States across America have begun to slowly open up. Here in Florida, beaches opened last month and theme parks will reopen in the next few weeks. Many people are ready to get back to a life before Coronavirus. For health reasons, some are still social distancing.
In the running community, many of our local running clubs have begun to host social distancing group runs, however, some runners like me are still staying safe at home and continuing to self-isolate by running alone.
Last week, the Boston Marathon announced its first cancelled event in over 100 years and the running community wonders if other big marathons will follow Boston’s lead.
With the looming unknown of fall races, we still have plenty of June virtual races, including the first ever virtual Boston Marathon! So if you ever wanted to chase the unicorn, now is your chance!
So take advantage of the June virtual races happening this month and take the opportunity to train for fall races that may still go on later this year.
Want to know the benefits of running a virtual race?
I have five reasons why you should run a virtual race here.
June Virtual Races
Global Running Day
Formly National Running Day, Global Running Day falls on the first Wednesday of June as a worldwide celebration of running that encourages everyone to get moving.
Committing to run on Global Running Day is free. Take the pledge, join Team Run DMT and commit to running on June 3. Be sure to RSVP to the Run DMTVirtual Global DAy Run Facebook Event page here and share your photos the hashtag #sweatyselfie and #GlobalRunningDay.
In addition to the Global Day Running pledge, there are several Global Day Virtual Races.
Brooks Running Global Running Day
- FREE
- Ends June 7
2020 Global Running Day Virtual 5K Run
- FREE
- Digital race swag: medal, bib, photo props
- Submit results online
- T-shirt add-on available
- Ends June 4
Track Shack Global Running Day
- FREE
- Bib
- T-shirt available
- Ends June 13
Austin Marathon Global Running Day 5K
- FREE
- Downloadable bib
- Digital finisher medal and finisher certificiate
- Exclusive race discounts
- Access to limited Global Running Day merch
- Automatic entry into the giveaway to win 1 of 5 grand prizes including entry to the 2021 Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, Half Marathon, or 5K + VIP Experience
- Share photos on social media #RunAustin #GlobalRunningDay5KAustin
- Ends June 4
I Love To Run Global Running Day 2020
- FREE
- Ends June 30
- Medal available $14
Gay Pride
Gay Pride parades may be cancelled but honoring and celebrating PRIDE continues on! Let your true colors shine through and join in the celebration of LGBTQ+ rights with a Gay Pride virtual run.
Summer of Love Stonewall Run
- $24.95 + fees
- Run or walk 19.69 miles
- Rainbow power medal
- Online printable race bib
- Benefits Family Equality (60% of registration fees donated)
- Submit finish time online
- Post on social media #BadassRunnerForCharity
- Ends June 30
Pride 5K/10K
- $24.95
- Rainbow sneakers with dyed fabric and real laces
- Post finish time online
- Share on social media #BadassRunnerForCharity
- Benefits The Trevor Project (20% of registration fees donated)
- Ends June 30
Love Run The World 5K
- $29 + fees until 6/3, $50 after
- Kids Division $19 + fees, $40 after
- Digital bib
- Finisher tee
- Medal add-on available
- Submit results on social media #LoveRunsTheWorld5K
- Benefits The Legacy Project, Outfront Minnesota and San Francisco LGBT Center
- Ends June 30
Pride Day Rainbow Run
- 19.95 + fees
- Rainbow medal
- Digital bib
- Finisher t-shirt add-on available
Rainbow Diva Virtual 5K/10K
- $35 (Canada $45 + fees)
- Rainbow Diva clear waist bag
- Rainbow scrunchie
- Rainbow finisher medal
- Bib
- Submit finish time online
- Share on social media #VirtualDiva2020
- Ends June 30
Life Full of Color Run
- $38 ($48 international)
- Rainbow unicorn medal
- Rainbow unicorn T-shirt
- Bib
- Color packs
- Email results or submit online #virtualrunchallenge
- Ends June 30
Father’s Day
Dad and ME 1K/5K/10K
- $40 (free shipping)
- Two medals – 5” baseball glove and 3” baseball
- Share finish photos and time on social media #VirtualRunDotCom
8th Annual Great Father’s Day Race
- June 20
- $35 + fees
- 5K
- Discount offered if you register more running partners
- Performance t-shirt
- Goodie bag
- Share finish photos and time on social media #GFDR
- Benefits Big Brothers and Sister of Tampa Bay
Graduation
Graduation ceremonies may be cancelled but we can still honor the hard work of all our graduates with a virtual run.
