Virtual runs are hugely popular now that events have been cancelled. You can even run a virtual marathon, so lace up your trainers, get out there and start clocking up the miles!
As a result of the pandemic there has been a significant increase in the number of people lacing up and taking to the streets and using running as a way of boosting both their physical and mental health. Virtual Runs have become the norm and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future as large-scale events continue to be cancelled.
The Virtual Marathon Majors has been created to provide world-class virtual events with a difference. Instead of simply running a distance and receiving a medal, you can compete with the world’s best runners, break world records on your own or with teams of friends –and you don’t need to be Paula Radcliffe to do it.
With the Virtual Marathon Majors, your aim is to complete the marathon distance in lots of different ways, individually and as part of a team. Every way you complete it will generate a marathon time for you, which is added to the Virtual Marathon Majors leader board.
There are special challenges to complete and a set of medals to collect which make up one large super medal. The virtual events include Run London, Run New York, Run Berlin, Run Sydney and Run Athens. With each event, runners will receive a goody bag for the challenge, along with goodies provided by partners Kind Snacks, Twinnings and Love Corn. Complete the challenges and unlock free special edition challenges as you go such as Chicago, Paris and Boston.
Run for a good cause
The Virtual Marathon Majors has built charity into the heart of the series as fundraising has hit an all-time low with many charities looking at bankruptcy by the end of the year. Charities are seeing a significant rise in demand for their services but are struggling to cope due to the loss of fundraising income due to the coronavirus pandemic. Charities such as Dreams Come True, Roald Dahl’s Children’s Charity, Blesma, SSAFA and Victim Support have already pledged their support to the events.
This new series hopes to raise millions of pounds for charities and will continue to do so after large scale events are able to resume again. It will also offer a race series of substance for charities to fall back on if another state of emergency is to occur.
For further details of the challenges, the charities benefiting and how to get involved, visit Virtual Marathon Majors.
