Faster than the Pastor, A Journey to the Cross, is a fresh and relevant Christian community building, evangelization, and health advocacy initiative.  A seven event series created to bring together people of faith in a way that celebrates, exalts and proclaims the gospel – providing participants an opportunity to win a trip for 2 to the Holy Land!  Events are walker, jogger, runner and stroller friendly.  We are NOT USATF certified, our Course is GOD certified –  not your typical 5K, our  event distances based on scripture.  Ditch the Deacon’s guiding scripture is John 3:16. The event is a 3.16 mile journey. All finishing participants receive unique swag, custom medal, socks and an uplifting gracious atmosphere. 

 There are two ways to register. You may register for the event series with six remaining events, Peter the Rock, or for each individual event, Doubting Thomas. 

 Register for Peter the ROCK - I’m all in and ready to sign up for the entire amazing series!  ALL Peter the ROCK series participants receive the following:

• Holy Land Sweepstakes Entry for EVERY event completed
• BONUS Holy Land Sweepstakes ENTRY if registered for series by September 24^th, 2016
• Swag (different at each event, related to our Christian faith)
• Custom finishers medal for EACH event completed. Collect all 7 medals to acquire a special message from God
• Virtual Goodie Bags from Sponsors
• Membership to view the All Things Catholic Resource Guide
• Unique Athletes Village

Register for Peter the ROCK the SERIES by May 31st, 2016 and ALSO receive:

• Additional raffles (tickets to the Basilica Block Party, Catholic apparel items from Event Spirit Store and VIP Parking spaces at each event). 
• 30% off ONE ITEM in the Athletes Village Spirit Apparel Shop
• ALL SWAG ITEMS FOR EVERY EVENT even if you only completed ONE (***finishers medals are only provided at completed events).

 Register for Peter the ROCK SERIES between June 1st, 2016 and July 31st, 2016 and receive:

•  20% off ONE ITEM in the Athletes Village Spirit Apparel Shop
• ALL SWAG ITEMS FOR EVERY EVENT even if you only completed ONE (***finishers medals are only provided at completed events).

 Register for Doubting Thomas – I’m not ready to commit to the series and only want to register for one event at a time.  Today, I want to register for Ditch the Deacon.  All Doubting Thomas Participants will receive:

• ONE Holy Land Sweepstakes entry for completing at least 5 events inside of the series.
• Swag at the event completed (different at each event, related to our Christian faith)
• Custom finishers medal for EACH event completed. Collect all 7 medals to acquire a special message from God
• Virtual Goodie Bags from Sponsors
• Membership to view the All Things Catholic Resource Guide
• Unique Athletes Village

$49.95 through Aug 28th

$54.95 by Sept 4th

$59.95 by Sept 11th

$69.95 Sept 12th - Sept 18th Online Registration

$69.95 Sept 19th  through race day – PAPER ONLY REG    

 In addition to these vibrant series events, several hosting sites include a very special Little Lambs Mad Dash for the smallest of participants aged 2-10.  Your Little Lamb will dash through the obstacle course, crawl through tunnels, scramble through cones and hurdles, and dodge the squirt guns.  Little Lambs receive their own swag item, cookie and drink.

Family registration is $175, for a primary family of 4 or more (can be any combination of entries for Ditch the Deacon and Little Lambs Mad Dash Events) and is only available in paper format – registration can be found at www.fasterthanthepastorevents.com or register on race day in person.

A portion of your entry fee goes back to our fabulous community!  At the completion of the Faster than the Pastor, A Journey to the Cross event series; Vigeo, Inc will donate up to 40% of its total net proceeds. 30% will be donated equally between the 7 parish sites where the events start and finish.  Parish communities who collaborate in marketing the initiative in their bulletin will receive 5% of each of their parish parishoners registration fee.

Check out the SPIRIT APPAREL store inside the Athletes Village!  There will be a variety of Catholic apparel items ranging in price from $3.50 to $125.00.

Event details and schedule

Packet Pick up - Friday, September 23rd 4:30pm-7:30pm

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 835 2nd Ave NW, New Brighton, MN 55112

 Event Day – Ditch the Deacon start - 8:30am

Little Lambs Mad Dash start - 10:30am

Race cancellation and weather policy:Events may be delayed, shortened or in rare circumstances cancelled, in the event of inclement weather including lightening, wind, heat, snow, or the threat of imminent severe weather which may harm or injure participants, staff, set up crew and bystanders. Event time frame includes setup, race and tear down. All possible attempts will be made to contact those involved by email, website and social media. No refunds or transfers allowed.