Atkinson hosting virtual 5K to benefit Columbus community

John Tortorella isn't signed up to take part in the Force Network Fund 5K this weekend, but Cam Atkinson thinks his head coach will approve.

The virtual 5K event being put on by the Force Network Fund, which was founded by Atkinson and his uncle, has already led to a fair share of trash talk on Twitter between the CBJ winger and such teammates as Nick Foligno, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Seth Jones and Zach Werenski.

Each year, Tortorella charges his players with completing a two-mile run in 12 minutes as part of training camp. While this run likely won't quite be held to the same pace, it will come at a time when Blue Jackets players have had to train away from the ice in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, leading Atkinson to quip that the CBJ head coach will be happy to see his players staying in shape.

"Anytime you go back and forth with teammates, it's fun," the longtime CBJ standout said of the Twitter banter. "That competitive edge comes out. That's kind of what we're going for, too, with all the guys signed up. It'll be a little bit of competition as far as who finishes it the quickest.

"I'm sure Torts will be happy knowing I tried to keep everyone in shape."

The Blue Jackets taking part -- a list that includes the families of Atkinson, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen and assistant coach Brad Shaw as well as David Savard, Riley Nash, Scott Harrington, Devin Shore, former CBJ forward RJ Umberger, and FSO analyst Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre, just to name a few -- are among the nearly 650 people who registered to take part in the virtual race, which participants can run any day from tomorrow through Sunday. Those who could not sign up can still donate at

FNF5K.com

.

Each registered participant receives a shirt and a medal, which has proved to be a bit of an issue because of overwhelming demand. Atkinson and race organizers at first planned to have about 500 runners, then upped the production of shirts to 600, a good problem to have when it comes to making an impact.

Adding in registration fees and donations, the event will raise close to $30,000 that will go to OhioHealth Riverside Hospital. Specifically, that money will be used to purchase a COVID-19 testing machine that will deliver nearly instantaneous results.

"It was just a no-brainer," Atkinson said. "We knew that we wanted to give back something related to COVID, especially with all the health-care workers, nurses and doctors that are on the front lines putting their health at risk, their lives at risk in order to keep all of us safe and healthy.

"My wife gave birth to both of our boys at Riverside, so it's something that touches home. We'll have this state-of-the-art equipment that is going to give Riverside the chance for quick, accurate results, which has been the biggest issue. People go and wait in line and they don't get their test results back for a couple of days. This, you go in and get tested and you'll get your results the same day, typically within an hour and a half."

Atkinson's wife, Natalie, gave birth to their second son, Caden, on March 28, shortly after the coronavirus pandemic started to shut down communities like Columbus and put the NHL on pause. In the meantime, he's been on dad duty with Caden and his eldest son Declan and says the family is doing well, with his parents on the way to Columbus from their home in Connecticut over the weekend to meet Caden for the first time and take part in the event.

That family atmosphere is one reason Atkinson is happy the idea for the virtual 5K came to fruition. Whether you're running, walking, biking, rollerblading or covering the miles any other way, it's a chance for everyone to take part.

"One of my partner's wives came up with the brilliant ideal of the virtual 5K where in certain circumstances, everyone can participate," Atkinson said. "It's relatively easy, and we wanted to get as many people involved as possible. Knowing that 100 percent of the proceeds will go to such a great cause, as soon as she threw that idea out to me, I thought it was amazing.

"What an easy concept. That's the biggest thing. You don't have to run, you can walk, and I'm sure a lot of people will walk, rollerblade, bike -- essentially, anything that will get you across that finish line the quickest, right? As long as you get out and be active, that's all that matters."

The Force Network Fund was founded by Atkinson and his uncle, Rob Robben, as a way to give back to the best military and first responder charitable organizations. To date, FNF has given over $270,000 to funds and organizations such as Fallen 15, Operation Military Kids, Save a Warrior, USO of Central and Southern Ohio and many more.