I’m fortunate enough to live in an area that has a race almost every weekend. Honestly, if you really wanted to run a race on any given weekend there is a high probability something is happening less than a couple of hours away. The Bay Area LOVES racing that much.
Thankfully, some races offer the opportunity to join in on the fun remotely. Represent Running is one of those. On March 1, Represent Running will be hosting the 4th Annual San Jose 408K and they have a “remote runner” option for registration.
About the 408K:
- An 8k in the 408 area code benefiting the Pat Tillman Foundation’s Military Scholars Program
- Locally known for “The Mariachi Mile” — a Mariachi band lined stretch of course
- A winning recipe: run local, connect with local charities, and listen to the people
- At the 2014 race, World War II veteran’s touching video goes viral (watch here).
Here is how it works:
- Register as a “remote runner.”
- Run the 8K (4.97 mi.) on race day — or close to it.
- Receive the medal (also a bottle opener) and (locally designed) shirt in the mail
- Brag on Social Media
[LEFT] Finisher’s Medal (also a bottle opener) [RIGHT] Finisher’s Shirt: designed and colored by Orly at @cukuiclothing
I’ll be in Phoenix that weekend, so I will be doing the remote runner option. I had mini freak-out moment when I saw the two events were on the same weekend, but I’m glad that I’ll be able to represent the Bay Area and score some pretty sweet gear… and I want YOU to join me.
Win a FREE entry to run San Jose 408K remotely
Simply use rafflecopter to enter your information below, and one lucky winner will receive a complimentary entry to run the race remotely.
Giveaway ends Tuesday.
Want to run the race in San Jose?
This giveaway is to promote how AWESOME it would be to run a California race from the comfort of your home — but if you want to join in on the fun LIVE and in person, use promo code RunTheBay-PR to save 10% off your registration.
What’s your favorite thing about running locally?
Good luck to everyone running, here or there.
Chicago is such an amazing city and running in it just adds to it’s appeal. It’s a running city and the community if phenomenal with supportive, fun and organized races. So, that I love about running locally is the community and being able to see my city at a different angle. It’s so awesome!
Seeing parts of town that aren’t accessible by car and exploring new neighborhoods.
I’ll also be in Phoenix but I would definitely love to run it remotely! The medals are sweet!! I wish there were more races where I lived. Although, it forces me to travel to run which is pretty awesome :)
I live in Boston, so my favorite thing about running locally is the beautiful scenery and being able to run the marathon course any time I want!
I live in Stamford, CT and I am very lucky that there is a Fleet Feet store in my city. The store often holds weekly fun runs and has built a great community of local runners. i love getting the chance to run with like-minded people around our city.
My favorite thing about running is exploring new places through running!
where are you staying? maybe we make this a shakeout run or shakeout hike? Unless you’re thinking something low key for you…
My favorite thing about running is being able to see new places and get to know the area.
I like running local because the race money supports local charities.
Out on Long Island we don’t have as many awesome runs and cool bling like the west coast! Sad times!
I LOVE listening to the waves crash!
Best thing about running local is I’ve been able to discover pretty much every area of my city, especially the parts I could normally not get to by car.
What a cool idea! Love it. I love running locally because I live near the “downtown (small, small city)” area, so can always easily run through it.
Best thing about running local is sleeping in my own bed and not having to get up at o’dark thirty!!
Local charities- best to support
The proximity of the races and no travel costs – my favorite things about running local. Otherwise, Miami is too hot to race (in my opinion) other than end of January – mid February.
The weather here, in the East Bay Area, is perfect year round for running – no humidity or snow to worry about!
I haven’t ever run an 8k and this one sounds super fun! More than a 5k and less than a 10k… I would love to win an entry to be able to participate in this event from where I am in Florida!
I miss running local in Nor Cal! It’s so beautiful, fresh air, fun sites, etc. now being in the Midwest, there’s lots of “pretty” snow (at times) when the windchill doesn’t make it below zero!!! Brrr
close to home
I love being able to WALK to the start line!
I love getting to sleep in my own bed!
I love local races that are smaller. When I lived in MD, I love going to my running clubs low key races
Running in spirit with my favourite Pavey ALWAYS!! xoxox
I don’t have to pack a bunch of different running outfits.
I love running races within my state since you get to meet new people with the same passion and see reoccurring participants !
I love running where I live, on a farm in the middle of nowhere! However, I also love seeing new places in races.
I love running local for the pure convience of it!
I love running in NC because within hours hour have the ability run on the beach or in the mountains.
Yes to California running! Love being close to home. Planning on Revel Canyon City Marathon this year.
I love the simplicity of running local. I know the best parking, travel time, and where to get pre and post run treats.
Not having to get up crazy early! I’ve raced the last 2 weekends & I didn’t have to get up before 6:00 – it was awesome!!
Portland is amazing. Even if you are not racing there are always amazng places to run
Running around neighborhood is just convenient and exploring places while doing something you love is just added bonus.
I’m new-ish to the Bay Area so running local helps me check out new places and meet new faces!
I like running locally because it usually helps the charities in my community. My favorite run is a run for the Police Association for fallen and wounded police officers.
I like running local because it’s close to home and the races are smaller! Also proceeds usually go to the community!
I love knowing what to expect in terms of weather and having access to all of my racing gear. Doing a race away from home and the packing required stresses me out sometime.
What’s not to love about running in Southern California?!
I live to discover new places by racing.
Local races allow you to be even closer to your community! Our lives move so quickly that these local runs and races are often the only times we can relax and really enjoy our surroundings and be grateful for where we live!
Um, heck yes I want to do this!
This is cool. I’d like to do this.
My favorite thing about running local is getting go know the other people in my commuthat share my passion for running!
My favorite part of running locally is meeting folks from the community and often helping out a local cause. Here in Helena, Montana, we support a land trust for open lands and trail systems in the area.
I run locally to explore my new city and meet new friends.
Favorite thing about running local is that you don’t have to travel far and is less stressful.
Chicago is huge and busy, so it is sometimes hard to get around. Running helps me explore nooks and crannies that I would never otherwise see.
My favorite thing about running local is all the races we have (Raleigh, NC area) and not having to pay all the travel/hotel costs! It’s a vacation for my wallet!
My favorite thing about running local is that you have a chance to see and maybe run the course before the race. I think it’s a mental advantage if you know what to expect on the course. It’s also nice to be able to sleep in your own bed the night before racing, as opposed to a hotel.
I’m afraid I have no opinion on the question at hand. I’ve only run one official 5k outside of running in my neighborhood. Still, that one took me through parts of town I never knew existed, so it was fun sight-seeing!
I’m in San Francisco, so my favorite thing about running local is exploring new parts of the city and taking in the amazing views!
Running local is the best way to connect with the community and explore your city.
I love running in my local and neighboring towns because I get to be connected with other runners- I live in rural Pennsylvania so finding other “tribe members” is difficult sometimes. Local races let me connect with other like-minded peeps!
I CANT WAIT FOR PHOENIXXXXXX!! But local races kick booty bc I don’t have to gamble on hotels.
As a former member of the 415…I can totally relate to wanting to run in the 408.
Atlanta is beautiful, so running locally is great – we have pretty good weather, lots of hills to make you work, and a great running community.