Events
Thoroughbred Classic 5K, 10K, or 13.1 Virtual Participant
Thoroughbred Classic Virtual CHALLENGE Participant (5K, 10K, + 13.1)
Thoroughbred Classic 5K, 10K, or 13.1 Virtual Participant (SHIRT ONLY)
Thoroughbred Classic Virtual CHALLENGE Participant (5K, 10K, + 13.1) SHIRT ONLY
Description
37th Annual Thoroughbred Classic VIRTUAL 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, & Challenge - November 1 to 30, 2020
We are going VIRTUAL for 2020! For almost 40 years, the Thoroughbred Classic has been a fabric of Thanksgiving Day in Lexington. In the past five years, the race has provided over $200,000 in donations to local charities. We do not want that to change this year. In this crazy world right now, we had to make the difficult, but also exciting, decision to go all virtual for our 2020 event. While we won't see you at Keeneland on Thanksgiving Day, going virtual allows us to offer several options we can't host live!
- MULTIPLE DISTANCE OPTIONS! Because you create the course, you can control the distance. You can stay with the traditional 5K (3.1 miles) or challenge yourself with a 10K (6.2 miles) or a half marathon 13.1 miles! This will likely be the ONLY opportunity you have the opportunity to run the Thoroughbred Classic as a 10K or a half marathon! Don't. Miss. It.
- SWAG! If you register by the OCTOBER 15th deadline, your race packet will include a fantastic long sleeve tech shirt, pair of PRO Compression socks, and FOR THE FIRST TIME IN RACE HISTORY, all participants receive a finisher's medal! Scroll down to see our terrific shirt design for this year.
- CHALLENGE! Register by the OCTOBER 15th deadline for our challenge and complete all three distances and receive as part of your race packet/swag a unique challenge finisher shirt (unisex short sleeve tech tee for men, or women have the option of a tank!) and a SECOND medal. Talk about bling! Scroll down to see the design for a our Challenge tee/tank.
- Low Cost Option. We know lots of families like to do this race together. If you aren't into race swag, we have a lower cost, shirt only registration option for both the regular race and the Challenge that will run through November 4th.
- Mailed Packets/Swag. For an additional fee of $7.00, you can choose to have your race swag mailed to your door! (Packet will include swag only. We are not providing race bibs.) We will also offer a socially distanced packet pick up option where you can pick your swag up for no fee.
- You decide the race date! Complete the distance(s) you register for anytime between November 1 and November 30.
- OUR CHARITIES. This is a hard year. And charitable organizations are suffering as well. We are a run club. We give all of the proceeds to charity, typically upwards of $40,000 a year. Let's make sure this year is not different!
- TEAMS! You can still register your family/group as a team, and we will have fun prizes.
REGISTER EARLY. Because all proceeds go to charity, we are only ordering swag for folks who register by the required dates.
FYI - In addition to our Registration Fee, RunSignUp charges a fee for using their service. You can see the schedule of fees HERE. You are charged one fee no matter how many people you register at once, so you can save a couple of dollars if you register everyone in your group/family at the same time.
We hope you are healthy and safe!
Your Bluegrass Runners Race Team
Key Deadlines to Be Aware of - MUST READ:
October 15 - You MUST register by October 15 for any registration to include socks and a medal (including the Challenge shirt and Challenge medal)
November 4 - LAST DAY TO REGISTER. You MUST register by November 4. Registration will close after this date.
November 1 to 30 - Pick your date(s) & time(s) and RUN!
Packet Pick Up
TWO Packet Pick Up Dates (PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE)
- Saturday, November 28 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. (Due to Covid-19 shipping delays, we had to change to this date)
- Sunday, November 29 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
We will NOT be ready before 2:00 p.m. on either day, so please do not come early.
Also as a result of the shipping delays, for those who paid for mail delivery of their packets, we intend to begin those mailings on December 3, 2020.
Packet Pick Up Location
- Our packet pickup location will be at the Lexington Green parking garage located at 161 Lexington Green Circle.
- This will be a drive-thru pickup, so be aware of cones, signage, and volunteers directing you where to go.
- Here's a handy dandy diagram (Thank you to Race Rise and Bob Baney!)
Packet Pick Up Process
In order for our process to run as smoothly as possible, we ask that you do the following:
- Wear a mask. This is for not only for your protection, but ours as well. Please be considerate. No Mask. No packet.
- Write down ALL names for whom you are picking up packets. If you are picking up a single packet, please write down that one name. We hope this will speed along the process.
- No registrations will occur at packet pickup.
Shirt Sizing Information
This is the 2020 race shirt! Crew-neck is the unisex/men's version & sizing. V-neck, fitted, is the women's cut and women's sizing. WOMEN CAN CHOOSE THE UNISEX OPTION.
This is the design for the Challenge shirt/tank! Short sleeve is unisex/men's sizing. Women have the option of choosing the tank (women's size chart).
