Girlfriends Run
Half Marathon, 10k & 6k
October 13th, 2024

About The Race

THE GIRLFRIENDS AND PINK BRIGADE HAVE RAISED ALMOST $900,000 OVER THE LAST 18 YEARS!

The 18th Annual Girlfriends Run offers a Half Marathon, 10K & 6K designed specifically for women to get together to do something good for themselves and to help support a very important women’s cause.

We started this event to honor and support one of our BFFs, Joleen Skarberg, who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and continues to run it every year with her daughters, sisters, nieces, cousins and girlfriends! Watch for her – she’ll be wearing #1!

About half the gals run, half walk and many do a combination of running and walking. It doesn’t matter how you get to the finish line, as long as you get there! 🙂

Are you a male who would like to support this race? You CAN join two ways. One – by becoming a Pink Brigade Guy and raise donations for Pink Lemonade Project. Two – by being part of a corporate team. We love to see everyone support this race.

Race Starts in:

Day(s)

Hour(s)

Minute(s)

Second(s)

Check out how much fun we have! Such an inspirational day!

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Inspire all your best girlfriends to do this special event together and help raise funds for better Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment. This walking and running event is designed specifically for women including awesome women’s technical shirts, cool medals or necklace, mimosas, treats, massage and firemen waiting for you at the finish line! It’s a fabulous Girl’s weekend plus the more people who participate, the more money we can raise!

How do you describe your best girlfriend? You love to hang with her – no matter what you’re doing. You can tell her anything without judgment. She inspires you to do and be better. She lifts you up and empowers you. She helps you to see the bright side when you’re going through a tough time. You can laugh and cry and sometimes just do nothing with her. So who is your best girlfriend? Is it your mom, your sis, your daughter, someone you’ve known for years or someone you just met recently? One thing is consistent – it’s someone you connect with on a deep level, a soul sister. Bottom line – when girlfriends get together they can accomplish anything! There’s nothing better, more beautiful than a bunch of strong, powerful, passionate women on a mission! That’s why collectively, as a group of determined gals, we can make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. Plus when you cross the finish line, you can’t imagine how that positively impacts YOUR entire life. The sense of accomplishment you will feel is unbelievable and it will provide you with the strength and confidence to conquer anything in your life. So – “Go Girlfriend Go Girlfriend Go!”

Date & Time

10/13/2024

9:00am sharp – Please show up at 8:30 at the latest to get organized and ensure we start on time.

Location Details

Vancouver Waterfront Park

695 Waterfront Way, Vancouver, WA 98660

Vancouver Waterfront Way

There is a cost to park along the new Waterfront parking lots so be prepared to pay. If you want to avoid paying for parking, parking is FREE in downtown Vancouver on the weekends so park downtown and walk a few blocks and count it as your warmup.

Event Highlights: Pre-event & Post-event Festivities

Pre-event Festivities include:

Friday Wine Stroll on the Waterfront with coupons and savings with participating stores – enjoy discounts and specials on tastings and more!
Friday Music – come enjoy the free sounds of Gold Dust outside the AC Hotel.
Saturday – fitness events all through the day – from yoga to Barre 3 to stretching. We will be updating soon with exact times and fitness course description.

Post-event Girly Perks & Festivities – We’re working hard to make this event as women-friendly as possible. For example,

Why Racing Snack Shack will serve mimosas, apple pies, soup, roll, fruit and more!
Pampering Station – Be treated to a massage, chiropractic treatment, B-12 shots, or stretching session after you conquer the event. Sit and relax and chat with other cool women like yourself after you finish – that’s what girlfriends do best!
An amazing finishers’ medal!
Receive a beautiful women’s (gender specific) running shirt that will remind you of your accomplishment.

Packet Pickup Details

Remember your ID and USAT Membership Card (if applicable). It’s a USAT requirement! If you’re picking up a package for someone else, please be sure to have their signed authorization form and a copy of their ID.

Registration package pick-up location changes so pay attention to the times and days listed below. If you are unable to pick up at any of the times listed below, please email us at registration@whyracingevents.com to make other arrangements.

Friday, October 11th from 10 AM to 6 PM - Waterfront near AC Hotel

Saturday, October 12th from 10 AM to 6 PM - Waterfront near AC Hotel

SUNDAY at Vancouver Waterfront 7 AM - 9 AM

Awards & Celebrations

Course Records

6K:

2019 – Chantalle Shultz Rathbun – 21:16

10K:

2021 – Alexis Leone – 36:49

Half Marathon:

2018 – Katie Hynes – 1:19:15

Every woman is a winner in our eyes! But to reward those gals who are speedy, kick-butt athletes, here’s what we’ve come up with:

Awards Ceremony for the 6K at approximately 10:30, the 10K at 11:00 and the Half Marathon at approx 11:30

Awards for the Top Overall Three Champions and Masters Champion for the Half Marathon, 10K & 6K events

Awards for Top 3 Women for the Half, 10K & 6K in the following Age Groups: 15 and under, 16-19yrs, 20-24yrs, 25-29yrs, 30-34yrs, 35-39yrs, 40-44yrs, 45-49yrs, 50-54yrs, 55-59yrs, 60-64yrs, 65-69yrs, 70-74, 75-79, 80+ You get a winners’ ribbon just for showing up!!

Please stick around if you can for awards, door prizes and to see the last girlfriend finish and cheer her on.

Note: We will not be able to provide awards for walkers due to the inability to control adherence to walking only during the event.

Award Criteria: If you choose to race in the Athena (165+ pounds) category, you are not eligible for Age Group awards. You must choose one or the other.

Beneficiary

PINK LEMONADE PROJECT

The main beneficiaries for Girlfriends Run are the Pink Lemonade Project.

Click here to support the Pink Lemonade Project & learn more about the Pink Brigade Guys

Click here to find out more about the Pink Lemonade’s Project new Sustainable Donor Program

What to Bring

Bring the obvious – running/walking shoes & gear, & your bib number. Watch the weather closely. The show goes on no matter what the weather is doing. Fortunately, if you’re dressed correctly, it shouldn’t matter. If it’s raining, you may want to layer with a water-proof running jacket. If it’s cold, wear some running gloves. Vaseline is always a good idea on any spots that might rub (under ams, inner thighs, feet). Be sure to have your Bib # on the front of your shirt/jacket before you start the race and be sure to step over the timing mats at the start and finish. Watch for the cameras en route and give us a big cheesy smile!

Plus remember to bring a warm, clean change of clothing, your ID and some cash so you can enjoy the post-event festivities.

As a reminder, if your family is going to be cheering you along en route, remind them to bring cowbells, music and pom poms to help keep your energy up along the course. Drop subtle hints to your family and loved ones about how much you’d love for them to have flowers and balloons for you at the finish line. And be sure they make signs for you. Some of our favorites are “Go Mommy Go” or “My Grandma’s a rock-star!”. Or maybe get them a white shirt that they can decorate with encouraging words like “I bet my Mom can run faster than your Mom!” 😉

Kids race the 6K for FREE!

Kids 12 and under get to register for FREE with a registered adult and kids 13 ~ 17 receive 50% off on their registration! Teach them that exercise is fun!

Kids enjoy all the same perks as the adults including:

Finisher shirt
Goody bag
Medal/Necklace
Post-event fun
Sense of Accomplishment & Teaching our kids to give back – Priceless!

FAQ’s

Can I register on Race Day? Can my friend pick up my packet? Can I get a refund? Can I transfer my registration to another race or athlete?

All registration and packet pickup related questions can be found under the main navigation heading titled “Registration & Packet Pickup”. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please email us at registration@whyracingevents.com

Are Jogger strollers allowed?

Jogging strollers are tough on this course because of the out-and-backs where the course gets tight in many areas. If you opt to use one, please start at the back and be very careful on course.

Are headsets, earbuds or any type of personal music device allowed in this race?

We prefer for athletes to NOT use music devices to maximize safety, assure a fair competitive environment and assure athletes can hear all course marshal instructions. With that said, we also understand that many athletes rely on music to help endure the challenge of running. To accommodate the needs of our athletes while still assuring maximum safety and a fair, competitive environment, here is the arrangement that we can accommodate.
• If you chose to use a personal music device, we ask that you always keep one ear open for instructions so only one ear-bud should be used at any time.
• We also request that if you chose to use a personal music device that you keep the volume to a minimum to assure all instructions can be heard.

Will you offer a Bag Check?

Yes! Our bag-check will be inside Warehouse 23. We ask that you place your belongings in a bag with your first and last name and Bib # clearly taped to the outside of the bag so we can easily identify your bag. We will ask you to show your Bib # when you pick up your bag at the finish. Please understand that we can’t be responsible for your valuables so anything of value, please lock in your car.

Can I switch my t-shirt size?

Getting the shirt sizes accurate for all different body shapes and sizes is extremely difficult! Sometimes shirts run small and sometimes they run big but we often don’t know that until we have them in our hands. If the size of the ‘shirt’ you ordered does not fit, we will be hosting a ‘Shirt’ swap area at the Bag check after the race. We cannot guarantee you will be able to swap but will do our best to accommodate your need.

