Need something to do during the coming weeks? Our co-founder, Craig Thompson, has set up a great Virtual Race/Run event for everyone to participate in over the coming weeks, to keep us busy between conference calls and as a replacement for the now-postponed OKC Memorial races! If that sounds interesting, keep reading - we'll cover all the details here.
With recent guidelines from the CDC and other organizations limiting social gatherings, many of us (OK Runner included) have had to forgo social runs and training groups for the time being. So, to keep you focused on your fitness and feed your running souls, one of our dedicated athletes came up with an idea! We are linking up with a group of athletes all across the country to create a FREE virtual racing series to carry us through the next month of quarantined madness.
As with anything free, there's a bit of a catch: you have to have a GPS device that can track your runs. This can be a GPS watch or simply a smartphone with the Strava app installed. Second catch: you have to sign up for Strava and join OK Runner’s club. While you're at it, consider checking out Matt Chittim’s club, the Rambling Runner’s Run Club.
The Rambling Runner has set up a competition with athletes from all over to see who can run the most miles, the most time, the most climbing, etc., all beginning this next week. Along with those challenges, they are having virtual runs from the 5K through the marathon. Go to www.theramblingrunner.com to find out more about what Matt is doing.
For our clan at OK Runner (of which you, reader, are a member), we will have a three-race virtual running series structured as follows:
With recent guidelines from the CDC and other organizations limiting social gatherings, many of us (OK Runner included) have had to forgo social runs and training groups for the time being. So, to keep you focused on your fitness and feed your running souls, one of our dedicated athletes came up with an idea! We are linking up with a group of athletes all across the country to create a FREE virtual racing series to carry us through the next month of quarantined madness.
As with anything free, there's a bit of a catch: you have to have a GPS device that can track your runs. This can be a GPS watch or simply a smartphone with the Strava app installed. Second catch: you have to sign up for Strava and join OK Runner’s club. While you're at it, consider checking out Matt Chittim’s club, the Rambling Runner’s Run Club.
The Rambling Runner has set up a competition with athletes from all over to see who can run the most miles, the most time, the most climbing, etc., all beginning this next week. Along with those challenges, they are having virtual runs from the 5K through the marathon. Go to www.theramblingrunner.com to find out more about what Matt is doing.
For our clan at OK Runner (of which you, reader, are a member), we will have a three-race virtual running series structured as follows:
THE "FLATTENING THE CURVE" RACE SERIES
Where: Anywhere! (as long as it's outside and 6 feet away from others)
When: Virtual Race 1 (5K): Anytime between 12:01 AM Sat, March 28 and 11:59 PM Sun, March 29
Virtual Race 2 (10K): Anytime between 12:01 AM Sat, April 4 and 11:59 PM Sun, April 5
Make-up weekend: Anytime between 12:01 AM Sat, April 11 and 11:59 PM Sun, April 12 (only applicable for the 5K OR 10K, in case you missed one)
Virtual Race 3 (Half Marathon): Anytime Sunday, April 19th (In honor of the 25th anniversary of the OKC Bombing - we will always remember)
When: Virtual Race 1 (5K): Anytime between 12:01 AM Sat, March 28 and 11:59 PM Sun, March 29
Virtual Race 2 (10K): Anytime between 12:01 AM Sat, April 4 and 11:59 PM Sun, April 5
Make-up weekend: Anytime between 12:01 AM Sat, April 11 and 11:59 PM Sun, April 12 (only applicable for the 5K OR 10K, in case you missed one)
Virtual Race 3 (Half Marathon): Anytime Sunday, April 19th (In honor of the 25th anniversary of the OKC Bombing - we will always remember)
Now, PAY ATTENTION! Here are your basic instructions and how you can run your way to some great prizes:
1 - Create a Strava Account
2 - Join OK Runner’s Race Series club (strava.com/clubs/OKRunnerFTC)
3 - Log your runs when you’re done
4 - Pay attention to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and our website for more updates!
