L+M Hospital’s Spring Stride transforms into a virtual Summer Stride event for July

New London, CT (June 24, 2020)  - Lawrence + Memorial Hospital has transformed its “Spring Stride” event into a virtual “Summer Stride” road race and walking event to be held over three days in July, with a portion of entry fees to benefit a COVID-19 support fund.

L+M will host the Summer Stride in collaboration with the Hartford Marathon Foundation (HMF), which will use virtual technologies to help participants run or walk the Summer Stride 5K and/or 10K distances on their own, in any location, with personal times posted to the HMF’s website.

Spring Stride, which was cancelled in May because of the coronavirus pandemic, was a longstanding community event that returned last year after a hiatus. “The purpose of sponsoring this event is to promote fitness and healthy lifestyles through exercise, both running and walking,” said Patrick Green, president and CEO of L+M Hospital. “We hope our colleagues, friends and neighbors will embrace the Summer Stride as a unique way to stay positive and healthy during a challenging time.”

Green further noted that a virtual event has the advantage of enabling more people to participate, since anyone can run or walk at any location over three days. “We welcome everyone, from competitive runners to those who may want to walk a 5K for the first time,” Green said. “Summer Stride can be a wonderful opportunity to be active, improve your health and support our healthcare workers who have been remarkable heroes caring for our patients through this COVID-19 pandemic.”

Participants can register for Summer Stride on the HMF website. A $35 entry fee includes a Summer Stride T-shirt mailed to the participants home, and details on selecting a personal course, measuring the race distance and posting time to the website. Participants may run or walk either a 5K, 10K or both between the dates of July 17-19.

A portion of each registration fee will be donated directly to the YNHHS COVID-19 Support Fund, and the HMF website will also include a donation component for those who wish to offer additional support to the YNHHS COVID-19 Support Fund. The fund supports caregivers at L+M Hospital and throughout the YNHH system in a variety of ways, from support with meals, counseling services and other resources to ensure safety and help with wellbeing and resilience on the job.

HMF is proud to partner with L+M to support such a worthy cause, said Beth Shluger, HMF founder and CEO.

“While we all miss getting together for a traditional road race, the opportunity to support L+M Hospital and Yale New Haven Health through a virtual event is a great alternative to keep the community moving during these times,” Shluger said. “The nurses, doctors and support staff deserve to be recognized for their efforts on the front lines. We're honored to rally runners and walkers of all abilities in this virtual experience to pay tribute and raise funds to show our appreciation.”