The 2020 virtual race calendar

Runners won’t get to conventionally toe-the-line for a few months, but if you had a goal race this spring, there are still lots of virtual racing options to put your fitness to the test. With trail, track and road races offering their events online, there’s an online option for every kind of runner.

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The MileSplit Virtual Classic – April 6 – May 31

While most high school season are either delayed or outright cancelled, runners can still put their fitness to the test with the MileSplit Virtual Classic. The event, which is open now and runs through May 31, will record results in events from the 100m through the 5,000m. The rules are: events under one mile must be recorded in full and sent to MileSplit (bryan.deibel@flosports.tv). The 800m, mile and 5K times should be logged through Strava or another widely used satellite run tracking app and then sent as screenshots to MileSplit (bryan.deibel@flosports.tv).

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NYRR Brooklyn Half – May 1-17

If you planned to run a half-marathon this spring, consider lacing up for the NYRR Brooklyn half.

The Great Virtual Road Race Across Tennessee – May 1 – August 31

The route (which is actually 1,021.68K), starts near the southwest tip of Tennessee and ends at the northeast state border. Any time after May 1, runners can virtually start their runs near Anthonyville, Arkansas. From there, the course follows the Mississippi River into Tennessee, through Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga, until the Tennessee-Virginia border, over 1,000K later. The event is organized by Laz Lake, mastermind behind the Barkley Marathons.

Je Cours Qc – May 3 – 17

Runners can join the Je Cours Qc Strava group to participate in this virtual event at any time in the first couple of weeks in May.

UA Spring Run Off – May 4 – July 1

The Spring Run Off is typically one of the first road races of the summer season, but this year it’s moving online. The Toronto-based event will be offered as a virtual 8K or 5K. Once completed, runners can visit Sportstats to upload their finishing time. Your finishers medal and shirt will then be mailed out to you.

My Home Course 5K – May 8 – 10

This is a virtual 5K in support of the surviving victims of April’s NS shooting. Runners can sign up or donate here.

Paradise Running Club Virtual 7o9(00K) Challenge – May 11 to September 13

Newfoundland’s Paradise Running Club has started a virtual challenge to “cross the island” of Newfoundland. Participants have four months to complete the 904K “route” which starts on the western coast of Newfoundland in Port Aux Basque and finishes in St. John’s.

Ottawa Virtual Race Weekend – May 15 – September 7

The Ottawa Race Weekend has gone virtual. Race weekend 2020 participants will receive all the amenities of a live, in-person event: a customizable race bib, commemorative finisher medal and t-shirt, option to upload finish times to the Sportstats–plus all 2020 participants will also receive 50 per cent off for race weekend 2021.

Run for Water Virtual Races

Run for Water and Food for the Hungry Canada are partnering for a pair of virtual events to raise money for Ethiopia during the coronavirus pandemic. From May 25 to 31, you can enter a 5K, 10K or half-marathon, and from June 13 to 20, there will be another 5K and another 10K race. Race entry is free, but donations will be accepted for the fundraiser.

Chilly Half-Marathon, Frigid 10K, Frosty 5K – May 30

Virtual Chilly Half Marathon, Frigid 10K, and Frosty 5K Races entires have been extended through May 30. All Virtual Race kits include race bib, shirt, finishers medal, and more sent right to your home. You can enter here and put that fitness to good use.

Calgary Marathon – May 31 – September 27

The 6,000 participants currently registered in the 2020 Scotiabank Calgary Marathon weekend of events, which includes the Scotiabank Marathon, Centaur Subaru half-marathon, Jugo Juice 10K, GoodLife Fitness 5K Walk and Run and 50K ultra race and relay, will be given the chance to run their race virtual or choose from other options, including to defer to 2021, 2022 or 2023 at no additional cost. The virtual event will open registration to new participants on Monday, May 4 and Run Calgary will open-up registration to its other events in the virtual series, including a free option, monthly.

Run Across Nova Scotia (RANS) – June 1 – September 7

The Run Across Nova Scotia (RANS) has a virtual race route that spans the entire province of Nova Scotia, from Yarmouth on the westernmost tip to Meat Cove on the other side of the island. The RANS—which is open to runners across the country and globe—is 792K long, and participants have 99 days to complete it. This works out to an average of eight kilometres per day from June 1 to September 7.

Canada Day 5K – June 1 – August 15

Hopefully runners will be able to celebrate Canada Day by running in person, but in case that isn’t possible, the Canada Day 5K will be offered virtually. The event, scheduled to take place in Burlington, Ont., can be run from anywhere between June 1 and August 15. Registration can be found here.