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Ever wanted to join a run but felt the minimum distance — sometimes pegged at 3 kilometers — is still too much of a stretch?
Perhaps this 0.5 kilometer race is just the one for you.
The Boerne 0.5K, named after the Texas town in which it’s being held, is dubbed as “The Running Event for the Rest of Us!”
The fundraiser, held last May 5, encourages “fellow underachievers” to rally behind a cause “for a day (actually more like 10 minutes).” The registration fee was $25 (about P1,300) and came with a number of perks.
Intentionally mocking a 5 kilometer race, runners — or walkers, depending on your pace — were handed a pint of beer before and after the race.
And for those who ran out of energy throughout the half-kilometer trek, there was a coffee and doughnut station and a smoking area halfway through.
And unlike full-blown marathons, several goodies were available to finishers, including a “pretentious oval Euro-style 0.5k sticker” for your car, and participation medals.
“Everyone gets recognized for their achievements at this event, no matter how bad they are, because we are all about positivity and self-worth,” the event page explains.
It turns out that this year’s race was successful, with the organizers thanking the participants and announcing that “over $30,000 for Blessings in a Backpack” had been raised.
Under the Blessings in a Backpack program, volunteers pack food for indigent kids, for their nourishment during the weekends; these children are mostly under the federal feeding program, and receive support on food only during schooldays.
As for those who still feel conditioning for the quick race is too tasking, a VIP option was available for an extra $25 (P1,300), for which runners were shuttled to the finish line in “a restored 1963 VW bus,” and given a larger medal “because you are more important!”
If one still feels terribly unprepared, organizers have already promised to announce soon the date for next year’s race. JB
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