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Just because you’re quarantined, doesn’t mean you can’t lace up your shoes and get in shape. Bonus? Virtual races have always been a thing, but they’re especially justified during the quarantine. Just need the motivation to get up and out the door now!
In a pivot to respond to the inability to host large in-person events, many race directors solved the problem: they took things virtual. You’ll still get all the important things: a T-shirt, a participant medal, and most importantly, a time. You’ll just do it on your own. Better than not competing at all, right?
The rules for most virtual races are simple:
- Register for the race online.
- Receive your Race Packets shipped to you prior to “race” day.
- Choose a location to complete your race.
- It’s your race! Run, walk, indoors or outside; you set the pace.
- Submit your results to earn your medal and bragging rights among friends.
- Register for your next race!
Here are the local virtual races in Phoenix next month. It’s not too late to sign-up and join in!
Ope-RUN-ation Virtual Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
DATE/TIME: Fri, May 15, 2020, 12:00 AM – Tue, Jun 30, 2020, 11:30 PM MST
COST: $32-$52
This virtual half marathon allows participants to earn their medal by completing the full 13.1-mile distance at once or they can earn the challenge by completing the distance in increments of their choice. Profits from the race will go to DirectRelief.
Virtual Father’s Day Run (1 mi, 5k, 10k, 13.1 mi, or 26.2 mi)
DATE/TIME: Sun, Jun 21, 2020, 7:00 PM – Tue, Jun 30, 2020, 9:00 PM MST
COST: $9-$32
Choose to race the 1-mile, 5K, 10K, 13.1 or 26.2 miles in celebration of your dad! Fifteen percent of registration costs will be donated to Team Hoyt, which works to build the individual character, confidence, and self-esteem of America’s disabled and physically challenged young people through inclusion in all facets of daily life.
Virtual 5k, 10k or Half Marathon by Wake the World Arizona
DATE/TIME: Sat, June 6, 2020, 5:00 AM – 8:00 AM MST
COST: $20
This race is 100-percent virtual, with the choice to do a 5k, 10k, or a half marathon. All proceeds from event registration go to Wake the World Arizona.
Real Heroes Wear Masks Virtual Race
DATE/TIME: June 1, 7:00AM – 10:00AM
COST: $2
Join in helping COVID-19 efforts… virtually! Honor those on the front lines by signing up to run/walk/jog to provide support. A portion of proceeds will go to help #GetUsPPE which helps provide badly needed supplies for our healthcare heroes and aid in COVID-19 efforts.
6th Annual 22 Too Many 5K
DATE/TIME: June 6, 7:00AM
COST: TBD
This virtual run/walk will benefit the families of fallen soldiers from PTS left behind. The goal of “22 Too Many” is to see 22 a day deaths reduced to 0 from raising public awareness. Join in this great cause!
Race Across Switzerland (1 mi, 5k, 10k, 13.1 mi, or 26.2 mi)
DATE/TIME: Tue, May 5, 2020, 7:00 PM – Sun, May 31, 2020, 9:00 PM CDT
COST: $9-26
You choose the distance and the date: complete this race anytime in May 2020! Your distance choices are: 1-mile, 5k, 10k, 13.1, and 26.2 miles. Ten percent of each race registration will be donated to Pencils of Promise, an organization that builds schools to ensure their students have access to a quality learning environment. Since 2009, they’ve built 363 schools. Join the virtual race efforts to contribute to this great cause!
2020 May the 4th Virtual Run Walk Challenge
DATE/TIME: Fri, May 1, 2020, 12:00 AM – Tue, Jun 30, 2020, 11:30 PM MST
COST: $30-$50
Dress up in your favorite Star Wars costume and join runners and walkers from around the world in taking on The Virtual Run Challenge’s 2020 May the 4th virtual running challenge. 2020 offers more opportunity for charities to benefit from this event. They will be offering their standard designated/default charity donation, with an option also to donate to a charity of your choice.
2020 Anything is PAW-sible Virtual 5k Run Walk
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 1, 2020 to Sunday, May 31, 2020
COST: $27-65
Love dogs and running? This virtual race is for you! The goal of the Anything is PAW-sible Virtual 5k Run/Walk is to help organizations that work hard every day to help find homes for dogs in need. Join the fun any day in May!
2020 Stay Soft TP Roll Virtual 4-Mile Run-Walk in Phoenix
DATE/TIME: Fri, May 15, 2020, 12:00 AM – Mon, Jun 15, 2020, 11:30 PM MST
COST: $27-37
With packets distributing currently into mid-May, you can complete this virtual race at any time! Your race registration can either support their standard designated/default charity or you can choose the charity you want to benefit for the event. Win-win!
2020 Remember the Fallen Virtual 21k Run-Walk
DATE/TIME: Fri, May 15, 2020, 12:00 AM – Mon, Jun 15, 2020, 11:30 PM MST
COST: $29-50
This virtual run will pay tribute to the soldiers they are introducing for their first annual Memorial Day Virtual Running event. At a distance of 21K, you can choose to virtually run or walk at a location of your choice. Your race registration can either support their standard designated/default charity or you can choose the charity you want to benefit for the event.
