Run For It is going virtual this year, but the purpose is still the same – to raise awareness and support for non-profits, civic organizations and other charities throughout the Tucker Community Foundation’s service area.
“For this year’s race participants pick the route, set the pace and run or walk on their own schedule anywhere they want,” said Jennifer Rexroad, executive director of the Tucker Community Foundation. “Whether it’s on a treadmill, a favorite trail or in a neighborhood, the most important thing is to be safe, have fun and raise money for the charity.”
Registration cost $10 with half of the entry fee supporting a charity of the participant’s choice. Individuals or teams can register online at raceroster.com/31389 or visit www.tuckerfoundation.net/run to download an entry form and send it in by mail to, PO Box 491, Parsons, WV 26287
The Virtual Run For It 2020 event begins on September 1 and runs through September 30. Teams must register before Aug. 31 and participants have until Sept. 30 to register and complete the race.
“At noon, September 1 every team captain and registered walker or runner will receive an email that Virtual Run For It 2020 has started and is underway,” Rexroad said. “Each participant is the timer of their own race. Walkers and runners should track their time using a watch, Fitbit or smart watch or using an app, such as Runkeeper, Map my Run, or Nike Run Club.”
After the participant finishes the 2k/5k walk or run, note the time, grab a photo or screenshot if possible, and enter the time and upload photo on the Run For It website, raceroster.com/31389, under ‘submit your virtual results.’
Participants need to enter their results by midnight, Sept. 30 in order to qualify for cash awards for their team.
“Numerous non-profits organizations and groups throughout our region depend on this important event to help them raise monies for projects and operational expenses,” Rexroad said. “Cash awards will be given to team charities that raise the most awareness and support along with demonstrating the best effort virtually. A virtual award ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 7 and streamed on Facebook.”
Run For It raises money and support for the racer or walker’s community cause of choice. Half of entry fees, 100 percent of team sponsor donations, and 100 percent of race day awards are distributed to the cause represented.
“We encourage nonprofit organizations to form teams; enlist sponsors for the team’s cause; and ask participants to register,” Rexroad said. “If an individual or group needs help setting up a team or has questions about a virtual race or how to leverage funds, please contact us. We’re happy to help.”
A full list of award categories will be released the first week of August.
The 2019 Run For It surpassed expectations as more than 1,460 participants representing 90 community causes walked and ran for it. The event raised over $280,000 for local charities. Since the program started in 2007, the Foundation has distributed more than $2 million to a wide variety of community causes throughout the eight-county region.
The Tucker Community Foundation serves Barbour, Grant, Mineral, Preston, Pocahontas, Randolph and Tucker counties in W.Va. and in Garrett County, Md.
The Tucker Community Foundation challenges participants to raise team support for the community cause of their choice and then run or walk for that cause in September. For more information on Run For It call 304-478-2930 or email runforit@tuckerfoundation.net.
The Tucker Community Foundation manages more than 135 endowed funds providing annual scholarships and grants to nonprofits and charitable causes throughout the eight-county service area. Inspired by the flood of 1985, the mission of the Foundation is to create opportunities for the communities we serve. For more information on the Foundation or how to establish an endowed fund call visit www.tuckerfoundation.net.
