful presentation that will allow you to reflect on your grief journey and remember the life of your loved one.

TEAMS: Some families or group enjoy running as a Team. If you would like to participate in 1-Mile Memory Walk or 5K Run/Walk as a Team, go to Run Sign Up and register for either. Create or join a team during the registration process. You can also find the Team tab on Run Sign Up and create the team first. Share your team name and once 10 people join your team, everyone will receive a $5 discount. (The first 9 registrants will receive a $5 refund).

RACE ROUTE: The route will be marked with BLUE and ORANGE arrows. Follow the BLUE arrows for the 5k and the ORANGE arrows for the 1 mile. There will be cheerleaders and people helping direct to the correct path on both routes. Large groups please keep right, and runners please use announced passing. (Example: “Passing on your left”) Children under 12yrs old must have a running buddy with them for the 5K. 

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY: The event will be held rain or shine unless the conditions are unsafe (heavy rains, flooding, lightning, high winds, etc.). We will monitor the weather to determine if there are unsafe conditions and make the decision if any action will be taken to modify the race. This could result in a delayed start time or canceling the race entirely. Should any changes occur, we will post the information on our website and our social media pages. There is NO rain date for the event. 

ADDITIONAL INFO: 

• Sun screen and bug spray are recommended.
• ADA accommodations: contact Jamie at jfields@lostandfoundozarks.com
• Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash. Please be prepared to pick up anything your dog leaves behind on or off course.
• Strollers are allowed but we ask that you start towards the back of the corral and be extra aware of your surroundings.
• If you ordered a memorial sign, you may view it in the Memory Garden located in the park. You may take your sign with you at the end of the event or pick it up from Lost & Found.
• Finisher Medals will be available to the first 600 participants.
• We will host an awards ceremony immediately following the race and before the Remembrance Program. Prizes will be gift cards for winners in each category of runners; overall Male & Female, and top 3 Males & Females in each age division: 9 & under; 10-19; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60 & over.