Registrations are now being taken for a fast-growing, multi-state 5K that benefits Michigan’s state parks.
Michelle O’Kelly with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division tells us the spring “Run for the Trees: Happy Little (Virtual) 5k” will take place in April. It started in 2019 as a way to raise money to plant trees at state parks.
O’Kelly says the DNR works with the Michigan Department of Corrections to grow the trees, and then it takes them to parks where trees need to be replenished. When the 5K was launched in 2019, more than 20,000 people expressed an interest.
“So we opted to do the event virtually so people can get their package, their t-shirt, their medal, their bib shipped to them, and then they can go out to their local park on their own and they can complete their 5k by hiking, biking, running,” O’Kelly said.
O’Kelly says the DNR teamed up with the Bob Ross Foundation to use his likeness as part of the event, ensuring his legacy continues.
Since it started in Michigan, the Happy Little (Virtual) 5k has grown to 13 states, benefitting parks programs in each. There’s just something about a loosely-organized 5K to plant trees that attracts people.
“We’ll have school groups reach out, we’ll have conservancies reach out, they will host little meetups and people get really creative with it. They’ll do it in conjunction with an art class. So it really is kind of like the sky’s the limit.”
It’s $36 to register for the 5K. Since it’s virtual, participants can choose their location and complete it any time between April 19 and April 27. O’Kelly recommends doing the run at a state park.
Registration is recommended by April 1, and you can sign up right here.
