Virtual Races. Pros? Cons?

[mrrun]

Virtual running. You get the bling but is it the same as the real race, does that bling count? People pay to run a Virtual London Marathon. Why if you can run it for free? (I do) Or are you compelled to pay because % will go to charity. Just curious. What do you do?

[misswobble Marathon]

I’ve done two virtuals, one of which I’d paid for with a view to actually running it on race day proper. I ran it alone instead. It’s no substitute of course. I didn’t feel compelled to do it.

The second one was just to remind me of running on the Isle of Wight, so i did one of their popular island races virtually and duly got the medal

My third wasn’t virtual but not really 🙂. I just ran the marathon that was cancelled. No medal involved.

I suppose If they encourage us to keep running, and the running organisations get to stay in business post-Covid, then that’s a good thing. Some of the medals are great so why not 😁. Dr Who tardis’s, Spitfires, Lancaster Bombers, gorillas, Joe Di Maggio’s baseball (I made that up 😁) there’s something for everyone I guess.

I did consider for a moment that they’re just selling medals, and I suppose they are, but we’re free thinking folk who just like running, racing and bling.

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

I guess that makes sense. Me? I dislike running with anyone and don't care about bling so my season is always open, in a way. I remember 4 years ago thinking how I'd eventually run races or at least with somebody else, once I 'become' a runner. It turned out I'm now even further away from that idea. 😜

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

No medal? I'd order a bespoke from from the internet...

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Curlygurly2]

I somehow assume they only belong to those first three guys on the podium. Or maybe those fellas who walked on the moon, or similar. Or that poor creature who married my aunt.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to mrrun]

😁

Maybe it’s self-indulgent to award ourselves a medal. Some folks buy shoes, jewels or toolboxes 🤷‍♀️ I think though it does give our ego a boost. It doesn’t make us fat either so it gets my vote 👍

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

I normally end up with another cool top.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to mrrun]

Oooh get you 😁

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

I opted to pay for my Brighton Marathon entry instead of getting a refund, because I want to contribute to keeping running event businesses going until they are able to stage the physical events again. I had enjoyed two Brighton Marathons previously - great fun, and a boost to the local economy. But I am also more than happy to run a marathon by myself, so since they were offering a virtual marathon I thought: why not?!

I also ran the Milton Keynes virtual half marathon last year, and for an additional reason. I was interested in the way they had set it up to be run only on the actual MK course, using apps as guidance. This one turned out to be more interesting than fun, but that's just the way things go sometimes 😂

I didn't do the virtual London Marathon, but I think it was well worth taking part in it. Weather aside, it was a pretty fabulous occasion!

I once did a virtual race for charity, but I prefer just to donate money to charities.

I am not bothered about medals so much, although I do like the ones I have! But I think that they are clutter and ultimately landfill, and I can imagine a future without medals at running events.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to roseabi]

I awarded myself a wooden medal for my last marathon so I can recycle it in my log burner or compost bin

I think you’re probably right Roseabi. I think it will come. The water bottles thing has always given me the heebie jeebies 😬. On one race I did some guys were having a competition how far they could lob the bottles up the bank at the side of the road 😞

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

I'm planning to carry my own water at all races now

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

As a lone runner I'm a hydration guru. Either carry my own gear or starve and dehydrate. Lol

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon]

I'm doing a virtual HM this month, around Cambridge - I started my training plan 4 months ago when we weren't sure if the "proper" event would take place at the usual time or not. I didn't want to waste all that training, so I signed up for the virtual event. I'll be running the same route... some people say it's harder on your own, I'm a bit like mrrun , I'm not keen on running with other people much, I fear they're going to trip me up, so I always go right at the back, so I'm happy to do it on my own...

Other than that, I do the virtual events by Roy Castle, they're always fun, unusual challenges - I've done GPS drawing, and tap dancing, among other stuff. They have pretty medals, the Easter one includes an Easter egg, there's a nice facebook group, and I often do one virtually with a very old friend of mine from here...

[nowster Metric Marathon in reply to Curlygurly2]

Any relation to the "Are you putting it around that I'm barmy?" Roy Castle?

youtu.be/LLQZBNcGPTA(Not working as expected?)

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon in reply to nowster]

Yup, that's him!

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

I only have 1 actual medal. A lovely friend had it made as a surprise after my then longest run of 14 miles. Extremely sweet of her.

