What is a Virtual Race?

A growing trend in the running community, a virtual race is a race in which you can decide when and where you want to run it. Virtual races are a great option for runners who want to set running goals, but would like some more flexibility and convenience when it comes to races. Here’s how virtual races work, and some reasons why you may or may not want to give them a try.

How Virtual Races Work

Signing up for a virtual race is very similar to registering for a physical race. You pick your distance, fill out your information, and pay the registration fee.

Then you choose where you want to run the distance. Some virtual race organizers encourage participants to run the distance during a certain time period, while others leave it open and let them run the distance any time.

Some virtual race organizers provide access to virtual training programs and virtual race communities on social media.

Most virtual races offer some kind of race swag or bling, such as a cool medal. After you complete the virtual race, you post your time online and then get your finisher’s medal in the mail.

Benefits of Virtual Races

If you haven’t yet considered doing a virtual race, you may want to consider it for some of these reasons.

You won’t miss out. Runners may want to participate in a physical race but can’t for some reason, such as if the race is canceled or the cost of the race and associated travel is prohibitive. You can still follow a race training schedule and boost your running motivation by having a race on your calendar.

If an injury or race day scheduling conflict causes you to miss the race, you can do a virtual race on a day that works better for you.

You’ll skip race day hassles. By doing a race virtually, runners can still complete the race distance and experience the feeling of accomplishment without dealing with some of the race hassles, such as traffic, showing up hours before race start, dealing with gross porta-potties, crowds, and bad weather.

You’ll save money. Virtual race fees are typically lower than physical races, and you’ll also save money by avoiding travel costs.

You can supplement your training. If you’re training for a big upcoming event, doing a virtual race is a good way to practice race day nutrition and hydration. Although it’s not exactly the same as being in a race environment, virtual racing is still a good way to get into the race mindset.

You can do some good. Many virtual races also have a fundraising component, so participating can be a way for runners to give back. Some virtual races donate a percentage of the fee to a worthy cause, so you can contribute to a charity and do the race on your own terms.

Your participation can also benefit the larger running community. If a race has been cancelled but organizers are offering a virtual option, doing it virtually may help ensure that the race will return to an in-person race the following year.

Drawbacks of Virtual Racing

Although they’ve been embraced by some runners, others say that virtual races don’t have the same excitement of the race day atmosphere. They like the social aspect of in-person races and mingling with other racers and spectators. They miss the thrill of catching and passing fellow competitors, running races with buddies, and congratulating one another after crossing the finish line.

Some virtual races organize online communities on social media such as Facebook and Instagram and apps like Strava to create some interaction, community, and support among fellow racers. However, some runners say it’s just not quite the same as an in-person experience.

Training for Virtual Races

Training for a virtual race isn’t really different than what you do to prepare for a traditional one. You’ll still want to follow a training schedule, take steps to avoid injury, and work on your mental training. Here are some more training tips for virtual races.