When OneRunTogether (ORT) was founded by Chester County resident Vern Murphy in 2009 as a way to honor his late wife, Beth, who passed away from breast cancer, it was based on the idea of raising money to support local cancer patients by holding running and walking events throughout the area.
Despite the pandemic, ORT has continued to raise funds by sponsoring virtual 5K and 10K events instead. ORT presented the "Creamery Hustle" in June, which is normally held at Penn State Berks in Reading, and the "Jolly Jingle in July," where registered runners and walkers received wrapped Christmas presents.
The next event on the ORT schedule will be the first "Ready Set GLOW!" Virtual 5K/10K Race. Runners and walkers have from 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, until 10 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, to complete the event.
"Last July, we had our first glow run and it was a huge success. There were about 200 people there, and it was held at Honey Brook Golf Course at night and we gave all of the participants glow sticks," said ORT volunteer Sharon Valentino, one of the race coordinators. "This (virtual 5K/10K) is replacing what we would have done this summer without COVID."
Because of social distancing, participants will be asked to complete a 5K or 10K on their own, whether it be running or walking on trails, roads or on treadmills. T-shirts and glow items will be provided to registrants while supplies last.
Participants are encouraged to run at night with their glow sticks. "It was set up as an evening race, but if they run during the day, that's fine," said Valentino.
The top prizes for the overall male and female winners of the 5K run and the 10K run will be given an assortment of glow items.
The virtual event will be based on an honor system, and runners are encouraged to measure the 5K (3.1 miles) or the 10K (6.2 miles) with a running app or a treadmill. Only those who run the 5K or 10K will be eligible for the top prizes.
Participants are asked to post their photos at http://www.facebook.com/oneruntogether. "For the July race, we asked people to put their photos on Facebook wearing race gear, which included a Santa hat with a OneRun pin on it," said Valentino.
All proceeds from the event will benefit ORT, which provides financial support to cancer patients. For example, those who qualify have received grants for their mortgage payments, rent, utility bills, car repairs and home repairs. Since 2011, ORT has given more than 385 grants totaling more than $180,000.
Spiritual support is also provided. Normally, Murphy personally delivers the grant money to patients throughout Berks and Chester counties and prays with each patient and his or her family. He also presents them with a Bible donated by East Brandywine Baptist Church.
Because of the pandemic and to protect the health of patients undergoing chemotherapy, Murphy has instead personally called each grant recipient over the past several months. Bibles and the grant money were sent through the mail.
To register for the upcoming virtual event, readers may visit http://www.oneruntogether.org and choose "Events and Races" and then "Ready, Set, GLOW 5K Run/Walk."
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