Runner's Forum: virtual races?

hi - i don't know, i'm looking too, i just got info by email from mapmyrun about a virtual half marathon at the end of August - spirit of columbus - have you ever done a virtual race? can i stop my garmin if i take a break? (ie, in my run, we do about 5 miles, stop the watch, take a 5 min water/gu break, start the watch, continue the run, etc.) if i do that will it invalidate my time?

 

Thanks!

 

 

Well, I did the thing, but now it's been over a week and no full results available.

 It was fun for me. I live near a lot of gravel roads, so I didn't have traffic as much of an issue. Though it was a tougher route than what the runners of the "real" event had to deal with.

I just want my shirt, hat and medal, and to know where I stand in the ranks...

Have a good week all,

 Andy

Nope i havent received mine, has to be the most unorganized race ive ever been apart of. Sure it was the first year they had it but they seem to be uncontactable, or just unwilling to answer questions. They could have had a FAQ at least for the people doing the virtual race. And honestly how hard is it to get the results all up and compiled together, pretty sure i could do it in a an hour once all the results were in. And its been what a month since the race happened, pretty sure it doesnt take that long to send a package to anywhere in the world.

I completed the Spirit of columbus virtual event and I got the results - not a problem.  They contacted me to tell me that they didn't recognise my address and could I email them my full address (which I have done).  I also asked when they would send out the "goody bag"? no reply, and two weeks later no goody bag!

I would like to do more virtual events but I am now reluctant to sign up to it.

Nope not a thing, not even an quick email to say its on its way or estimated date for sending them out. Quite ridiculous if you ask me, definitely not making me interested in doing it again.

Sorry to say these jokers must be laughing all the way to the bank with our money - no communication - no goodies.  What a rip-off!!

I would never register for a virtual anything based on my experience.

Ed

All -

First I would like to apologize to any that have been having issues.  From the sounds of it, the issues being presented here are still specific to the Spirit of Columbus virtual event.  I know this has been said once already, but I felt the need to reiterate this point since it seems that the conversation is continuing to head in that direction: the "goody" bags are sent directly by the people over at Spirit of Columbus  - if you still haven't received your goody bag, you will need to contact them directly at http://www.spiritofcolumbushalf.com/contact.html .  We here at MapMyFitness Inc. cannot do anything about sending out those "goody" bags; we do not have the money from registration (was sent to Spirit of Columbus) nor do we have any of the goodies to be sent out, so there is quite literally nothing we can do.  Please, if you haven't received your goody bag, CONTACT THEM. 

 As for future virtual events, we have taken these issues into account and will be trying to plan future events accordingly.  For example, we are currently running the "Virtual NY Marathon" (http://www.mapmyrun.com/virtual_event/ny_marathon), and for this event, we ARE handling the goody bags and mailing them out.  If there ARE issues, you CAN contact us and we will confirm your "goody bag" details and do everything we can to ensure that it is an enjoyable experience for all parties involved.

 It is unfortunate that there have been problems getting the goody bags out, but please do not continue to "flame" MapMyFitness/MapMyRun for something that we have no control over - trust me, we are just as frustrated as you are!   I appreciate all your patience in the meantime as the virtual events are very new and we are learning from every one of them the best/worst things to do and we are striving to make each subsequent event better than the last. 

 

Cheers!

Brad

I have been in contact with RWR (th organisors on several occassions chasing the goody bag for the spriti of columbus 1/2 - they keep fobbing me off with emails saying there has been hold ups, they didn't anticipate the response of runners etc etc.  I sent another email chasing round about mid October and they havent replied to this and still not received anything - this is ridiculus and a complete rip off.  Due to the number of poeple who have applied can MapMyRun now get involved and chase on our behalf as our chases seem to fall on deaf ears?