After a year of watching races either cancel or go virtual, I know that many runners are itching to toe the line as in-person races slowly start to pop-up across the country. But it’s clear that the return to in-person events is going to be a slow drip at best, largely dependent on keeping all things COVID-related in check. No easy task for sure!
So before you turn back on virtual races, I’m sharing a few reasons that you shouldn’t give up on them just yet.
Why Take on a Virtual Race?
Gives you a target — Virtual races give you something to train for, a distance to focus on, with the added benefit of no pressure. This can be a great option for someone coming back from an injury or long layoff.
Serves as a time trial — On the flip side, you can also use a virtual race as a time trial in preparation for an in-person race in the future. Some virtual races provide the opportunity to submit your finish time and feature a leader board for additional bragging rights.
Offers fun bling and swag — If bling and swag are motivating factors, virtual race organizers have really upped the ante in the past year to capture runners’ attention. Beyond medals, many virtual races are offering everything from half zips and hoodies, to water bottles, hats, socks, and more. You may just come across a theme that’s too much fun to resist!
Don't give up on virtual races just yet! #FitFiveFriday #Bibchat Share on XSupports a charity — Virtual events have become vital fundraising tools for many nonprofit organizations. Running a 5 or 10K in support of a cause near and dear to your heart is always a good way to spend a weekend morning!
Creates a shared experience — Until race-cations and runner meet-ups return to being a regular thing, virtual races are a great way to run “with” friends. While running alone, it’s more fun knowing that friends are out pounding the pavement, trail, or treadmill completing the same distance.
What say you – are you still open to running a virtual race or have you hit virtual fatigue?
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I agree! It seems like some places are having in-person races again but in other places its a very slow process. I haven’t really seen much information about races around here yet, so its possible that ones that are planned could still go virtual. I have enjoyed doing virtual races. They allow for so much more flexibility than regular races.
I have one in-person race I registered for in July and even that one I’m questioning if it will really happen. I do like the fact that virtual offer some flexibility – a nice bonus when the weather is not cooperating!
Personally, I’m done with virtual races. I enjoyed them initially and I understand that they serve a purpose, but I’m ok with ‘just running’. Funny, because I wrote about this on today’s blog post!
I actually didn’t run that many virtuals last year – in many ways I kinda just running on the back burner for other workouts. The one thing I know I will not attempt again is a virtual half marathon – I need other runners and some spectators for that distance!
I runfess I have virtual race fatigue but I will do them for a good charitable cause.
Running for a cause is my main motivation to keep doing them too.
Now that races are happening I will be doing fewer virtuals. But I agree with all your reasons.
I may do a few to either support a charity or to run with a friend in another location. That’s fun.
It is fun to run virtually with friends when you can’t all meet up to run together in person!
I haven’t done any virtuals in a while. I’m still open to it, though — maybe because I haven’t done any in a while, LOL!
All great reasons.
I will add one more: for the beginning runners, it takes so much anxiety out of the equation!
Great point Judy – virtuals definitely take any stress out of the equation!
I keep saying that I am over them but then, I find myself doing them. I just joined a virtual relay marathon team and I think it will be lots of fun to plan with them. It is good practice and keeps you in shape!
The virtual relay team sounds like fun 🙂
I’ve done a few virtual races. I don’t actually “race” during them but, since I’ve only done half marathons, they give me a push to keep my mileage up. I’ve never been a bling person but I do like getting the shirt, and I hope supporting both the race itself and the charity is helpful.
In addition to a charity run, there are a couple of local race groups whose virtual races I may do to help keep them afloat until in-person resumes.
I am still pretty burnt out on virtual races, but I will still do virtual races that support charities. I feel like that’s the best way for my miles to make a difference since in=person racing is still on hold where I live.
Virtual events are really helping to keep the lights on for so many charities – it’s a good way to put some miles to work.
I’m happy to support virtual races for charity and to support race organizations in my area but I can’t “race” them. I need the other runners to push my pace. I’m not intrinsically motivated… I’m super pumped that we’ll have some live COVID safe races here this spring and summer!
I’ve got one in-person race I signed up for in July. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we’ll have some in-person races here by then.
I don’t know… I think at this point I’d rather just do a time trial and save the money! But I’m not ruling virtual races out entirely- you never know.
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Yep I get that. For me, I’m more motivated to support a charity or a local race group.
I would do a virtual race for a good charity. I prefer real live in-person races, of course. There are starting to be some very small live races in my neck of the woods and I have been signing up. The COVID mitigation plan must be on the race sign-up website. So far, I have felt safe.
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It’s great that you’ve been able to do a few races in person. I’m so looking forward to getting back to live races – hopefully by the summer here.
I definitely won’t rule out more virtual racing. My favorite distance is 10k, but there just aren’t very many 10k races where I live so virtual racing is perfect to fill the void. I have a handful of “favorite” races and it really meant a lot to participate in the virtual versions last year.
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It’s interesting we don’t have many 10Ks here either and I really like the distance too.
While nothing can take the place of live races, I have a new respect for virtuals. Everything you highlighted is exactly why I’ve kept them on my radar. I just found a virtual 13.1 that offers a cool dragonfly medal! That’s definitely farther than I prefer for a virtual, but I’ll be logging 26.2 training miles in a few months, so this will be a nice perk along the way.
You can always look at them as a training run with benefits 🙂
To be honest, since we have been having a fairly broad variety of in-person races, I’ve backed off the virtuals. I will be running one on Thursday, in honor of the 25th anniversary of Girls on the Run, but that’s it for a while.
They are great, though and I did my best to support them.
Given all of the in-person options you have where you are that makes sense. I think things will be much slower to pick up here.
How great to be running to for Girls on the Run’s anniversary – such a great program!
I’m pretty much over virtual races but I might reconsider if a charity race catches my eye. You’ve hit on all good reasons to not give up yet.
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Thanks Denise 🙂
You’ve definitely brought up some great points here. I had already swore them off. I might reconsider now. 🙂
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