TRAVEL and road races have become synonymous in the past few years. Destination races have lured a multitude of weekend athletes to save up and go for a big trip to explore places and not just to compete.
The relationship between sports and tourism has gained global significance. Today, a vast number of people participate in or watch sports and almost everyone aspires for a holiday. People have become more aware of the health and recreational benefits that sports and tourism provide.
In fact, sports tourism is a growing phenomenon up until Covid-19 disrupted, as it did to many lives and industries, it's upward swirl to popularity and accessibility.
With much concern on how our PRO athletes are coping and how they are going to work back someday given the cancellation or postponement of major sporting events like the Asian games and the Tokyo Olympics, a big chunk of concern for these weekend warrior athletes, myself included is when can we get back to - or say we're definitely going to get back to - our favorite recreational pastimes?
For two consecutive years, I tried to register for the BMW Berlin Marathon, one of the most endearing marathons around the world started over half a century ago and one of the Big-5 marathons that make up the World Marathon Major series. This coming September would have been my chance to race through Brandenburg Gate and Victory Column having been picked in a lottery back in 2019. An opportunity I never had when I first registered in 2018.
But lo and behold, after months of training and anxious anticipation, the race is officially cancelled this September. Leaving me with two options, to refund or to transfer payment for 2021. I chose the latter.
The coronavirus pandemic has derailed many planned athletic events worldwide, and the heartbreak of race cancellations and postponements is being felt by runners everywhere.
Thanks to modern technology and VIRTUAL RACES, a new trend in racing events, athletes are given the convenience of participating in a race without having to be physically present at the starting line anywhere in the world minus the travel expenses.
How does it work:
Most virtual races work the same. The participant select a distance or a course, sign up and pay the registration fee. After the race, runners post their times online. The question on credibility is answered by organizers requiring participants to submit GPX files, also known as a GPS Exchange Format file which is a simple text file with geographic information such as waypoints, tracks and routes saved in it, and is electronically recorded by a timing device. For self-entered time entry, a link to the participants GPS tracker activity on strava, endomondo, garmin or similar is required including a photo of the activity session from your watch.
Even Bike races and Obstacle Course Racing are given new platform in the virtual world. Cycling on the popular ZWIFT training platform has captivated the hearts of cyclist all over, however it's cycling mode works on a subscription basis. So you'll have to pay USD14.99 a month to access it on top of a starter kit you need to set up with like a bike, a turbo trainer or rollers, a PC or a laptop and a bridge receiver for the signal. You can check for a full list of compatible kit over on the Zwift official page.
The popular Spartan Race dubbed as the world's best obstacle race which consists of a run and obstacles now hosts a different kind of virtual race. If running outside is not option, you can complete a cardio equivalent. Run substitutes are acceptable like treadmill, stationary bike, spin bike, rowing machine, jump rope, stair climb, swim, etc... Each activity is given an equivalent intensity to match the run distance to complete a sprint, super, beast and ultra category. Like other virtual races, submission is done by sending any link for proof. Finisher upgrade is an option with a fee for participants who would want an actual memento of the accomplishment like a shirt and a finisher's medal.
The kind of flexibility offered by virtual races can be so convenient without having to line-up for race kit claiming or long Porta Potty lines but it still lacks the full experience of being with other participants, the pre-race chit chat and the adrenalin rush one experience throughout the race, the credibility of the race results and the post-race exploration of a new place apart from your home and your neighborhood. #fileunderracingevents