MARTINSBURG — WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center, in conjunction with the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival, will once again host the annual 2021 Bob Baronner Apple Trample 5K in October as a virtual event.

The Apple Trample is held every year as part of the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival. To keep with the recommendations of social distancing and limits on group sizes, it is not possible to gather together and race this year. But to keep the tradition alive, even in the midst of a pandemic, the 5K is being held virtually.

What is a virtual race? It is a race that can be done at any location, any day, at any time, alone or with others. The Apple Trample is to be completed over the same four-day period that the Apple Harvest Festival is usually held. This year that is Oct. 14, 15, 16 and 17.

To register, go to https://appletrample.com/. Then pick one of the four days to run or walk a 5k (3.1 miles) and submit your time. Race participants will receive a t-shirt (optional) before October 14 to wear when completing the 5K. Instructions on how to submit race times will be given when you register.

There is no registration fee to participate in the virtual 2021 Bob Baronner Apple Trample 5K. With the optional t-shirt, the fee is $15 (plus taxes and fees) with a September 29 registration deadline. This year’s shirt will be a short sleeve tech shirt. Online donations are also being accepted for the WVU Cancer Institute Cancer Comfort Fund to support local cancer patients.