Eleven months and counting in a Covid world and in-person events feel like a lifetime ago.
Even though this masked, social distancing existence may not be going away anytime soon, some races have begun to meet in person again, such as the Florida Marathon. However, for many immune compromised people like me, I’m not ready to face crowds of runners in corrals at races even if they are masked and social distancing at the start.
Thankfully, the more responsible organizations have decided to postpone their events, such as Gasparilla Distance Classic which has been postponed until May and Best Damn Race postponed until fall.
And then, there are some race organizations that have chosen to move forward with in-person events while offering a virtual option. Having that choice makes me so happy and when you see the selection of races and fun runs for February, you will be very happy, too!
In fact, you may even LOVE all the choices and find several to keep you motivated for your running goals for 2021. So, skip the box of chocolates this month and go for a run.
Besides being great motivators, I have four more reasons why you should run a virtual race.
February Virtual Races
With so many Valentine’s Day fun runs, February delivers lots of virtual races you will love. There are even Mardi Gras virtual races in place of Mardi Gras parades. Black History even makes its mark this month with a few good trouble virtual races.
Here in Florida, the winter season means lots of manatees and strawberry season and you can pick a few races related to those themes. With the Big Game being hosted here in Tampa, you can even find a few virtual Super Bowl fun runs.
Black History
I Have a Dream
- January 18 – March 31
- $25
- 1 mile, 5K 10K, Half Marathon or Marathon
- MLK medal
- Bib
- Benefits the Equal Justice Initiative
Black History Month Run
- February 1 – 7
- 5K – $25
- 10K – $35
- $25 + $2.45 fee
- Submit results online
I Have a Dream
- February 1 – March 7
- $29.99
- 5K, 10K or Half Marathon
- Bib
- Finisher’s certificate
- Shirt
- Sunburst runner medal additional – $9.99
- Submit results online
- Benefits Back on My Feet
Groundhog Day
Punxsutawney Phil 5K
- February 2
- $15
- Groundhog medal
- Bib
- Share your results on social media #VirtualRunDotCom #VirtualRunDotCom
Super Bowl
Halftime Hustle 5K
- February 6-7
- $20
- Football and field goal medal
- Bib
- Share your results on social media #VirtualRunDotCom #VirtualRunDotCom.
Super Bowl Fun Run
- February 1 -7
- 5K – $40 ($15 for ages 6 – 12 and $10 for 5 and under)
- Swag bag full of goodies from sponsors
- Share on social media @theBozeman3 and @superbowlfunrun5K
- 100% of race proceeds go to The Bozeman 3
Valentine’s Day
Love 2 Run
- February 1 – 28
- $34.99
- 5K or 10K
- Love 2 Run medal
- Bib
- Love 2 Run t-shirt or tank
- Share on social media #Love2Run5K10K #IRun4Movement
- Chance to win prizes
- Earn money back when you refer friends
- Benefits Stand Up to Cancer
Kiss My Mask Virtual Run
- February 1 – 14
- 5K or 14K (8.7 miles)
- Camo Mask or Sparkle-look Mask
- Camo or Kiss Ribbon Medal
- Running hat
- Digital bib
- Tank or short-sleeve t-shirt for 14K runners
- Submit results online
- Benefits the American Heart Association
Valentine’s Day 5K
- February 14
- $15
- Two magnetic conversation candy heart shaped medals
- Bib
- Share your results on social media #VirtualRunDotCom #VirtualRunDotCom.
i am in love
- February 1 – 14
- $35
- 5K or 10K
- Pink tutu
- “I am love” face mask
- Heart anklet
- Cell phone credit card holder
- Bib
- Jeweled double heart medal
- Submit results online
- Share on social media #IAMLOVE2021
Virtual Be My Valentine 5K
- February 14 – 21
- $29.99
- Lovin Snugglin’ Blanket
- Be My Valentine magnetic picture frame medal
- Digital bib
- Submit results online
- Earn money back when you refer friends
Chasing Cupid 5K
- February 1 – 28
- $25
- Chasing Cupid 5k moisture wicking/dry-fit long sleeve shirt
- Box of candy hearts
- Digital bib
- Submit results online
Be Mine for Valentine’s Day
- February 1 -28
- 5K, 10K or Half Marathon
- Bib
- ‘Be Mine’ Half Heart Finisher Medal (Two medals making one complete heart)
- Medal and bib only $32.75
- $38.75 for medal, bib and relaxed fit short sleeve shirt or women’s tank top
- Save $3 with code TRUELOVE
- Submit results in Facebook group
- Share on social media @medaldash
- Benefits Feeding America
Race for Love
- February 14
- 5K or 10K
- $30
- Build a fundraising page to collect donations
- Track your performance on Charge Running app
- WWF Race for Love t-shirt when you fundraise $125 more
- Benefits World Wildlife Fund
Mardi Gras
Fat Tuesday 5K
- February 16
- $20
- $15
- Mardi Gras mask medal
- Bib
- Share your results on social media #VirtualRunDotCom #VirtualRunDotCom.
Mardi Gras Parade-athon
- February 5 – March 31
- $50
- Complete 26.2 miles along 6 parade routes
- Mardi Gras Parade-athon long sleeve T-shirt.
- Mardi Gras Parade-athon medal
- Bib
- Submit distances online
- Earn money back when you refer friends
Mardi Gras 5K/10K
- February 1 – 16
- $35
- 5K or 10K
- Drawstring bag
- Mardi Gras face mask
- Mardi Gras mask medal
- Pink boa
- Pop socket
- Bib
- Submit results online
- Share on social media #MARDIGRAS2021
Florida Themes
Save the Chubby Mermaids (Manatees)
- February 1 – 28
- $34.99
- 5K or 10K
- Mermaid shaped medal
- Bib
- Save the Chubby t-shirt or tank
- Share on social media for fun prizes #SaveTheChubbyMermaids #IRun4Movement
- Chance to win prizes
- Earn money back when you refer friends
- Benefits Save the Manatees foundation
Florida Marathon
- February 6
- $55
- Florida orange tree themed medal
- Event bag
- Bib
- Additional fee for t-shirt
- Submit finish time online
Strawberry Distance Challenge
- February 13
- 1 mile, 5K or 10K or 5K Ruck
- $30
- Shirt
- Running strawberry medal
- Bib
February Causes
Miles for Migraines
- $35
- February 1 -4
- 5K
- Running brain medal
- Share on social media @milesformigraine
- Benefits migraine research
Run to Change Lives
- February 1 – 26
- $20
- Run or bike 500 miles as an individual or as a team (Pit Crew)
- Checkered flag themed medal
- T-shirt
- Additional medals and prizes for top fundraising teams
- Benefits the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation
Share Hope Virtual Race
- February 27
- $35
- 1 mile, 5k, 10k, 15k, Half Marathon or Marathon
- Vest
- Mask
- Race Bib
- Finisher Medal
- 100% of race proceeds benefits depression research
I Run 4 Safe Sex (AIDS Walk)
- February 1 – 28
- 5K or 10K
- I Run for Safe Sex T-shirt
- Medal
- Share on social media #irunforsafesex
- All proceeds support EPIC’s essential HIV/AIDS services and programs
Mittens 5K
- February 1- December 31
- $25
- $10 – Digital bib only
- Bernie’s brown woolly mittens medal
- Submit finish time online
- Share on social media #VirtualRunningSquad
- Benefits Feeding America
