Do you want to participate in a fun race for a good cause but don’t want to get up at five in the morning… or run in the cold… or have a bunch of people watching you? Well, the 2019 First Man on the Moon 1-mile, 5k, 10k, 13.1, 26.2 run is for you! This race is virtual, meaning you complete it on your own time and location. When you’ve completed your run, you simply just submit your time and will be mailed a medal.
Since July 20 marks the 50th anniversary of the first man on the moon, Virtual Run Events is celebrating the achievement by hosting this unique event. They will be donating 15% of the proceeds to the Challenger Center. And even though it would be great to celebrate and complete your race on July 20, you actually have the whole month of July to run!
Intrigued by this innovative event, we interviewed those at Virtual Run Events to find out more on what the race entails, how it came about, and more. Give it a look!
1. Tell us a little about what a virtual race is. How does it work?
A virtual race is a race that can be run (or walked) from any location you choose. You can run, jog, or walk on the road, on the trail, on the treadmill at the gym or on the track (or even at another race). You get to run your own race, at your own pace, and time it yourself. Run and walk on your own, or do so with friends! You can also get your kids involved. And your medal and bib will be shipped directly to you!
2. What is the process for timing your race and submitting it?
You choose your own route and time it while you complete it. Then you are given a link where you will submit your results.
3. Tell us more about the Challenger Center. What do the donations go toward?
We are not affiliated with the Challenger Center. They are a nonprofit organization that we are giving 15% of our race registrations to. They use space-themed simulated learning and role-playing strategies to help students bring their classroom studies to life and cultivate skills needed for future success, such as problem solving, critical thinking, communication and teamwork. The Challenger Center reaches hundreds of thousands of students, and tens of thousands of teachers every year.
4. How did the idea of making this race virtual come about? Is it only taking place in Cleveland or in other cities as well?
Our virtual races are open to everyone, all over the world. We ship our race medals to many different countries and all over the USA. This is our sixth year doing virtual races. It started out with wanting to help raise money for a friend in our running group whose son had cancer and they didn’t have insurance. We raised $2,500 to help them pay their medical bills.
5. What’s the most unique/odd course you’ve ever seen someone take for a virtual race?
We’ve had people complete our races on a cruise ship.
6. What do you feel is the best aspect of this event?
It gives people a lot of flexibility on when and where they want to complete their race. It allows them to avoid big crowds, cold early mornings waiting at the starting line, and still allows them to be part of an online community.
