Running around in circles in your neighborhood while you’re practicing safe social distancing? You might as well make those miles count. Nathan Benderson Park has launched a Social Distance series of four races in which registrants can compete for prizes by recording their time and distance.

It’s not too late to sign up for the first race, appropriately named the Toilet Paper Scramble, which started April 13 and goes through April 26.  After you record your time online, you will be mailed a finisher medal and bib.

The other races are the CoRUNa April 27-May 10; the Hand Sanitizer, Anyone? May 11-24; and the Cabin Fever May 25-June 7.

The entry fee is $15, with a 19 percent discount if you sign up for all four races. If you run two races, you also get a water bottle; three races gets you race drinkware, and if you sign up for all four you will receive a Social Distance race T-shirt—sure to be a collector’s item someday in the future.

“Though organized group activities are suspended at NBP, the health and wellness of our global community is still a priority,” SANCA at NBP president/CEO Stephen V. Rogriguez told us via email. “The NBP Social Distancing Virtual Series is an opportunity to recognize individuals for their efforts to remain active for wellness, while incorporate the spirit of competition for which NBP is known.” 

How many runners have already signed up? “Giving you a number would be like shooting at a moving target,” says media and communications manager Douglas Jessmer. “What I can tell you, though, is that because NBP has an international following, we expect entries from around the world before it’s over.”

Nathan Benderson Park’s trails, by the way, are still open for casual use, but social distancing is required and organized group activities of any number of people are not allowed. The lake is open for fishing, too—electric motors only; there’s a small floating dock at the north end of the north lake for launching.  

You can get details about parking and everything else on the NBP website.