Before the Beck 5K Angels for the Arc race was converted to a virtual event due to the pandemic, it was on my radar as a local-ish race up in Palatka, Florida. The race is put on to support The Arc of Putnam County, a charitable organization that provides assistance to intellectually and developmentally disabled children and their families.

Race organizers already had the bling in hand and decided to offer the event as a free virtual run, complete with real medal, for anyone who signed up. I registered for the free race and then added a separate donation.

Virtual Race Goal
Since I ran the Sugar Skull Virtual 5K on May 31, I've had on-and-off Achilles and heel pain, so I've been trying to take it easy. My plan was to go by feel and not concern myself with my time.

Race Day: June 6, 2020
The physical race would have taken place on this day, June 6th. It was about 75°F, 94% humidity, and on-and-off rain during my late-morning run.

Mile 1: 13:05
Felt okay.

Mile 2: 14:14
Started feeling bad.

Mile 3+: 17:11, 1:14
Some pain. Mostly walked.

Swag
Runners received this nice medal in the mail.

Recommendation
I mean who can refuse a free race with bling? The medal is nice, and the run is for a good cause. I would definitely consider running this small race in person in the future. It's a nice drive up to Palatka. :)

Garmin GPS elapsed time: 45:43
Cost: FREE ($15 donation)

Report written June 19, 2020

A local race company, Red Pointer Productions, put on a very popular and successful virtual challenge for the month of May - the Miles de Mayo Challenge. I participated in this, making the 100 mile tier. For the last day of May they offered a virtual race, the Sugar Skull 5K, to finish up the month of miles.

Virtual Race Goal
I didn't have a time goal but I hoped to run/walk consistently for the entire race.

Race Day: May 31, 2020
It was about 75°F with 83% humidity and sunny skies when I started my run at 7:41AM.

Mile 1, 2, 3+: 13:15, 13:09, 13:21, 1:10
I felt okay, just a little sluggish in the heat and bright sun of the morning. After this run my Achilles started acting up a lot and I've had to take it pretty easy since.

Swag
For this race runner received a massive masked Sugar Skull medal. The medal is pictured here with the Miles de Mayo shirt which used the same logo.

Recommendation
Red Pointer Productions puts on great events, including their signature event Shark Bite Half Marathon. The Miles de Mayo Challenge spawned an active Facebook group full of encouraging and inspiring posts. The huge medal is insanely awesome. I'll do more Red Pointer Productions physical races for sure and I'll keep an eye out for future virtual events. Recommended.

Garmin GPS elapsed time: 40:55
Cost: $29

Report written June 18, 2020

Due to pandemic-related race cancellations and postponements, 2020 has seen the rise popularity of virtual races. 

Are you looking for your next virtual race?
I found the following virtual races that offer different levels of swag at budget-friendly prices. These might have additional fees, like a sign-up platform fee or shipping. I tried to note these but I may have missed some. The races also vary in their results submission requirements and when you need to complete your run.

I'm not affiliated with any of these races and cannot vouch for their quality. Some races may have referral links. Please check all available information before registering in case of errors in the list below. Also note that some of these races support charitable causes and will give you the option to add a donation to your low-cost registration.

The Best Damn Race in New Orleans, originally scheduled for March 22, 2020, was one of many events that had to be cancelled due to Covid-19. Those who had registered for the physical event had the choice to defer or transfer to a future event, or run the virtual. After all those registrants were taken care of, the race director still had a lot of swag left over. I signed up and got myself an affordable virtual race with some nice swag.

Virtual Race Goal
I've been having a lot of aches and pains. I wasn't sure when I was going to run this. Memorial Day morning Arthur and I went for a walk in the neighborhood in a light rain. After our 3.6 mile walk, I thought I felt pretty good and the rain was nice, so I decided on the spot to knock out this virtual run, without a time goal in mind.

Race Day: May 25, 2020
It was about 81°F with an overcast sky that really opened up in the second half of my run.

Mile 1: 12:58
The light rain was nice. I went out too fast after the long warm-up walk.

Mile 2: 13:18
I had to walk a bit extra to catch my breath. At one point I thought about cutting off the run and heading home, especially after the rain picked up, but I reached a downhill stretch and found a second wind.

