HOUGHTON — The 45th annual Canal Run is going virtual.

The coronavirus pandemic forced Canal Run race director Angela Luskin to make the change for runners’ safety.

“Putting on a safe, memorable and high-quality event is always our number one priority,” race director Angela Luskin said. “With everything we know and have researched, that would be put in jeopardy with an in-person event on July 18.”

The virtual event is free for participants. Runners can particpate anytime between Monday, July 13 and Sunday, July 19. Registration is free at canal.run and results can be submitted to hello@canal.run, or posted to Canal Run social media on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. A Copper Country Strong gift package will be given to two participants.

A commemorative T-shirt is available through the online registration. Shirts, featuring a “virtual” badge to commemorate the historic year, cost $20 and can be shipped to racers wherever they live.

Anyone already registered for the event can choose between a full refund, moving it to 2021, or donating the registration fee to Canal Run, a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

“This year has been really hard,” Luskin said. “Our committee is made up of an all-volunteer team dedicated to providing a safe, memorable and high-quality event. We’re devastated that an in-person event can’t happen, but we hope this virtual event helps participants celebrate the Canal Run in their own way. We hope this year’s virtual Canal Run brings joy to people like this great event has for four and a half decades.”