No go on in-person Bloomsday, runners can still participate virtually

SPOKANE — After months of holding out hope that we would be able to hold an in-person Bloomsday on September 20, COVID-19 has clearly not abated to the point where that will be possible. However, there is a silver lining to all of this. Even though you won’t be able to enjoy the company of thousands of others coursing through the streets of Spokane, you can still run, walk or wheelchair your own Bloomsday wearing your 2020 race number (tie-dye and most certainly a collector’s piece) and earn your famed finisher t-shirt as part of the first-ever Virtual Bloomsday race.

Effective Wednesday, unless you defer your entry using the instructions below, all current Bloomsday 2020 registrants are now signed up for Virtual Bloomsday. The Virtual Bloomsday option was launched on July 2 and works like this:

• Virtual participants will receive their commemorative race number and instructions in the mail in late August and early September. Bloomsday 2020 souvenir merchandise purchased through the registration process will be mailed to you as well.

• Between September 18-20, “Virtual Bloomies” will run/walk a 12k (7.46 miles) course of their choosing. The course can be anywhere in the world — and anyone in the world can participate.

• Upon completion, each finisher will post their finish time on the Bloomsday website. Bloomsday will then mail the official 2020 finisher shirt. It is that easy!

As noted above, if you are not interested in earning your 2020 finisher shirt through Virtual Bloomsday, then you may defer your entry to 2021.

Registration is still open for Virtual Bloomsday and if you have not already signed up, you may register today for under $25.

The entry deadline is Wednesday, Aug. 26.