The Race Shirt for 2020 will be Greenlayer's E2 mesh. This is the same shirt we used in 2016 (red) and 2017 (purple for women, gray for men).
For a photo of some of our ladies wearing this shirt in the different sizes check out this LINK and scroll down!
The short sleeve Challenge shirt and women's tank top option are also by Greenlayer with the same sizing as above.
Our Charities
We donate all proceeds to charity, this years contributions will go to:
- Arbor Youth Services
- CASA of Lexington
- Central Music Academy
- FEED
- Surgery on Sunday
You can make additional donations under the DONATE tab above or during the registration process.
FAQs
I've registered, but decided I'm not interested anymore and no longer want to support these great charities. Can I get my money back?
Sorry. This is a virtual event. And you have a month to do it. And it is for charity. NO REFUNDS. NO EXCEPTIONS.
When do I run?
You have the entire month of November, Nov. 1 to Nov. 30, to choose your date and times to complete your chosen race(s) and distance(s).
I'm from out of town, can I do this event?
Absolutely! That's one of the best parts of being virtual! If you are out of town for the holiday this year or don't live in Lexington, you don't have to miss out on all the fun!
I don't like running. Can I walk these distances instead?
Absolutely! We know people who walk faster than we run! Walk with your dog, walk around the local park, or walk back and forth in your kitchen --- it's all good!
I don't have a GPS watch or anything like that. Do you need proof?
No GPS watch needed. Just keep track of your time - you will want to record it along with your distance traveled to post to social media! This is on the honor system.
Do I have to report my finish time?
Nope! As noted above, this is on the honor system and all about fun and challenging yourself.
I don't run long distance - can I complete the distance(s) at different times?
Of course! The traditional route would be to the complete the chosen distance in 24 hours. And you can space it out over the whole day if you want. But these are not "traditional" times! So if you need more than one day to complete one or more of the distances, take more days. It's up to you! For example, we want to see lots of folks try to cover their first half marathon distance, and we know that not everyone has time for that Thanksgiving morning. So, maybe run or walk 3 miles a day for 4 days and the final mile Thanksgiving morning. Make it fun. Involve your whole family. Encourage yourself and others!
What about the Challenge, that seems like a lot of miles?
The idea is to offer something new and different. The idea is to try to complete each distance on three consecutive days. But if that does not work for you, and you still want to give the Challenge a go, set a different schedule for yourself! You have the entire month of November to make it! Perhaps you do the 5K on Saturday, the 10K the next, and then the half marathon. Maybe you divide the half marathon out over a day, or over several days. Just go for completing the entire 22.4 miles in the way that is challenging to YOU. (I'm sure we will have some folks try to do all the Challenge races on one day, props to them, but also props to everyone who covers 22.4!)
If I do the Challenge, can I do more than one distance in a 24-hour period?
Yes! You can do as many as you want in a day. Want to bang out the 5K and 10K in one day - do it! Have a long run planned and want to bang out all three distances in one day? Do it! BUT!!! Keep track of the individual times to let us know how you did on social media!
If I run all the distances but didn't sign up for the Challenge, do I still get the Challenge swag?
Nope. Sorry! You've got to sign up by October 15 for the Challenge-specific event to get the extra shirt and the second medal.
Do I really get a medal?
Yes, BUT ONLY IF YOU REGISTER FOR THE REGULAR (not low cost option) EVENT OR THE CHALLENGE EVENT BY OCTOBER 15.
What is in my "packet"? What is "swag"?
Your "packet" includes whatever shirts, socks, or medals your registration entitles you to. The shirts, socks, and medals are "swag." If you choose to have your packet mailed, it will include whatever shirts, socks, or medals your registration entitles you to. You will NOT receive a race number (bib) because this is a virtual race.
What do I receive in the mail as my "packet"?
Please see the response above.
Where is my bib/race number?
As noted above, this race is virtual and we try to be as environmentally responsible as possible, so we are not providing bibs. If you want to run with a bib, get creative! Have fun! Make your own and show off your creations on social media.
I did not choose to have my packet delivered by mail, when and where is packet pick up?
Please see above!
I didn't choose the mail option, can you still mail my packet to me?
Sorry! We cannot make those accommodations. We are a running club and this race is being produced by a few volunteers. We don't get paid for this (because we want $$ for our charities!) And we can't make late changes or incur costs for mailing.
About Our Artist
In 2015, we updated our race logo and theme, supporting the local arts at the same time. Our unique race logo design was created by Robert Bridges -- a loyal Bluegrass Runner who often frequents the Saturday morning run group when he's not chasing his children or making friends with the local fox. We welcome Robert back this year with a unique take on his original design for a unique year. You can check out his work at his website and even buy something in his shop on Etsy. Naturally, he also has a Twitter feed and a Facebook page - enjoy and support the local arts!
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Race Website
Additional race information can be found at http://thoroughbredclassic5k.org.
