Navigating Virtual Marathons, Races, and Charity Walks
Don't let canceled events keep you from crossing the (virtual) finish line!
It's a great time of year to put your athletic abilities to the test by entering a marathon or cycling race. Perhaps you’ve been training all summer for the main event – but this year, races look different. With many large events being postponed or canceled, you may be thinking that all of your hard work has gone to waste. The best way to find out the status of a race is to check the race’s website. If you were already registered to participate in a race, the organization should email you with updates on the status of the race.
Marathons
Many of the most popular marathons in the United States are being canceled, like the 2020 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Those who had registered to compete in the Chicago Marathon have been given the option to receive a refund or defer their 2020 entry fee to a future Chicago Marathon. Similarly, the 2020 Philadelphia Marathon is offering registered runners three options - runners can request a full refund, defer their entry fee to a future Philadelphia Marathon date, or donate their registration fee to the American Association for Cancer Research. While no one is happy to see races canceled this year, some runners may find a silver lining in the Philadelphia Marathon’s cancelation policy – while runners won’t get to cross the finish line, their entry fee can support a good cause.
There are also many large events that are moving to a virtual race platform. The TCS New York City Marathon is offering both competitve and non-competitve running tiers the option to complete the 26.2 miles virtually between October 17th and November 1st. The TCS New York City Marathon is tracking registered runners by giving them a free 60-day subscription to Strava, a GPS tracking system that syncs with many popular devices like Garmin and Fitbit. Find out more on the NYRR website. The 124th Boston Marathon is also being held virtually. Though the original race date has come and gone, runners can participate in the new virtual alternative between September 7th and 14th in the location of their choice. The race must be completed within a six-hour timeframe and entrants must send proof of their time to the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) to receive their official Boston Marathon medal, t-shirt, and bib. Along with the virtual race itself, the B.A.A. will be offering a series of other virtual events like panel discussions, interviews, and a downloadable Boston Marathon toolkit, which includes printable assets like a finish line. If original registrants aren’t interested in the slew of virtual events being offered by the B.A.A., they can get a full refund for their entry fee.
If you’re training for a virtual marathon, let our socks support you! Shop running socks.
Check out our Best Running Sock & Training Tips for Marathons blog post for tips on participating in a race.
If this is your first race-rodeo, check out our post on How to Start Running.
Cycling Races
USA Cycling has canceled the entirety of the 2020 Pro Road Tour. However, they have created a Virtual Race League that allows members to put their skills to the test with various scheduled time trial competitions via Zwift, a popular cycling app.
For cyclists looking to give back during their ride, Great Cycle Challenge (GCC) allows riders to raise funds to fight kids’ cancer. Throughout September, registered riders log their miles through the program’s free app or another GPS device. Participants can form a fundraising team or choose to ride solo and raise funds on their own for the GCC ambassadors to support their fight against cancer. Register for free or find out more on the GCC website.
Don’t forget to check out our variety of cycling socks that help to keep you cool and ridin’ on!
Other Virtual Charity Events
Speaking of charity events, maybe running or cycling isn’t quite your speed – a charity walk could be the event for you! Like races, many charity walks have been re-organized to accommodate social distancing. The Michigan Autism Speaks Walk that raises awareness and funds for those on the autism spectrum, set to take place September 26, has a few socially distant options for participants – Walk on Wheels, where participants will form a vehicle parade or participants can choose to walk from home with friends, family, and even pets. Check your favorite charitable organization’s website to see if they are conducting any virtual walks that you can participate in!
Don’t be caught walking in generic socks! We have a variety of walking socks designed to keep your feet comfy and blister free.