Last weekend I ran the Virtual Run for the Zoo to benefit the Lincoln Park Zoo. For this virtual my run bestie, and I wanted to make this race as special as the organization it was to benefit. So we planned a race day extravaganza. That is one of the big advantages of Virtual Racing, you can kind of create your own experience.

The event organizers sent ample emails with lots of information about the event and the zoo, especially where the proceeds went during the race period. There was also a Facebook Event page set up for participants to share info and virtually "hang out". We were encouraged to post our photos on social and there were also several prizes that participants could win from fastest times to the most money raised and a few random draws as well.

Basic entry got you a race shirt that was tech material and really cute. For an additional donation you could get a medal that was also super cute and featured the same ostrich as the shirt.

We were able to run the race whenever convenient between April 6 and June 7th. I got up bright and early on Sunday to head over to my friend’s house. She was super gracious to host the event and to map out the course. Also she ordered some super fun inflatable animals for us to hang out with at the Start/Finish Line in front of her house. I brought some Animal Crackers for our aid station and we also chalked us a Start and Finish Line. Things were looking super festive for our race.

I finished my 5K in 26:53.

After I finished, we had an epic Finisher's Party! We changed into our totally adorable finisher's shirts and had a ton of fun taking a ton of finisher photos with our inflatable friends, and to replicate an "official" finisher's party, My friend’s hubby even hooked me up with some finish line beer. He even made us breakfast after! Seriously, I think these two have a future in race day even planning.

As far as the official business of the virtual, once completed, I entered my results into the Run for the Zoo website. There were several virtual prizes for runners

All in all, it was an awesome virtual race. It was great to be able to participate in an event that I normally would not be able to due to the distance and cost of travel