Recently come across Virtual Running (ie races you do with others but on your own for those not aware) and wondered if anybody’s done any and what their experience was like?
As part of my graduation, I’m now doing consolidation and park runs but really fancy entering some events and like Vintage61 collecting the bling 🏅!!
Am in two minds about entering these Virtual Races, so any views appreciated!
Ooh, you have just reminded me that ages ago I entered one for August! Not done much running due to injury but managed quite a bit of walking, will have to see what I am supposed to do next to get my bling. Will report back!
Brilliant, thanks Debston, enjoy!
I have never done one as I am not a bling collector, but I would recommend doing your research well, as some of those that give to charity actually only give a small proportion of your payment to the good cause and have been accused in the past of being a rip off.
Personally, I would rather preserve the world's resources and donate direct to charity.
Thanks will look into that
I like the Virtual Runner, just a bit of extra incentive!
Interesting, I can see it does that especially if there’s no organised events locally
I was never interested in running 'races' (hard surfaces usually, other people, not at times which suit me and often for causes I don't wish to support for a variety of reasons) but I spotted a virtual 5K with a rather interesting medal and an acceptable and close to home cause and it really helped to get me out of a terrible slump.
And that's how I continue to use these sites from time to time... when I would benefit from a little push... perhaps I've got out of the habit of longer runs and a 10k medal will give me a deadline to get back to it... For August I've been doing one which only required me to do 10k cumulative but things have been so miserable with adjusting to my canine running companions blindness, plus the risk of heat stroke, that it was a proper challenge but also buoyed me up and I strongly suspect I would have run less without it. It's been a pretty s****y couple of years and I am surprised how much a bit of shiny metal and a ribbon
I have to like the event (not so fond of 'any distance'), and the medal (there are many not to my taste) but I also like the charity aspect of it on the Virtual Runner and Virtual Racing websites (I imagine some folk barely notice it!). They give 20% to a nominated charity for the event - most often small ones and their newsletters tell you how much each event has raised for that group. As someone who volunteers for a charity which is run on a shoestring I know how much those sums will matter, plus the publicity, for no fundraising effort by the charity - in fact I must see what we need to do to put ours forward. (I doubt many people look at these websites and then give the full medal amount to the charity for that event instead but grand if you do...) I've also used MedalMad (notably for a whole cakestand of little bits of bling which was beautifully structured) but I am not quite so keen on their model, which doesn't have this feature of supporting lots of small charities. I've looked at a few others but not tried them and I have done virtual events that were direct with the charity (similar sort of price but obviously all profit to the charity) One involved interlinking wooden pieces instead of metal.
I've found it quite easy to submit the required evidence with a screenshot. I think many of them are pretty much cottage industries and on the whole they have been very quick at coming up with the goods after I have submitted my evidence of completion. I don't spend a lot of other money on my fitness activities and as I say I find it quite a useful tool.
Thanks for the reply and you’re right re the small charities 👍
Christmas Parkrun: Happy Running, Forum Virtual Team! 
Retro running series
Virtual racing
Early Morning Virtual Running Group
