It’s time to lace up your shoes and hit the streets – or the parking lot, your yard, or your living room carpet!  Covid may change the look of the 7th Around the World Virtual 5k, but it will not deter it!  The always-virtual race will be held in April 2021. It is open to everyone and the only requirement is to have fun and connect with our worldwide community. Join us no matter where you are (or aren’t) in your running or walking career. Pets and children are always welcome and bikes, scooters, and roller skates are all acceptable modes of participation.
 
This year coordinators Leah Evans and Laura Garcia Olson have some new opportunities and sources of information for Around the World 5K participants. Visit the race’s brand new website at www.aroundtheworld5k.com, seek out information in the “Ask the Experts” series, and qualify for a bunch of great prizes from our wonderful sponsors! Everyone who registers and/or posts a picture of
their run is eligible to win.

Sponsors so far include Diplodash, RNG International Education Consultants, Epiphany Pilates, Fitness Coach and EFM, Patricia Linderman, and Yoga Instructor and EFM, Nicole Schaefer-McDaniel.
 
Prizes include handmade pottery mugs, care baskets, hats, fitness and coaching sessions, and other race swag.

The race also has a new logo!  Ella Burke, an 11-year-old EFM currently serving with her family in Estonia, has created a beautiful logo that captures our wide flung community. It also honors the family of Micala Siler, a family member who recently died in Ukraine. Each of her family members is depicted running on the path. The virtual 5k is being held in honor of Micala this year, and participants are fundraising for her charity, A Family for Every Orphan.
 
As always, almost everything about the run is optional and flexible. Run or walk a 5k at some point in April – either individually or as part of a team, let race organizers know that you’ve done so – with a picture or a short description of your race, and be eligible for our amazing prizes. All fundraising goes directly to charity and sponsor donations go towards prizes for participants.  We have hats and t-shirts available to purchase via a partner website and those proceeds will go straight to A Family for Every Orphan. Participants also can donate independently to our charity or to one of their choice. Many choose to contribute to local charities. The idea is to give back! Over the last seven years, race participants have raised over $15,000 for non-profits around the world. 

Participation in the Around the World 5K continues to grow, with upwards of 400 participants for most years. We hope you can join us to connect with others around the world as we get outside, get active, and build our community.

Find out more on our website at www.aroundtheworld5k.com.