Virtual Run for Coronavirus Research 2022

Short review

Welcome Video: https://youtu.be/-gocSDGqsWo

Purpose of the Race.  Therapeutics to combat Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections are in urgent demand across the entire world as the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to interrupt the well-being of human life. A need exists for the research and development of novel chemical therapeutics.  This virtual run is dedicated to raising funds for drug discovery research in fighting against the virus that causes COVID-19.

Introduction.  The Virtual Run for Coronavirus Research will take place during the week of Monday, January 4th – Sunday, January 10th, 2021. The following race distances are available through this virtual run:

5K (3.1 miles)10K (6.2 miles)Half Marathon (13.1 miles)Marathon (26.2 miles)Ultramarathon 50K (31.1 miles)Half Marathon Elite Option (13.1 miles)

Runners will select a race and during race week they will find a day of their choice to complete the distance.  Each race needs to be timed by recording through a GPS mapping software, examples include Strava or RunKeeper.  Runners will submit their timed results in this online system.

Race Type.  Virtual only.

Race Location.  Runners will choose their favorite course.  We recommend choosing a course that has minimal elevation gains if you think you will be a front-runner.

Date Range of Race.  Monday, January 4th – Sunday, January 10th, 2021.

Bib Information.  Runners will be able to print out their own digital bib by going to the "Find a Participant" tab, and then, clicking on their corresponding bib number.  This feature will be available on January 4th, 2021, the first day of race week.

USATF Certification.  Not applicable.

Award Information.  Any runner in any of the races that completes their respective distance will receive a finisher medal (see the medal in the "Photos" tab).  T-shirts will not be provided in this virtual run. For race distances of 5K, 10K, the half marathon, and the full marathon, the 1st-place male finishers and the 1st-place female finishers will each receive a special award.  For the 50K ultramarathon race distance, the top-3 male and female finishers will each receive a special award.  For the half marathon elite racer option, there will be only one first place award regardless of sex, it will go to the racer having the fastest time.  This award will be a custom shoe hanger prize made by the woodworking company Cycling Turtle Woodworks (see Sponsors section for their webpage).  To be eligible for top placing awards, runners must be prepared to validate their logged miles and recorded times through a GPS tracking system (ex. Strava).

Giveaways.  A door prize* will be given out at random on race week, which will be a wooden hanger for running medals made by Mike Caputo, owner of Cycling Turtle Woodworks (see the Sponsor's section).  A picture of the wooden hanger ($65.00 value) can be seen in the Photos tab (see above) in the Race Medals album.  More details will be provided to the winner of this prize.  *This door prize is only applicable to runners that live in the United States.

Comment on the Half Marathon Elite Option.  Anyone can sign up for this race.  However, there should be the expectation that finishing times will be faster than 1 hour and 32 minutes (note: running a constant 7:00 min/mi pace for the half marathon would give a finishing time of 1:31:42).

How to Log or Edit Activities.  In order to log activities, click on the column tab called "Results" (see above) and then proceed with the following prompts:

    Participant Look Up    Lookup Registration    Log Activities    Two ways to log: Manually EnterLoad Activities from File     Submit Activities

In order to edit activities, click on the column tab called "Results" (see above) and then proceed with the following prompts:

    Participant Look Up    Lookup Registration    Log Activities next to event name    Manage Activities    Edit or Delete

Virtual Race Integrity.  All runners must follow the Honor's system for the sport.

Comment on Runners Outside of the United States.  If you are a runner outside of the U.S. and are interested in participating in the virtual run, please understand that it may take longer than normal to receive your finisher medal in the mail.

Race Director.  Edward D'Antonio; email: ultrarunner.edward.dantonio@gmail.com.

About Funding Coronavirus Research.  The proceeds of the race series will be donated by the race director to the University of South Carolina Beaufort and the funds will be directed to the D'Antonio Laboratory (www.uscb.edu/edant) to help cover costs of laboratory supplies, such as tips, microplate reader plates, etc.  Full details of the research being performed can be followed here: www.experiment.com/coronavirus.  You can also read about the research in the recently published newspaper article in Bluffton Today (https://bit.ly/2LghsS2).