R4W Virtual Challenge Series Kicks Off With I Beat Iwan 10K Virtual Racearticipation events cannot take place.
The I Beat Iwan challenge is a virtual 10K race that will take place over the month of August, inspired by the popular #IBeatIwan initiative which saw thousands of runners earn bragging rights by racing alongside Welsh Olympian and Healthspan Ambassador Iwan Thomas at the Barry Island 10K in 2018 and Healthspan Porthcawl 10K in 2019.
Entry costs just £8 and includes a commemorative finishers medal, access to the live results platform and training advice from Run 4 Wales partner Healthspan. If you have a R4W Membership you can enter for free.
There’s certainly an incentive to run as fast as you can – as Healthspan will donate £5 to the R4W Charitable Foundation (which supports grassroots sports and community projects such as the Welsh Schools Athletics Association, parkrun and Run Wales) for every runner who manages to beat Iwan – who ran 10K in 48:16 in Barry Island in 2018 and 48:58 in Porthcawl last year.
The UK’s number one direct supplier of vitamins and supplements will also award a free R4W Membership for 2021 to the top 26 finishers (13 men and 13 women)- but the race can be enjoyed by runners of all fitness levels – providing a 10K training goal to focus on, online engagement and the chance to run (virtually) alongside a Welsh Olympian!
Registration is now open!
HOW IT WORKS
The participation window for the challenge will be open throughout the month of August, with runners able to submit their finish time anytime between 1st and 31st. In the lead up runners can enjoy access to exclusive training content, nutritional advice and video updates from Iwan Thomas himself.
As the participation window closes, Iwan’s finish time will be revealed and runners will be able to compare their own efforts against the European and Commonwealth Gold Medallist.
You can participate from any location at any time throughout August but must provide supporting evidence you covered the 10K (6.2 mile) distance – such as a screenshot from a tracking app or pictures of a GPS tracker or treadmill. Evidence must be submitted by 31 August.
A MESSAGE FROM IWAN THOMAS & HEALTHSPAN
Iwan Thomas commented: “It’s been a challenging year for athletes with so many events getting postponed or cancelled. Because so many sports, clubs and gyms have had to close, there has been a real resurgence of running, to get in your daily exercise. So whether you’re new to running, or a professional athlete, get involved in this first of a kind virtual event and help raise money for charity.”
Rhian Whitchurch, Head of Brand Marketing at Healthspan says: “We are very much looking forward to working with Run 4 Wales again and being part of this fun virtual initiative which is a great way for all abilities of runners to get involved. Our team of experts enjoy the challenge of providing nutritional support and advice to the runners so they can achieve their goals, Of course, we are excited to see how many people can beat Iwan’s time. We wish everyone all the best.”
R4W VIRTUAL CHALLENGE SERIES
The I Beat Iwan race will be the first in a three race Challenge Series, with more details on upcoming events due to be announced soon. The series will support the R4W Charitable Foundation, usually funded by the surpluses generated by Run 4 Wales events like the Cardiff Half Marathon. Runners will have the opportunity to make an optional donation to or fundraise for the foundation which supports and awards funding to grassroot sport and other community projects.
Since 2012, it has provided funding to the Welsh Schools Athletics Association (creating District, National and International Competition opportunities for school-age athletes) and Run Wales (Welsh Athletics’ social running programme) – supporting with the creation of over 100 social running groups and 48 parkrun events across Wales. It’s also provided race entries and training support to over 1,000 first time runners – through initiatives aiming to make positive contributions to diversity, gender equality, physical and mental health.
R4W MEMBERSHIP
Did you know that you could enter the I Beat Iwan challenge for free? Perks of the new R4W Membership scheme include free and discounted race entries, ‘fast track’ privileges on event day, discounts on sportswear, nutrition and access to exclusive digital content.
R4W Membership for 2021 is now available – with benefits (including free virtual racing) available from the day you sign up. Membership costs just £60 for the year and gives you access to hundreds of pounds worth of discounts and race entries plus perks to enhance your training and event day experience.
To celebrate the launch of this exciting new scheme, 12 lucky new members will be selected at random to receive a free pair of HOKA One One trainers (worth £120) and a 2021 race entry of their choice.
You must be signed up as a member by 1 September 2020 to be eligible for the draw.