Bert & Ernie Race
Best Friends 5k
Benefitting Sesame Workshop,
the nonprofit helping kids grow smarter, stronger, and kinder
Bert and Ernie have taught us for years to celebrate our differences. Now the iconic duo is back to cheer on your fitness goals. Whether you’re loud and silly or serious and reserved, there’s a place for you in this Sesame Street event.
Exercise is even more fun with a friend! In true Bert and Ernie fashion, we encourage you to step up the challenge and tackle this race with a buddy.
We've partnered with Sesame Workshop, the non-profit behind Sesame Street, to bring you this officially licensed challenge that can be done on your own time and in any location. Click here to learn more about Sesame Workshop.
Every registration includes:
available add-on options:
official race gear
Check out fun add-on options on the shop
JOIN THE bert and ernie race
Accept the challenge
AutoShip Medal
$40 $20
Best for rewarding yourself on your unique timeline.
Receive medal about 1 week after registration. Reporting in the VRC app is completely optional.
why take on the challenge?
Virtual Running Club works hard to earn your business and your trust. Our swag is high quality and we work to match that quality with our customer service. But don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what our Sesame Street racers have to say:
Kerrianne Hayes:
“This challenge was a blast! I signed up in order to shed a few pounds, be healthier, and to earn some rad swag for my four-year-old who loves Sesame Street. I did better than I imagined. Thanks for the fun!"
Rebecca McCorkindale:
"This race has changed my life. When I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia over five years ago, I thought my race days were over. This challenge has motivated me to get up each morning and do what I can – and over time I've been able to do more and more. I'm now running 3 miles on most days and the possibility of doing an in-person race is becoming a reality."
Deb o.:
“I signed up as a way to curb my virtual race habit during COVID. It’s been a blast! What’s even better is that I’ve been able to share this with my 75-year old father. We walked the last mile together and my mom met us in the driveway to give Dad his medal. It was a special day and a momentous occasion.”
Kathryn ShaughnaRioux:
"Seeing all the stories and celebrations on Facebook was an added dimension to the motivation that I had not anticipated. There was no “pressure”, lots of positive reinforcement, and the miles added up. The run organizers are cheerfully responsive. We overwhelmed them with love for Sesame Street and they responded with grace and enthusiasm in creating another event with even more input from the Facebook group. Kudos to all involved, looking forward to more journeys together.”
HAVE A QUESTION? LET US HELP!
Click an item from the dropdown menu below for help.
Nope. You can complete your race distance in your movement method of choice. Running is great, but so is walking, hiking, dancing, swimming, rolling, rucking…
Check out our free conversion chart to see how different physical activities can be applied to this challenge.
Swag ships separately in the methods and timeframes listed below.
Medal
- Ship with a tracking email from support@virtualrunningclub.com
- If you opt to report for rewards, medals ship within a week of reporting race completion on the VRC mobile app
- If you choose the autoship option, medals ship within a week of registration
Sunglasses
- Ship with a tracking email from support@virtualrunningclub.com within a week of registration
Bib Poster
- Printed on-demand and expected to arrive about 2 weeks after registration
Shirts
- Printed on-demand and expected to arrive roughly 2 weeks after registration
Registration remains open while supplies last.
Your registration comes with access to the VRC mobile app. Use the app to report your race completion. Click here to download the app on iOS or Android, then follow the instructions below:
- 1Enter the email associated with your registration.
- 2Click the Bert & Ernie Race to report your race completion.
- 3Select “Add Activity”.
- 4Enter your completed race distance and click “Save”. Your freshly earned medal will pop up on your screen. Congrats!
- 5Click the “Claim” button and follow the prompts to receive your reward. If you opted to receive your medal up front instead, the “Claim” button will not appear.
The minimum distance is 5K. If you would like to go further, you definitely can!
We offer a grace period through the end of the year. If you opted to report your race completion before earning a medal, you have until December 31, 2023 to do so in our reporting app.
If you’d like more flexibility with when you complete your race, you can opt to receive your medal up front during registration. Then have a friend or family member award it to you at the finish line!
Our messages come from support@virtualrunningclub.com. Please add this address to your safe list so you're sure to get all updates.
There’s a special Facebook group for Sesame Street Races & Challenges. We believe it’s one of the most positive corners of the internet, where members share their achievements and cheer each other on. Joining the group is entirely voluntary.
Many participants like to do multiple Virtual Running Club events at once. If you want to double-dip – that is, apply your miles to multiple events – you have our full permission to do so. Choose whatever works best for you!
Yes! A portion of proceeds will benefit Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit helping kids grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.
