Students around the country – from kindergarten through college – are being denied their chance to walk up on a stage to receive their hard-earned diplomas, but one organization is looking to soothe the disappointment a little with a concept it calls the Graduation Run.
Or as Tyler from Runtastic Events in Utah puts it: “You can’t walk for graduation, so why not run? Maybe you can’t sit in an over-packed auditorium on hard plastic chairs and hear your name be mispronounced to get your empty diploma, but you can run for graduation whenever you want and with whoever you want.”
The concept is simple. Graduates are urged to treat themselves to an unforgettable commencement by running on the beach, through their hometown, down a canyon, or even on a treadmill in their living room.
And since most graduates didn’t make their journey all alone, Runtastic thinks they shouldn’t graduate alone either. Instead of sitting in that hard chair, listening to thousands of names before their graduate’s name is announced, family and friends are urged to run with the graduate, together or virtually, sharing the memory of their accomplishment together.
As an incentive, Runtastic Virtual is donating two $1000 scholarships to two high school graduates and two $1000 checks to two college graduates.
Here are the “race” details:
Date: Graduates and supporters can run any day between now and June 13.
Distances: Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and Kids Dash
Swag: Customizable Medal, Graduation Diploma Race Bib, Race Shirt (optional) available in nine different colors, Race Sticker & Temporary Tattoo
Cost: $28 for all race distances; $10 for the optional race shirt.
To enter the contest graduates need to just send a picture of the contestant with bib number and medal along with their race results and a short essay on how running has benefitted their lives (this can be serious, funny, or both). Also needed: The graduate’s last Report Card or school-issued graduation approval letter/email.
For more information or to register visit www.gradrun.com
