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Running A Virtual Marathon, Which Is The Best Platform?

What do you think of a race with no parking problems, no crowds, no guns starting or a thrilling conversation, before a race with other athletes, not even an official starting line? Let us give you the motivation to sign up for a virtual marathon!

an AI runner

About virtual marathon

1. What exactly is a virtual marathon?

A virtual race is a new trend in the running community. Athletes who sign up for a virtual race register online and simply choose their starting line, whether it’s the treadmill or the nearby track. They run the race distances, upload their finish times, and be mailed medals a few days later.

It may seem alien to traditional runners, but race organizers say virtual racing is a great option for those who want convenience.

So what is a virtual marathon? Just like other virtual races, a virtual marathon or half-marathon is a remotely organized race managed by the organization or group of individuals that host the race allowing athletes to race flexibly over a range, certain ways according to their will. However, most virtual marathon races require runners to run a full distance – a marathon, 26.2 miles – in their own time, on their route. Then simply submit your online time to prove that you’ve completed the journey. Hence, a virtual marathon means you run a virtual race at the same distance as a normal marathon.

2. Benefits of a virtual marathon

Many people want to participate in physical races but cannot for one reason or another. You don’t have to face traffic, parking, bad weather or unexpected schedule conflicts or injuries that can make you miss a race with virtual marathons.

Everything running in place is also an easy way to practice nutrition and hydration on race day.

Virtual races can be used to test new training plans and methods to find out what suits you best in pre and race nutrition and hydration, supplements, break times. Rest and wake up before the race, outfits and many other very important factors that can make you or break you in the upcoming big race.

3. How it works

Most virtual races work the same way: participants choose the distance, sign up, and pay the registration fee. Some even allow runners to complete the distance at any time, but all allow runners to earn their medals anywhere.

After the virtual race, runners post their time online and are then sent medals to the finishers. Some organizers even offer racing packages and electronic covers for their runners.

For some athletes, virtual racing is not an alternative, but an addition to the regular race. Both should be part of the training plan and training method they can use to become a better runner.

Many traditional road races are now adding virtual races as an alternative. For example, Colorado’s Prairie Dog Half Marathon allows runners to join virtually. The Prague Marathon and the Falmouth Road Race in Massachusetts also offer virtual races in addition to the “live” race.

virtual running man

See also: Healthy Meal Plan for Runners for Marathon Training

 

Which is the best platform for a virtual marathon?

1. Racery

Racery is a relatively unknown virtual race platform and certainly has its faults. While quite simple to use, it controls per racer fees. This does not allow for as much flexibility in fundraising options or goals for your organization. Racery is certainly more engaging than simply a “mail-in” results system. However, the platform still leaves you wanting in terms of runner participation and engagement. Runners are only able to run on their own, on a set route, during a set period. They use the Racery app to have results recorded. Additionally, something to consider when looking at cost, Racery on average takes 40% of all entry fees from each participant.  

2. RunSignup

RunSignup has built an effective platform specifically for race sign-ups and participant tracking. Like Eventbrite, but specifically for running/races, they have an easy-to-use and effective process for setting up race registration. As virtual races have begun to expand in popularity, RunSignup developed a virtual race platform to pair with their registration. Very adept at race promotion, registration, and donation tracking, RunSignup misses the mark with the race day experience. Currently, they still rely on a variety of third-party platforms for the “live experience.” Including FB Live, social media, and RaceJoy. The lack of centralization can make the process on race day less efficient for race directors/organizations and ultimately less engaging for runners.

3. RaceRunner/JustMove

Where RunSignup lacks in race-day engagement, RaceRunner by JustMove aims to excel. RaceRunner isn’t as intuitive and effective at race setup, marketing, and registration as some of the other platforms out there. They do however have a more racer-friendly app as a virtual race platform. RaceRunner uses a GPS to track each racer’s stats when they choose to complete a respective race. The stats and live data are certainly a plus for the racer. However, race directors and organizations are not as supported in the process. Furthermore, the open-ended race dates and times can make it difficult for races to coordinate a pointed, effective marketing campaign. This cuts into the effectiveness of a rollout/celebration in tandem with a true race-day experience for all participants.

