Rainbow Run to draw international virtual participants
First the coronavirus pandemic forced organizers from the onePULSE Foundation to move the CommUNITY Rainbow Run from June to September. Now it’s making the event a virtual one — inviting runners around the world to sign up online and run their own 4.9-kilometer course.
So far, participants from 40 states and eight countries — including Argentina, Switzerland and India — have enlisted for Saturday’s run, as have more than 80 first responders.
“Please know we do not make these decisions lightly,” said onePULSE Foundation CEO Barbara Poma. “This is the largest annual fundraising event for onePULSE, and we need your support more than ever.”
The money raised by the event will fund the creation of a permanent memorial to the 49 people who died during the Pulse nightclub attack on June 12, 2016, as well as a museum and 49 legacy scholarships.
While the event is officially scheduled for Saturday, people can still register and run on their own (or not) through September. The event is sponsored by PNC Bank, Orlando Health and the UCF DeVos Sport Business Management Program. It also includes a 1-kilometer virtual kids fun run. All participants receive an official race T-shirt, backpack, downloadable race bib and finisher medal.
Local residents can pick up their registration packets from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday at Track Shack, 1104 N. Mills Ave. in Orlando; others can arrange for mailing. The foundation will post an opening ceremony video at 8 a.m. Saturday on YouTube and its Facebook page.
For more information or to register, go to communityrainbowrun.com.