#RocOurShops Virtual Covid 19-Miler

This is next in a series of mini race reports for various virtual runs and races I'm doing while the COVID-19 pandemic has shut everything down.

Eric Eagan of #TrailsRoc set up this virtual run to benefit three Rochester-area running specialty stores. The concept, thought up by #TrailsRoc member Scott Parr, was simple and all-inclusive: register for $20 to run, walk, or hike one of three distances over three days, then submit your self-recorded time via a Google form. All proceeds were split evenly between Rochester Running Company, Medved Runing and Walking Outfitters, and Fleet Feet Rochester. A few names were drawn randomly to win shoes or other prizes from the stores.

Why sign up to help Rochester retailers when I live in Ithaca? Well, the Rochester trail running community has become like a second trail home to me over the past few years. I’ve met loads of great people at their events, and many #TrailsRoc-ers frequent Ithaca's trail races. 

The ROC community benefits greatly from these retail shops the same way Ithaca benefits from its own. On a more personal level, ever year Rochester Running Company sponsors the Final Countdown aid station at mile 35 of Many On the Genny. I've run this race twice, and after a loooonnng stretch in the woods it's always a godsend to see the trailside sign reading "You are 0.25 miles from Rochester Running Company." The volunteers at this stop always know how to get us runners going to finish strong over the final five miles. 

Another race I've run twice is the Mendon Trail Runs, which is sponsored by Medved. The hosts packet pickup and provides gift cards for overall and age-group winners. I'm thankful that Medved has played a part in keeping the Mendon race going since
1999. Additionally, Fleet Feet Rochester frequently fields a team for Cayuga Trails. 

In the era of grossly oversized online retailers and big box department stores, it's the small brick and mortar shops that have any meaningful connection with their customer base. Try having someone from Amazon fit you for running shoes or explain the difference between four different types of gels. Try getting your county's Wal-Mart to sponsor and staff a remote aid station at your grassroots-style ultramarathon. (Spoiler alert.) It's not gonna happen. We as individuals will ride the storm out and make it through the pandemic. Ensuring that these types of businesses make it through along with us is of the utmost importance. The best way to make it happen is to starting on the solution now.

I'll have a new post coming soon about my experience organizing and running a similar event to benefit Ithaca's Finger Lakes Running Company. 

***

This was my second virtual run in two days (after running an hour yesterday for iRunFar's Operation Inspiration.) I enjoy feeling some sense of community by connecting with other runners during the bizarre dog days of COVID, while using physical activity to maintain at least a shred of sanity.

The distance options were 19 miles, 19k, and 1.9 miles. I signed up for 19 miles and chose to run it continuously, rather than split it among two or three days. I ran around all of the most scenic Cornell trails and didn't encounter too many other people. It was a beautiful day to run around in the woods for a worthy cause.