How to Create Your Virtual New Balance 5th Avenue Mile Course

Thinking about running the Virtual New Balance 5th Avenue Mile Powered by Strava, or already signed up to run your mile anytime, anywhere from September 4 to 13? NYRR coach Steve Mura offers his tips on picking the perfect 1-mile route for you.

Learn more about NYRR Volvo Virtual Racing, use Strava to map your course and record your virtual race, and stay tuned for more inspiration leading up to the race window.

If you’ve been doing any virtual racing, you know that creating your course takes some thought. From selecting the terrain, to planning the best places for fans to cheer you on, to pinpointing that all-important celebratory finish line, you’re the race director of your virtual race. Let’s discuss the best ways to take on that role for your Virtual New Balance 5th Avenue Mile.

What Are Your Preferences?

Do you enjoy a looped course, or a point-to-point route? Do you enjoy rolling hills for variety, or something pancake-flat so you can find a rhythm? Do you want a quiet area with no distractions, or do you prefer a bit of buzz?

Think carefully about where you’ve enjoyed training, especially during this unusual summer. What’s kept you happy on your training runs will probably keep you happy on race day. In general, you’ll want to avoid high-traffic areas that could result in frequent stops.

What Are Your Strengths?

If you find hills give you extra gears in your legs, you may want to race your mile on a rolling course. Hills use different muscles than running on the flats, and a change in elevation can positively impact your mindset and give you extra speed to shave off time at the finish. 

Or you may prefer a flat course, such as around a field or a track. Running on a track means zero hills (no red lights, either!) and the precision and familiarity of 400 precisely measured meters.

Spectators, Soundtrack, and Your Big Finish

Along with the physical course, consider whether you want friends and family to cheer you on as you complete this virtual race. Some runners will choose to run the Virtual Fifth Ave Mile without a single soul in sight. For a race like the mile, sometimes having an audience can be a distraction. These runners will want to find a quiet area, with few cars and pedestrians. They will want to keep their head down and get the job done without any fan fair. 

What’s your virtual racing soundtrack—a pump-up song, a podcast, or simply the sounds of the city? Find your perfect audio and cue it up for race day.

Finally, where do you want to finish—somewhere significant, such as the location of an IRL race you’ve done in the past (provided it’s safe to run there now)? Or right outside your front door, for convenience and familiarity?

Have fun and stay safe on your Virtual New Balance 5th Avenue Mile. We can't wait to see you on the Strava leaderboard!