Good Grief VT 5K Run & Walk

🏃‍♀️ Event Overview

Join Empty Arms Vermont for a 5K charity run & walk starting and finishing at Veterans Memorial Park in South Burlington. This is a family-friendly event for both competitive and casual runners and walkers. After the race, stick around for free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Alyx the Magician, music and time together. This 5K benefits the vision of Empty Arms Vermont, which is to foster a community of care, compassion and connection as families grieve pregnancy and infant loss.

Race Day Event Overview

🏅 Race Details

5K Run & Walk: Open to both competitive runners and casual walkers. The course is a combination of flat and hills, stroller and child-friendly.

2K Walk: This shorter course is open to walkers only: stroller and child-friendly.

TEAM BUILDING: To make or join a team, you can create or join a team to see who is participating with you. To become a FUNDRAISER, create or join a team fundraiser page!

🤝 Community Invitation

This is a whole community event! Whether you have experienced pregnancy or infant loss, are a supportive family member or friend, a medical provider, or a compassionate community member -- we invite you to this special community event!

🕒 Schedule of Events

• Check-in and bib pick-up: is from 9:00–9:50am
• Parking: Free parking at Veterans Memorial Park! Overflow parking can be found at Faith United Methodist Church.
• The Run & Walk begins at: 10:00am from the main pavilion. This course is a loop that follows the South Burlington bike path (pet & stroller/scooter friendly). Water and little snacks for kids will be available along the way.
• Please stick around from 11:00–12:00pm for:
  • Awards: We have some great prizes for the award categories: fastest overall, fastest female, fastest youth under 12 (male and female), highest fundraiser, and most team spirit!
  • Ben & Jerry’s ice cream truck: All registered participants will receive a free scoop of ice cream. Any non-registered family & friends can purchase ice cream at the truck.
  • Kid-Friendly entertainment: Alyx the Magician!
  • Live Music: from Smokey Newfield Project!

💖 Proceeds and Benefits

The proceeds from the 5K Run & Walk benefits the vision of Empty Arms Vermont, which is to foster a community of support, compassion and connection as families grieve pregnancy and infant loss.

👶 Participation Options

Participants of all ages and paces are welcome to run or walk in-person, or choose our virtual 5K option. Youth 4-18 and under will receive a discounted rate. Children under 4 are free and don't need to register. Strollers and leashed pets are welcomed. Race Tshirts are available during registration before April 27.

🌟 About Empty Arms

Empty Arms Vermont is a non-profit organization offering resources and support to families across Vermont who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, termination for medical reasons, or infant loss.

For more information, visit our race page here.