NOVA’s 10th annual NO BULLying Run, a hybrid event, is taking place during the entire month of October to coincide with National Bullying Prevention Month.
The event raises awareness about the effects and consequences of bullying and funds NOVA’s efforts to combat bullying through both school-based and virtual education programs. NO BULLying Run participants can choose their own course and distance with the collective goal of logging 22,808 miles. Each mile of the goal represents one child who will be bullied in Bucks County this year, according to statistics from PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center.
This year’s NO BULLying Run events begin with NOVA’s first Upstander Day on Sunday, Oct. 2, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Central Park, 425 Wells Road in Doylestown. Participants will walk together against bullying in Bucks County. This is a free event with live entertainment, kid-friendly activities and more. Attendance at Upstander Day is not required for participation in the virtual activities throughout the month of October.
The event continues through October as participants have the option to run, walk, stroll or roll at one of three levels — Free, Standard or Premium. Anyone can participate and register at the Free level. The registration fee for Standard is $15 and includes a 2022 NO BULLying Run T-shirt. The registration fee for Premium is $30 and includes a medal and T-shirt. Age categories are 10 and under, 11-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and 80 and up. In addition, Girl Scouts are invited to take part in the run and earn a “Stop Bullying” badge. All participating Girl Scouts must enter their troop number at registration in order to earn the badge.
Participants can complete their miles all at once or break them up throughout the month. During October, participants are asked to log their miles and report them via the event’s results page, either daily or weekly. Throughout the month, participants have the opportunity to win weekly prizes for logging their miles and completing family-friendly challenges listed in the event’s Facebook Group. Standard and Premium participants also have the opportunity to compete for the coveted bull trophies. Results will be tallied for the overall goal of 22,808 miles. Participants at all levels will receive an orange Upstander bracelet to show their commitment to end bullying.
“At NOVA, we believe that education is the key to prevention. Last year, the NO BULLying Run raised over $45,000,” said Michelle Cash, director of development at NOVA. “These funds helped to provide free prevention education programs to tens of thousands of Bucks County students on topics such as personal safety, healthy relationships, harassment, cyberbullying and bully-free classrooms. So, we encourage everyone to participate and help put an end to bullying.”
NOVA welcomes back Penn Community Bank as the event’s Title sponsor for the seventh consecutive year. NOVA is pleased to have Munich RE back as a Diamond sponsor for a third year. NOVA encourages participants to join the official Facebook Group at facebook.com/groups/nobullyingrun. In addition, participants can share their race results on NOVA’s social media pages.
Registration is now open here. Visit NOVAbucks.org for more information on the organization.
