As runners settle into the starting line for this yearB次元官网网址檚 TriStars Sooke 10K race, theyB次元官网网址檒l be there, alone.

With races around the world cancelled, on hold, or up in the air, a new kind of event is gaining traction: virtual races. And the Sooke race is no different.

The TriStars Sooke 10K is part of the widely popular eight-race Vancouver Island Race Series, which runs from Victoria to Courtenay in the first four months of the year.

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Midway through the series in 2020, race organizers were forced to call off the remaining three races, including Sooke, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year the Island Race Series went virtual, with some surprising results.

B次元官网网址淧eople really got behind it,B次元官网网址� said Louise Hodgson-Jones, general manager of the Vancouver Island RunnersB次元官网网址� Association.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 gone really well. IB次元官网网址檓 kind of blown away, to be quite honest.B次元官网网址�

So far, 369 people have signed up for the race series virtually, on par with the number of people who run in the in-person races.

The virtual format offers two challenges per race: a run challenge and a photo challenge.

In keeping with the tagline, B次元官网网址渞un series, fun series,B次元官网网址� race organizers want participants to have fun so they can choose to race or just run for fun. Participants also have the option to post their results on to Race Roster, an event registration system, during the week of each challenge.

The TriStars Sooke 10K race is set for the week of March 31 to April 7.

The run challenge includes a Coffee Climb where participants are asked to cover the most elevation in a 10K distance. The run can be on trail or road. And the photo challenge? Take a selfie with a coffee or treat from a favourite coffee shop.

Hodgson-Jones said many participants run the designated course (in SookeB次元官网网址檚 case from EMCS, down Sooke River Road and back) on race weekend, but theyB次元官网网址檙e free to pick any course they choose. Some participants even registered thousands of miles away from Denmark to Newfoundland.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 rather unique that way,B次元官网网址� Hodgson-Jones said. B次元官网网址淚t opens up all these races to anyone in the world, really.B次元官网网址�

Hodgson-Jones is surprised virtual races continued to evolve over the last year. She pointed out part of the reason is that race directors are more inventive and creative in presenting their events.

With all the virtual race seriesB次元官网网址� success, does Hodgson-Jones look forward to another year of virtual racing?

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l admit IB次元官网网址檓 looking forward to getting back to in-person racing,B次元官网网址� she said.

editor@sookenewsmirror.com
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