Out and about

For those of you who still need to shake off the quarantine vibes, here’s your chance.

The first annual Idaho Run for Safe Streets, sponsored by the Idaho Walk Bike Alliance, is scheduled to take place in Boise on Aug. 7.

If you don’t want to make the over seven-hour drive, that’s okay, there is a virtual option for participants who prefer staying close to home.

“We just want to give a reason for our community to come out and say hello to each other again.” Said Nina Shaeffer, development and communications specialist for Idaho Walk Bike Alliance. “It’s been so long since anyone has been able to have a nice big community event.”

Events include a half-marathon, 10K, and 5K. Virtual participants are invited to run their desired distance anytime between Aug.t 1-7.

“After the year we’ve gone through, we need to get outside,” said Idaho Walk Bike Alliance board member, Tecle Gebremicheal in a press release.

There’s an additional feature remote participants can enjoy. The virtual race will include a photo contest that runners can submit for a chance to win a $20 Visa gift card.

Categories for the photo contest are, the farthest route from Boise, most scenic route, best route along the water, participant with the most elevation gain, and largest group of participants.

“This is our version of incentivising folks to go and attend the event,” said Schaeffer on Thursday, “we wanted to give something to the statewide attendees.”

The people of Bonner and Boundary counties have a good chance of winning one of these prizes.

Bonner and Boundary counties are as far away a person can get from Boise, while remaining in the state of Idaho. The panhandle is home to many trails surrounding a wide variety of mountains and lakes. It may be challenging for other Idahoans to find steep elevation changes, scenic views, or lakeside trails similar to the ones found in Bonner and Boundary counties.

“We want people to know what we do, which is to make the streets safer for everyone using the streets under their own power,” said Gebremicheal.

The Idaho Walk Bike Alliance promotes active transportation that is healthy, safe, and reliable for all Idahoans. Visit Idaho Walk Bike Alliance’s website at idahowalkbike.org for more information.

For race information, or to register, visit runsignup.com/Race/ID/Boise/AnnualRunforSafeStreets .