Q: WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AT THE RACE? (PARKING, ITEM STORAGE, ETC)

Weather: This event will be held RAIN OR SHINE Bib/T-shirt Pick-Up: All participants age 6+ will be assigned a bib with a timing chip and those who register by March 24 will receive an event t-shirt. Bibs and t-shirts can be picked up at The Kennedy Center (Quincy Council on Aging) at 440 East Squantum St., North Quincy on Friday, April 28, from 4:30-6:30pm or on Saturday, April 29, from 8:15-9:15am. We strongly encourage participants to pick up on Friday if possible. Parking: Parking is available in Marina Bay at the DCR parking lot at Squantum Point Park (Miwra Haul Rd.). Look for school buses to shuttle you to and from The Kennedy Center. Personal Item Storage: Feel free to bring your personal belongings with you on the shuttle bus. Then look for the "Personal Item Storage" signs at the Kennedy Center where you'll be able to securely store your items prior to the race. Raffles: Bring a few extra dollars for our exciting raffles! All payment methods, including major credit cards, will be accepted. Water Stops/Restrooms: There will be portable bathrooms available outside near the start/finish line. There will be one water stop outside of First Church Squantum located at 164 Bellevue Rd. Water will also be available at the start/finish. Additional questions: call Paula at 617-773-6203 x28 or email pdaniels@interfaithsocialservices.org .

Q: WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES FOR FINISHER AWARDS?

Finisher Awards: Medals will be awarded to the top 3 fastest male, female and nonbinary finishers in the following categories: Age 16-39 Age 40-64 Age 65+ We have also added a kid’s category this year (top 3 fastest kids ages 15 and under). Interfaith reserves the right to adjust medal categories based on registration numbers.

Q: MORE QUESTIONS?

Send an email to our race director , Paula Daniels.

Question 1

HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?

Accepted Answer

Register NOW to join us for our in-person race!

Join us on the morning of Saturday, April 29, at the Kennedy Center in North Quincy for our traditional 5K route through the scenic Squantum neighborhood.

Question 2

HOW DO I REGISTER?

Accepted Answer

Sign up through our RunSignUp platform here: https://runsignup.com/stopthestigma5k2023.

Registration fee schedule:
EARLY BIRD
January 17 - February 6: Ages 16+ $35 pp, Ages 6-15 $15 pp (under 6 is free)

REGULAR
February 7 - April 28: Ages 16+ $40 pp, Ages 6-15 $20 pp (under 6 is free)

DAY-OF
April 29: Ages 16+ $45 pp, Ages 6-15 $25 pp (under 6 is free)

A small processing fee from RunSignUp will be included at checkout.

Question 3

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AT THE RACE? (PARKING, ITEM STORAGE, ETC)

Accepted Answer

Weather: This event will be held RAIN OR SHINE

Bib/T-shirt Pick-Up: All participants age 6+ will be assigned a bib with a timing chip and those who register by March 24 will receive an event t-shirt. Bibs and t-shirts can be picked up at The Kennedy Center (Quincy Council on Aging) at 440 East Squantum St., North Quincy on Friday, April 28, from 4:30-6:30pm or on Saturday, April 29, from 8:15-9:15am. We strongly encourage participants to pick up on Friday if possible.

Parking: Parking is available in Marina Bay at the DCR parking lot at Squantum Point Park (Miwra Haul Rd.). Look for school buses to shuttle you to and from The Kennedy Center.

Personal Item Storage: Feel free to bring your personal belongings with you on the shuttle bus. Then look for the "Personal Item Storage" signs at the Kennedy Center where you'll be able to securely store your items prior to the race.

Raffles: Bring a few extra dollars for our exciting raffles! All payment methods, including major credit cards, will be accepted.

Water Stops/Restrooms: There will be portable bathrooms available outside near the start/finish line. There will be one water stop outside of First Church Squantum located at 164 Bellevue Rd. Water will also be available at the start/finish.

Additional questions: call Paula at 617-773-6203 x28 or email pdaniels@interfaithsocialservices.org.

Question 4

WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES FOR FINISHER AWARDS?

Accepted Answer

Finisher Awards: Medals will be awarded to the top 3 fastest male, female and nonbinary finishers in the following categories:

Age 16-39
Age 40-64
Age 65+

We have also added a kid’s category this year (top 3 fastest kids ages 15 and under).

Interfaith reserves the right to adjust medal categories based on registration numbers.

Question 5

CAN I WALK THE ROUTE? BRING A STROLLER? OR DOG?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Walkers are welcome.

Strollers are welcome.

Leashed dogs are welcome.

Question 6

HOW DO I GET MY SHIRT?

Accepted Answer

Those who register for the 5K by March 24 are eligible for a t-shirt.

T-shirt pickup will be held at Quincy Council on Aging/Kennedy Center (440 East Squantum Rd., Quincy) on Friday, April 28 from 4:30-6:30pm.

You may also pick up your bib and t-shirt at the Quincy Council on Aging/Kennedy Center on race day, Saturday, April 29, between 8:15-9:15am.

Question 7

WHERE DOES MY REGISTRATION MONEY GO TO?

Accepted Answer

Our Stop the Stigma 5K raises crucial funds to support Interfaith Social Services’ New Directions Counseling Center. New Directions serves anyone seeking counseling, but we pride ourselves on being a safety net for the uninsured and underinsured members of our community. New Directions makes mental health care accessible to everyone by offering a sliding scale payment system.

The stresses of coronavirus have brought even more people to our Counseling Center. We need your help more than ever to make sure all members of the community can get the help they need and seek out treatment without feeling shamed. Your registration fee alone provides one counseling session for a neighbor suffering with a mental illness.

Question 8

HOW CAN I RAISE ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR THE CAUSE?

Accepted Answer

The goal of the Stop the Stigma 5K is to raise funds for Interfaith Social Services’ New Directions Counseling Center. We need YOUR help to continue to provide mental health care to everyone. Your registration fee has already provided one counseling session for a neighbor suffering with a mental illness. If you want to help provide more counseling sessions, here are ways you can do peer-to-peer fundraising to help us reach our goal.

Prizes will be awarded to the top fundraisers!

Facebook Fundraisers – Set up a fundraiser for Interfaith Social Services on Facebook and ask your Facebook friends to support your virtual 5K. Interfaith receives 100% of all funds donated through Facebook’s platform.
Use this link to set up your fundraiser: https://www.facebook.com/fund/interfaithsocialservices/
Give Lively – Set up a Stop the Stigma 5K fundraiser here and share across multiple platforms including email, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/interfaith-social-services-inc/stop-the-stigma-5k-2023
Pledge Sheet – Download and print a paper pledge sheet and collect cash and checks.
Get your pledge sheet here: https://interfaithsocialservices.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/sts5K-pledge-sheet-2023.pdf
Invite others to run/walk – The more people that run, the more money we can raise! Invite your friends and family to participate with you. Mental health care knows no boundaries.

Some sample language to use on your fundraiser:
“I am running the Stop the Stigma 5K in support of Interfaith Social Services. Their New Directions Counseling Center is a safety net for those in need of mental health care. We run or walk to erase stigmas surrounding mental illness and addiction and to support our family, friends and neighbors affected by these issues.”

Question 9

WHAT ARE OTHER WAYS I CAN HELP?

Accepted Answer

Not able to walk or run a 5K that weekend? There are other ways to support us. Consider a donation or sponsoring the event.

Question 10

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Stop the Stigma 5K SAVE THE DATE: April 27, 2024

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