There was a thread about this but it got completely off topic after post 1.
How is no one talking about how stupid virtual races are? Can we get a collective movement against them?
Race directors: I’d rather you cancel your race and NOT offer a refund than offer a virtual race. It’s completely ruining the integrity of the sport and it’s effing annoying seeing all the medals and posts about it.
Some people race just for the medals and t-shirts. I personally don't care so won't sign up for any virtual races that cost money and offer rewards but I don't really see the problem with it for those who do.
What’s wrong with a virtual race?
I think they are fine. Seem easy to cheat at—could bike it, or start and stop to take breaks, etc. but for me running is an individual challenge anyway. I am gonna go run my dumb virtual race because the real one got cancelled, I am going to run it fairly, and that’s that.
Virtual races are fine if they’re free. But paying to do one just makes no sense.
I don't really understand the concept, but cheers to the people that stay motivated participating.
Bro Bible wrote:
Virtual races are fine if they’re free. But paying to do one just makes no sense.
Yeah I wouldn’t pay. But in my case my race was not offering refunds so I figured I may as well get the gear and run my 26.2 on my own and test my fitness since there won’t be any races in the next few months to save my legs for anyway.
Offering a virtual race as a consolation for a canceled event is somewhat understandable, but the events that are still taking only virtual registrations are a straight money grab.
I agree that "virtual races" are stupid.
They already existed and we liked them as the were: Strava Segments!
The local races near me already have Strava segments for the whole race course. It's not quite the same because you can't run down the middle of the street while traffic is there, but hey it's the "virtual race" that is already there.
Screw anyone who accepts any registration payment for a "virtual race!"
Oh great one!
Is it okay to do a time trial on the weekends that I had a race planned?
please stop wrote:
There was a thread about this but it got completely off topic after post 1.
How is no one talking about how stupid virtual races are? Can we get a collective movement against them?
Race directors: I’d rather you cancel your race and NOT offer a refund than offer a virtual race. It’s completely ruining the integrity of the sport and it’s effing annoying seeing all the medals and posts about it.
My understanding is that before NXN, the unofficial national cross country team champ was crowned through a virtual race.
By virtual races I thought you meant the ones people sign up never intending to run but just to get the swag. I never saw that before around 3 years ago.
I don’t think anyone takes issue with virtual races in theory...I mean why would you care what others choose to do with their time and money.
The issue comes with the conversion of a $100+ entry fee marathon into a virtual race, and presenting it as though the race director is creating a substitute product, thus removing the moral culpability of not refunding the participant’s entry fee.
Just stop with the virtual races, and mail the participation trophies to all. Take ownership of the fact that these businesses are stealing people’s entry fees without delivering a product. I’d at least feel (slightly) better about it if they could own up to what they are doing....
Grandma wrote:
I don’t think anyone takes issue with virtual races in theory...I mean why would you care what others choose to do with their time and money.
The issue comes with the conversion of a $100+ entry fee marathon into a virtual race, and presenting it as though the race director is creating a substitute product, thus removing the moral culpability of not refunding the participant’s entry fee.
Just stop with the virtual races, and mail the participation trophies to all. Take ownership of the fact that these businesses are stealing people’s entry fees without delivering a product. I’d at least feel (slightly) better about it if they could own up to what they are doing....
Idk man. They have already paid out most of the fees for permits etc that they will not get back (according to them), so I don't know many races that have enough cash to refund money to participants.
Grandma wrote:
I don’t think anyone takes issue with virtual races in theory...I mean why would you care what others choose to do with their time and money.
The issue comes with the conversion of a $100+ entry fee marathon into a virtual race, and presenting it as though the race director is creating a substitute product, thus removing the moral culpability of not refunding the participant’s entry fee.
Just stop with the virtual races, and mail the participation trophies to all. Take ownership of the fact that these businesses are stealing people’s entry fees without delivering a product. I’d at least feel (slightly) better about it if they could own up to what they are doing....
Exactly right. I see more and more emails actually pushing virtual races as a substitute for the real thing. It's just unethical.
I mean, if you don't want to participate.....then don't?
Virtual races are great.
I am just working on a virtual 5k to raise world wide awareness for Covid-19.
You pay 5 x19= $95
You enter your result in an excel sheet and I send you a virtual belt buckle and a certificate.
And everybody is a winner!
Liberals trying to dictate life again. Go figure.
How is it ruining the integrity of the sport?
I prefer to bandit virtual races.