Virtual running is trending!

It used to be called just going for a run until people found the need to share and brag about it

"Virtual" racing is just stupid. Pretty well just a TT.

I tried Strava for awhile running segments to see how I'd do against other runners. It gets old pretty quick.

I've noticed small races out in rural counties (here in the USA around me) are the way to go. Races that support local running teams and such.

When the health situation improves and most people are vaccinated, then in person mass start events will return. What I fear is that virtual races will become successful enough that some RDs and charities are going to get greedy.

Here's a scenario to consider: a very popular big city marathon with field limits and a lottery will get the idea to open registration and charge all applicants a full registration fee to enter the lottery. 60,000 people enter for 30,000 actual starting spots. Instead of refunding the fees for the 30,000 that didn't get picked, the race keeps the cash because it is supporting a very worthy cause, and you now automatically registered for the "Big City Marathon Virtual Challenge"! Run your marathon at home, submit your time, and compare it to runners that ran the actual course. You will get the same tee shirt, finisher's medal, product samples, and discount coupons that the expo swag bags contained - what value! To sweeten the deal, virtual challenge finishers that submit a verified result will get entered into a special lottery for 3,000 spots at next year's in person event if they register for next year's race at full price within 30 days.

Sadly, there would be enough bucket list hobby joggers that would willingly fall for this in hopes of lining up at the big in person race to justify the practice. Lawsuits? A few might get filed but this is essentially a small claims court matter. Getting the swag bag probably constitutes receiving goods and services for your entry fee and I doubt that the "lost experience" is worth anything to the judge or magistrate ruling on such matters.

mask off wrote:

I've noticed small races out in rural counties (here in the USA around me) are the way to go. Races that support local running teams and such.

+1

I don't get it. I flew to the RunningLane National meet in AL last week. There were thousands of spectators crammed together from all over the country. Yet, many Turkey Trots that attract 500 locals decided to cancel or go virtual.

Hi, i do not know if the virtual races are a hit, but running apps are a good way to track the everyday runs and progress. I use the RunTrackr App which provides a detailed information of my run - distance, speed, time, heartrate, calories and so on. I am sure Running Apps will be hit in the future.

Yeah one way of seeing it. But in today's world, bragging has become the new marketing gig! Don't you think?

Although i do feel, sharing with others is a good way to boost and motivate oneself and others to be healthy and fit. Running Apps in that way are a source of motivation.

It’s definitely booming. I got a gps watch and strata since the pandemic and will not be running a real race in a very long time. I like sharing what I do with my friends and trying to do well in my club leaderboard. It’s a solid substitute for in person competition

Juice Springsteen wrote:

It’s definitely booming. I got a gps watch and strata since the pandemic and will not be running a real race in a very long time. I like sharing what I do with my friends and trying to do well in my club leaderboard. It’s a solid substitute for in person competition

I just virtually summited Everest! I couldn't believe I did it but after so much hard work it finally happened! Dreams do come true, kids!

Thanks for the ideas

My wife and I organize a low key local weekly low-key event (100-200/week). Early in the pandemic we moved it to a virtual format. We have now held 30+ events. To our great surprise, we now see more participants than we did in the face-to-face events. That's not normal for the vast majority of virtual events.

We have learned a lot. The key is to provide something that people want right now, and so that they will keep coming back for. We were always focused on the social, community aspect. This is something that people are missing right now. We can fill some of that gap through interaction online, through sharing stories and pictures that folks send us, through virtual challenges that participants take on collectively, e.g., virtual Appalachian Trail. We see fewer competitive types. The format doesn't make for great racing. We see a lot more folks who are just looking to get active and were intimidated or self-conscious about being in a crowd of athletes.

It's different.

Totally agree with you!