The Ferguson Twilight Run recently received Big River Race Management’s “2018 Runner’s Choice Award.” The honor is voted on by runners and walkers throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. The Ferguson Twilight Run previously won Best Neighborhood Support five of the six times the award has been available.

Since 2010, runners and walkers of all ages and fitness levels have participated in this annual twilight run/walk event. The professionally-timed courses start and finish at Plaza at 501, an open-air plaza designed for this sort of community gathering. The route includes cheer stations and water stations through the rolling hills of scenic Ferguson. The post-race festivities include a free concert, in addition to finish area health and food vendors.

In its 10th year, the race has always served multiple purposes: it’s an opportunity for active living, community support, and philanthropy. More than $80,000 in race proceeds have been donated to local organizations that provide the residents of Ferguson and North St. Louis County with programs and events showcasing the enjoyable, healthy, and sustainable benefits of fitness. The 2019 benefactors are the Audubon Center at Riverlands, the Emerson Family YMCA, Girls on the Run in the Ferguson-Florissant School District, Strength and Honor Mentoring and Tutoring, and The Fit and Food Connection.

This year’s race on May 18 celebrates the 10th year anniversary by adding a 10-mile course, along with the 1-mile fun run, 5K, and 10K distances and a virtual run option. The post-race concert will feature Dirty Muggs and Big Papa G to energize the participants during pre-race festivities, which begin at 4:30 p.m.

Community sponsorship is a critical component of the race’s success, and this year’s sponsors include Centene Charitable Foundation, City of Ferguson, Emerson, Express Scripts, Ferguson Brewing, Negwer Materials, the James family, Big River Running, Christian Hospital BJC, and the Gerry Noll family.

“As a 95-year-old Ferguson business, Negwer Materials is proud to sponsor and participate in this fun and well-run community event. We find it to be a great opportunity to give back to the charities that the race proceeds support, as well as a time to promote health and fun within the community and our organization,” said Scott Negwer, president of Negwer Materials.

For more information and to find out how to get involved either by racing, sponsoring, or volunteering, please visit www.fergtwilightrun.com or email racedirector@fergtwilightrun.com.