For Immediate Release—July 2, 2020
BLOOMSDAY INTRODUCES “VIRTUAL BLOOMSDAY” AS A RACE ALTERNATIVE FOR 2020 ENTRANTS
Virtual Bloomsday Provides Alternative to Running/Walking on September 20
Spokane, WA—For the first time in Bloomsday race history, Bloomsday race officials are giving the option to participants to run/walk Bloomsday virtually. Virtual Bloomsday will be an additional component to the 12k race planned for September 20. This new feature of Bloomsday will allow entrants to earn their coveted Finisher T-shirt by completing a 7.46-mile course of their choosing any time between September 18 – 20.
“We have heard from some of the Bloomsday community that they love our event, but this year’s race just isn’t a good fit for them,” said Mark Starr, Lilac Bloomsday Association President. “We want to make sure that 2020 does not pass by without an opportunity for everyone to continue their Bloomsday tradition. That’s important to us and Virtual Bloomsday will preserve that long-standing tradition for those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to participate or travel to Spokane.”
Individuals and families may register today for Virtual Bloomsday. The entry fee is the same no matter which version of the race is selected. Individuals can also sign up for the in-person race on September 20.
Bloomsday officials continue their detailed planning for the September 20 race date in downtown Spokane. In concert with local health officials, including chief medical officer Dr. Bob Lutz of the Spokane Regional Health District, Bloomsday remains hard at work in finalizing event plans for Spokane’s 44-year tradition.
Virtual Bloomsday is available to everyone – – including participants who previously registered for Bloomsday 2020. Instructions were emailed today to all registrants providing steps to convert their entries to virtual, at no additional cost, if they choose. Entrants may also wait to see if the September 20 race is a “go.” If health officials determine that Bloomsday is not able to be held on September 20, then all entries will be converted to virtual entries so that the tradition of Bloomsday, including the super-secret finisher shirt, continues in 2020.
Virtual Bloomsday will work like this:
- Virtual participants will receive their commemorative race number and instructions in the mail in early September.
- Between September 18 – 20, “Virtual Bloomies” will run/walk a 12k course of their choosing.
- Upon completion, the participant will submit their finish time on the Bloomsday website.
- Upon receiving the participant’s time, Bloomsday officials will mail the official finisher shirt.
It’s that easy . . . unless Doomsday Hill is on your virtual course!
To help prepare participants for the race, a 7-week virtual training clinic, beginning in August, will be provided by Providence Health Care and Kaiser Permanente. The clinic will once again provide training tips and advice from a team of experts to help Bloomies get ready for Bloomsday weekend. To register for the Virtual Training Clinic, click here.
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