I'm averse to events. Medals don't tempt me, yes, some are really nice but they ultimately just gather dust.

Virtual events to me are just buying yourself a medal online.

Yes, it can really help some reach their goals or keep running/training.

I quite like collecting my monthly Strava "stickers" for achieving mileage/elevation etc and I have pushed myself harder on occasion just to reach the collection point so I think medals can serve a purpose. Would I stop running/ run less without them? I really don't think so.

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Medal? Ron Clarke held world records but never won the Olympic gold. Emil Zatopek simply GAVE him his own 1952 Olympic gold medal, because he respected him so much. Now then.....

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Sorry, it’s all about the bling! Shallow, me? 🏅😅

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Me too Munks 🏅

[Tasha99 Marathon]

I did a few in lockdown 1 but now I don’t see the point 🤣

[Madge50 Marathon]

I did the virtual London Marathon last year, it was special, given the circumstances, despite the horrendous weather - yes, I would have loved to do the actual route, I’d tried to get in several times without success, this was my one opportunity to get an official VLM time, medal and t-shirt (and, my one and only marathon....) in addition we dedicated our run to a family member we lost very suddenly to Covid, so it did mean a lot to us....( that’s me and OH)

Would I do it again? No, it’s being sold as something quite different this year, (and more expensive 🤔) especially with the actual event planned to happen? and I’m not that keen on signing up for anything else virtual.....I did do some ‘races’ virtually that I’d already signed up for before the impact of Covid , mainly to ensure the small organisation running them didn’t loose out....by having to sort refunds etc., and I have done Lands end to John O’Groats (LeJog) as a target to keep active daily over these last few months

Personally, I like the buzz and friendliness at events, and seeing my mates from parkrun - which I really miss

I do like my bling though 😉🏅, ......

Mx

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Like Madge50 I did the virtual London marathon last year, but wasn't interested in entering again this year. For me it was a spur of the moment decision to run my first marathon and it was fabulous; a t shirt (that I'll never wear) and a medal that brings back loads of memories and a great sense of achievement. Was it worth it? absolutely! To be honest I don't think I'd fancy running it in London. We ran ours on rough paths and through fields alongside the Thames; we met quite a few other people running it, spectators supporting others all gave us a cheer, random folk out for the day gave us a cheer. It was actually a great atmosphere without all the crowds and logistical headaches of the real event, but I think that was probably unique to that particular event though. Other virtuals I've done haven't had anything like the same atmosphere, and like others I have pretty much had enough of them!!!

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to linda9389]

I've run the part of London route (Tower Bridge to the Finish) a bunch of times and I must say it's got something very special about it. Anyways. Every time I run past the point where London Marathon ends in front of Buckingham Palace, I remember 10 March 1977 when Sex Pistols signed up with A&M Records right on that spot. Bet many runners don't know that, eh? 😉

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to mrrun]

Haha, I certainly didn't!!! I realised a long while ago that I prefer countryside runs (especially ones by water) to urban ones, so city based events aren't the best for me and I'm heartily sick of running round our local streets rather than heading to the river or canal or country park!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to mrrun]

I certainly didn’t! 🙂

I run to Pretty Vacant most days 😁

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Got one better. 47 Bermondsey street, a few minutes run from the Tower Bridge, on the day packed with spectators, was the home of the Stage where the Stones recorded the demo of Let it Bleed and generally rehearsed there. Floyd rehearsed Dark Side of The Moon in there, and the regulars were the Faces and later on Rod Stewart with the band. I feel the vibes when I'm running there. 😎

[Kat332zz Marathon]

I nearly did do the vLondon marathon last year but was on the ic so didn’t apply and have regretted that since, so this year I have applied and got my virtual place. I always wanted to do a marathon but being older and not really a runner it was always a pipe dream, now I get a chance to do it. If I can’t run all the way it doesn’t matter and now I can do a loop including my home so I can get water, sustenance, loo break etc. Yes it would be nice to have the atmosphere and the crowds cheering me on but the convenience of starting, (middling!) and ending from home is worth it for me. Why not just run I hear you ask, well I probably wouldn’t, this gives me a target to work towards.