4. Haku

Haku is a full-service business and event management company with a strong focus on road races versus a true virtual race platform. They provide a partnership and “all-in-one” platform intending to simplify your life as a race director/organizer. They cover the event from conception through post-race statistics and results. Virtual goodie bags for participants are a nice added piece of the Haku experience. Features like this separate them from the previous platforms on the list. As easy as Haku makes the race organization process, it still doesn’t provide an engaging race day experience for participants. Beyond compiling live race results, participants are still generally left to run alone. This limits any sense of positive competition or encouragement that is so key to a community road race! 

5. Charge Running

Who says you can’t have it all? The Charge Running virtual race platform gives race directors and organizations the ultimate virtual race experience. Races of any distance work one-on-one with the Charge Virtual Race team to set goals, develop a strategy, and set up all necessary pre-race steps. Charge offers virtual race features that aren’t available with any other platform. Including a professional coach working as MC (with a race-specific playlist) to keep all participants engaged and motivated from start to finish, in real-time. Charge offers a truly social experience with a live in-race chat room for all. All Charge virtual races are hosted in real-time via the Charge Running app. This means that all of your participants can truly compete against one another from anywhere in the world, outdoors OR inside on a treadmill. These are LIVE virtual races with real-time feedback like nothing else!

virtual running woman

Tips to boost your motivation for a virtual marathon

1. Run in a loop

Running in a loop isn’t required but it makes it easier for spectators and fans to find you if they can’t be there for your entire race. Make sure you pick a fairly easy and safe loop so that you can successfully finish your virtual half marathon. Try to stick to an out and back loop or shorter looping intervals such as 4 laps around a 3-mile loop and then finish 1.1 miles at the tail end of the loop.

 

2. Print out your run and hand it to your fans

Once you’ve decided your safe and easy running route, turn your route into a printable map of your running course. Mark time indicators along your route showing places you’ll be at specific times during your race. Make sure and give a window of time such as I’ll be at this location between 7:30 and 7:40 just in case your pace is faster or slower on race day. You’ll want your spectators and fans to be able to pop in and cheer you on during your surge to the finish line.

 

3. Create your own DIY aid/station

You don’t have to go overboard to make a useful water/aid station for your virtual half marathon. All you need is a simple, normal-sized table, that can hold water and some of your snacks and energy gels (check out my detailed review on energy gels) when you run your loop route for your virtual race.

If it’s hot outside you might want to throw everything in a cooler. Throwing in a wet cold towel is a bonus if it’s going to be hot outside. You can simply grab the towel and walk around your aid station a few times touching the ice-cold towel to your face and body. When you’re done with the cold towel throw it back in the cooler and keep on trucking.

If you don’t want to mess with a table you can always run your race in a park and just throw your stuff on a bench or park picnic table. Hopefully, the local wildlife will leave your tasty snacks and drinks alone.

Don’t forget to throw in a victory beer or drink. A dry towel comes in handy for post-race drying off. For a list of things you’ll need for a half marathon and what to do after your half marathon race, check out this checklist – Half Marathon checklist.

 

4. Ask your friends to make some signs to cheer you on

If you want to create some personal motivation for yourself, ask everyone close to you or maybe just your running friends or running club members to help cheer you on during your race. Pick a convenient time that suits both you and extra spectators that could help cheer you on.

Let your fans make silly signs that will make you laugh and smile, or maybe cry… Any positive motivation while running a virtual half marathon is a must. For some additional race day motivation tips, check out: 5 simple ways to boost motivation on race day.

 

5. Have someone crew for you

Crewing is primarily used during ultra-marathons as a way for a group of individuals to support a runner at each on-course aid station. This allows the runner the convenience of not having to pack everything and carry it during the entire ultra-marathon run. It also allows the crew to carry a wide range of energy snacks, drinks, and even additional pairs of running shoes if need be for the runner to choose from.

