And now for race schedule that might get cancelled.
Kidding! Kidding. Hopefully they all happen. Certainly the virtual ones will.
I’ve never been a virtual race girl. Kudos if they’re your jam, but I find the medal without the full experience of a race attached to be underwhelming. Still, the world being but it is in the age of COVID-19, I’ve adjusted my outlook a little.
For starters, the Rock ‘n Roll Race Series has started a virtual race experience where everything is free! I mean, you can order medals to accompany your accomplishments if you like, but it’s not required. They have little challenges during the week and a different virtual race distances on the weekends. There’s a point system with prizes attached, but they aren’t very good; likewise, there are randomized prizes to be won when completing a challenge, but statistically the winner won’t be either of us. Still, it’s a fun little runner’s persion – and did I mention it’s free?
In addition, my former hometown race the Parks Half Marathon has been cancelled for 2020. 🙁 The good news is they’re now offering a virtual version, so I can participate even from 1,000s of miles away – AND it’s only $25 WITH a premium! I don’t know what that premium is, exactly, but in the past they’ve handed out fleece hats, ballcaps, and ear warmers. If you’d like to try a virtual race that doesn’t just duke you your millionth cheap t-shirt, give this one a shot.
Now for some actual, geographically localized running, assuming we are so lucky. Since my March marathon in Wilmington, NC was cancelled and subsequently my trip to visit my parents, I’m taking a stab at an event there in November instead – the Showboat Challenge at the Battleship Half Marathon. I’ll be doing the half plus the 5K the day before. KNOCK ON WOOD KNOCK ON WOOD KNOCK ON WOOD that it can happen!
Let’s add some theoreticals:
I was strongly considering taking another stab at the Baltimore Marathon, which is October 17 this year. I’m sitting on it a bit before registering, though – in addition to the whole looming spectre of potential cancellation, we’d potentially be staying with someone who’s immunocompromised, so keeping a weather eye on the virus sitch is imperative.
There’s a pas Half Marathon in San Juan on October 25. I’m not 100% on board with the whole “men as sex objects” angle, but I’d really like to run a local half so I might sign up anyway. Again, we’ll see if it looks like it’s happening, and how I’m feeling leading up to Battleship.
I also randomly stumbled upon a Santa Run 5K right by my apartment here in Puerto Rico last December – I had no idea it was happening and spent my 10 miler running past the course and sulking. Now that I’m in on the secret, I intend to sign up, assuming it happens again this year!
And that leads us into 2021, which I will of course begin with my beloved WDW Marathon. There’s a kink in my plan, though – because of the virus, bib numbers were reduced, and all the races sold out super quick… before my race buddy could get her bib! Luckily she got a bib through a charity, but yikes!
(Incidentally, this has me what the kids would call “shooketh” – I’ve never seen the marathon by itself sell out like this. My race buddy was only like 90 minutes behind. Hell, I didn’t sign up until October once! One time I waited until several hours after opening! What if I’d gotten cavalier and not registered during the AP window? Perish the thought!)
Obviously this is ALL pure speculation at this point, even for the races I’m legit signed up for. But ever the quixotic one, I hold out hope that we can start racing for real again by the end of the year. Clap if you believe in races!
Have you put together a race schedule for this year? Or to put it another way: are you also a quixotic one?
Don’t forget, you can follow FRoA on Twitter @fairestrunofall and on Instagram @fairestrunofall. If you have any questions or thoughts, leave a comment or email fairestrunofall@gmail.com. See ya real soon!
The marathon is a long-distance race with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres, usually run as a road race. The event was instituted in commemoration of the fabled run of the Greek soldier Pheidippides, a messenger from the Battle of Marathon to Athens, who reported the victory.
Most of my spring races were postponed to the fall rather than cancelled, so I'm still waiting to see what will happen with those. I have one 5k still scheduled for June 13, as well as a half marathon that I'm supposed to fly for on June 21. I already rescheduled those flights from the original half date in April so now I'm worried they won't let me reschedule a second time and I'll be out of the $$.
The WDW marathon registration was crazy! My friend logged on right before 10am and by the time she got through everything was sold out except the marathon (she was hoping for the half). She doesn't want to try and raise money for charity so I'm really bummed she can't run with us.
Oh my gosh, me too! I'm using funds for my cancelled March race to fly to my new November race and I REALLY don't want to fight Spirit again if there's another cancellation. >D
That sucks about your friend not getting through. 🙁 I totally understand not wanting to raise of charity – I did once and it stressed me out. Maybe if we're lucky they'll release more bibs at some point.