Did you know the Lutzie 43 Foundation was doing virtual events before it was cool? For years we’ve given our Road Race participants the option to run virtually from wherever they are! 

Our virtual runner option gives people the chance to participate in the Road Race 5k from anywhere! There are two ways to run virtually. Option one is to simply run wherever you are on the day of the race. Lace up your running shoes and go to your favorite trail or run around your neighborhood in your official Road Race t-shirt.

The second option is to run at one of our virtual host locations. We have multiple locations across the country where people come together and host their own Road Race right in their hometown. 

The Lutzie 43 Foundation is fortunate to have virtual Road Race hosts who share the mission of the Lutzie 43 Foundation and Philip’s legacy year over year. Dan Oberbroeckling and Katie Meier are two hosts who host a Road Race in their communities.   

Dan is a college friend and former basketball teammate of Mike Lutzenkirchen, the executive director of the Lutzie 43 Foundation and Philip’s father. Dan has been hosting a virtual site in Indianapolis, Indiana since 2015.

Katie Meier is a board member for the Lutzie 43 Foundation and Philip’s aunt, she is also the head women’s basketball coach at the University of Miami. Katie has been hosting a virtual site since the first Road Race. Each year Katie hosts the virtual Road Race in Miami, Florida where former, current players and fellow University of Maimi staff all run together in support of the Lutzie 43 Foundation. The tradition of the Miami virtual run has continued even when Coach Meier was not able to attend. “In fact, one year my friends from the University of Miami ran the race in Coral Gables while I was recruiting overseas,” Katie said. 

The Road Race is a cornerstone event for the Lutzie 43 Foundation as it was one of the first events held after Philip’s passing in 2014. People like Dan and Katie have been part of this event since its conception. The virtual Road Races have become a way to grow support and awareness of the Lutzie 43 Foundation to people across the country. 

“We know that this is such a worthy cause and a great way to promote the foundation,” Dan said. “It’s a great opportunity for fellowship and a chance to see some past supporters of the foundation as well. When the Lutzenkirchen family lived in the Indianapolis area many years ago, they made many friends who also still support this race, even though they are not involved in the Auburn club.”

This year both Dan and Katie are hosting their usual virtual sites. Dan says he expects 10 to 20 virtual runners in Indianapolis, Katie estimates 50 to 100 runners to join her in Miami. 

“I love supporting the foundation and my family,” Katie said. “Every year we do the race in Coral Gables, even before it was an option to run it virtually. It has become an event that our boosters, friends, team, coaches and other sports from the university get involved in.”

If there is not a virtual Road Race in your area, we still want to run with you on Saturday, August 7! You can register as a virtual runner and your official Road Race t-shirt will be shipped to you prior to race day if you sign up before July 31. Take a picture and use the hashtag #LutzieRoadRace and tag us (@Lutzie43) in pictures from your virtual run!   

The funds raised from the Road Race go towards the Lutzie 43 Foundation’s mission, ending distracted and impaired driving through the 43 Key Seconds safe driving initiative. 

“I’ve had a chance to hear Mike speak and see the impact that his story has on others today, young and old,” Dan said. “There’s still too much distracted driving in our country today and I’m convinced that Mike’s talks have changed lives and saved lives.”

When you register for the Road Race, you will automatically receive a personal fundraising page. You can set a fundraising goal and share your fundraising page with friends, family or co-workers to help you reach our fundraising goal and provide support for the Lutzie 43 Foundation. 

“I have seen my brother-in-law, Mike, put in so much time and love into the 43 Key Seconds campaign,” Katie said. “Philip’s spirit lives on in Mike and Mary and the girls. If we can save just one life through our messaging, we will know it was worth it.”

Click here to register today to run virtually or in-person for the 2021 Lutzie 43 Foundation’s Road Race and help us get closer to our goal of ending distracted and impaired driving.