UK event organising firm RunThrough argues that the virtual running market has… ‘become hugely saturated very quickly and with very little innovation in sight.’
RunThrough has been looking for a refresh. Along with Run for Charity and a group of other supporting brands and charities, a new concept has been designed that aims to capture people’s imagination.
The Virtual Marathon Majors [no relation to the Abbott World Marathon Majors] has been created to ‘provide world-class virtual events with a difference’.
RunThrough notes that… ‘instead of simply running a distance and receiving a medal, you can compete with the world’s best runners, break world records on your own or with teams of friends.’
With the Virtual Marathon Majors, the aim is to complete the marathon distance in lots of different ways, individually and as part of a team. Every way the distance is completed will generate a marathon time, which is added to the Virtual Marathon Majors Leaderboard.
Those who are 5K specialists can produce ‘a spectacular marathon time by submitting eight, 5Ks to create your marathon time and distance.’
The RunThrough team adds… ‘We have seen a sub 1 hour 50 minute marathon time already and expect to see some unbelievable times achieved as things progress; so Eliud Kipchoge look out!’
There are special challenges to complete and a set of medals to collect. The virtual events include Run London, Run New York, Run Berlin, Run Sydney and Run Athens. With each event, runners will receive a goody bag for the challenge, along with goodies provided by partners Twinning’s, Kind Snacks and Love Corn.
‘The Virtual Marathon Majors has built charity into the heart of the series as fundraising has hit an all-time low with many charities looking at bankruptcy by the end of the year.’
Charities are seeing a significant rise in demand for their services but are struggling to cope due to the loss of fundraising income, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Charities such as Dreams Come True, Roald Dahls Children’s Charity, Blesma, SSAFA and Victim Support have already pledged their support to the events and others are expected to follow in the coming weeks with the help of Run for Charity.
The new series hopes to raise millions of pounds for charities between now and April 2021; and ‘will continue to do so after large scale events begin to go ahead again.’