Mile 3+: 13:01, 1:02*
In this last mile I got completely soaked, with a heavy rain and lots of standing water on the sidewalks. It was fun and I was relieved I didn't get any blisters.

Swag
Oh, what nice swag! I got a cool cotton t-shirt, medal, physical bib, plus socks and a tote. The kind of good stuff for which BDR is known.

Recommendation
I've only run one BDR race before, Best Damn Race Orlando 2018 Half, and I had a pretty good time despite the amount of brick on the course. These races are known for their fun atmosphere, good spread and top swag, and for the sale blitz tiered pricing. I've already signed up for next year's BDR 2021 10K in Orlando. The swag for this made the virtual run fun.

Garmin GPS elapsed time: 40:19
Cost: $28.25

Report written June 1, 2020

Throughout the spring of 2020, many races were cancelled and postponed due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. Runners saw the rise in popularity of virtual races. 

Are you looking for your next virtual race? I found the following budget virtual races that offer different levels of swag. Most include a t-shirt or a medal and another item; some include both a t-shirt and a medal. These might have additional fees, like a sign-up platform fee or a shipping fee. They also have different requirements for submitting results and when you need to complete your run.

I'm not affiliated with any of these races and cannot vouch for their quality. Please check all available information before registering in case of errors in the list below. Also note that some of these races support charitable causes and will give you the option to add a donation to your low-cost registration.

The Beer Run Virtual Event
Cost: $24 + $2.50 SignUp Fee; includes shipping
Charity: American Red Cross
Swag: Beer Koozie, Medal
Note: Registration ends June 16

Independent Brewing Summer Solstice Virtual 5K
Cost: $25 + $2.50 SignUp Fee; no information about shipping
Swag: T-Shirt, Medal
Note: Registration ends June 19; run June 20-21

New River Gorge Virtual 10K
Cost: $25 + $3.75 SignUp Fee; no information about shipping
Beneficiary: "Funds raised will support free youth running programs in southern West Virginia"
Swag: T-Shirt, Participant Pin
Note: Registration ends June 20; run now through June 20

Father's Day Virtual 5K
Cost: $30; shipping presumed included
Swag: Tank or T-Shirt, Souvenir Beer Mug
Note: Registration ends June 21; run June 19-21

Fight Cancer 5K
Cost: $25; shipping presumed included
Swag: T-Shirt, Medal
Note: Registration ends June 21; run through June 21

Virtual Summer Sizzler 5K Run
Cost: $25 + $2.50 SignUp Fee; shipping presumed included
Beneficiary: Randolph WI School District Booster Club
Swag: T-Shirt, Finisher Water Bottle
Note: Registration ends June 21

America's Heroes Virtual 5K/10K/13.1
Cost: $25 + $3.25 SignUp Fee + $5 shipping
Beneficiary: Team RWB
Swag: T-Shirt, Medal
Note: Price increases after June 21

Marathon Mania Virtual Race 
Cost: $29.90 + $2.50 SignUp Fee; shipping included
Swag: Tech Hoodie, Finisher Medal
Note: Registration ends June 22

Virtual quaRUNtine 8 Mile
Cost: $25 + $2.50 SignUp Fee; shipping presumed included
Swag: T-Shirt, Medal
Note: Registration ends June 26

Raymond James ROYGBIV Virtual Run
Cost: $25; shipping included
Beneficiary: Metro Inclusive Health Center
Swag: T-Shirt, Medal
Note: Registration ends June 27; run by June 27

Race for American Warriors Virtual 5k
Cost: $25 + $2.99 SignUp Fee + $5 shipping
Swag: T-Shirt, Medal
Note: Registration ends June 27; run through June 30

Levi's Link Virtual Fun Run
Cost: $20 + $2.75 SignUp Fee; shipping presumed included
Beneficiary: The Levi's Link special needs program at McLaren Port Huron Hospital
Swag: T-Shirt (size no longer guaranteed), Medal
Note: Registration ends June 27

Homes and Hops Virtual 5K
Cost: $20 + $2.95 Sign Up Fee + $10 shipping
Swag: T-Shirt & Medal
Note: Registration ends June 27; run through June 28

Run For... Virtual Run
Cost: $25 + $2.50; shipping included
Beneficiary: Local (Gatesville TX) Heath Care Workers
Swag: Fandana (sounds like a buff?), Medal
Note: Registration ends June 28; run week of July 4

