Traditionally, the Rock CF Rivers Half Marathon, 10 Miler, Relay & 5K races have offered those who could not physically run the course to participate in a virtual race. This year, the 10th Annual Rock CF Rivers Half Marathon, 10 Miler, Relay & 5K races will become 100% virtual.
The race officially takes place on March 29, 2020, and registration is still open! I will be hitting the rubber for this race from the comfort of my own home.
We asked Founder of Rock CF, Emily Schaller, a few questions about this year’s race.
What positive impacts do you see moving the race 100% virtual is having on the event?
Since our first race in 2011 we have had a virtual option for those who are not able to travel to Michigan for the race. We did this because we wanted to give everyone the chance to share in the excitement and cause no matter where they live. It has been very cool to see people all over the world run with us on race day!
Each year, we get about 200 virtual runners. Canceling our race is something I never imagined we would have to do, but as things really started picking up with COVID-19 I quickly knew that it would definitely be an option. Once I fully recognized what my gut was telling me for days, I decided we had to do what is best for the CF community and the great world.
Of course, I couldn’t just cancel the race and be good with that. That’s not who I am or who we are. We don’t give up. Instead, I decided that going virtual for everyone would be the only route we could go while keeping the spirit of the event alive and running, while slowing the spread of Coronavirus. So now in addition to the original 200 virtual runners, we will have at least 1,800 more who will join in from all over the world on March 29.
The response has been amazing and those who are already registered for the race are encouraging family and friends to get involved, too. I’m overwhelmed with the positivity runners are showing us. In the end, the CF community is the heart and soul of this race and our organization, and that’s the message we need everyone to hear.
How will participation in this event impact the CF Community?
The Rock CF Rivers Half Marathon, 10 Miler, Relay & 5K is the Rock CF Foundation’s largest fundraising and awareness event. This race is truly what makes everything our organization does possible. Our programs, advocacy efforts, sponsorships/grants and operations are funded by this race. Generally, we have 2,400 participants in this race each year, but since we had to “cancel” when we did, we are missing out on the roughly 600 registrations that would happen from now until race day. So, we are still encouraging people to register for the virtual race with us so we can continue fulfilling the mission of Rock CF.
What are ways people can virtually connect with participants in the race?
We are asking everyone participating to take photos of themselves in their race shirts, with their medals, while they’re running, etc., and post them all over social media. Be sure to use #RockCFVirtual. Also for those on Strava you can join our Rock CF Run Club and give Kudos to other Rock CF runners!
People with CF run for free, so anyone out there with CF please email emily@letsrockcf.org to get set up!
I will be participating in the race and you should too! Let’s all ROCK CF together.