Graduation Run (I’d Rather Walk)
- $28
- Mortar board cap medal
- Mortar board cap temporary tattoo
- Mortar board cap sticker
- Race t-shirt add-on ($10)
- Benefits FOUR lucky graduates by donating two $1,000 scholarships to two high school graduates and two $1,000 checks to two lucky college graduates.
- Ends June 30
Flag Day
Honor Virtual Run and Courage Challenge
- $19.95 (per medal) or $54.99 for all three medals
- 5K Walk or Run (per medal), half marathon (completed at once earns all 3 medals or a Murph Challenge Completion (per medal) -1 Mile Run, 100 Pull-Ups, 200 Push-Ups, 300 Squats and a Second 1 Mile Run
- Earn three independent 3-D molded military personnel and glitter background built with powerful magnets to combine into one large flag medal.
- Buy one medal or you can buy the complete set of 3 for a discount.
- hare on social media #BadassRunnerForCharity
- Benefits Soldiers’ Angels (20% of registration fees donated)
- Ends July 4
Summer Vacation Themes
Summer Solstice 5K/10K
- $10 + $5 shipping
- Virtual bib
- Zooma sun medal
- June 20
Firefly Run
- $25.00
- 5K or 10K
- Families of 4 or more – email [email protected] for $5 off per person!
- Participant Shirt
- Race Bib
- LED Lanyard
- 5K/10K Finisher Medal (Glows In The Dark!)
Dog Days of Summer
- $34.75 + SignUp Fee
- Two medals (one for you, one for your dog)
- Bib
- Tech T-shirt $5 add-on
- Benefits K-9s for Warriors
- Ends August 31
Key Largo to Key West Challenge
- 50 miles – 6.23 miles per week (Marathon Key to Key West)
- 100 Miles – 12.5 per week (Key Largo to Key West)
- Round Trip 200 miles
Basic Package
- $24.99 Fee + $3.69 SignUp Fee
- Bumper Sticker
- Virtual Bib
- Finishers Certificate
- Premin
- Weekly Motivational Emails
- Access to Facebook Private Group
- Ends June 28
Premium Package
- $39.99 + $4.70 SignUp Fee
- Professional Bartender Bottle Opener Medal
- Key Largo to Key West Souvenir T-Shirt
- Collectible Bumper Sticker
- Virtual Bib
- Finishers Certificate
- Weekly Motivational Emails
- Access to Facebook Private Group
- Ends June 28
Ultimate Road Trip Package
- $59.99 + SignUp Fee
- Professional Bartender Bottle Opener Medal
- Key West to Key Largo Souvenir T-Shirt
- Ultimate Road Trip Cooler Backpack
- Cool Koozie
- Collectible Bumper Sticker
- Virtual Bib
- Finishers Certificate
- Weekly Motivational Emails
- Access to Facebook Private Group
- Ends June 28
Car Pool Relay Package
- $159.99 + SignUp Fee
- Virtually carpool with a few of your friends! This ride requires 4 passengers.
- Each passenger will receive:
- Professional Bartender Bottle Opener Medal * Guaranteed to the first 1500 participants
- Key West to Key Largo Souvenir T-Shirt
- Collectible Bumper Sticker
- Virtual Bib
- Bragging Rights Finishers Certificate
- Weekly Motivational Emails
- Access to Facebook Private Group
- Ends June 28