COVID-19 won’t stop an annual in-person 5K race in Bulloch County this year. The Chocolate Run in Statesboro will take place as planned next month.
With some extra effort from volunteers and several additional safety precautions, Open Hearts Community Mission is working to ensure the 2021 Chocolate Run 5k benefits the community just as it has in years past.
This year’s race is taking place on April 25th as opposed to the usual time in early February. It’s also taking place on a Sunday and at Mill Creek Park in hopes of avoiding too much interaction with other large groups. There’s also a virtual registration for runners who wish to participate but are concerned about the crowd.
Among the safety precautions this year:
- Mask required while not on the race track
- Race lineup distancing
- Hand sanitizer stations
- Individually wrapped food items (including lots of chocolate!)
Runners will be also assigned a colored bib at registration to identify interaction levels they’re comfortable with:
- Red bib – Stay away! I am here to run only.
- Yellow bib – I am ok with elbow bumps.
- Green bib – High five’s are OK with me!
You can register for the in-person or virtual race here. You can also learn more about the race here.
The Chocolate Run is credited with helping to build and enhance Open Hearts Community Mission. Founded by the Leadership Bulloch Class of 2013, the Chocolate Run has raised over $275,000 for OHCM in the past 8 years. As a result of this event and other generous donations, the construction of the mission opened in 2017. All proceeds raised for the 9th Annual Chocolate Run will continue to benefit this great need in our community.
