Women were asked to get dressed up for a charity event that will this year bring them together online instead for the traditional relay race.Organisers of the annual You Go Girl fun run said they hoped lots of people would take part in next month’s event, despite the problems presented by coronavirus pandemic restrictions.Christine De Silva, who is on the committee organising the event, set up to raise cash for the Women’s Resource Centre, said last week: “Covid-19 was going to put a dampener on it all, as all the races were cancelled.“We decided on a virtual race, but I want to make it very clear that nobody has to run this year.“You do not need to go out, you can stay at home, you don’t have to put your sneakers on, even.“But we wanted to do it because the Women’s Resource Centre was very desperate for funds.”The race, which has evolved to include fancy-dress costumes, usually involves teams of three women in a train-style relay, with the first contestant running or walking two kilometres before collection of a second member for another lap.The pair picked up a team-mate to complete the third lap as a trio.Women who want to take part can register online.Entry costs $30, which will go to the WRC, and additional donations are welcomed.Natalie Dyrli, a committee member, said: “We ask for them to dress up and run or walk or do whatever they like on the morning of June 7.“Our theme this year is ‘Dressed to the Nines’ because we’re in our ninth year.“They can go run around their neighbourhood or run around their kitchen, they could run 20 feet or 20 miles, it doesn’t matter.”Participants will also be asked to post a photograph to the You Go Girl Facebook page.Ms Dyrli told entrants: “Pull out an old evening gown or dress and just get dressed to the nines. Have fun with it.”She said that social-distancing should be observed and people do not need to sign up in teams of three.Ms Dyrli added that although the event is usually limited to women, the organisers were helped by a “wonderful ensemble of male race marshals”.Ms Dyrli said: “We’re encouraging them to go on the page and make a donation as well — they don’t have to sign up for the race.“If they want to support the women this year, they can do that ... and post a photo and show how they support women.”The committee, which also includes Terri Durrant and Beverly Adams, said that the event had raised a total of almost $80,000 over the past eight years.Souvenir champagne glasses, produced with a 2020 logo before it became clear that the race would not take place, will also be given to participants.The WRC was set up to help women through training, counselling, campaigns and other services. Elaine Butterfield, its executive director, said the charity was “honoured” to be chosen as the You Go Girl event’s beneficiary.She added: “It is particularly significant this year, as we are all in need of some form of distraction to remind us of our resilience and our need to connect with and support one another. “We have experienced, first hand, the impact of the tremendous need for help in these unprecedented times. “The WRC has never been more relevant. The demand for our services and our ability to deliver those services has been tested and demonstrated. Ms Butterfield warned that the charity expected demand for services to continue for months — and even into next year.She told You Go Girl participants: “Your support of this great event will allow the WRC to focus on providing uninterrupted support services to women and their families in our community without the drain of turning clients away because of lack of funding.“On behalf of the WRC and our valued clients, we would like to thank the You Go Girl committee once again for their unwavering and very necessary contribution to our community through WRC”. • To sign up for the event or make a donation visit runsignup.com/Race/BM/Hamilton/YouGoGirl