Sept. 30, 2020 Staff Report
The LIC Post Waterfront 5K benefitting the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy will be held virtually next month due to the ongoing pandemic.
The in-person race, scheduled for Oct. 17, will be replaced with a virtual run in which participants can run in their own time between Oct. 17 and 31 and upload their times to the 5K website.
Anyone who completes the virtual race will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win gift cards to local restaurants. All runners will also receive a commemorative bib with their name in the mail.
The 5K organizers encourage runners to run the official race route if they are in the neighborhood. Children are also welcome to participate in a virtual ‘Kids Dash’ race around their block, neighborhood park or even their living room.
Virtual race logistics are being handled by Elite Feats and specific details on how to participate will be sent to registered runners.
No additional sign-up or fees are required for those who had registered for the in-person run. Interested runners can still register for the virtual 5K online through Oct. 31.
“We are all disappointed we cannot have the same great experience as previous years,” said Rob Basch, president of the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy and a co-organizer of the event. “However, now more than ever, it is extremely important to get some fresh air and go for a healthy socially distant run. Hopefully, everyone can still join us for our Virtual run and continue to support our beautiful waterfront parks in Long Island City.”
All proceeds from the virtual race go directly to support the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy, a nonprofit group whose mission is to enhance and advocate for the green spaces and waterfront of Long Island City and to ensure the parks remain an indispensable asset to the community.
The final day of the Virtual Run, Oct. 31, will coincide with LIC Bulbfest and the HPPC encourages all runners to join them in planting daffodil and tulip bulbs at the park.