Every year, Clusterbusters hosts a virtual 5k event in June. The #CureforCluster 5k gives people affected by cluster headaches the opportunity to raise awareness for the debilitating condition and provide funding for research into effective, long-lasting treatments. Clusterheads around the world wear their #CureforCluster t-shirts while they run or walk 3.1 miles (5 kilometers) in their neighborhood, through a park, or anywhere that’s easily accessible. Participants do the 5k on the same day and post their photos using the hashtag on social media outlets. 

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What is a Virtual 5k? 

A virtual 5k is a 5k (3.1 miles) that you run or walk outside or on a treadmill. Clusterbusters encourages runners and walkers to get their family members, children, and even their pets involved. Most can monitor how far they’ve gone using the built-in pedometer on Smartphones or fitness watches, but you can also map your route using Google Maps.

Safety is an essential aspect of the virtual 5k. Many participants need access to oxygen during the race or have comorbid conditions with cluster headaches that can make it challenging to run or walk a 5k. In the past, some clusterheads have wheeled their oxygen tanks with them for the #CureforCluster, and others make sure they have abortive treatments on hand such as sumatriptan injections and ketamine or Zomig nasal sprays. 

#CureforCluster participants are sent a swag bag with their t-shirt, which also includes some basic first-aid necessities for minor injuries that can occur, such as blisters. 

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How Does the #CureforCluster Virtual 5k for Cluster Headaches Work? 

The #CureforCluster Virtual 5k process is simple and straightforward: 

1. Sign up to participate on the Race Website. 
2. Invite your friends and family to sign up with you or donate on your behalf for the 5k. 
3. You will receive a package in the mail from the Race Director a few days before the #CureforCluster event. International participant packages are sent earlier to account for shipping delays. 
4. On the third Saturday of June (June 20, 2020), wear your #CureforCluster t-shirt and run/walk a 5k wherever it is easiest for you. 
5. Take photos in your race t-shirt and post on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using #CureforCluster in the post. You can tag @Cluster_buster on Twitter. 

The Friday before the #CureforCluster starts the occasion off with a Facebook Live event on the Clusterbusters page where the Race Director goes over the 5k details and discusses why it’s important to raise awareness and funding for cluster headaches. The day of the 5k starts with another Facebook Live event where we kick off the run-walk from St. Joseph, Michigan, at 9 am EST. Participants have the option of starting their 5k at the same time as the Michigan group. Determine your time zone in relation to Eastern Time. 

Any questions you have about the event can be asked through the race website. 

The History of the #CureforCluster 5k Event 

In 2016, we hosted the first-ever 5k run/walk in Denver to raise funding for cluster headache research and spread awareness of this debilitating condition. We had a great turn out in Colorado but realized we could increase our reach by turning the event into a virtual one, so clusterheads around the world could take part. The number of runners and walkers increases each year exponentially, growing from just 27 in 2016 to more than 100 in 2019 in seven countries. 

The next #CureforCluster virtual 5k is slated for June 20, 2020, and we hope to expand even more. The event has helped us fund research into the burden of cluster headache and the issues facing many clusterheads today, including suicidality and access to oxygen and other treatments.

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