Invitation to Register for the 5th Annual Ferguson Twilight Run

In 2010, residents of Ferguson and North St. Louis County organized the first ever Ferguson Twilight Run to inspire friends, family, neighbors and each other to share a common goal of getting across the finish line. Training for the one mile and 5K races helped many people to develop and keep healthy daily habits.

Race organizers set a registration goal of 300 people with the hope that those 300 people would set a positive example for community members by showing that finishing a race and being physically active on a regular basis are attainable goals. Over 900 people signed up to cross the finish line that first year. For many, this was their first time ever participating in a running or walking event.

Now in its fifth year, the Ferguson Twilight Run has inspired thousands of people to make running and walking part of their healthy habits. This year, we invite you to be a part of the 5th Annual Ferguson Twilight Run and share your commitment to crossing the finish line with the people around you. Click here to take the first step toward the finish line.

Beneficiary Announcement

Since its beginning, the Ferguson Twilight Run has donated nearly $35,000 toward youth scholarships at the Emerson Family YMCA Summer Camp and the Ferguson Tornado Relief Fund. The Ferguson Twilight Run received several strong applications this year from organizations that provide opportunities for active living in North St. Louis County, and we are pleased to announce that the race proceeds from the 2014 Ferguson Twilight Run will go to the Emerson Family YMCA Summer Camp Scholarship Program, the Girls on the Run St. Louis Bermuda Elementary Scholarship Fund, the Ferguson Youth Initiative Earn-A-Bike Program, and the Marygrove Recreation Therapy Program. Your Ferguson Twilight Run registration keeps active living in North County fun, safe and accessible through the work of these beneficiary organizations.

Volunteer Sign Up

Volunteers are a critical part of the success of the Ferguson Twilight Run each year, and this year is no exception. Sign up today to get in on the action and be a part of the fun by volunteering. Help is needed with race packet pickup, pre-race course setup, race course and finish line monitoring, spirit stations, finish line food and beverage distribution and post-race clean up. Sign up here to show your support by volunteering.

Sponsor Sign Up

Monetary and in-kind donations from generous sponsors help provide everything from live music along the route to medals and trophies to local food and drinks at the finish line. Your organization can reach a large audience and show your support for healthy living by sponsoring the 5th Annual Ferguson Twilight Run. Click here to learn more about sponsor benefits.

5th Year and Still Running: Spotlight on Mary Shay Keathley

The 1st Annual Ferguson Twilight Run went close to the house of Mary Shay Keathley, so she went to the corner to watch all the runners, take their pictures and cheer them on. Keathley made the decision then that she wanted to run it the next year, and she has done the Ferguson Twilight Run 5K every year since then along with the team that she organized at her office.

The 2011 Ferguson Twilight Run was her first organized run, and she ran the Route 66 Half Marathon in Tulsa later that year. She lost twelve pounds that first year and has maintained that weight ever since. In 2012, she ran her first full marathon in Tulsa. Since then, Mary Shay has done more organized runs than she can count including a half marathon relay with a fourteen year old neighbor who was just getting into running. In 2013, one of her neighbors did her first 10K at the Ferguson Twilight Run. In addition to cheering her on, Keathley and a few others ran the last quarter mile with her.

2014 will be another big running year for her, as she has already registered for four half marathons this year. She encourages her two sons, Cory (14) and Drew (9), to run in 5K races with her whenever possible. According to Mary Shay, “Running is a part of my life now.”