BlogHer 5K Run/Walk Announcement

I’m excited to announce the second annual BlogHer 5K is scheduled for 6:30 am on Friday, August 6, 2010 in New York City!

My goal in organizing the 5K Fun Run is to give BlogHer conference attendees some time out of the hotel, exploring the city and bonding with other BlogHers through a fun, healthy event. This is not a timed race, but you can always time yourself!

This year’s event is still coming together. It could be anything from a bunch of gals getting together for a run and some sight-seeing to a sponsored event with swag and a post-run refreshment room.  Let me explain.

Last year was the first year I organized the 5K and it was less than organized. My  supportive roommates helped me unpack boxes of swag in our hotel room and stuff the bags. They tripped over the 50 bags and endured the 5:30 am wake-up call. Other wonderful volunteers helped with swag and even sat in the lobby for a couple hours handing out bags and being assaulted by non-5K participants hovering around to collect free stuff.

This year I had hoped to organize an awesome run through Central Park and secure a small conference room to hand out swag and post-event refreshments, and possibly meet with some sponsors. But this does not seem to be in the cards. Central Park will not allow us to run more than 20 people and there is no conference room space available at the Hilton. I am still investigating other options, including the possibility of a room at the Sheraton across the street from BlogHer’s Hilton. Advice, assistance and suggestions are appreciated – please contact me!

As of this writing, the BlogHer 5K will be two separate run/walk events. One will be in Central Park and will cover a distance of 3.4 miles (5K is 3.1 miles).  There is a limit of 20 spots for the Central Park run due to permitting issues. If there is lots of interest, we could do two sets of 20 people, one running at 6:30am, the next starting at 7:30am. The second event will be a walk/run of approximately 3 miles down Broadway.  This won’t be a guided tour, but I will be emailing a map of the route for you to follow.

Please check the BlogHer 5K page or follow me on Twitter as plans may change and evolve!

Registration is now open and there is no charge.  To register for either event, email me with your name and email address and which event you want to register for (Central Park or Broadway).  Due to the 20 person limit, I ask that you only register for the Central Park event if you are seriously committed to attending.

Thanks to all for your continued interest in this event!

Tagged as: exercise