In the past few years, a type of running called Virtual Running Races have been springing up, all over the world.

Concept Of Virtual Races

The concept of Virtual Runs are basically as follows: You pay a nominal fee to run your own race at your own pace and location, using any GPS tracker to track your run.

So yes, even though it is “virtual”, this means that you actually have to do some running, when you sign yourself up for a Virtual Race.

Depending on the race, Virtual Runs can be completed in either a single run or multiple runs over a period of time.

Then after that, when the designated race period has ended, your finisher medal would then be mailed out to you, providing you have met the distance requirements that the Virtual Run you registered for, requires of you.

Just like actual races, t-shirts or singlets as well as race goodie bags may also be available for Virtual Races, if you opt to purchase them. Additionally, some Virtual Races even give runners number bibs, as well, to mimic a real running race.

At the beginning, I admit that when I first heard about them, I must say that I had thought the concept of these Virtual Runs was very strange, because you are paying money to do what was essentially your own training run.

Benefits To Runners

But with the increasing popularity and growth of the idea though, I realised that the concept of Virtual Runs began to grow on me, and I then began to see a few benefits of actually signing up for these Virtual Runs.

For example, how these Virtual Runs are able to motivate me to push myself to actually train for a key race during the times when I am feeling lazy – as I had needed the mileage from the Virtual Run.

And since then, I have taken part in a few Virtual Runs, and these include the Run For Singapore Challenge and the Run Further challenge, both of which had been organised by RunSociety Singapore.

As well, I have also taken part in several Virtual Races which were held by 42Race, a company which specialises in putting together such races.

Now, besides pushing me to actually train and clock mileage for races, I can also see how taking part in such Virtual Runs can help me to accomplish running distances that would otherwise seem out of my reach. 

For instance, completing a distance of 200km within a time frame of 21 Days is achievable by my standards by breaking it down into lots of smaller runs, but I simply can’t see myself ever completing a 200km Ultra, within a single run. 

But in this way, am I still able to call myself a 200km Finisher?

Likewise, I can also see how taking part in such Virtual Runs can help to spur runners on to, for example, eventually complete their first “Marathon.” 

As an example, for those who may not see themselves as being capable of completing the 42.195km distance, seen by many as the “holy grail” of road running, participating in a Virtual Run which allows them to run the 42.195km in multiple runs, may give them a sense of accomplishment that they may have never felt before… and then eventually one day, to actually work towards run the Marathon in a single go.

Benefits To Race Directors

Besides helping runners to stay motivated in terms of their training for actual races, Virtual Runs also have benefits for the various race directors to increase their participant numbers and at the same time, to get more exposure for their races.

A good example of this is the TCS New York City Marathon, which offered a Virtual Run concept for runners last year. 

Organised as part of the New York Road Runners Virtual Racing Series, there was a virtual event whereby runners who completed 26.2 Miles or 42.195km in a single run from 1st to 4th November 2018, could earn themselves an entry spot into the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon, one of the most highly sought after marathon races in the world.

Will Never Replace Real Run Races

However I guess that despite the benefits, Virtual Runs can never completely replace actual running races, in terms of the atmosphere and ambience that real running races can offer both participants as well as spectators. 

So I think that race directors of actual running events probably never need to fear that these Virtual Races will result in their participant numbers ever dwindling anytime soon.

For me, when I take part in a big race, it’s the adrenaline rush and the hype that I always find myself looking forward to, as well as the numerous spectators on-course who are cheering me on as well as the sense of euphoria when I cross the finish line amongst so many other like-minded runners. 

And no matter how well they are organised, I feel that a virtual race will never completely be able to replace these feelings that I get at a real running race.

Virtual Races Here To Stay

Nah, to me, Virtual Races are something that can work hand in hand with real races, in today’s increasingly digitalised landscape, with both being here to stay to add more spice and variety to the running community.