Infant Loss Resources 19th Annual Strides 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk 2026

Dear Friends and Participants,

You are invited to the 19th Annual Infant Loss Resources Strides 5K Run/1 Mile Walk on Sunday, October 18th at our new location, Tower Grove Park - Sons of Rest Pavilion, St. Louis, MO. 63110.

In recognition of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we gather to honor and remember lost loved ones while supporting families in our community. Join us for a meaningful day of family-friendly events and activities!

Whether you run, walk, volunteer, or donate, you're helping create a future where more babies celebrate their first birthdays and more families receive the support they need during life's most difficult moments. Your participation helps us provide grief support, safe sleep education, and resources to families throughout Missouri and neighboring communities in Illinois and Kansas.

Together, we're honoring babies, supporting families, and building hope for the future.

Here's how it works:

1. Pick a race distance and/or virtual challenge.
2. We will mark the beginning of the event with a live Facebook Race Day kick-off.
3. Run your race and/or participate in the virtual challenge and submit your results either by text message or email (if you've opted in) or by heading to the results page here by the deadline of October 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM (Central Standard Time). Results update in real-time as people submit their times. Be sure to take a selfie and post it on social media with the #ILRStrides2026.
4. Tune into our Social Media platforms for Event updates on Sunday, October 18, 2026, and see how other people participated and learn more about Infant Loss Resources.

There are many options for your participation:

• Sign up for either the 5K Race or 1-mile 2026 Strides for Families Fun Run/Walk.
• Share the spirit virtually by registering for the 5K Virtual Run or 1 Mile Virtual Walk.
• Register as an individual, family of 4 or group of 10 with special discounts.
• This year, you can start your own online fundraiser (click on Become a Fundraiser)
• Donate! Donate! Donate! Every stride counts! 

Best Ways to Participate:

• Become a Fundraiser -The Annual Strides event provides critical funding for Infant Loss Resources' programs supporting grief support, spreading awareness, and education for safe infant sleep best practices. Please consider setting up a fundraiser page to help support our mission here. This fundraising page can be connected to Facebook fundraising to help share and raise awareness with friends and family.
• Start/Join a Team - Invite family and friends to participate in the events this year and share results to encourage each other. 
• Track your distance and time yourself by following a local St. Louis area route provided by Big River Running here
• Refer family and friends using your referral code (included in your confirmation email), receive $10 toward your registration fee for every 5 people referred through your code (maximum of $20)
• Sibling Activity Challenge - Set up a fundraiser and encourage family and friends to commit to matching every minute of activity with a donation.

If you are unable to join us on October 18 in Tower Grove Park, share the spirit by joining us virtually from October 18, Join us on your own by running, jogging, or walking where you ae, in yout neighborhood, on a track, tradmill or walking in place at home. Celebrate with us at the virtual finish line with an online community and donation. 

Fun for the entire Family!

1. T-shirt for all participants
2. Medals and 1st Place Awards Ceremony
3. Food and beverages
4. Kids zone with music, fitness activities, special visitors
5. Group and family discounts available
6. Family friendly event - strollers, and dogs are allowed