Run Alone—Together—With the NYRR Virtual 5K
During this unprecedented time, it is as important as ever to stay connected with our friends, family, and fellow runners. A virtual race is the perfect opportunity to do just that, since by running alone, we can connect virtually to a larger network of fellow athletes.
With NYRR Volvo Virtual Racing Powered by Strava, you can lace up and run together–virtually–with an amazing community of runners around the world. Register for free for our next race, the NYRR Virtual 5K, and complete the 3.1-mile distance anywhere, anytime between April 15 and April 30. You’ll be part of a global community, all on the same leaderboard!
Whether this is your first time participating in virtual racing or you’re a seasoned pro, here are some tips to help you run fast, have fun, and feel connected.
Pre-Race Steps
- Confirm that you’re registered for the race in both your NYRR profile and on the Strava Challenges page.
- Map out your route in advance using Strava Routes. Find a route that will take you through your favorite scenery, while still having plenty of space to practice social distancing while running.
- Plan to run the a little over the full 3.1 miles to ensure the race activity is counted.
- Make sure your GPS device has enough memory and is fully charged.
- Check the weather forecast and select your gear accordingly.
- The 5K distance does not require fueling mid-race, but make sure to hydrate and fuel well before.
During the Race
- Before you start, turn on your tracking device, acquire a GPS signal, and make sure you’re recording your activity.
- As you run, check periodically that your device is recording your distance.
- Pace yourself! If this is your first race, and you don’t have a target time or pace, that’s ok! This is about experimenting with effort.
- The first mile should feel fast, but manageable. In the second mile, your breathing should pick up, but still be controlled. For the third mile, dig deep and stay concentrated – it’s ok if it’s starting to get hard! Finally, kick it in that last 0.1 as hard as you can!
After the Race
- Make sure you save your activity as a “race” on Strava and set your privacy settings to “Everyone.” In doing this, your race will be counted in the leaderboard.
- You can race as many times as you want during the 2-week period. Your best time will be the one that is ranked on the Strava leaderboard.
- Share your accomplishment with friends and family on social media and stay connected with our greater running community.
At this time, all runners should protect their health and safety and that of others by social distancing while running. Please stay up-to-date on the latest news and guidelines from the CDC, WHO, and your local and national authorities. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact us at help@nyrr.org.