Get Lost 5k with Northwest PA K9 Search and Rescue
Cost: $27 + $2.50 SignUp Fee; shipping presumed included
Swag: T-Shirt, Medal
Note: Registration ends June 30; run through June 30

All-American Virtual 5K
Cost: $25; shipping presumed included
Swag: T-Shirt, Medal
Note: Registration ends June 30

Disaster Dash 5k Run & 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk
Cost: $25 + $2.50 SignUp Fee; no shipping information
Beneficiary: Jannette Jaco Memorial Endowment
Swag: T-Shirt, Medal
Note: Registration ends June 30

2020 CAMC Foundation Virtual Run For Your Life 5 Mile Run
Cost: $25; shipping presumed included
Swag: T-Shirt, Buff
Note: Registration ends June 30; run through June 30

Whiskey Run 5K
Cost: $25 + $5 shipping
Swag: Shirt, Medal, Whiskey Glass
Note: Registration ends June 30; run through June 30

Nurses Are Heroes 5k Virtual Run
Cost: $29 + $2.99 SignUp Fee; shipping included
Swag: T-Shirt, Medal
Note: Registration ends June 30; run through June 30

OASL Lead the Way Virtual 5k and 10k
Cost: $30 + $3.95 SignUp Fee; shipping included
Swag: T-Shirt & Medal
Note: Registration ends July 5; run through July 5

Virtual Wine Run
Cost: $29 + $2.99 SignUp Fee; shipping included
Swag: T-Shirt, Wine Glass, Finisher Medal
Note: Registration ends July 30

Run for the Dogs 5K Virtual Run
Cost: $25 + $2.99 SignUp Fee + $4.99 shipping fee
Swag: T-Shirt, Medal
Note: Registration ends July 30

Father's Day Virtual Run
Cost: $29 + $6 shipping
Swag: Singlet, Medallion

The Run 4 Life 4 Miler is a charity race traditionally run through the tree-covered roads of historic old Enterprise, Florida. For this year the race, which raises awareness and funds for local suicide prevention and mental health programs, went virtual. I had been looking forward to running this race in Enterprise (I've run it before: Run 4 Life 2017, Run 4 Life 2018, Run 4 Life 2019) although I signed up late, after the conversion to virtual.

I'm glad I still had the chance to support the cause. The race enabled RaceJoy for the virtual run, with two local courses mapped out. On race morning I drove over to Green Springs Park and ran the route on the multiuse trail from the back of the park.

Virtual Race Goal
I hoped to finish the run in under 50 minutes.

Race Day: May 15, 2020
Since mid-March I've been running exclusively from my house. The last time I'd driven somewhere to run was way back on March 6th! I was pretty excited to run on this trail. I was looking forward to new old views. It was 66°F and clear with 94% humidity when I started my run.

Mile 1, 2: 12:20, 12:31
I started the RaceJoy app at the start of the out-and-back course. It notified me at mile markers, a road crossing, and the turn-around. That was pretty cool. Unfortunately, it was just a little bit off from my own start from the trailhead. I got the notifications about a 1/10 mile off. I went by my GPS watch, which exactly matched the mile markers on the trail.

I felt good and it was awesome to run on this trail. I don't know when I ran here last.

Mile 3, 4: 12:27, 12:06
I still felt good, running 90:45 intervals and passing very few people. A couple of times I had slow my run in order to safely give wide pass to folks walking as cyclists passed going the other direction. I was happy to finish just under my goal at 49:26. When I finished my 4 miles I stopped my GPS watch but walked on a bit until RaceJoy recognized that I finished the course.

Swag
This charity race normally offers runners a nice cotton blend shirt and a finisher medal. The awards for the top 10 finishers have been super cute bobblehead runner statues.

For this 10th anniversary year, everyone participating in the virtual event received a special anniversary bobblehead figure, along with a nice cotton blend shirt.

Recommendation
This is a great local race that supports a fantastic cause. The race director does a great job with races and adding the RaceJoy aspect to the virtual run was fun.

I love the bobblehead figure, an award coveted by many over the years. I think it's great that the organizers decided to give the bobbleheads out to everyone for this special (and strange) 10th anniversary year. In person or virtual, I highly recommend this race.

