One-month countdown begins for Running With Ed

Running With Ed is one month away. Photo: Michele Roepke

PARK CITY, Utah. — The one-month countdown begins today for the May 22nd event. Running With Ed (RWE) is a fun relay race taking runners from school to school around Park City trails. It’s the second-largest fundraiser for Park City Education Foundation (PCEF) behind the Red Apple Gala and ahead of Beat The Call, all of which raise money for Park City teachers, students and schools.

After last year’s COVID cancellation, this year is on and altered.

~ Staggered starts replace mass starts.

~ Enforced social distancing replaces indoor parties/exchange sites.

~ Event buffs replace event t-shirts.

~ Unlimited opportunity to donate online without even running or knowing anybody running replaces limited opportunity.

~ BYO water replaces filled cups.

~ Nothing replaces costumes as they are highly encouraged again.

~ Two short legs runnable by the youngest athletes replaces only one.

~ Lastly, school buildings replace sponsor buildings, which “is really what it’s all about anyway,” said Jennifer Billow, PCEF associate director of communications and development/event organizer.

Four start times at six schools spread the estimated 1,500 runners (200 teams) to no more than 10 people per location, well under Summit County’s COVID policy.

Parkites not participating this year may notice increased temporary sponsor signage along the route which the city is allowing in place of the usual indoor sponsors of the past.

“This is one of the few school districts in the country that has been open so successfully all year, it’s time to give back to them,” Billow said.

Volunteer Allison Zarkos, PCEF ambassador and RWE committee member/Park City Mountain grant liaison, said “We’re really happy to be able to bring this safe, fun and award-winning event back to the community.”

The registration deadline is May, 14.

Register and/or donate here: Running With Ed 2021