Several OCR companies and road running events have presented virtual challenges to help keep racers motivated in the offseason. Some are fans, some like me are skeptics. I have done a few virtual races for friends and race directors when people are raising money. However, I was not a fan in general of the idea. I did not like the idea of not having a structure. I liked the idea of having a place to be, people to motivate me.
Until I heard about Random Tuesday's Hogwarts Running Club.
And took part in my first race.
I heard about Random Tuesday and the Hogwarts Running Club through a fellow Harry Potter fan. Random Tuesday's mission is to harnesses the power of fandom to inspire people to live a healthier lifestyle while raising funds for deserving charities.
The HRC hosts 6 events a year. Each race is 25.00 dollars. 21 of the 25 dollars is a tax-deductible donation to the featured charity of the race. Each race focuses on a different distance and theme. If you complete 3 of the 6 events in the year, you qualify for a special medal. And if you complete 6 plus your challenge medal you qualify for the Perfect Prefect badge for free. (It is a special lapel pin.)
Random Tuesday has raised closed to 1.9 million for the charities they support.
These charities vary from veterans organizations, health, education and homeless affairs.
What sets HRC (and for that matter the entire Random Tuesday family) apart is the family atmosphere. In social media, there is an undertone of negativity. The HRC Great Hall is a Facebook group of over fifteen thousand members worldwide who encourage, motivate and want to help you. The focus is all about doing helping spark change in the world. The atmosphere here helped me get over a huge running funk I was stuck in and always has motivated me to see where I can do so much good.
Training for a marathon and don't know where to start? Check the common room.
Don't know what to pack for a race? Check the common room.
Want friends to tackle an OCR with you? Check the common room.
Having a rough time outside the course and need an ear? Check the common room.
Each Hogwarts house is represented by the own common room on Facebook. Common rooms spend the year partaking in special competitions and Direct Impact Projects leading towards the awarding of the House Cup. Part of this competition is logging miles through the Charity Miles App. Not a competitive type? There is a faculty lounge that participants in all the projects without the competitive edge.
There are also regional groups that meet up for group runs, after race parties, training and group photo ops.
For those who are not into the wizards, you can also check out the Whovians, and Chilton Running Clubs which offer the same perks and atmosphere.
After going through a huge funk with my running; running was not fun. I dreaded running in general. HRC helped me re-spark my love for running. It also helped me focus on giving back. I am also a virtual running convert. I will be joining the Mud Queens for their event in February and am aiming for a second year as a Perfect Prefect.
Don't discount the value of community that virtual racing provides and you could quite possibly do #somuchgood.
Disclaimer: The viewpoints expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the opinions, viewpoints and official policies of Mud Run Guide LLC, or their staff. The comments posted on this Website are solely the opinions of the posters.
Woot HRC! It’s an amazing virtual community to join and do so much good for charity. <3 Proud Gryffindor here!
We should always support people getting out and moving. Plus, doing good works? Double the awesomeness.
HRC has inspired me to get off my butt in a way nothing else has. The desire to do good for charities is the best motivation I have found plus, as you said, the common rooms are full of incredible people who want the best for each other. It is a beautiful place.
HRC has definitely inspired me to get moving! Wonderful community in both the Hogwarts and Whovian clubs. Got a question? It’ll be answered within the hour usually by people who love both the fandom and the healthy movement. Thanks for highlighting all the good Random Tuesday is doing!
Well written and informative!
I don’t know if I ever would have reentered the sport if not for HRC. I’m so thankful they exist. It’a good for the body and the spirit.
In a time of so much negativity HCR gives me something fun to look at! It inspires me to do more and improve myself. The fun random events help motivate you to just go a little bit further or to maybe even just get up and go! But most of all…I love that no matter how fit or unfit you are, if you’re a distance runner or someone who can’t even walk a 1/4 of a mile without it being strenuous, it’s supportive! Everyone is supportive and wants you to succeed at your fitness goals. But more than that, just as you said, it’s a fandom, a fitness group, people who love doing good, a break from politics and so much more! You have the ability to connect with your house and those outside of your house through the various HRC groups.
This is an awesome article and I seriously hope that people who are curious uneasy or just want to have fun…check it out and see how together we can do so much good!
You are so right, Bonnie. This group is about more than just running. It’s family. They have fostered in me a love of running and I have met so many people (virtually and in real life).
And the #SoMuchGood that we do is unbelievable. Almost $2million in only a couple of years.
Glad you are one of us! #HRC
1st year perfect prefect and am living HRC!