While events as we know them can’t be going ahead in 2020, here at Run 4 Wales we’ve been working hard to ensure that you, the runners, aren’t going to be missing out on that unbeatable finish line feeling.
As the nights draw in and the weather turns, we’ve got a number of virtual events in store, from 5K to a full marathon – to keep you motivated this autumn. Select your challenge, get motivated in training and earn 2020 finishers medal and t-shirts!
From virtual versions of our signature events like the Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay Run and ABP Newport Wales Marathon & 10K to slightly different virtual events including the #iBeatSteve Challenge, we’re sure there’s something for everyone.
These great value races are all priced between £8 and £15, so get involved and give yourself something positive to focus on this Autumn.
Scroll down to take a look at what’s on offer or sign up, and remember those with R4W Membership can claim a further 20% discount on top.
Details on how the virtual events work (including how to record and submit results) can be seen below.
AUTUMN VIRTUAL EVENTS
VIRTUAL BRECON CARREG CARDIFF BAY RUN (NOVEMBER 2020)
This virtual 10K race will run throughout the month of November. Entry costs £15 and includes a Wales Millennium Centre inspired finishers medal and t-shirt.
VIRTUAL ABP NEWPORT WALES MARATHON (OCTOBER 2020)
This virtual race is perfect for anyone hoping to achieve 26.2 mile greatness in 2020. You can submit any marathon activity from 2020 and earn these seriously cool medals and t-shirts! Entry costs just £15.
VIRTUAL ABP NEWPORT WALES 10K (OCTOBER 2020)
Also taking place through the month of October, you can get your hands on this medal and t-shirt by taking on 10K this month with the virtual ABP Newport Wales 10K. Entries are just £15.
#IBEATSTEVE CHALLENGE (OCTOBER 2020)
Part of the R4W Virtual Challenge Series, you can race Olympic Marathon Runner and Run 4 Wales Race Director Steve Brace in this virtual 5K. Entries are just £8, and include a finishers medal and the chance to win a range of prizes!
ARMISTICE MEMORIAL RACE (NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020)
Commemorate Armistice Day this Autumn with Military Remote Running‘s Armistice Memorial Race, taking place from 11 Nov – 11 Dec. Run, ride or row 5K, 10K, half or full marathon for just £15, which includes a finishers medal and £5 donation to ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.
HOW IT WORKS
1. Pick Your Race Date
Each virtual race has specific dates in which to participate, so pick your date, rally your support crew, take a look at the weather forecast and pick a suitable date to race. You may have a better experience if you go for a time of day or day of the week that’s less busy.
2. Plan Your Route
Picking a route is all down to personal preference, but make sure you choose one that makes sticking to social distancing easy. Without all the normal race day amenities, picking a lapped route means you can use your own front door as a drinks station or nip in to use your own toilet if you need to. Avoiding traffic lights or road crossings (if possible) will make for a more pleasant experience too.
You may want to plan for some friends or family to join you (socially distanced and within any local Coronavirus guidelines) for some of your race – this will give you extra motivation, especially in the later stages.
Do not attempt to complete the actual race routes as road closures will not be in place.
3. Download Race Number
For both the Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay Run and ABP Newport Wales Marathon & 10K, we’ve created downloadable race numbers for you to print, customise and wear on the day! Download your Cardiff Bay number here, or your Newport number here.
4. Gather Your Evidence
Have a think about the evidence you’ll gather during your run, ride or row, that you can use to verify your performance. Evidence can be a photograph of gym equipment or a screenshot from a fitness tracker or GPS activity. You must run your distance as part of one activity but there is no time limit on completing it (so you can walk some or all of the distance if you like).
5. Plan Your Hydration & Nutrition
Without race day aid stations, you’ll need to think about your hydration and nutrition during the race. Consider planning a route that means you can pass by your front door or a safe place you can leave water or nutrition products. Don’t try anything new that you haven’t practiced with in training and make sure you dispose of any litter.
6. Complete Your Activity & Upload Your Result
Participate from any outdoor location or gym and make sure you gather some supporting evidence. Once completed, you’ll have received instruction on how upload your result. You will need to enter your registration ID (which you will receive upon signing up), before proceeding to enter your finish time (in HH:MM:SS format) and upload your supporting evidence.
7. Share & Celebrate
We want to be with you every step of the way, just like it were a real race day. Send a before and after selfie, log your progress with a video halfway around or let us know how you’re celebrating once you’ve finished on the event’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
8. Receive Your Finishers Items
Shortly after the participation window closes, we will e-mail all finishers with a link to view the official verified results and to confirm that finishers’ t-shirts and/or medals have been dispatched. They should arrive 2-3 working days after dispatch.