Race #24 – The Capital 10-Miler: A Race for the Arts

The Cause – Five Harrisburg-area arts organizations: Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, Market Square Concerts, Pennsylvania Regional Ballet, Susquehanna Folk Music Society and Open Stage of Harrisburg (which administers the race).

A lot has happened in a week. (understatement)

The next five races I had planned on running, have all been canceled. And two big ones, on my May calendar, are on the bubble. Booking races every weekend from now through September is proving to be a taller task than I imagined, given the coronavirus epidemic.

But in the grand scheme of things, I completely understand the tough position that race organizers are in. And I feel for the causes I’ve identified, even more.

Going for a run feels like therapy, especially in these uncertain times. And it certainly abides by all the health guidelines, especially in small group or solo runs.

I was supposed to do a local St. Patrick’s-themed 5k to benefit a local parks & rec department today. I even picked up my race packet Thursday, but it was postponed on Friday.

Race news, probably close to 100 emails, have flown through my inbox in the past three days.

So… The Capital 10-Miler was originally planned for Saturday, March 28, but organizers announced Friday that it would become a virtual race. An informal running group I belong to, River Runners, quickly organized a run along the Capital 10-Miler route Saturday morning, so I jumped at the chance to participate.

Art is literacy of the heart.

Elliot Eisner

The arts are near and dear to my heart. In addition to being a lifelong journalist/writer, and occasional photographer, I’m also a classically-trained pianist. For about eight years, I worked as a PR Director for several nonprofit arts organizations. And my three children all grew up involved in orchestras, bands, choirs and choral groups, as well as dance–in fact, my oldest daughter majored in dance in college. Currently, I handle PR for Sprocket Mural Works, Harrisburg, which is devoted to public art.

Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

Pablo Picasso

During this time of uncertainty, going for a run felt like great therapy. I’ll be posting many of these photos on social media with hashtags requested by the Cap10-Miler in order to raise greater awareness of the arts. Here’s a look at my virtual Cap10-Miler in pictures: