This was my 3rd year getting to participate in the virtual Camp Run Happy weekend as part of the Brooks Running Run Happy Team. The difference was that this year there was an in-person option! I wasn’t able to attend in-person, but I still tried to make the most of the virtual events. Brooks always outdoes themselves with these activities, even when we can’t be there in person. I definitely felt like I missed out on a lot by not being in Park City with so many other RHT members. However, I thought I would share some of the fun things I got to participate in from home!
Camp Run Happy Gear
A few weeks before the event Brooks sent us an awesome package with our camping gear! This definitely made the virtual crew feel more included in the fun.
Virtual Camp Run Happy Week
During the week leading up to camp we all joined a Slack Channel to stay connected, and were given links to videos to watch in preparation for the weekend.
Friday Night Camping
On Friday I followed along on Instagram as over a hundred Run Happy Team members from the US and Canada made their way to Park City Utah while I was at work. I got in my long run on Friday morning and joined the first virtual happy hour on Friday evening. The theme was science (going along with the recent Nitro-infused shoes campaign) but I didn’t have anything to dress up in. Some of the others had great outfits though!
We went into some breakout rooms to chat about all things running and Brooks. We also ended up talking about upcoming races and what everyone was training for.
Saturday Virtual Camp Run Happy Day 2
Since I got my long run done on Friday I went out for a stroller run on Saturday morning. I pretended I was running in Utah by pushing the stroller up hills that felt like mountains. It was a sunny day with blue skies so it was easy to imagine how nice it was out in Park City!
I had a bunch of family stuff going on throughout the day but when I had time I watched some of the sessions on my own, including Jeff Binney’s documentary “Once is Enough“.
I also got to watch a photography tutorial by Run Happy Ambassador Nikki Smith. There was so much good info that I am going to try working on when I take photos!
Saturday Night Happy Hour
The theme on Saturday was Vintage Ski night. I didn’t have much to wear for this session either so I threw on my Brooks’ hoodie and hat (even though it was like 90 degrees out). Again, some others had much better outfits!
This was an even smaller group so we all got to chat and then do some “speed dating” where we talked for 5 minutes with one other person. I ended up getting the same person twice who was a Canada team member but was actually visiting Australia this week where she is from! So while I was ending the days she was just starting her day over there.
Sunday Virtual Camp Run Happy Day 3
On Sunday morning we went for a family stroller run and then I had to drive out to my parents’ house so I missed the last couple of sessions. I worked on my Scavenger Hunt and got enough boxes to enter it into a drawing for a Brooks’ prize!
Virtual Camp Run Happy Weekend Wrap-Up
Of course this was not the same as being in Park City with everyone but Brooks still made it fun and special! I hope that next year I can be there in person to be able to have the true Camp Run Happy experience.
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Camp Run Happy Weekend and Race Across Maryland Week 5
Have you ever participated in a virtual event like this?
Ever been to Park City, Utah?
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Wow, that’s amazing! How cool that Brooks set up a virtual option!
So nice that you could participate in so many different ways. And you got a nice swag, too.
I love Patrick’s background for the science-themed happy hour!
It was really nice that we had the virtual option! It gave us some flexibility to join sessions when we had time but we didn’t need to commit to the full weekend away.
We really did miss you in Park City! Glad you got to experience the virtual camp from home Hopefully, next year we can all be there together. Brooks does treat us well!
It looks like it was so much fun! Fingers crossed for next year!
We sure wished you were with us in Park City! Hopefully next year. What an amazing experience either way!
It was really nice of them to still include those of us who couldn’t make the trip out there!
That is well cool. They really made an effort to include all the virtual participants in the weekend.
Great swag too.
Hopefully you can go next year.
They always plan very creative events with great swag. I really hope I can go in person next time!
Looks like you made the best of your virtual situation. You still got some decent swag, and all those virtual sessions were probably a lot of fun. I love that you ran a hilly course to simulate Utah 😉
It was kind of nice to have such a small virtual group because we all got to connect more. I don’t think my hills even came close to what they had on the trails out there but it was fun to pretend!
Sounds like they did a really great job including everyone virtually!
I have been to Park City — I ran a half there about 6 years ago? Something like that. We had a great time & it was a blogger meetup too. A small one, though.
Oh that’s awesome! It looks like a fun place to visit and the trails looked really nice.
II am so sorry you weren’t able to make it to camp in person, but it sounds like you absolutely made the most of it and had fun anyway!
Love that gear package they sent!
I hope you get to go have fun with the gang next time!
So cool you got to participate virtually. Brooks really put on a nice event! Look at all that swag!