Here’s what you should know about this racing trend.
What Is a Virtual Race?
Running and other organizations have offered virtual race options for a while, but they’ve certainly spiked in popularity over the past year, thanks to COVID-19 restrictions and the cancellation of many large, in-person gatherings. Like other races, you sign up and will likely pay a registration fee, which may include typical race fare like a bib, T-shirt, and medal. Depending on the race and the organization planning it, you may then join either a synchronous event, where participants are all running (or walking, jogging, or biking) on their own in their own locations but at the same time. Most events involve using an app to track your activity. Charge Running, for example, hosts live virtual races in which runners come together on the app at the same time to run. Or you may have a window of time during which you’re supposed to participate in your event. “Most virtual races will ask you to complete your race between certain time frames, often two weeks,” says Julie Wallock, cofounder of the Charge Running app and a Road Runners Club of America–certified running coach. Wallock says she’s completed several virtual races. Similar to in-person events, you can compete against others and compare your race results to theirs.
Are There Benefits of Doing a Virtual Race Over a Live, In-Person One?
Any race — including virtual ones — can be motivating. “Many people like having a goal to work toward,” says Claire Bartholic, a running and nutrition coach based in Asheville, North Carolina, and host of the Run to the Top podcast. According to a July 2015 study in the Journal of Sport Management, survey data from 211 individuals found that people tended to report higher life satisfaction, as well as getting more satisfaction from running, after training for and participating in a distance running event. RELATED: How to Start Working Out and Stick With It With virtual races in particular, though, you often have more flexibility in terms of whether you’ll complete it outside or inside (on a treadmill or other machine). And if you have a window of time to complete the event, you also have more flexibility in terms of what time of day and weather conditions you’ll finish the race in. Another plus to virtual races may be that they’ll cost you less, given there are no travel costs involved (if you would have had to travel to an event to be able to participate). Not to mention, of course, that you don’t have to hassle with large crowds or long portable toilet lines. Janice Burford-Rose, a 58-year-old life coach in private practice in Herndon, Virginia, ran two virtual marathons in 2020 and loves the convenience virtual races allow. For instance, she ran the first 5 miles of one of the marathons with her dog, she says. Then she dropped the dog at home, grabbed a second cup of coffee, and used the bathroom. She didn’t have to worry about adding minutes to her time waiting in bathroom lines, and she could alter her route to find bathrooms. “It’s always about the bathroom,” she says. With virtual races, you won’t get the benefit of connecting with friends and other athletes in person (which can be motivating, of course, in and of itself), Bartholic says. But with virtual races, you can still get more of a group experience than when you’re totally running (or doing another activity) on your own, she adds. Bartholic says several of her running clients have hit their personal best times in the races they’ve done virtually. There was even a surprising silver lining for Burford-Rose. “Even though I’d run many marathons, I felt a special sense of accomplishment doing this all on my own,” she says. “It was empowering.” RELATED: Here’s Everything You Need to Know About How to Get the Cardio You Need
What Should You Know Before Doing a Virtual Race?
Many of the same things you’re used to from traditional races still apply to virtual ones. For any race, virtual or in person, it’s important to train. “No matter your distance, you have to train,” Wallock says. How much time you’ll have to spend doing this will depend on the distance you’re racing. A 5K, after all, will take less training than a half or full marathon. You’ll also need to plan for the race, making sure you check the rules to know how much time you have to do the race and whether you have to run all the miles in one day. Planning includes mapping out your route before you go. “Even though it is virtual, you don’t to want to guess your route on race day,” Wallock says. And be sure to check ahead of time how you log your results. (Oftentimes the race will instruct you to download an app to track your event or you may be able to sync results from another type of tracker you already use.) Plan what you’ll eat and drink ahead of the race (as you would for an in-person event) and how and where to get snacks and water along the route (or ones you can pack and bring with you). RELATED: What to Eat Before and After Your Workout “You can set up your own aid stations with exactly what you like and what works for you,” Bartholic says — depending on where you’ll do the event. Or maybe you run loops around your house and have your kids (or neighbors) pass cups of water to you as you fly by. Or maybe a family member or friend bikes alongside you and hands gels to you whenever you need them. And don’t forget to plan ways to help you stay motivated through the event (especially for longer races). Let neighbors know what you’re doing and ask if they can come out and cheer you on, or ask friends or family to hold up a finish line tape, Burford-Rose says. Most important, keep safety in mind. Carry ID on you and let somebody know your route before you head out. RELATED: Tips for Getting Back Into a Workout Routine if the Pandemic Disrupted Yours
How Can You Find a Virtual Race?
Now more than ever, organizations are offering virtual race options. Check online running groups and local running communities, which often have lists of upcoming virtual races. Here are a few resources to help you find virtual races in your area: Badass Running Company: Choose from dozens of virtual charity runs so you can do your walk or run anywhere, get a medal, and do some good with your sweat. Charge Running: This app not only offers virtual runs throughout the year but also live and on-demand running workouts. Gone for a Run: This site hosts numerous themed virtual races, all of which donate a percentage of the registration fees to charity. Some have set distances, while you can set your distance for others. Virtual Pace Series: Whether you run or walk, you can find numerous live 5Ks and 10Ks. Do it at home on the treadmill or even on your bike. Just log your results, and you’ll get a medal in the mail.
