HOUSTON — The annual Steps for Students 5K fundraiser, which usually draws thousands of participants to downtown Houston, will be going virtual Feb. 20, 2021, to keep Catholic school students and staff safe.

“We are adapting to COVID-19 restrictions. Mayor Sylvester Turner is not granting permits to close streets for events through the end of the year, so we decided to launch a virtual 5k,” said Steps Race Director Suraiya Culp.

To keep the feeling of community, each Catholic school will receive a “race in a box” with spirit items such as banners to hold its own 5K while keeping socially distant.
“Plus, each Steps registrant will receive a race shirt and a medal to commemorate the event as an added incentive,” Culp said.

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo and Catholic Schools Office Superintendent Debra Haney will record videos to cheer on the schools and encourage other supporters.

Haney said, “I am really excited about the new experience for our schools and look forward to seeing how the schools use their creativity and ingenuity to make this event fun and engaging for their communities. Our schools have a real opportunity to involve their entire parish and school communities, as well as their alumni and former staff members; this could be the best Steps for Students we’ve ever had in terms of participation and engagement.”

For the logistics, registrants will need to download an app called RaceJoy, an interactive race experience, said Steps race timer Richard Littrell.

“Runners and spectators can download the app, fill out a profile for registration and hit start whenever they’re ready to run,” Littrell said.

The app automatically times and stops when the 5K mark is reached, he said.

“You can include your custom cheer like the ‘Rocky” movie theme or have the kids yell out ‘Go, Mom!’ It’s all on your phone, watch or headphones,” Littrell said. “It’s easy but engaging and exciting.”

“Technically, anyone around the world can register for the virtual event. So we can reach out to school alumni and family members outside of Houston, which opens up a lot of opportunity,” he said.