Photo Courtesy of Lindsay Burnett: The virtual 5K “Run Walk Howl” encouraged A-State community members to exercise during a pandemic where it might usually be hard to get outside. 

By: Courtney Edwards

The virtual 5K called “Run Walk Howl”, created to promote fitness and healthy living while social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, took place April 19 to April 25. 

The event was hosted by the Arkansas State University Alumni Association and the Get in Gear Fitness Series. Sponsors in the Get in Gear Fitness Series include St. Bernards Healthcare, Gearhead Outfitters and Arkansas State University. “Run Walk Howl” was free to the public in all different areas across Northeastern Arkansas and all alumni across the nation were encouraged to participate as well. 

Participants got to pick their own route and run, walk or roll the 3.1 miles while recording their status using a fitness tracker or a mobile fitness app. Participants also chose when to complete their course as long as it was in the seven day window. Some free fitness apps include MapMyRun for iOS or RunKeeper for iOS and Android. After completing the 5K, the hashtags “#RunWalkHowl and #GetInGear were used to share pictures.  

Participants were encouraged to choose somewhere that was not crowded while determining their route. They were also told to keep a safe distance of six feet between themselves and others and adjust their route if they encountered 10 or more people. 

Over 300 people registered to participate in the 5K. Lindsay Burnett, executive director of alumni relations, came up with the idea for the virtual 5K during social distancing.

“In the springtime there are usually many 5K events going on within the community. Due to COVID-19 nothing like that is allowed at the moment. So, we came up with the idea of a virtual 5K,” Burnett said. 

Burnett said the A-State Alumni Association and Get in Gear Fitness Series organized the 5K as a way to encourage alumni and community members to get out during the global pandemic.  

The Get in Gear Fitness Series was started to educate people on healthy living. They offer a wide range of activities for people to choose from and encourage them to “get in gear.” St. Bernards and Gearhead Outfitters partnered as title sponsors for the Get in Gear Fitness Series in 2017. Arkansas State University joined them in 2019. 

Paul Pickens, co-chair of the Get in Gear Fitness Series, said, “There’s no better time to start than today. We’ve all watched the news on how COVID-19 has a large impact on those who have a compromised health condition. Now more than ever, our health is so important.”

“Run Walk Howl” was created for social distancing. The 5K Race for the Cure, scheduled for April 25, was cancelled. However, “Run Walk Howl” can be done in a person’s own time. 

“It’s not about how fast, or if you walk or run. The important thing is you’re out there moving and improving your health,” Pickens said about the benefits of this 5K. 

Pickens said joining a 5K is a great way to accomplish a goal while doing something healthy at the same time. This event gave people the opportunity to participate in a 5k even if they had never done it before. 

As a participant of the “Run Walk Howl” event, Rachael Isom, professor of English and philosophy at A-State, said she was inspired after taking part in an event like this during social distancing. 

“I checked in on social media afterward to see who else was running. It is inspiring to see posts by people in Jonesboro and all over who are getting in their 5K this week,” Isom said. 

The virtual 5K ended April 25, but that doesn’t make it impossible to go out and get some exercise. Staying healthy is one way to also stay inspired during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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