McClusky 5K benefit run goes virtual

The McCluskey Run for Campus Safety, originally planned for an April 4 race at Reaney Park in Pullman, has made the transition to make the 5K race virtual.

"We are sad to announce that due to COVID-19 and the cancellation of Mom's weekend, we will no longer be offering our in-person 5K event in Pullman," said the McCluskey Virtual Run for Campus Safety Facebook page.

While the 5K event won't be in person on April 4, the organization opened the race to an online virtual platform and will allow the race to last for a full week, ending April 11.

The organization has a step by step video of how to take part in the virtual race on its Facebook page. The virtual run is completed through the MapMyRun app which can be downloaded on both Android and iOS devices.

"In terms of changing the race to virtual, we decided to give the participants a whole week to complete the run instead of just holding one day to do it because now they are all in different places on different schedules so we want them to be able to do it on their own time," said Director of Public Relations Claire Smith.

Originally, participants, who preregistered before March 16, would receive a T-shirt and attend a social with raffle after the race. Now with the virtual format all participants, no matter the registration date, will receive a certificate of completion that can either be mailed or emailed to them.

"We were going to give them T-shirts but we decided to change that to a certificate because we weren't sure if the shirt manufacturing was going to continue to be open," Smith said.

Registration, no matter if preregistered or registering the day of, remains at $25. All proceeds of the event will be donated to the Lauren McCluskey Foundation.

Lauren McCluskey grew up in Pullman and was an accomplished runner and student at the University of Utah. She was murdered in October 2018 on the university's campus. The foundation supports three causes: campus safety, amateur athletics and animal welfare.

Amber Overway of Roy, Wash., said she initially got interested in the race because of the cause.

"I have a daughter that attends WSU and I want her to be safe," Overway said. "No parent should have to worry about their child while away to college and that starts with better campus security."

Overway will be completing her 5K all in one go at her home in Roy. She said with miles of back roads around her home she has been able to practice for the race.

"I'm a new runner but am quickly becoming an avid runner," Overway said. "I have found it very peaceful and exciting the more I run. I ran over 22 miles last week and have been challenging myself to run more and more each time."

Overway said when she first heard of Lauren's story she would think about it often. She said when she saw this run on mom's weekend she knew she needed to participate.

"Since the race is now virtual we have received some feedback from new participants who have signed up because they can do it virtually," Smith said.

Runners can register online up to April 11. The online registration form can be found at the McCluskey Virtual Run for Campus Safety Facebook page.