<p class="information">Statement Updated on May 7, 2020
Keep training! The Trails & Rails Museum�s annual Buffalo County Stampede Half Marathon/10K/5K planned for June 14, 2020 will happen virtually.
Jen Murrish, executive director of Buffalo County Historical Society and Trails & Rails Museum, said this decision was not made lightly. �The safety of participants, volunteers, and staff is our top concern. Instead of gathering in a large group and running together, our participants will run a virtual race incorporating fitness trackers. We believe the virtual race will be a fun alternative to the traditional race format.�
This will be the thirteenth year for the race. The race historically begins and ends at Trails & Rails Museum, winding through the streets of Kearney.
With the change to the virtual race, Murrish said participants can run from anywhere they choose, as long as it�s between June 1 and 14. �Racers will need to use a fitness tracker and email their run or walk activity to the museum by the end of the day on June 14.�
�Buffalo County Stampede is the museum�s top annual fundraiser. We�ve worked to make the race friendly for people with all levels of fitness, from walkers to serious racers. That tradition continues even as we move to a virtual race,� Murrish said.
Online registrations will be accepted until 7 a.m. on June 14 at <a href="http://getmeregistered.com.">getmeregistered.com.</a> Participants will receive a T-shirt and participation medal.
�We�re doing something creative with our T-shirt design to commemorate the usual circumstances brought on by COVID-19,� Murrish said. The shirt design will be unveiled on the Stampede�s Facebook page �Buffalo County Stampede 5k, 10k & Half Marathon�.
�We are so grateful to all of our participants, sponsors, spectators, and volunteers who continue to make this event happen, which ultimately helps the museum keep the lights on. We hope this year has our largest participation numbers,� Murrish said.
Participants are being given the following instructions about the virtual race.
Plan B: Virtual Race
You will run the distance you registered for from any location between June 1 � 14, tracking your time and distance using a reputable fitness tracker and app. Then you simply submit your digital time, distance, and date to us. Everyone who registers and submits their data will receive a T-shirt and participation medal*.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
1. Several apps and programs allow you to track your run. Please utilize a secure, reputable format and then share your run through an email to bchs.halfmarathon@hotmail.com by 5 p.m. June 14, 2020. If you are not familiar with running apps, simply search �running apps� online. If you need assistance, feel free to email us at the above email address.
2. Depending on the race you have signed up for, you must walk, jog, or run that distance between June 1 - 14. We recommend that you don�t cross or run on any major highways or high traffic areas for your safety. You DO NOT have to run the mapped course. Runners will need to simply run the distance of the race wherever you are. If you wanted to lengthen your run or go for a cool down, please stop at the end of the half marathon, 10K, or 5K and end your logged time and distance before continuing.
3. *Medals and T-shirts will be mailed to each registered participant within the continental US who is 45 miles away from Kearney. Those within 45 miles have until September 30, 2020, to pick up your goodies from Trails & Rails Museum.
4. There will be additional drawings for fun prizes when you share pictures of your race to our Facebook page!
5. This race still qualifies for the Kearney Race Series through Kearney Park & Rec.</p>