Events
Description
The Fanciest 5K Ever is a recreational, fun, community race were runners fight human trafficking by running in formal wear! Dresses, tuxedos, bow ties, top hats, tiaras, all the glitz and glam… but on the run for a great cause! Got an old prom dress or ridiculously frilly suit you'd love to strut around in again? Fancy yourself up! All of the money raised goes directly to Safety Compass, a local organization that provides free, confidential advocacy for sex-trafficking survivors in the mid-Willamette Valley region of OR.
Runners have the opportunity to become fundraisers and set individual or team goals for donations raised! We've got great prizes for the top fundraisers!
2024 will be a In- Person AND VIRTUAL event, so runners can join us in Salem at West Coast Strength (290 Moyer Ln NW, Salem, OR 97304) for all the fancy festivities and run the course through Wallace Marine Park and River Front Park OR they can register and have a two week window to complete their fancy run and submit their time and photos virtually from wherever they are in the world! Prizes for top finishers, top fundraisers and fanciest costumes will be awarded at the end of the one week window.
RACE DAY SCHEDULE:
9:00 AM - Participant Check In, Bib and T-shirt Pick-up and Day-Of Registration Open inside the West Coast Strength (290 Moyer Ln NW, Salem, OR 97304)
10:00 AM - RACE STARTS at Start/Finish Line in the West Coast Strength parking lot. Runners head out onto the 5K Route through Wallace Marine Park and River Front Park, ending where they started!
11:00 AM - AWARDS CEREMONY starts inside West Coast Strength, Prizes for top finishers, top fundraisers and fanciest outfits!
Route Info
Our route this year is a little different than previous years so take a look! Our start and finish will be at the West Coast Strength location in West Salem, and we'll head out from there, past the Les Schwab towards Wallace Road where we'll turn onto the Union Street Railroad bridge path into Riverfront Park. We'll cross the river loop through Riverfront Park and head back the way we came to finish back at West Coast Strength.
You can also view an interactive route map here: Map of Route
Thank you for doing what you can to fight sex-trafficking! You're awesome!
Want to do more? Choose to become a Fundraiser and set a goal, then share your link with your friends and family! You'll be amazed at how generous people will be if you just ask! Over the last five years we have been able to raise over $50,000 for Safety Compass!
We're so excited to be offering both an In-Person race day AND a Virtual race option! Our In-Person event will be complete with an after party, photo booth, snacks and prizes at West Coast Strength!!
AND we'll still offer a Virtual event as well so you can join us from wherever you are!
If you've never done a Virtual race before here are the basics:
- Register and know that 100% of your registration fee is going to support Safety Compass and the survivors of sex trafficking that they serve.
- Find something fancy to wear and map out a 5K route near you.
- Print your Bib and Run your race anytime between November 12th and November 19th
- Submit Your times and photos before Nov. 20th (Use the hashtag #fanciest5kever2023 on Social Media)
- Receive your finisher medal! Don't forget to submit your time and photos before November 19th to be eligible for prizes! We've got goodies for the Top Finishers, Top Fundraiser and of course, The Fanciest outfit!
We're hoping to have participants in as many different states as we can this year. Know a runner in another state? Invite them to run "with" you!
F.A.Q.
We know you've got questions, We've got answers!
If you don't find what you're looking for below, feel free to contact us.
Q: Where does the money for this event go?
A: 100% of money raised by The Fanciest 5K. Ever. goes to the non-profit organization Safety Compass. They offer support for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and sex-trafficking navigating the criminal and social justice systems in the mid-Willamette Valley, Oregon. We offer in-person support for survivors, specialized training for professionals and community members, and advocacy during law enforcement interviews. We believe that public education increases awareness, resulting in increased victim identification and better intervention outcomes. We are committed to collaboration with law enforcement and social services providers, believing collaboration is the most effective method to achieving criminal and social justice. Learn more at https://www.safetycompass.org/
Q: Do I have to wear something fancy to participate?
A: No, you certainly don't HAVE to dress up to participate and help our cause. There is no dress code, but it is part of the fun and can help get people's attention and raise awareness when you do something out of the ordinary. We do have prizes for the best outfits though, so it might just be your new favorite thing to run it!
Q: I'm not a runner, is there another way to be involved?
A: Yes! You have the option to register and be a fancy walker! Or you can donate to a fundraiser! Help spread the word! We also need a great team of local volunteers to pull off our in-person event, sign up here!
Q: How do I get a bib for my virtual run?
A: A printable bib will be emailed to registered runners in November!
Q: How will I get my finisher medal?
A: For our in-person runners, we'll be handing them out at the finish line, for the virtual runners they will be mailed out after the 2 week window has finished, so likely in late November, Early December.
Q: How do I submit my time and photos?
A: When you head out for your run, track it with an app on your phone such as RunKeeper or Strava or Nike+. then visit our website and click the "RESULTS" tab at the top. Then Click the "SUBMIT VIRTUAL RESULTS" button and enter your info. You can email your photos to the race or if you have a public social media account you can tag us and use the hashtag #thefanciest5kever2023 so we can see your fanciness and so you'll be eligible for prizes!
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
