September 2020 Virtual Race Round-up

An unresolved nagging injury has kept me from making running goals. I finally got a referral from my primary doctor in mid-September but I've still got to make my appointment. I'm putting it off because I suspect I'll have to go back in a boot and I'd rather do that after an upcoming short trip -- our first vacation in over a year. Thanks COVID! Either way, I still have a bunch of virtual races lined up, because I'm addicted to registering for these things, I guess.

These virtual runs are mostly completed in my neighborhood so they unfortunately aren't particularly memorable, and the individual reports are pretty boring. I still want to note them, and especially shout out the charities involved, so here's a recap of the virtual races that I completed in September.

1 Run for the Turtles

  • Race: 34th Annual Run for the Turtles
  • Completed: September 8, 2020 in my neighborhood
  • Charity: Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program at Mote Marine Laboratory
  • Hashtag: #RunfortheTurtles
  • Cost: $38
  • Swag: Tech t-shirt
  • Time: 42:23
  • Notes: This physical race had to go virtual due to the pandemic. This annual turtle charity race in Sarasota, Florida has been on my radar for a few years but I never managed to get over there for race day.

2 Melissa's Race

  • Race: Melissa's Race to Battle Brain Cancer
  • Completed: September 10, 2020, Melissa's birthday
  • Charity: Advent Health Cancer Institute for brain cancer research
  • Cost: $35.50
  • Swag: T-Shirt, Medal
  • Time: 42:44
  • Notes: This is a local fundraiser race that was forced to go virtual. I ran Melissa's Race in 2019 (my first time). This would have been on my race calendar for 2020 had it been a normal year. The swag was nice, as usual -- a custom medal for the 5th anniversary and a nice soft cotton tee.

3 Yes We Peli-CAN Virtual 5K

  • Race: Yes We Peli-CAN Virtual 5K
  • Completed: September 12, 2020 on the beach in Ormond Beach FL
  • Charity: International Bird Rescue
  • Cost: $39.40
  • Swag: T-Shirt, Medal
  • Time: 59:31
  • Notes: This was a virtual race to support International Bird Rescue. I walked this with Arthur on the beach. We saw pelicans. :)  The swag for this was sub-par, in my opinion: a very thin white t-shirt that already faded in the first wash, and a fairly simple medal.

4 Turtle Krawl 5K

  • Race: Turtle Krawl 5K
  • Completed: September 15, 2020 in my neighborhood
  • Charity: Sea Turtle Preservation Society
  • Cost: $37.20
  • Swag: T-Shirt
  • Time: 57:00
  • Notes: The Turtle Krawl is a fundraiser race that was forced to go virtual. It is touted as the most popular 5K race in Brevard County, FL. I last ran the Turtle Krawl in 2016. I registered for this super late and apparel options were slim; the men's small is fortunately a good fit. The design was modified to 2020 -- a sea turtle on the front of the shirt wears a face mask.

5 Race to Wrigley

  • Race: Race to Wrigley
  • Completed: September 19, 2020 in my neighborhood
  • Charity: Cubs Charities
  • Hashtag: #RaceToWrigley
  • Cost: $48.95
  • Swag: T-Shirt, Medal, Buff, Drawstring Backpack
  • Time: 49:37
  • Notes: Some iconic races have always offered a virtual option, but that didn't really appeal until this year, when everyone participating would be virtual. I still hope to run the Race to Wrigley in person someday. The swag for this virtual race is great: gender-specific tech shirt, cute medal, race themed buff, and a pinstripe drawstring backpack.

Addendum 9/6/22: I gave this shirt away (Goodwill) in July 2022

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