Virtual 5K race planned in Washington County
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How do you hold a virtual 5K? Some race coordinators in Washington County think they may have figured it out.
For the last 17 years, participants in the Beverly-Waterford Bunny Hop 5K have braved a variety of conditions, but this year is a little different. Individuals won’t be participating in a pack environment.
The 2020 Bunny Hop is going to be a virtual race, where runners and walkers will register for the race, pay their race fee and walk their own 3.1-mile course. Participants are asked to wear an old Bunny Hop T-shirt.
“The key is, don’t walk with someone, walk six feet away,” said Barbara Armitage, member of the American Legion Unit 389 Auxiliary, which holds the annual event. “Mark off your own route and take a picture to post to the Bunny Hop Facebook page.”
She said people can register until April 24 and participants can walk or run anywhere from April 25 through May 1. T-shirts will be available at Wainwright’s Jewelry in Beverly after the stay-at-home order for the COVID-19 pandemic has ended.
Unlike other years, there will be no prizes or trophies.
“It’s just a celebration of the Bunny Hop, the auxiliary, the fire department and the EMTs,” Armitage said.
Proceeds from the race go toward the Beverly Volunteer Fire Department and the Beverly-Waterford Squad.
“When this all started, we thought the proceeds should go to good things in Beverly and Waterford,” Armitage said. “We really worked closely with the EMTs and the fire department. They are volunteers in a small community. It’s important we highlight them and thank them.”
Last year, between $5,000 and $6,000 was raised. Over the last 17 years, more than $64,000 has been raised and distributed.
Beverly VFD Chief Phil Lowe said they don’t have a specific purpose for the race proceeds.
“It’s for general maintenance and replacement of equipment,” he explained. “Over the course of the last year, we’ve done several projects using the money we got.”
As many as 600 people have participated in the race, with 100 to 150 volunteers who line the race route and man the water stations.
“This year, we won’t be using those (volunteers),” Armitage said. “Hopefully they’ll choose to walk or run.”
As in past years, a T-shirt contest was held this year, with the winner having their artwork put on the front of each race T-shirt. The winner, who hasn’t been named yet, is an art student at Waterford High School.
Armitage said the race has been a good time in the past and she hopes it will be the same this year.
“It’s a fun thing. Lots of people have these colored T-shirts,” she said. “It’ll be fun, even if they aren’t walking together.”
Michele Newbanks can be reached at mnewbanks@mariettatimes.com.
To participate:
• Register at bunnyhop5k.com
•Online registration is open through April 24.
•Registration fee is $15 per person.
•Wear a favorite Bunny Hop 5K shirt.
•Run or walk a 3.1-mile route between April 25 and May 1.
•Take a selfie while walking past the virtual finish line.
• Post the photo on the Bunny Hop 5K Facebook site using the hashtag #VirtualBH5K20.
Source: Bunnyhop5K.com.