This past Thanksgiving, Lev Management sponsored a Thanksgiving 5k event in support of their local Boys & Girls Club. The event was the 16th annual Turkey Day 5k fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, which is in Columbia, South Carolina. The pandemic, of course, presented some challenges and difficulties – this was actually the first year that there was both an in-person event (with precautions taken) and a fully virtual event.

It wasn’t the first time Lev Management sponsored the event. “This is our fifth year sponsoring this event. Due to Planet Fitness’ involvement with the Boys & Girls Club, we have used it as a way to get more involved with the organization on a local level,” said Kristin Bobenage, who is part of Human Resources for Lev Management.

Bobenage explained why this 5k event was so crucial for the Boys & Girls Club. “Due to the pandemic, all other Boys & Girls Club fundraising events over the last eight months were canceled. It was even more important that this event be a success to ensure funding for Boys & Girls Club programs for the remainder of the year.”

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic, of course, presented its fair share of challenges when it came to organizing everything. It was top priority to keep the attendees of the in-person event safe. “Due to the pandemic, we were forced to consider things such as social distancing and providing adequate sanitizing stations and PPE. We even distributed neck gaiters to all participants to wear as a face covering before and after the event,” Bobenage explained.

There were a few strategies that the group used to keep people distanced. “One of many precautions we took included measuring out distancing markers for all participants leading up to the starting line, and only starting eight runners at a time. We also had additional volunteers ensuring everyone wore face coverings both before and after the event,” said Bobenage. The team member volunteers also helped with registration, distributing water and handing out medals at the finish line.

For the virtual component of the event, which allowed people to participate throughout the month of November, the group encouraged the use of Planet Fitness treadmills. The alternating treadmills that were designated as “socially fitnessed” machines were decorated for the occasion. The group even set up a virtual finish line backdrop to allow for participants to celebrate their accomplishments without feeling left out of the main event.

2020 was stressful and challenging, and that is why it’s heartwarming to see a PF franchise group supporting the Boys & Girls Club. And thankfully this is an event that Lev Management looks forward to supporting in years to come.