Off Topic: The Virtual Half Marathon
One of the things all competitive athletes know is that on any given day you have a shot at winning. Perhaps the guy who’s faster than you will get sick or have car trouble (not that I wish that on anyone). But what if that competitor can run against you without actually showing up to the race?
That’s part of the vision for the Virtual Half Marathon being organized in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Half Marathon. Using technology, anyone can register (same price as if you show up!), map out their own course (on MapMyRun.com, a sponsor), set a date to run (must be before midnight of race day), run their own course with a tracking device (iPhone, Garmin, Timex, Nike+, or Polar devices) and upload their results to be included with those of runners who compete on the course on race day. Virtual runners receive a bib number, shirt and goodie bag by mail. I see nothing about whether they get the one big thing folks like at the end of a distance event - a finisher’s medal or if they are eligible to win prizes, but I suspect not.
I have mixed feelings about the whole thing.
I like the idea of more people running and racing (virtually, or otherwise). I’m sure this can bring in more money for organizers. Virtual runners mean only an increase in postage and perhaps bandwidths costs, but not other big costs like police details, food, portojohns. I’m sure many people will like the idea of “running with a friend” virtually.
On the other hand, every course is different and to suggest that someone’s hand-picked course is anything similar to the actual course beyond being 13.1 miles is overstating the matter. Then there’s the “pick your race day” aspect. Virtual runners can choose the weather and time of day, something those on site can’t. During the nor’easter at the Boston Marathon in 2007 we all slogged through the wet together, though I admit I got a slightly drier deal in wave 2’s 10:30 start than my fast friends in wave 1’s 10:00 am start.
And, frankly, it’s that last idea, that “you had to be there” aspect that virtual runner’s should miss the most. Every course is different, every day is different. When runners talk about races they typically note specific features (the Hill at Derry, NH’s Boston Prep, or the evil downhill that begins Boston) and then specific years (the year it was so cold they served hot Gatorade at Derry, or the year it rained during the entire 200 mile Reach the Beach Relay). Running is one of the few sports where everyone from Kenyans, to midpackers, to walkers, play on the same field on the same day. That’s pretty special and is alas lost with a virtual event.
Now, there are situations where “virtual” works for me. I love that Suni Williams ran the Boston Marathon on the International Space Station. She ran it at the same time as we did. Further, I love the idea of soldiers doing marathons while serving out of the country. I love the idea of the Phedipidations Worldwide Festival of Races - all free. Those events have no “there” - as there is no official course - everyone runs where they “are” either in a formal race or a course they set up. I’m also all for scaling marathons. My running club has ties to the Katie Lynch Foundation. Katie, who had multiple physical challenges, trained for and competed her own marathon - it was 26.2 feet. Plug: There’s now a half marathon in her name which covers parts of the Boston Marathon course, the Katie Lynch Heartbreak Hill Half Marathon which benefits the foundation. It includes a challenge to disabled young athletes to challenge themselves with an appropriately scaled event.
