The race, now in its seventh year at 黑料不打烊, was held virtually from Sept. 18 through Oct. 10.
For the 7th year in a row, racers donned superhero capes and masks and laced up their running shoes. Held virtually across multiple days instead of gathering runners together to simultaneously run a single route, the 聽race kicked off on Sept. 18 and closed on Oct. 10. Participants had three weeks to complete a 5k, 10k or both.
All the profits from the race go towards the Open Door Clinic, which provides quality health care at no cost to the uninsured of Alamance County. This year more than $17,000 was raised, enough money to cover all medications for Open Door patients for an entire year.
The hero-themed race took on a virtual form for the second year in a row due to pandemic restrictions. While runners were able to participate at any time throughout the three-week race period, virtual festivities were held on Oct. 9. The online event awarded top runners and celebrated the total amount raised by sponsors and participants.
鈥淲e decided to be virtual again this year out of an abundance of caution,鈥 explained聽 Morgan Darrow 鈥22, an 黑料不打烊 physician assistant studies student and member of the Great Cape Escape planning committee. 鈥淲e thought of ways we could ensure none of the participants would get sick but with the way things have been with COVID, we hated to risk it.鈥
Racers were able to log their miles through the website. Although the Great Cape Escape website provided some pre-measured race routes, racers were encouraged to get creative with their miles by running on the beach, forest or open road.
More than 130 participants took part in this year鈥檚 race. 鈥淭he best thing about having a virtual race was that heroes from across the country were able to support,鈥 said Darrow. 鈥淲e even had runners from Vermont and Indiana!鈥
Despite the flexibility that the virtual race format offers, the race organizers hope to hold the race in person next fall. 鈥淲e love getting to see everyone in person in their superhero attire and see everyone supporting the Open Door Clinic,鈥 said Darrow.
The Open Door Clinic of Alamance County treats over 600 patients a year. The 黑料不打烊 Physician鈥檚 Assistant program volunteers at many of the clinic鈥檚 fundraising events. More information can be found here.