Walk, Race, Win: The Value of Virtual Races for Walkers
For years before I decided to sign up for my first in-person 5k, I’d seen friends posting about them on social media. I’d seen the race-day pictures and finish line photos and those smiling post-race medal selfies. And I was kinda jealous. Races always seemed like so much fun—but since I wasn’t a runner, I figured they weren’t for me. When a friend told me that she and one of her friends walked a charity 5k every year, it got me thinking that maybe—just maybe—I could do that, too. But I found the idea a little bit…intimidating. Though I’ve since discovered that most races are totally walker-friendly, I had no idea what to expect. I didn’t want to sign up for a race, only to be the only person walking. I didn’t want to face the embarrassment of being so far behind all of the runners that I was alone on the course. (As it turns out, I’ve been there, too—but that’s another story for another day.)
And then I discovered virtual races, and that changed everything.
WHAT IS A VIRTUAL RACE?
When the pandemic hit and all of the in-person races were canceled, virtual races grew in popularity—and that’s when I first learned about them.
A virtual race is a race that you do on your own—wherever you are. You register online, and the race company sends you your bib and your race swag. You do the race on your own course—whenever and wherever you choose. And then you can enter your time on the race company’s website (or not—that part is usually optional). And you have the medal and/or shirt to show for it.
There are people who say that virtual races aren’t real—that they don’t really count. They roll their eyes and say that you’re just buying yourself a medal when you can walk a 5k on your own course at any time for free. But signing up for a virtual race can be a total game-changer in your walking journey.
Here are a few reasons why I’m all for signing up for virtual races:
WHY TRY A VIRTUAL RACE?
Flexibility
In-person races are fun, but they often take place early on a Saturday morning, when I prefer to be in bed, sound asleep. Sure, there are people who like getting up early on the weekend to go for a long walk, but I am not one of them. I prefer my walks to start at the crack of…noonish. And with a virtual race, I can set my own schedule. I can set race time for noon on a Saturday…or 6:30 pm on a Thursday. It’s entirely up to me (and, if I’m not doing the event alone, my walking buddies). And if it’s raining at the time we chose, we can postpone it until the rain stops
No Crowds
While I do love the energy of race day—of the people lined up at the starting line…the spectators…and the runners and walkers making their way through the course—crowds aren’t my favorite thing. I’ve done races where I spent most of the time trying to dodge crowds of slower walkers on a sidewalk—or where there were so many people crowded into the starting corrals that I couldn’t move my arms. Also, with crowds of racers come things like parking hassles and added stress. When you’re doing a virtual race, it’s just you, maybe a friend or two, and the open road.
Swag
I’m a big fan of race swag. I love my race shirts and medals and even my collection of bibs. When you do a virtual race, you still get the swag. Some allow you to choose which swag you want—you can choose to skip the shirt or the medal and just get the things that matter to you—and pay accordingly.
Support a Cause
Many virtual race companies support charities through their races. So while you’re doing your race and enjoying your swag, you can also feel good about supporting a good cause in the process.
No Pressure!
For a walker, this is the very best thing about virtual races. You can sign up and walk at your own pace without worrying about the race shutting down before you finish. There are no race sweepers coming up behind you to tell you to move to the sidewalks because they’re opening the streets back up. You can just do your race, finish in your own time, and celebrate your accomplishment when you finish.
Fun for the Whole Family
No-pressure virtual races give you the opportunity to get the whole family involved. If your kids are young you can push them in a stroller while you walk your event—and let them be a part of the fun. Or they can be your cheering section, holding up signs and cheering you to your finish line. Or they can join in the race with you! When the pandemic hit and sent all of us home, my daughter was seven. After she saw me do a couple of virtual races—and get a medal for doing it!—she wanted in. So we trained together, going a little farther each day until she was able to complete a full 5k. She got to get outside and get some exercise—and she got cool medals to hang in her room, too!
They’re Great Practice
If you’re hesitant to try an in-person race (like I was), virtual races can be a great way to practice. You can get a feel for the distance and figure out your pace. You can try out shoes and gear and hydration. And after a few virtual races, you might just be ready to tackle the crowds of an in-person race.
Motivation
If you need a little motivation to get yourself up and moving, virtual races can give you that extra push that you need to put in those miles. Schedule your race, get a friend or two to join you, and make it an event. And once you finish, get yourself a medal holder, so you can celebrate your achievements every time you walk past it!
So if you need a little extra motivation, a little practice, or a boost in your confidence, I definitely recommend giving a virtual race a shot. And next week, I’ll be talking a little more about how it works and where you can find some great races.
Have you done a virtual race? Do you have a favorite virtual race experience (or favorite virtual race swag)? Tell us about it!