[Guinea70 Marathon]

Ah! this is an interesting question/post, I've signed up for the VLM this year and I did it for a number of reasons and not really for the medal but that's nice for the memories. I wasn't able to sign up for it last year because I wasn't at that stage in my running to be able to manage it and I'm positive too that I would never be able or willing to travel to London from Devon to run it in the future even if I got an actual place because of my anxiety of big crowds so doing a "race" virtually was my one chance probably. The atmosphere for the virtual runners last year was so positive too that I was hoping that I would be able to experience that this year even though I'd be on my own. I also signed up because I wanted a bit of accountability that would hopefully push me to do the distance, I'm not a member of a running club and I don't have a running buddy (family or friend) so sometimes it feels a little bit like I'm fighting a battle with myself, half wants to carry on and achieve more, half is just happy to do "easy" distances. I have to say though I've done other virtual runs that spurred me on at the start of running and I'm glad I did them and the medals remind me of what I've achieved but I don't anymore they lost their appeal and so far I've not really felt the "buzz" of this VLM even the little charity that I choose hasn't advertised the fact that I'm doing it or offered much support (but it's early days) so I'm wondering why I signed up at all really, as like you say I could have just run it for free. So with feeling massively despondent with it all atm I've decided to go back to my original plan of doing my 1st Marathon distance somewhere around my birthday on my own and just for me!

😁

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Guinea70]

Way to go! I do all mine on my own. Just me and the vultures circling above but so far I've been frustrating them.

[dijep]

A really interesting question with so many different opinions, it's kept me entertained while eating my porridge.

As a relative newcomer to running (started Feb last year) I've used two virtual 10k as goals to work towards. The first was the Vitality London 10k and it was the first time I'd run that far. The second will be an Easter 10k again a focus to work towards, having been on the IC and not run any distance since January, prior to that I was working my way up to 10 miles.

I was looking for an event where the entry fee went to charity as it does seem like you are buying a medal. I was amazed at the amount of places offered virtual events, many even send the medal as soon as you pay! As for the tee shirts I'd rather buy one that fits and I like.

I certainly would book a virtual event again but I'd take a while trying to find one where the entry fee does some good for other. And like other people have said I don't know that I'd even like to running in a big group of other runners.

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to dijep]

Running in big groups, premier events with helicopters and bike tv crews would give you a crazy boost, no doubt. I somehow don't think that's for me though.

[Irish-John Marathon]

One virtual. It feels good to have done it

Disadvantage was no "Morale boost"from spectators and running with others.

Advantage was far less pressure to "do it with style"

Entry fee went to a good cause, and the Medal is very nice to remember if I never manage another, I at least "conquered" one.

It kept me going the last three miles lol

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Irish-John]

Very true. The absence of others takes off most of the pressure. That's one of the benefits of solo running. But then again, as you say, if you need a morale boost when struggling you've got to dig really deep into yourself to find that inner strength. It can be beneficial if you make it, but it can be damn hard on yourself if you don't.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

I’m the proverbial bling slut and so medals are very important to me. But so are real life races. I’ve run loads of races and only a few virtual events and for me there’s no comparison and so I’m just going to wait now for the real thing which hopefully will be this summer 🤞

For the few virtual events I did, the thought of the bling at the end did give me a little lift 🏅🙂 but the biggest thing I’ve missed is the atmosphere and camaraderie of a real life event.

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I agree and can relate to 'atmosphere and camaraderie of a real life event' but if my grumpy personality is not in tune with atmosphere, no camaraderie can save it. Hence me on my own. In order to protect others. 😎

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to mrrun]

I don't believe, for a second, that you have a grumpy personality 😎

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Hmm. OK, let's then just say, 'friendly, chatty and agreeable with a tendency to display annoyance if certain standards (set by me) are not met.' Some call that grumpiness. 😉

[Irish-John Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Tut tut Princess - "Bling Goddess" is surely a more suitable descriptive. 😎

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irish-John]

🥰 🥰

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

I’ve decided that I am not going beyond half marathon so am not tempted in the least by a virtual London Marathon. I also haven’t decided yet whether my only half in real life at Hampton Court just before lockdown last March will be my only one, but I have done a few virtual runs. Vitality 10000 was in Stratford-upon-Avon with Katnap , TailChaser and others in our group of 6 when we were still in Tier 1, which was great. The others were round my usual routes, because the actual races had been cancelled. Love bling, although it feels a bit like cheating, but like others I was happy to let them keep the money to support when they had no income. I really can’t be bothered entering an “official” virtual race though - it’s just going for a run! There is no substitute for the actual thing imo and I can’t wait for them to come back.