Day 1 of my 13 Horrifically Silly Days of Halloween, with my guest Peter Donato, speaking about this year's virtual Monster Dash!

10/19/2020

Hallo all and welcome back to the Halloween season! This is year 2 of my now ANNUAL 13 Horrifically Silly Days of Halloween series...and we begin with a theme so truly horrific, you also have to laugh -- 2020!

Or more specifically, 2020's Virtual version of the Monster Dash (one in a long line of virtual events in 2020).

I wanted to interview Peter Donato early on, so you can have all the details well ahead of time so you, too can participate in this fabulous costumed race within the safety of your own bubble...

Welcome back, Peter!

The Monster Dash this year is Virtual due to COVID-19. Tell me, how do people participate this year?

People register as always online and then pick their poison (race distance) and choice of swag / finisher medals which is new this year, or a lucky coin is included in the registration along with the buff (headband).

You have more options this time around — would you describe each race option?

We added the half and full marathon to the existing spooky mile, 5k and 10k.

What date and where do people do their run? How is it monitored?

People can do their race anytime from Oct 15 onwards and we'll let those who might be injured or full of candy to run their races until late November - we expect most people will run their distance Oct 31st or Nov 1st (Saturday and Sunday).

How does the costume competition work? And what are the prizes?

People can still dress up and showcase their costumes in pictures or videos and our contest judges will select the best ones on Monday, November 2nd. Prizes to be announced soon! (The contest will be in a public gallery type format, probably through one ore more of the Facebook groups here for people to post their costumes:)
https://www.facebook.com/events/2567233460204684
https://www.facebook.com/MonsterDashToronto

Read on...there's much more, including where to register!

Tell us about the swag and infamous Coffin Medal this year! And how do people get their swag?

Monster Merchandise available includes t-shirts, hoodies, toques, socks and buffs. This year's Covid19 coffin medal is exactly that, the virus is the character inside and most importantly the 2020 finisher ribbon reflects the year we have all "survived" so far! Monsters voted in surveys and 40% wanted to see the Covid virus in the coffin but many did not want that so we are ordering the ribbons that can attach to the older coffin medals. The Skeleton, Mummy and Werewolf.

The Tough Pumpkin upgrade is back?

Yes the tough pumpkin is back and people are signing up. For just 5 bucks you can add this Tough pumpkin coin to your list but this year its BYOP (Bring Your Own Pumpkin), we can't ship pumpkins out!

Where do people register?

https://www.monsterdash.ca/registration.html

Anything else you’d like to add about this year’s Virtual Monster Dash?

The only other exciting thing is the national aspect, we already have runners from BC, Alberta, Winnipeg and Saskatoon joining plus someone from Illinois ordered $100 worth of swag(!) and even someone from the North West Territories signed up, so its great to be able to extend the love of Miles and Monster Dash all around Canada. Plus I think when people see the Covid19 medal and ribbon they will jump on board, it really will stand out in the market.

What are your plans for Halloween?

No idea, with a five year old who loves Halloween we as parents are not sure what this might look like, last year I put my live torches out on the front yard and the kids loved it (my wife, not so much) so for sure I will decorate our house but we may have a private, small trick or treat gathering outside at the school with some of our daughter's friends and parents, if it looks like few neighbours will participate.

Seen any good horror movies this past year?

I just watch the news each evening since March. And US politics.

Thank you, Peter!

Now, check out this year's medal!