The Covid-19 pandemic has slowed congregations to a halt yet again this year. But the reality of running has adapted virtuality to host events from a socially distanced vantage point.
An event that has already begun, Global Running Day is a worldwide celebration of running that encourages everyone to get moving.
You can participate in the free NYRR Virtual Global Running Day 1M Powered by Strava by running or walking 1 mile anywhere as the running community comes together on Global Running Day 2021 with a simple online pledge. Between June 1 and June 6, you can lace up your shoes and run with thousands of other participants in celebration of a day that encourages everyone to stay active and healthy. Check out the GRD website here at https://globalrunningday.org/ to register online.
Runners are encouraged to capture and share photos from wherever they’re running and connect with people across the globe who are also celebrating their love of running using the hashtags #NYRRVolvoVirtualRacing and #GlobalRunningDay.
Coming up is Tom Longboat Day, a communal event that normally generates a large congregation at the Six Nations Community Hall to celebrate the long time Onondaga athlete.
This year, runners are encouraged to join the virtual event provided virtually on Friday, June 4 by Healthy 6Nay at 9:30am for an opening and warm up. They are then able to take part in draw prizes and receive a limited edition TLR Mask.
Participants are encouraged to wear a previous Tom Longboat shirt, get active for 20 minutes, then upload a photo or video to the Healthy 6Nay Facebook page by noon on June 5.
For those looking to do the full experience, the 5km and 10km Challenge will ask participants to use an activity tracker or smart phone to take 10,000 steps, or 20,000 steps while socially distancing. They are then asked to email aharrison@sixnations.ca with the results to receive the Tom Longboat Run certificate of completion and TLR mask.
As for those in a class setting, the Classroom Challenge asks that Teachers offer instruction for participating classrooms to use any medium to celebrate Tom Longboat Day and upload a class sheet as a photo or video. There will be 1 prizes for winning classroom of submarine vouchers and submissions are due by 4pm on June 7 to aharrison@sixnations.ca.
The next venture comes for June 21, with the Indigenous Peoples Day Virtual 5k, 10k and Kids 1k. Sponsored by the N’Amerind Urban Aboriginal Healthy Living Program, this event encourages runners to download the 5km and 10km training apps through Apple to help in preparing for the virtual meet.