Can I use roller blades, a bike or skateboard?

Unfortunately, for liability reasons, no bikes, skateboards or rollerblades are allowed. Although wouldn’t that be a cool sight to see a bunch of moms and grandmas roller-blading and skateboarding!?

Will you offer awards for Walkers-only?

We have many walkers at Girlfriends but we aren’t able to provide separate awards for walkers due to the inability to control adherence to walking only during the event.

How many porta-potties will you have at the start/finish area?

We’ve ordered a ton of porta potties for the start/finish! Hopefully, the lines will be minimal! There are also bathrooms inside of Warehouse 23.

How many porta-potties will be on the Course?

Fortunately, there are plenty of bathroom opportunities along the course including Beaches, Marine Park, and Wintler park. We will also place porta-potties along the course near water stations.

Where should my family go to cheer me along?

Good spots for your loved ones are:

New Waterfront – all athletes
Officer’s Row and Fort Vancouver – all athletes
Beaches Restaurant – Half Marathoners only
Marine Park/Wintler Park Area – Half Marathoners only
And of course, the finish line at Warehouse 23

Just remind them to be careful if they are going to drive along the course to cheer you on at various locations. Also remind them to make awesome signs for you, bring their cowbells to help keep your energy up and flowers for the finish line! Don’t assume they know to do this – sometimes you’ve got to give family a little direction!

What is a Pink Brigade Guy, Willows Wonder Women or the Glam Gals?

The Pink Brigade Guys is a group of 50 guys and the Glam Gals and Willows Wonder Women, 50 gals, who will receive a complimentary registration and have each agreed to raise $500 or more for the Jaime Wyatt Miller Cancer Compassion Fund and Pink Lemonade Project and will either run or walk the event with the Girlfriends or agree to be a VIP Volunteer. Email registration@whyracingevents.com if you are interested.

Are Dogs allowed on course?

Unfortunately due to insurance requirements, only Service Dogs are allowed on course and must start at the end of the race after all other participants have started.

Travel & Accommodations

There is so much to do in our beautiful city of Vancouver WA. Make it a full weekend and enjoy so much of what our city and the surrounding area has to offer. Plus Portland OR is literally right across the river so come for the weekend or stay a week or more and soak it all in!

Here’s a glimpse of what Vancouver USA has to offer. Bring your family or make it a Girlfriends Active Retreat!

For our out of town guests, if you are flying, you will need to schedule your flight arriving into Portland Oregon. The event start and finish and local hotels are a 20 minute cab ride from the airport.

BOOK YOUR RESERVATION

Call our front desk directly at +1-360-993-8895 to reserve a room.

333 West Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA 98660

Restaurants

Here’s a list of great local restaurants to help you carb up on Friday and Saturday night. Be sure to make reservations early! There will be lots of gals looking for something delicious to eat!

Twigs Bistro & Martini Bar – One of our Event Sponsors and a local favorite!

Beaches – A local favorite spot with an amazing view!

DOSALAS Latin Kitchen & Tequila Bar – DOSALAS brings the flavors of Latin America to the Vancouver Waterfront.

Maryhill Winery Vancouver Tasting Room – An immersive tasting experience in Vancouver’s redeveloped waterfront district

WildFin American Grill – Watch the river roll by with Mt. Hood in the background as you enjoy casual waterfront dining at its best.

Stack 571 Burger & Whiskey Bar – “Fantastic burgers, great service, and darn good adult beverages!”

Kafiex Roasters Gastro Cafe – A specialty coffee shop and roastery on Waterfront Way

The Yard Milkshake Bar – Check out their Vancouver Waterfront location!

Airfield Estates Winery Vancouver Tasting Room – Visit their tasting room on Waterfont Way

McMenamins on the Columbia– Great food and beer with a stunning view of the Columbia River!

The Cove Restaurant– A hidden gem of a restaurant located on the east end of our race course!

View our official race videos from previous years

2019

2018

2017

2016

Training & Preparation

Ok, Step #1. Register! That puts purpose to your training and forces you to commit - an important part of getting to the finish line!

Learn More

Sponsors & Exhibitors

Our athletes – triathletes, duathletes, runners, walkers, cyclists – are active, educated, middle to high income earners who are committed to their fitness while also supporting our community.

Become a Sponsor

Volunteers

This event requires a ton of volunteers so if you can recruit friends, family, companies, churches, or sports teams to help that would be extremely helpful. They will get front row seats to all the action!

Learn More