Garmin GPS elapsed time: 49:26 (RaceJoy: 50:38)
Cost: $39

Report written May 25, 2020

Save 10% on shoes and sandals at Oofos.com. You can apply the discount on sale items: Last Chance Sale at Oofos.com.

I've been wearing Oofos sandals and shoes for a couple of years now. They help with run recovery and offer my weak Achilles extra support. A versatile pair of Oofos shoes got me all the way through our trip to China last year and the flip-flop style is my go-to shoe almost all year long.

I love my Oofos, and while I feel they are worth the price, I have to admit they are expensive. I checked out a lower-cost competitor and did a side-by-side review of a copycat brand in my post Oofos vs. Telics and found Oofos to be all-around superior. So I'm going to stick with wearing genuine Oofos.

Right now there is a great "last chance" sale going on at Oofos.com. Different colors and styles are available at discounted prices. Earlier in this sale, I picked up two pairs of Ooriginal Sport Sandals in Aqua and Pink. If you're looking to get a new pair or try out Oofos for the first time, check out the sale! Click through my link to get a 10% off, which is applicable to Last Chance sale items!

Virtual Race Beneficiary
Conquer COVID-19 virtual run participants could choose a local race store to benefit from registration. I chose Front Running Sports in Lake Mary, Florida.

Virtual Race Goal
I hadn't been feeling myself for a few days, with some mild stomach issues and general feeling of lethargy and malaise. This race needed to be completed by May 15th so I decided to walk it without a particular time goal. I figured it would take me two hours at most. If I was feeling better my goal wouldn't have been too ambitious anyway, since I haven't run so far in a while. Maybe 82 or 85 minutes. There was a time that I had hoped for a sub hour 10K! My 10K PR is 1:03:29 set way back in 2016 at Suck It Up Buttercup.

Race Day: May 12, 2020
We had some gorgeous weather at the beginning of May. It was about 66°F at the start of my walk, with clear skies and 73% humidity.

Mile 1, 2, 3: 16:04, 14:55, 15:06
I walked most of the first mile with a couple of really short runs thrown in. I started feeling better and jogged a bit more in the next two miles, but without set intervals. I mostly jogged the gimmes -- the downhills.

Mile 4, 5, 6+: 13:55, 13:38, 12:41, 1:29
I kept looking at my watch. I felt better as the miles went on and added more short, slow run spurts. After mile 4 (where I got just a little bit lost for a minute) I thought I'd try to hit sub-90 minutes. Why not? I felt good enough for that little push. I finished just under 90 minutes at 1:28:33.

Swag
For this race I got a nice cotton blend t-shirt (optional) and a funny coronavirus-themed spinner medal. The packet also came with a car decal and a temporary tattoo.

Recommendation
This was my first virtual race from Runtastic Events and communication was pretty good. The medal and shirt are both nice. If I was interested in the theme or charity, I would purchase another virtual race from this company.

Garmin GPS elapsed time: 1:28:33
Cost: $38 (the t-shirt was a $10 upcharge)

Report written May 12, 2020

Even though I wasn't a fan of virtual races, running a Star Wars Day race on May the 4th was always interesting to me. What better time to take advantage than now, when virtuals are all there is? I chose the May the 4th Be With You 4K put on by Epic Races. The American Association for Cancer Research was the charity beneficiary of this virtual race.

Virtual Race Goal
Time goal: sub-30 minutes.

Race Day: May 4, 2020
I got a late start. It was 75°F with 65% humidity and bright sunny skies when I started my run. I dressed up in Star Wars fashion with a Cara Dune t-shirt.

4 kilometers is about 2.49 miles.

Mile 1, 2+: 12:01, 12:34, 5:34
I felt okay during the first mile, but I really struggled for the second mile. I looked at my watch during the last stretch and tried to get in under my goal time, but even with a pace of 11:23 for the final half mile, I missed my goal time by 10 seconds. Bummed.

Social Media
Posting results was not a requirement, but it was encouraged. I posted my photo to the May the 4th Be With You 4K Event Page on Facebook and submitted my time on the May the 4th Be With You 4K Race Page. Participants recevied their swag regardless.

Swag
The virtual race packet came with a soft cotton blend shirt, a spinner medal, and a vinyl sticker.

Garmin GPS elapsed time: 30:10

Cost: $39

Report written May the 4th, 2020