Sports Backers Announce New ‘Great European 2500’ Virtual Race Through Europe

August 26, 2020

Registration now open for 2,500-km virtual running tour of eight European countries

Richmond, VA – Sports Backers announced the new ‘Great European 2500’ virtual race across Europe, with registration now open for the event that runs from October 3-December 3. In the event, participating teams will cover the 2,500-kilometer (1,552-mile) distance of a pre-selected course that spans eight European countries, starting in London, England, passing through France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Slovakia, before finishing in Budapest, Hungary. More information can be found at www.GreatEuropean2500.org.

During the event, teams of six, 12, or 24 members will collectively run to cover the course each day, with an online map and live leaderboard tracking each group’s virtual progress and providing a real-time display of the race standings. There will be divisions for male, female, and coed teams and the first team to virtually ‘reach’ the finish line in Budapest will be declared the winner. All participants will receive an event shirt, unique finisher medal, virtual finisher’s badge, and a virtual travel experience that highlights historical and cultural destinations featured along the route.

The Great European 2500 is the latest event in Sports Backers’ series of trans-continental virtual events, following the Great American 5000 run across America, and the Great American Ride, a cross-country bike race on a course from Washington State to Washington, D.C.

“We are excited to launch the Great European 2500 to provide an opportunity for people to connect with teammates, feel the excitement of competing together in a race, and bring the beauty, history, and culture of Europe directly to participants,” said Molly Johnson, Event Director for Sports Backers. “We hope the event makes the dream of running across Europe a little more real while creating memorable experiences for teammates to share with each other.”

Europe is home to many iconic running events and locations, from road races in major cities to famous Alpine trail runs, and the connected nature of the Continent makes running adventures easily accessible. Course highlights on the Great European 2500 will include Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, Hofbräuhaus Munich, and Mozart’s Birthplace, and cities on the route include Paris, Dijon, Geneva, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Torino, Milan, and Bratislava, among many others.

Sports Backers, a nonprofit organization based in Richmond, Virginia, with a mission of creating active living opportunities for residents and visitors alike, will serve as the official event charity partner of the Great European 2500.

Teams and participants will have the opportunity to donate to the organization during the registration process or use their platform to raise funds during the event. Fundraising proceeds from the event will support Sports Backers’ efforts to create events and programs that motivate residents and visitors alike to be more active, support youth running and fitness programs, and advocate for safe and connected networks of bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

“Sports Backers’ mission to encourage health and wellness through active living is more important now than it’s ever been. Physical activity provides so many benefits and we believe all people deserve access to active living,” said Jon Lugbill, Executive Director of Sports Backers. “We continue to serve that mission by offering innovative and inspirational opportunities like the Great European 2500 to keep people healthy, strong, and moving.”

In addition to the real-time leaderboard available during the Great European 2500, teams will receive photos, information, and fun facts about the destinations along the route, allowing them to virtually take in the rich mix of history, geography, and culture to be experienced throughout Europe. Full event details and registration are currently available at www.GreatEuropean2500.org.

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About Sports Backers

With a key message of Let’s Go, RVA, the mission of Sports Backers is to inspire people from all corners of our community to live actively. A non-profit organization, Sports Backers is dedicated to producing nationally recognized quality sporting events and programs that motivate residents and visitors alike to be more active, supporting youth running and fitness programs, and advocating for safe and connected networks of bike and pedestrian infrastructure. Learn more at sportsbackers.org