Run Across Ohio - Old Lincoln HWY - Virtual Running Event

Run Across Ohio - Old Lincoln HWY

*A 245 Mile Virtual Running Tour of the Buckeye State!

Are you interested in doing something pretty epic and being part of a community of runners all chasing the same goal?  Do you need something to get you motivated through June/July and have you in top shape for the summer/fall of running?  Do you like adventures?  If this sounds like you, the Run Across Ohio (R.A.O.) 2020 sounds like the perfect event!

The 2020 R.A.O. is a Virtual 245 mile run/walk across the State of Ohio that you will complete between June 1 and July 31.  How you decide to break up the mileage is your choice, but the goal is to virtually cover the distance from Van Wert to East Liverpool over 9 weeks which equates to right around 27 miles per week!  No, you won't actually be running on Old Lincoln HWY...you can put the miles in anywhere/anytime that is convenient for you and we'll do the leg work of letting you know what you would have seen on the route if you were truly running across Ohio!  It will be a fun and informative way to start your summer!

Along the way, we will be there to encourage you and keep this journey fun/fresh!  Each week you will receive an update email with a virtual tour of the ground you've covered along with the survey to submit your weekly mileage.  It should be fun to check the weekly leader board to see how you stack up with the rest of the crew!  You'll also have private access to the R.A.O. Facebook group where you can connect with other runners chasing the same goal, share photos from your journey, and encourage your trip-mates!

This challenge will give you something HUGE to keep you busy in June and July!

Cost:  Each Registration is $50.00 (Plus processing fees)

SWAG:  Each registration includes a Commemorative Run Across Ohio Event T-Shirt, Collectible Finisher's Medallion, a Race Bib, weekly motivational and informational emails, access to a private Facebook group where you can connect with others who are also tackling the challenge, shipping of your race items to your home, and MORE!

Course Route:

The 2020 version of the R.A.O. will be utilizing the Old Lincoln Highway to travel from the Western Border (Indiana) to the Eastern Border (West Virginia) along a historic route across the northern portion of the state.  We'll start just west of Van Wert and finish in East Liverpool!  245 miles of amazing Buckeye Country!

Why the Old Lincoln Way?  Well, because it's awesome!  Here's the description from the Historical Marker:

"Conceived by leaders of the automobile industry to encourage the building of "good roads," the Lincoln Highway was established in 1913 as the first transcontinental automobile route in the United States. It traversed twelve states and 3,389 miles from New York to San Francisco. The first route across Ohio connected Van Wert, Delphos, Lima, Ada, Upper Sandusky, Bucyrus, Galion, Mansfield, Ashland, Wooster, Massillon, Canton, Minerva, Lisbon, and East Liverpool. By the 1930s much of the original route had become part of the Federal Highway System and U.S. Route 30--many miles of which have, in turn, been bypassed by modern four-lane highways. "

Our Virtual Route will take us through some of the coolest little towns in the State of Ohio, many of which were paramount to early transcontinental travel!

Get a closer look at the exact route here:  https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/3071516371 

Logging your Miles:  This part is very easy!  Each week will will send an email to all registered participants with a short survey included.  All you have to do is enter your first name, last name, bib number, and your mileage completed that week and hit SUBMIT!  We'll take it from there.  Your data will be compiled and made available on a sortable leaderboard that you can use to track yours and others progress and see how you stack up!

Bonus Challenge:  Every registrant who registers for the 245 mile challenge will receive a handsome Event Medal that is 4.5" in height and depicts the State of Ohio with the Old Lincoln Highway blazing across from left to right.  This will be a keeper!  Embedded into the medal will be a collectible coin depicting the Lincoln HWY logo.  If you log 245 miles between June 1 and July 31 (Approximately 27 miles per week) your collectible coin will be silver in color signifying that you are an official Run Across Ohio Finisher!  As an added bonus, if you are adventurous enough to cover the 245 miles before the July 4 holiday (Approximately 55 miles per week), we will upgrade your collectible coin to GOLD!  Do you have what it takes to earn that exclusive gold coin?  For those that fall a bit short, your coin will be bronze in color and you will be on the honor system to finish the journey after July 31 (we trust ya!).

Beneficiary:  Vertical Runner has selected Camp Nuhop, an outdoor education center and residential summer camp for children with special needs, as the beneficiary of this event.  Like most non-profits, Nuhop has taken a fiscal hit from COVID-19.

Trevor Dunlap, Executive Director of Nuhop stated:  “We are truly grateful and touched that Vertical Runner and the greater running community would engage in the R.A.O.  The work we do with kids is paramount to their social emotional growth and the fiscal support from this event will enable us to continue to provide what these kids so deserve, a safe, nurturing learning environment where kids are empowered to succeed.”  You can learn more about Nuhop at www.nuhop.org.

You can also support the cause by visiting our GoFundMe page and donate directly to Camp Nuhop!

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guidelines Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic:  

We ask that all registrants certify that they will comply with the current CDC Guidelines and other directives from the Governor of their respective state in participating and completing their Challenge.  Our strong advice is to "EXERCISE ALONE" or with your immediate family members. We all need to do our part to "stop the spread". Be safe and do your part.

Here are some ways to be safe and still get your workout, training or challenge completed:

EXERCISE ALONE!  We'll have plenty of opportunities to exercise in groups when this is all over.  If you do exercise with a partner maintain 6 feet or more distance at all times.  
Use common sense about where you exercise and when you exercise.  Going to run/bike/walk/etc. 8 miles in a busy park on a nice Saturday morning probably isn't your best choice.  You may need to change up when you exercise and where you exercise.
Vary your routes.  This is a great opportunity to switch things up, just be sure that you are exercising in a safe area with wide paths, roadway or trails.
Be aware of your surroundings.  We are all vying for some of the same space when we are out exercising.  Be courteous of others and providing plenty of room when you pass. Crossing the street when possible is a great strategy.
Consider more workouts from home.  Lots of great things are happening with technology, online classes and exercise instruction.