If you have someone crew for you they can hold up signs with your laps/pace-time or simply have a cold drink or energy snack waiting for you each time you pass by your DIY water/aid station.

This will prevent you from having to carry your water or energy gels with you during your virtual half marathon. Less weight = a better finish time.

 

6. Make your own finish line

Now is your chance to break the tape at the finish line, only you’ll have no competition that might get to it before you do. You can make this as simple or complex as possible. All you need to get started is some toilet paper or any color streamer (finish line streamer paper Amazon Link). Stake down two poles and tie the toilet paper or streamer between the two poles. If you don’t have any poles go you can find two trees to tie the finish line too. As a last resort, you can simply ask two of your friends to hold one piece of the finish line as you smash through it after you’ve completed your virtual race.

Don’t forget to take a picture – this might be your first and last virtual half marathon!

 

7. Make your own virtual marathon  finishing medal

You can design your own finisher’s medal for your virtual half marathon. A website that allows one-off medal orders at a decent price is – Crown Awards.

Your medal will be one of kind so make it super cool so that all of your running buddies will wonder where you got such a good-looking medal!

 

8. Make your own bib

When you wear a bib it throws your mind into race mode. Here is a great website that you can create a free printable color bib with your name on it – The Best Race Bib Maker.

 

9. Let people track you

The one cool feature I love about Garmin products is the ability for people to track you. You can do this for safety reasons or you can do it simply to let people watch your progression during a race or a virtual half marathon race.  Check out more details at Garmin LiveTrack.

 

10. Run a virtual marathon at an optimal time

It’s your virtual half marathon race and you get to pick the time you start. Give yourself the advantage of doing it when you feel most rested and the weather outside is in your favor. Some of us aren’t morning birds singing sweet songs of fluff and wake up a little later, that’s fine – it’s virtual so pick the time you want to race and do it!

 

11. Make your course easy and flat

The worst thing you could do is set yourself up for a lousy virtual half marathon race by choosing a hilly or mountainous race. Route your race on a nice flat course with little elevation gain.

 

12. Don’t forget you can pause your run

I’m not encouraging you to pause your run but it’s nice to have the flexibility if you can. Since your racecourse route won’t be blocked off with barriers, volunteers, and traffic police, you’ll want to pause your run if you’re having to wait for a traffic light or maybe something else catastrophic. Don’t worry nobody’s looking.

 

13. You can run in your neighborhood

If the idea of you running around a park wearing a race bib sounds kind of silly, you can always run around in your neighborhood. It’s usually a safe place to run plus you know the neighborhood routes and can spot something if something seems off. The only thing you have to worry about is your neighbors seeing you out and bout wearing a race bib. They might also notice the frequent stopping at your makeshift water/aid station you’ve devised.

If you’re DIY water/aid station is in front of your house (a perfect spot for it) – you get a bonus – you have access to your own bathroom – not a porta-potty!

 

14. A treadmill might be an option for a virtual marathon

There aren’t any rules where you can run a virtual half marathon so if the weather isn’t permitting and you want to stay at home or go to the gym, your best option is a treadmill. Some of the newer versions of the treadmills allow you to choose a location to run at so you can virtually escape to another location in the touch of a button. I prefer to run my longer runs on asphalt or concrete, but sometimes a treadmill does come in handy.

Is it possible to run a half marathon on a treadmill? Check out this detailed post discussing – Can you run a half marathon on a treadmill?

 

15. Don’t forget local charities or small businesses

Local Charities and small businesses can benefit from your virtual half marathon. You can ask someone to sponsor you through a small local charity by using a GoFundMe website or you could share a link on your social media linking directly to your local charity. The opportunities are endless of all of the great causes you could run for.

 

16. Find a virtual marathon race 

If you don’t want to put on your own virtual marathon, check out these websites that offer virtual racing. Some of the races are free and in others, you have to pay a small entry fee. Most of the paid virtual races will ship you a tech shirt as well as a finisher medal. 

a man runs virtual marathon

Now join a virtual marathon and find the perfect challenge for your own!

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