Palatine Park District's Increase Your Distance: Virtual Run

Palatine Park District wants you to increase your distance and stay healthy

Submitted by JP McNamara

Palatine Park District (PPD) introduces its first Increase Your Distance: Virtual Run!

This virtual event challenges you and your family to complete a 50k (Fifty Kilometers), which is just over 31 miles. All you need to do is register online (Virtual Race Webpage) and submit your workouts once you complete them. When you reach 50k, you will be considered a "finisher" and will earn a medal.

For those looking for a more exhilarating challenge, we encourage you to reach the 75k mark (46.6 Miles). Although Palatine Park District's Virtual Run started on April 10, you are still able to register. The closing date for the run is May 10, so be sure to upload all your workouts by the deadline.

Registration for Increase Your Distance: Virtual Run is $12. Be on the lookout for more challenges in the future.

This virtual run was created to help spread fun and encourage physical fitness during times of shelter-in-place. A small Recreation and Fitness team focused their efforts to develop Increase Your Distance. It was the development teams' goal to help motivate the community and reinforce the importance of physical fitness.

Anthony DeMichael, Aquatics coordinator and Virtual Run co-creator, said, "The response from the community is beyond anything that we had originally imagined. Within a week, we had over 200 participants involved. It has surpassed our original expectations and made us hopeful for the opportunity to host similar virtual programs in the future."

This event is sponsored by Dick Pond Athletics who offer a few tips to getting started with your run.

• Pace does not matter! Whether you are competing in the Olympics or just out for a casual jog, the miles count the same. Do not get caught up in pace or compare yourself to others.

• Starting out too fast on your run or doing too much too quickly over a duration of time are often the biggest mistakes that lead to burnout and injury. Pace yourself, your body will thank you!

• Explore new places if you are bored. Different scenery can help you stay motivated.

• If you are tight and want to stretch. Do a small warm up before stretching. Stretching cold muscles is not beneficial.

Find your gym shoes, start stretching, and register today!

For more information about this event, contact Aquatics Coordinator Anthony DeMichael at (847) 925-6000, ext. 2764 or ademichael@palatineparks.org.

The mission of Palatine Park District is to provide a variety of safe, enjoyable, and affordable parks, programs, and recreational facilities that will enhance the quality of life by promoting good health and well-being for all residents and visitors while being fiscally responsible stewards of community assets and tax dollars.