Detroit Resident runs 313 Kilometers for charity as part of 313 Day Virtual Running event

March 9, 2021

DETROIT, MI – Local endurance event company, Epic Races has not been able to hold actual running events during this pandemic so they have focused on expanding their virtual events and helping nonprofits raise money while they themselves have not been able to hold live events that bring in much of their annual fundraising. They have chosen Girls on the Run of Greater Detroit to be their featured charity for their newest event, 3 RUN 3.

3 RUN 3 is a virtual race that will be held through March 13 which to so many is known as 313 Day. Virtual races have become very popular this past year while all live races have been canceled. In a virtual race, participants run on their own time, often on their own course, they upload their results, and receive their medal, T-shirt, and other giveaways in the mail. The 3 RUN 3 offers three options for racing: The Metric 313 where runners run 313 Kilometers from the day they register through March 13, 13.1 in the 313 which is a half-marathon, and 3.1 in the 313 which is a 5K.

Detroit resident and avid runner, Doug Williams is participating in not just one of these events, but all 3.  Just before the pandemic, Williams injured his knee requiring surgery.  Once recovered and back to running, he broke his foot on a trail run. “I was able to run again in December of 2020,” said Williams, but at that time all live races were canceled. Before the pandemic, I was racing in person regularly.  It was a large part of my fitness, entertainment, and social life. January 2021 I was determined to get back to racing.   When I saw the 3 RUN 3 event was celebrating all things I am passionate about: my city, my sport, and a charity support, I immediately signed up for all 3.  I wanted to challenge myself in various distances.  I have completed all the runs which are the 13.1 and 3.1 mile and already finished 313 kilometers. This allowed me to build my confidence for when in-person racing comes back. As I always say, in the words of Robert Schuller, tough times don’t last, tough people do.”

Girls on the Run is grateful to have this opportunity, states Kelly Plocharczyk, Regional Director of the program. “We plan to use the funds to subsidize girls’ program registration fees who would not have been able to afford to participate otherwise. Covid severely impacted GOTR by decreasing membership, staff, and suspending all live events which not only raised funds but also awareness.”

3 RUN 3 is the brainchild of Eva Solomon, Founder and CEO of Epic Races. “These days, I look for every opportunity for a celebration,” said Solomon.  “I canceled 16 live races this past year which was like canceling 16 celebrations. When making the switch to virtual events, I wanted to find creative ways for people to stay motivated, connected, and celebrating. 313 Day doesn’t really have a traditional celebration, so I made one up. 3 RUN 3 has opportunities to celebrate from 3.1 miles up to 313 kilometers.”

Solomon is hoping to one day be able to produce the 3 RUN 3 as a live event, but for now, is keeping Detroiters like Doug Williams racing virtually.

More information and registration for 3 RUN 3 can be found at https://epicraces.com/events/

About Girls on the Run
Established in 1996, Girls on the Run® is a 501c3 that inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. Serving over 130,000 girls in 200+ cities, this is accomplished through an active collaboration with girls and their parents, schools, volunteers, staff, and the community.The organization has been featured in notable media outlets including People, Runner’s World, Redbook, Women’s Day, O Magazine, Fitness Magazine, Self Magazine, Glamour, Shape, Marie Claire, Parenting, Running Times, CNN, MSNBC, ABC News, NBC News, NPR and ESPN. Girls on the Run of Greater Detroit partners with 11 different YMCA locations. More information can be found at http://www.gotrdetroit.org/.

About Epic Races

Epic Races, LLC produces over 20 multisport and endurance events each year.  Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Epic Races is a leader of triathlon, producing Michigan’s first women only triathlon, Tri Goddess Tri, and the first gravel road triathlon in the world, The Ugly Dog Tri. The mission of Epic Races is to professionally manage safe, fun, and rewarding multi-sport and endurance events that appeal to beginner through elite athletes, raise money and awareness for important causes, and make each participant feel like a champion. More information can be found at https://epicraces.com/.

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