May 5th, 2020 -12:00 PM
Harbin Clinic & Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Press Release –
Bringing warm weather, sunshine and the sights and smells of springtime, the month of May provides the perfect environment for outdoor activity. Harbin Clinic and Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation are teaming up to motivate the community to participate in family-friendly exercise by playing host to a virtual 5k. Despite being cancelled in March, the community is invited to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in May by running (or walking) in the virtual Leprechaun-a-thon 5k and Shamwalk.
A change in routine and heightened stress levels during the COVID-19 pandemic makes healthy activity and time outdoors especially important. The virtual Leprechaun-a-thon is a fun and simple event that encourages physical exercise, follows important health guidelines and brings the community together in a festive way.
“We know that everyone has been cooped up now for several weeks, and we think this is a great way to encourage everyone to get some exercise,” Todd Wofford, RFPRA Director says.
Race participation is open to the general public, and those who registered for the original race are eligible to win awards. Runners and walkers can complete their distance anytime between May 5 and 16 and can be completed from any location or treadmill. Harbin Clinic and Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation encourages participants to practice safe social distancing and adhere to public health guidelines during exercise.
For those competing for an award, Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation requests that runners and walkers use a fitness app or tracker to chart their distance and time. Once participants finish their distance, they will need to capture a photo of the time and distance on the device, as well as a photo of themselves before, during or after the run or walk. Submissions should include name, age, gender and run time and be sent via email to [email protected] by 2 p.m. on May 16 to be eligible for an award.
Not competing for an award? Participants are invited to submit their completed time and photos in their 2020 Leprechaun race shirt or in festive St. Patrick’s (May) Day gear to receive a finisher’s certificate.
Overall winners and age group winners will be posted online at RFPRA.com. Winners will also be contacted via email and provided information on when and where to pick up their awards.
For more information on the virtual race, check out the FAQ below
Harbin Clinic Virtual Leprechaun-a-thon FAQ
Who can run or walk?
Anyone is eligible to run or walk the virtual race. To be eligible to win an award the runner or walker must have previously registered for the 2020 Harbin Clinic Leprechaun-a-thon originally scheduled for March 17.
What course do I run/walk?
Great question. Because it’s a virtual race, you can choose any route of your liking. You can follow the course for the Harbin Clinic Leprechaun-a-thon (click on the link) or you can run or walk on local trails or even use a treadmill. Remember, a 5k equals 3.1 miles and the Shamwalk is 2 miles.
How do I time myself?
You need at least a stopwatch or the stopwatch on your cellphone to time your jaunt. We’d prefer you use a fitness app tracker of some kind i.e. Fitbit, Garmin, etc… as they tend to be more accurate in measuring distance. You will need to submit documentation of your distance and time for completion by submitting a photo to [email protected].
When is race day?
Whether you’re running or walking, you have until Saturday May 16 at 2 p.m. to complete your distance and submit your photo documentation via email. Normally enjoy running in the morning, you’re good. Prefer a later day start a la the Leprechaun-a-thon night race, no worries. You can do that too.
How do you know I participated?
We’ll need your name, age, gender, and your time and distance. Please use the same name you used to register for the 2020 Leprechaun-a-thon if you’re gunning for an award. We need a photo of your distance and time. A screenshot of your fitness app works great. We’ll share a photo of you pre-race, post-race, or midrace on our web site and social media sites so don’t forget take a snap and send it along with your time. All submissions will need to be emailed to Jim Alred at Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation ([email protected]) no later than Saturday, May 16 at 2 p.m.
What do I get for participating?
Most importantly you get a head start on a lifetime of healthiness. But we know you like fun awards too so those athletes who registered for the 2020 Leprechaun-a-thon and who covered the 3.1 mile distance the fastest will earn age group awards, which are special glass mugs. Every runner and walker who finishes and turns in their photos and time by 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16 will also earn a special finisher’s certificate.
How do you know I really ran my time?
We know leprechauns are full of tricks but we expect you to show them the error of their ways. Honesty is the best policy. We prefer that you use some sort of fitness tracker or app to submit your distance and time if you are serious about winning an award. All distance and time submissions will be reviewed by an experienced runner. If a time seems too good to be true, then we’ll take an extra look at that submission. Just a note, the typical overall winning time in this race has been between 18:20 and 20:15 over the last five years.
When can I pick up awards and my certificate?
Everyone who sends in their time will be sent a link to download and print their special finisher’s certificate. Awards (2020 1st, 2nd, 3rd place glass mugs) will be available for pick up as soon as the Rome Floyd Parks and Recreation buildings are open to the public. Winners will be notified via email and given a day and time to pick up their awards.
Does running or walking in this race effect my entry in the upcoming October race?
No. Everyone who registered for the 2020 Harbin Clinic Leprechaun-a-thon originally scheduled for March 17 is automatically registered for the October race and walk which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 10. More information about that event will be released this summer.