“Run for the Arts – but run by yourself!”

ACB

News release

The Constitution 5K/Run for the Arts is one of the region’s longest-standing charity races. With COVID cases still on the rise and group gatherings restricted for public safety, the race organizers have opted to transform the annual event into a virtual run for 2020.

“An in-person race cannot realistically conform to the public health requirements currently in place,” explains Niki Kinkade, Executive Director for Art Center of the Bluegrass, the race’s beneficiary. “300 people packed together at the starting line just isn’t wise.”

Instead, racers can choose to run the course – or any other 5K distance they prefer – any time between Sunday, Sept. 20 (the originally-scheduled race date) and Saturday, Sept. 27.

Participants are invited to post pictures and submit their times to an online Facebook event created for the race. The event can be found on the FB pages of the Art Center of the Bluegrass or Danville Bike and Footwear. 

Owner Ernst Crown-Weber has been the race director of the Constitution 5K for many years and says he will still mark out the traditional racecourse through downtown Danville on Sunday the Sept. 20 for any runners who wish to stick to the usual route.

For the 2020 race, Art Center Visual Arts Director Brandon Long has designed an all-new T-shirt inspired by the 1893 painting “The Scream” by Edvard Munch. “I think this painting pretty well sums up how we’re all feeling right now,” says Long. 

All registrants will receive a race T-shirt in their selected size. Shirts will be available approximately two weeks after the race and can be picked up from the Art Center.

Kinkade says that the Constitution 5K/Run for the Arts is an important fundraiser for the Art Center and that those funds are needed this year more than ever. “Proceeds from this event will support our fall virtual field trip program,” explains Kinkade. “We have completely reimagined our traditional in-house field trip experience and adapted it for online learners. Every race registration underwrites a free field trip for three students.”