It's not too late to sign up for the 3rd Annual Dasher Dash 5K. You have until one minute before midnight on Friday, Nov. 27, to register.
Because of the pandemic, spokesperson Melissa Pratt said there isn't a designated course this year, so anyone can participate.
"First and foremost, we want people to be really safe," she said, "and being able to run in their small group that they're used to being around or, you know, running on their own, is definitely safer."
Pratt added that she hopes people who don't necessarily live in Rockford know they are welcome.
"Maybe Rockford is their hometown, or they have some association with the city," she said. "Maybe they've been to Stroll on State and they want to support it."
Pratt explained that Dasher Dash falls under the umbrella of Rockford's Stroll on State celebration, but is managed and sponsored by Fleet Feet, of which she is an owner.
"When we came to Stroll on State a few years ago, with the idea for this race, it was, first of all, an idea to add a fitness and an 'outdoor-like/being active' event to the already busy Stroll on State day," she said. "And Stroll on State was really excited about us doing this. So we do give the proceeds of the race to them, so even if Stroll on State is not looking the same this year -- which it's not -- people can sign up for the race knowing that they're still supporting the event for years to come because Stroll on State is a free event, and that's pretty cool."
Pratt said that after runners register, they -- if they haven't already -- will need to download the app RaceJoy to their smartphones.
"Wherever you are, you can run, you can walk -- whatever works for you," she said. "You can upload it and you'll be able to see your results. And it's just another facet to make the race a little bit more fun, even though it's not an in-person race.
The app allows others to see your progress in real time and gives you virtual "cheers" along the way.
To register and learn more details about the race, click here.