Littlest Bear Virtual 5K Run/Walk 2024

How can I participate?
You can register to run/walk/roll in the 5K, with donations going to the I School Opportunity Fellowship Fund.

After you register, you will receive information on participating in this fun virtual event, including: how to engage with our #ischool5k Slack channel in the Berkeley I School Slack workspace and submitting race times.

What is a virtual 5K? 
A virtual race is one that can be run (or walked or wheelchair rolled) from any location you choose. You can run, jog, walk, or roll on the road, on the treadmill, at the gym or on the track. 5K is 5 kilometers or 3.1 miles. Put them together and you get a Virtual 5K!

Who can participate?
I School students, alumni, faculty, staff, family members, and friends! There is no age limit and we encourage kids to get active and participate as well (there is a youth size t-shirt available).

What do you get by joining the race?
A chance to engage in a fun community event (with social media and Slack activities and prizes!), an opportunity to order special-edition Littlest Bear swag, and a chance to earn a spot on the leaderboard!

Do I need to run the 5K?
Participants can choose to run, jog, walk or otherwise traverse 5 km (or 3.1 miles). You can do it outside (on a trail, track, or sidewalk) or indoors (on a treadmill). This is an inclusive event and we encourage participation by people with disabilities — you’re welcome to roll the 5K in your wheelchair or use any regular personal assistive technology that you would typically use for a similar event.

Is there an exact date/time for the 5K?
Participants have a seven-day window during which to complete the 5K.

How will the 5K be tracked? 
Participants will be asked to track their own times and input them onto our leaderboard. Participants may use the tracking method that is most convenient for them, so long as they are able to provide the time that it took them to traverse 5 km/3.1 miles. You can use a fitness tracker, a mobile phone app, or even just a stopwatch.

Looking for tracking recommendations or advice? What if I want to do the 5K with other I Schoolers? 
When you register for the 5K, you will be prompted to provide your email address so that we can invite you to the #ischool5k Slack channel in the Berkeley I School Slack workspace. This channel is a great way to tips from your fellow 5K participants or find others running in your area!

What are the guidelines for safety, injury prevention, and self-care?
Check out these guidelines for preventing sports injuries, along with a few self-care tips for treating the minor sports-related health problems that happen from time to time, from University Health Services.

We encourage you to run safely, following local traffic laws and exercising common sense precautions. Check out these basic safety tips from Runner’s World.

I’ve never run before, but I’d really like to run the 5K. 
The good news is that you can be trained and ready for a 5K in as few as 4 weeks! You can find plenty of training programs online that will help you prepare to run the distance. Here are just a few:

• Four-Week 5K Training Plan for Beginners (Very Well Fit)
• Run Your First 5K Like a Boss: The 4-Week Training Plan You Need (Women’s Health Mag)
• The 4-Week 5K Challenge Anyone Can Master (Refinery29)

We encourage you to train safely and exercise common sense. If this is your first time running, you may want to consult your doctor (we’re sure they’ll be very excited for you!) and to follow an approved training plan.