The team at VR Pro Races (Chilly Half Marathon) is launching a charity virtual run to benefit two local Ontario hospitals: Joseph Brant in Burlington, and St. Joseph’s in London.  

Upon race entry, COVID-19 Virtual Run participants will be sent virtual race kits and will have six weeks to run or walk the race anytime between June 1 and Aug. 30 and then submit results.

Each participant will also receive a beautiful and unique medal, as well as a Clif gift pack, custom imprinted face mask, and race bib. 

“This is a once in a lifetime event (thank goodness) and we are giving $15 of each entry to either Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington or St. Josephs Healthcare in London,” read the event information. 

Kelly Arnott, the founder of VR Pro, said she was asked by a few of the Chilly Half runners to take on the fundraiser, and she didn’t waste any time getting started. Both hospitals will also be setting up donations and pledges through the VR Pro website. 

"So far 200 people have entered and almost $1000  in pledges plus we give $15 per entry to either hospital," Arnott says. "I wondered about using the symbol of the virus but years from now we will be able to say we lived through this pandemic and we were in isolation for months but keep our spirits and fitness up and ran for our hospital."

To register to the Burlington hospital fundraiser, click here. And to register for the London hospital fundraiser, click here.