On to the good stuff - the PRIZES:
Each race, a male and female winner will be awarded a $20 OK Runner gift card - a rather small purse, but not to worry; there's a whole lot more! If you have participated in each race, you will qualify for FIVE INCREDIBLE prizes! All of the following are LOTTERY PRIZES, meaning your overall time will not play a factor! Winners will be chosen at random!
1 - Create a Strava Account
2 - Join OK Runner’s Race Series club (strava.com/clubs/OKRunnerFTC)
3 - Log your runs when you’re done
4 - Pay attention to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and our website for more updates!
On to the good stuff - the PRIZES:
Each race, a male and female winner will be awarded a $20 OK Runner gift card - a rather small purse, but not to worry; there's a whole lot more! If you have participated in each race, you will qualify for FIVE INCREDIBLE prizes! All of the following are LOTTERY PRIZES, meaning your overall time will not play a factor! Winners will be chosen at random!
PRIZES:
- FREE registration for one of our fall training programs led by acclaimed runner, coach, and author Mark Bravo
- One FREE pair of running shoes (shoe to be determined; we are working with our vendors to determine the prize)
- A FREE nutrition plan from our friend, accomplished athlete and registered dietician Lisa Braden (MS, RD/LD, CSP) of Fusion MD
- Custom sports performance orthotics from Craig Thompson at Oh Be Joyful Orthotics (located in OK Runner - Norman)
- Grand Prize - THE COMPLETE ATHLETE'S PACKAGE! Our OK Runner Complete Athlete’s package includes ALL FOUR prizes (training program, shoes, nutritional plan and a pair of sports orthotics), PLUS free entry into the OKC Memorial 5K, Half, or Full Marathon (your choice of distance)!
In addition, we'll have small prizes based on secret, randomly chosen Strava segments around Norman and the OKC metro. Clues will be given on social media in the days leading up to each race to help lead you to the secret segment! Strava will automatically identify segments along your route, so no need for extra effort - just do some sleuthing at strava.com/segments/explore and make sure to cover the distance on race day; Strava will do the rest.
We are calling this the Flattening the Curve racing series because we not only want you to flatten the COVID-19 curve by following social distancing guidelines, but also flatten your RUNNING curve. In other words, we want to see your best attempt at even pacing! Although negative splits are great, even splits are ideal! So, in this racing series whoever runs the most consistent race (or has the flattest curve) gets entered into an ADDITIONAL lottery for gift cards as well as the final podium prizes.
We are calling this the Flattening the Curve racing series because we not only want you to flatten the COVID-19 curve by following social distancing guidelines, but also flatten your RUNNING curve. In other words, we want to see your best attempt at even pacing! Although negative splits are great, even splits are ideal! So, in this racing series whoever runs the most consistent race (or has the flattest curve) gets entered into an ADDITIONAL lottery for gift cards as well as the final podium prizes.
HOW TO WIN:
We're all winners as long as we're running, right?
To be eligible for the race day prizes, you must be a member of the OK Runner Flattening the Curve Race Series club, post your run on Strava on the specified date, and make that run “public”. To qualify for the podium and the series prizes (the big ones), you must do the above AND participate in ALL 3 VIRTUAL RUNS!
Should you miss one of the first 2 races, you may use the weekend of April 12th to post your 5K or 10K on Strava. No gift cards will be available on the "make-up" weekend, but you'll be able to get back in the running for the grand prizes!
To be eligible for the race day prizes, you must be a member of the OK Runner Flattening the Curve Race Series club, post your run on Strava on the specified date, and make that run “public”. To qualify for the podium and the series prizes (the big ones), you must do the above AND participate in ALL 3 VIRTUAL RUNS!
Should you miss one of the first 2 races, you may use the weekend of April 12th to post your 5K or 10K on Strava. No gift cards will be available on the "make-up" weekend, but you'll be able to get back in the running for the grand prizes!