This also allows the races to grow that much more.”įrom the race’s perspective, the virtual race is a means to generate more revenue-$30 of each entrant’s fee will go to the race Outside Interactive will get $10-and bring more attention to the event. It’s not that much of a barrier to entry as it might be because there are a lot of hoops you have to jump through for these events.
“A lot of people don’t have the money to do these things. “Treadmills level the playing field,” he added. “When I saw you could do remotely, I thought it was incredible. “It’s a tough time of year for me because there’s so many other races and events,” said Wardian, a prolific runner and winner of long-distance races on all terrains. He’s run the actual race three times, with a highest placing of 26th in 2010, but he won’t be able to make the trip this year. Michael Wardian, the current world record holder for 50K on a treadmill, will run remotely from his home in Arlington, Virginia. Someone who is intimately familiar with treadmill running will also participate virtually in August. “I’m excited to be among one of the first groups at Falmouth to do it. “I think it offers people who had high hopes of running and ultimately don’t get in the experience to take part. $40 isn’t as cheap as I would’ve expected, but it certainly beats full-on rejection and sitting on your couch. Walter noticed the virtual option while he was trying to register for the actual race, but didn’t pay much attention to it until he was denied a spot. So when he learned he wouldn’t be toeing the line in Woods Hole, he was disappointed. “After hearing about the race, I jumped on it and developed a love affair with the race.
“I grew up spending summers on Cape Cod,” said Walter, a lifelong runner. This year, however, his name wasn’t chosen in the lottery. He estimates he has run the Falmouth Road Race for about 15 years consecutively. It doesn’t take the place of the race, and it never will, but it’s an option if they so choose to consider it.”Īt press time, about 80 runners have signed up. “They’d rather be there running on the roads than simulating it on a treadmill, but this gives them an option. “The people who entered the lottery and didn’t get in are disappointed, I understand that,” he continued. It’s one category of participants that I’ve always thought about. “It’s an opportunity for people who could just never get to a race, whether they live in another country or they’re in the military or maybe they can’t afford to make the trip. “It’s not meant to be a replacement,” McGillivray said. But, he said, he doesn’t want to “close his eyes to innovation either.” He said virtual races will likely gain more traction with larger races like Falmouth that sell out. McGillivray has directed hundreds of races, including the Boston Marathon and Beach to Beacon, for 35 years, and admits he’s “old school” when it comes to technology. Those who race remotely will be entered in a separate lottery for the 2016 race they'll have an increased chance of running the race in real life next year.
Finishers will be included in the official race results in a separate category where times will be self-reported and rely on the honor system. They will be mailed a participant shirt and race medal after the race.
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In addition to the course video, remote runners can download a race bib and finisher’s certificate.
This method of filming will allow virtual runners see spectators, run past water stops, and take in as much of the race atmosphere as possible. To account for elevation changes, prompts on the screen will tell runners to raise or lower the treadmill’s incline.įor the Falmouth video, footage was taken on Segways about 45 minutes before the 2013 race started. Runners can match the video speed with their pace by attaching a footpod to their shoes or adjusting it manually on the screen. Through the app, the video will stream onto a runner’s tablet, computer, or television. McNamee called the option “paid remote participation.” Falmouth is the first event that is offering it to runners.įor $40-$25 cheaper than the standard entry fee-virtual participants will receive access to the course video on the app when the register. “This is a way of giving people an experience and interconnectedness with the race if they can’t be on Cape Cod,” said Gary McNamee, who founded Outside Interactive in 2011. The Falmouth Road Race partnered with Outside Interactive-a company based in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, which produces high-definition course videos that sync with a treadmill via their Virtual Runner app-to add a virtual race to its event. Play icon The triangle icon that indicates to play
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