What is the future of running events?
Organized running events came to a screeching halt in March and very little has been done to restore normalcy since then. Virtual events are plentiful, but they are tough to train for mentally and lack the pageantry of in-person events. Run clubs and training groups are slowly returning with smaller crowds and formal rules, but until gathering restrictions are drastically eased, we won't see the normal races and events.
Events like Charlotte Running Club's "Virtual Boston" could be the closest we get for the remainder of this year. I've had conversations with multiple people about 2021 events and organizations that rely on financial bumps from charity 5k and 10k runs and walks are making plans for fundraising WITHOUT the in-person event taking place. Scenes like the one above from the 2019 Get Your Rear In Gear 5k with 2,000 people lined up delight a race director, but won't happen this year and we need to be prepared to restrictions carrying into next year as well.
Today's post goes into what to expect going forward and what to do as a replacement to those events. |
