Run, walk or swim the St. Margaret Foundation virtual 5k

Runners, dancers, swimmers — even pickleball players — can track their miles to participate in the virtual St. Margaret Foundation 5K in May.

The Brian Demchak Hope Challenge, formerly a one-day event in Aspinwall, will take place May 15-21 to raise money for underserved patients at UPMC St. Margaret.

Registration is open at stmargaretfoundation.org.

“Complete the event at your convenience, your way,” said foundation President Mary Lee Gannon. “Do so with people or pets you enjoy while filling in the gaps with hope for patients and employees at St. Margaret.”

This is the 34th year for the fundraiser, which brought in a record $129,000 in 2021.

Gannon said the event is significant for the foundation because it aligns with its mission to help those in need.

“Being sick is difficult enough without having to worry if you have a ride to chemotherapy or treatment, or if you can pay for expensive medicine that isn’t covered by insurance,” Gannon said.

The event is named for the late Brian Demchak, who, with his mother, made it a family tradition to run in the 5K each year. Demchak, who lived in O’Hara, was born with mental challenges and worked through them, running in the Pittsburgh Marathon five times. He died in 2016 at the age of 57.

Gannon said the foundation has a fund in Demchak’s memory that helps pay for medical equipment, insulin and transportation, among other items for patients in need.

Money also supports the foundation’s Patient Food Pantry and the Clothes Closet.

Michelle Keane Domeisen said the Hope Challenge is her family’s way of giving back to the community.

“We are grateful to have the opportunity to participate every year because, along with our family and friends, we all know that the foundation will prudently administer the proceeds to make a huge difference in our community that otherwise would not exist.”

Organizers of the race realized last year, after the covid-19 pandemic shifted the fundraiser away from an in-person event, that virtual participation offered convenience.

“No crowds, no traffic, no parking and no restroom lines,” Gannon said. “No 6 a.m. alarm.”

Participants can choose to walk at a park or on a treadmill, swim laps in a pool or perform any event that results in achieving 3.1 miles.

Gannon said it was fun to see how people created events that fit their lifestyles.

“We had people who took park walks, vacation hikes in Yosemite and family runs with picnics,” she said.

Participants receive a finisher’s medal and a race T-shirt.

Despite the virtual platform, people who want to gather in-person will have two opportunities to log miles during the week.

The RIDC Wellness Walk will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 17 and the UPMC St. Margaret Lunchtime Wellness Walk will be 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 18.

Race fee is $35 before May 8. The cost goes up $5 after that date.

Fees will be waived for anyone who creates a fundraising web page and brings in at least $50 for the foundation; participants who raise $100 will receive a free cooler backpack.