THOMASTON — For its seventh annual fundraising event, Trekkers will host a virtual 5K/10K amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Registration is now open and participants can run or walk (or skip!) anytime during the month of June on any route they choose that safely follows social distancing guidelines.

The $25 entry donation supports Trekkers, a non-profit youth development organization.

Despite this year’s nontraditional virtual format, Trekkers is excited to make the event feel as in-person as possible.

“As always, it’s a way to bring people together through healthy challenge,” said Executive Director Amie Hutchison. “This year, we realized we could extend the invitation to our entire community so anyone can participate no matter where they are. We hope our community sees this as an opportunity to come together to do something fun and support our young people. The month-long event is especially convenient for those who want to form teams and create a shared experience with others, while being apart.” 

Participants are encouraged to get creative with events and already, some are showing up for the challenge.

One family team has signed up to walk a 5K at sunset each week and share pictures from wherever they are, a press release noted, while lead corporate sponsor First National Bank in Rockland has formed a team named the “First National Bank Dream Team.”

The event kicks off June 1 at 8:30 a.m. with video of a whistle-blow start on Facebook.

Each week, individuals and teams who post and tag @trekkersonline on Facebook will be cheered on and winners will be celebrated across categories like top finishers, most interesting route and most outrageous running outfit.

To cap off the event June 30, Trekkers will announce winners and showcase awards.

Participants who register before June 1 also receive a t-shirt.

To learn more about Thomaston Trek or to register, click here.