FIRST RESPONDERS VIRTUAL RACE 2026 🇺🇸

Honor the Heroes Who Answer the Call

Every call answered. Every life protected. Every sacrifice remembered.

When others need help, first responders answer.

Firefighters run toward danger.

Police officers protect our communities.

EMTs and paramedics provide lifesaving care.

911 dispatchers become the calm voice on the other end of the phone.

And countless men and women dedicate their lives to helping others when they need it most.

The First Responders Virtual Race is a meaningful way to say:

Thank you.

Choose a 1 Mile, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, or Marathon and dedicate your miles to a first responder who has made a difference in your life—or to all of the heroes who serve our communities every day.

Complete your challenge anywhere, at your own pace, anytime during 2026.

National First Responders Day is October 28, making it an especially meaningful day to complete your miles.

CHOOSE YOUR DISTANCE

1 Mile • 5K • 10K • Half Marathon (13.1 Miles) • Marathon (26.2 Miles)

🚒 Honor America's first responders
🏅 Collectible First Responders finisher medal
🎽 Coordinating race bib included
🏃 Run, walk, jog, or hike
📍 Complete your race anywhere
📅 Complete anytime during 2026
🇺🇸 Especially meaningful for National First Responders Day — October 28
❤️ At least 15% donated to the Gary Sinise Foundation
🌎 Join a community that has helped raise more than $1 million for charities

Your race. Your pace. Their honor.

WHO WILL YOU HONOR WITH YOUR MILES?

Maybe it's the firefighter who serves your hometown.

A police officer who helped your family.

An EMT or paramedic who was there during a frightening moment.

A 911 dispatcher whose voice brought calm to chaos.

A family member who puts on a uniform every day.

Or perhaps you're a first responder yourself and want to complete this challenge alongside the people you serve with.

Dedicate your miles to:

🚒 Firefighters
🚓 Police officers
🚑 EMTs and paramedics
📞 911 dispatchers
❤️ Other emergency personnel
🇺🇸 A first responder who has made a difference in your life

Write their name on your bib.

Carry their photo.

Complete the race together.

Or simply keep them in your thoughts while you move.

Every mile can be a thank-you.

A FINISHER MEDAL WITH MEANING

Your registration includes a collectible First Responders finisher medal and race bib. Medals and bibs typically ship within 2–5 business days after registration. 

This isn't just another medal for the rack.

It's a reminder of the people who answer the call when their communities need them.

Customers have specifically praised the medal's quality, with reviewers describing it as large, sturdy, and meaningful because of what it represents. 

Wear it proudly.

Display it with your race medals.

Give it to a first responder you completed the race for.

Or keep it as a reminder of the hero who inspired your miles.

HOW DOES THE FIRST RESPONDERS VIRTUAL RACE WORK?

1. CHOOSE YOUR DISTANCE

Select:

1 Mile | 5K | 10K | Half Marathon | Marathon

Walk one mile with your family.

Run a First Responders 5K.

Challenge yourself to a 10K.

Or take on 13.1 or 26.2 miles.

Choose the challenge that's right for you.

2. DEDICATE YOUR RACE

Choose a first responder—or group of first responders—you'd like to honor.

Your dedication can make every mile a little more meaningful.

3. COMPLETE YOUR MILES

Run, walk, jog, or hike anywhere:

• Around your neighborhood
• At a local park
• On a favorite trail
• At the gym
• On a treadmill
• On a running track
• During another organized race

Complete your distance in one session or spread your miles over multiple days. 

There is no required pace.

4. CELEBRATE YOUR FINISH

Track your distance using your preferred fitness app, GPS watch, treadmill, or another method.

You may submit your results online, but submitting results is optional and isn't required before your medal ships. 

Then take a moment to remember why you chose to complete those miles.

MAKE IT A DEPARTMENT OR COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

This race is especially well suited for groups.

Invite your:

• Fire department
• Police department
• EMS team
• Dispatch center
• Running club
• Walking group
• Workplace
• Church
• Family
• Friends
• Community organization

Everyone can choose their own distance while participating for the same reason.

Departments could even create their own informal race day around National First Responders Day on October 28.

Walk together.

Run together.

Honor someone together.

Different distances. One shared purpose.

A MEANINGFUL GIFT FOR A FIRST RESPONDER 🎁

Sometimes the simplest message means the most:

Thank you for what you do.

The First Responders Virtual Race can make a meaningful gift for a firefighter, police officer, EMT, paramedic, dispatcher, or another emergency responder.

Register together.

Complete the miles with them.

Or dedicate your own challenge to them and present the medal afterward.

It's more than another gift.

It's a way to say their service matters.

YOUR MILES SUPPORT THOSE WHO SERVE ❤️

At least 15% of every registration is donated to the Gary Sinise Foundation, which supports veterans, first responders, defenders, and their families through its programs. 

That means your miles accomplish more than earning a medal.

You're getting active.

You're recognizing extraordinary service.

And you're helping support an organization dedicated to people who have sacrificed for others.

Honor heroes. Give back. Make your miles matter.

Virtual Run Events independently selects charitable organizations to support through our races and is not affiliated with the Gary Sinise Foundation.

MORE THAN $1 MILLION RAISED FOR CHARITY

Since 2013, the Virtual Run Events community has helped raise more than $1 million for charities and nonprofit organizations.

Every registration contributes to that impact.

Every participant helps support another cause.

And with the First Responders Virtual Race, every mile is also an opportunity to recognize the people who dedicate their lives to helping others.

WHAT IS A VIRTUAL RACE?

A virtual race is a running or walking challenge you complete on your own schedule from virtually anywhere.

There is no crowded starting line.

No race-day travel.

No required pace.

Walk your neighborhood.

Run your favorite trail.

Use a treadmill.

Gather your department.

Meet up with friends.

Or complete your miles entirely on your own.

Your race. Your pace. Your place.

EVERY MILE HONORS A HERO 🇺🇸

Behind every emergency call is someone willing to answer.

Someone willing to help.

Someone willing to put others first.

Choose your distance.

Choose the hero you're honoring.

Then take that first step.

1 Mile • 5K • 10K • 13.1 • 26.2

HONOR THEIR COURAGE. RECOGNIZE THEIR SERVICE.

EVERY MILE SAYS THANK YOU. 🇺🇸