Could you run 30 miles in 42 days? 60 miles? How about 90 or stretching to aim for 120 miles? How about if you knew it was to provide support for Oregon food banks?
You’ve got just over a month to sign up for and submit your miles to the Oregon Food Run Virtual Challenge. The challenge just kicks off tomorrow on June 21, so you’ve got plenty of time to reach your mileage goal. As of writing this post, registration is just $29 and includes a t-shirt and car-magnet finisher medal, which will be mailed to you, plus a digital finisher’s certificate.
When you sign up, you’ll be asked which distance you want to swing for: 30, 60, 90, or 120 miles. This race is being organized by Endurance Productions, who is working with Oregon Food Bank. They have put on this type of challenge in two other states so far — raising $21,000 in the Carolinas and more than $8,000 in Texas. The primary goal for Oregon is $10,000.
“We chose Oregon as our third state due to our affinity for the people and the endurance lifestyle culture that emanates throughout.” says Steve Lackey of Endurance Productions. “Also, due to the fact that 1 in 6 children struggle with food insecurity and 1 in 8 adults struggle with hunger.” The Oregon Food Bank Challenge gives you something to strive for and be motivated by while helping out a vital organization.
I really like the swag for this race: the shirts are in unisex and women’s cuts (shown at left) and the number on the back of the shirt designates the distance you completed. Having a car magnet medal is also a good idea because it’s useful (but not permanent) and can increase awareness of food insecurity in Oregon.
Participants can upload their mileage through the race website on RunSignUp, the Oregon Food Run Virtual Challenge facebook page, or by emailing the organizers. You can sign up through July 26 and still count any runs you’ve completed since June 21, if you prefer to see how things shape up before you commit to a distance.
COVID-19 has really increased the number of families and individuals going through food insecurity, and all donations above the registration will go directly to the Oregon Food Bank (which in turn supports 1,400 community-based partner pantries and food assistance sites which are very important). If you’re not able to register for the race and want to help food banks out directly, the Oregon Food Bank Network has a place on their site to make a financial contribution. The Oregon Food Bank Network funnels donations to the areas of the state with the highest need, striving for equity across Oregon.
