Participating in a virtual walk/run allows you to choose the time and place of your 5K while still supporting homeless pets! While our in-person event is happening at Spring Canyon Park in Fort Collins, capacity is limited, and you may need to participate virtually.

If you haven’t had the chance to take part in a virtual walk/run event over the past year, you may be wondering what it’s all about! In this week’s Fire Hydrant 5K blog, we want to explain a little more about the virtual walk/run experience. 

First off, what is a Virtual 5K?

A virtual Fire Hydrant 5K is taking part in this year’s event with hundreds of other participants…just not all at the same place or even the same time.

No crowds, no waking up at dawn to find parking and rush to get to the start line on time, no worrying about bad weather at race time. Just sign up, and walk/run the 5K sometime between May 29 – June 5. The best part of it being virtual is that you can put in your 5K distance one day or spread it throughout a few days!

Do I need to train for a virtual 5K? 

Training for the 31st Annual Fire Hydrant 5K isn’t mandatory, but we recommend it so you can get your body (and mind) ready for the virtual day you have in mind. 

Are you preparing yourself to go from couch to 5K? Here’s a great video from The Run Experience with three different workouts to help prepare you for the Fire Hydrant 5K:

How do you take part in the virtual Fire Hydrant 5K?

We want you to have fun and be successful during your virtual Fire Hydrant 5K! Here are some tips to help you get to that finish line:

• Find a friend to run with; the more the merrier!
• Check the weather – you have the flexibility of choosing when you run, so aim for your favorite time of day or when the weather is agreeable.
• Be honest about your abilities, and set your expectations accordingly. If you trained hard and you’re ready for a personal record, now’s the time! But if you need to take it easy and see how it goes, listen to your body and adjust your pace.
• Remember to warm up, cool down, and stretch. Just because it’s a virtual walk/run doesn’t mean you can skip these vital steps!
• Fuel up properly by eating well before your event, and have some healthy post energizing food waiting for when you get back.
• Don’t forget to hydrate. Since you won’t have official water stations, you may need to carry some water with you. Some people do a few laps near their house and set water outside their home for when they run by.

Will I still receive a commemorative t-shirt and goodie bag?

You better believe it! T-shirts will be mailed to participants using the address provided during registration. For participants registering on or after Wednesday, May 26, we cannot guarantee your t-shirt will arrive before event day. To ensure we are able to provide your desired t-shirt size and to ensure you receive your shirt by event day, we recommend registering early! 

How can I sign-up for the virtual Fire Hydrant 5K?

Head over to FH5K.org to register for this year’s event, and download the Strava app on your phone to help keep track of your participation.

Can I still fundraise for the animals?

Absolutely – the pandemic has made support for the animals as critical as ever, and your efforts can ensure every animal who comes through our doors receives compassionate care. Once you register, you’ll be prompted to create a fundraising page, and we’ll provide you with tips and tricks along the way as you work toward meeting your goal. You can also create a Facebook fundraiser for greater ease in asking your friends and family to support your effort! Click here and use “[YOUR NAME]’s Fundraiser for Larimer Humane Society’s Fire Hydrant 5K” as the title of your fundraiser so we’ll know to count these dollars toward your pledge total. Don’t forget to take a look at this year’s fantastic fundraising prizes below or at FH5K.org, and remember that your registration fee counts toward your goal!