Same Mile, Different View
COVID-19 showed the world that many activities such as meetings, hangouts and even hobbies, don’t need to be done in-person to have the same effect. One trend that has gained popularity as the result of this time is virtual running and virtual marathons.
Virtual running allows participants to compete in a race at the location and time of their choosing. After they’ve completed the race’s distance, the runner is rewarded with a finishing medal, which is typically delivered by mail.
Margaret Molina is an attorney who has been running for 15 years. “In person I've done three full marathons on a course, and now three full virtual ones,” Molina said.
Margaret Molina running Disney’s 5th half marathon in 2010. Courtesy of Margaret Molina
Running is a great exercise for your health but it’s also very time consuming. For example, a marathon is about 26.5 miles and it generally takes people anywhere from four to six hours to complete. So, for those who want to run a marathon – or any other race – but can’t seem to find one that aligns with their schedule, there are sites that offer days and times of upcoming virtual marathons.
Molina cites runnersworld.com as one of her go-to places to find future races.
“[The website] lists different races throughout the year happening in the US, plus all the races that are open each month,” Molina said. “If you want to do a 5K or a 10K marathon, you can find one online. Everything you need is there.”
Similar to every other activity that’s been transformed to a remote setting, there are some significant differences between racing virtually as opposed to alongside a crowd of people.
In fact, Molina says that virtual races actually cause her to run at a slower pace.
“When you’re running, you see a lot of people running at your pace,” Molina said, reflecting on her experiences where she raced on a course. “You'll pass them up and then they'll pass, and you just keep passing each other. But you motivate one another along with the other people on the course. Whereas, if you are running a virtual race, you are just running by yourself. You have no idea how you are doing, unless you are using a running app or a Garmin watch, that’s telling you your pacing.”
Margaret Molina running the She Power virtual race in 2021. Courtesy of Margaret Molina
Molina claims that the biggest downfall to virtual running is having very little indication of how you’re doing during the race. “You are just running against yourself, and you know it. I tend to run slower when I run virtual versus when I am running an in-person race,” Molina said.
However, what doesn’t change is the workload leading up to the race. Molina says that whether you’re planning to race on an official course or on a path of your own, “you’re going to train the same because it’s going to be the exact same mile.”
Many virtual marathons raise money and bring awareness to certain illnesses or issues. St. Jude hosts a variety of in-person and virtual races to raise money for research and treatment for children with cancer. These fundraisers use the money from the sign-up costs and donations during the race to reach a goal while offering a healthy and enjoyable experience for a compelling cause. There is also the benefit of getting friends and family involved whether it is for support or if they desire to run right with you.
Virtual marathons have taken the running scene by storm and will continue to evolve for all. The activity invites everyone from new runners to experienced runners to join different races from the comfort of their town without needing to spend on traveling and accommodations.
So, lace up your running shoes and get out the door.