Run a Half Marathon: Virtually!

While my mom has successfully completed numerous half-marathon events and six full marathons, last month she competed in a race unlike any she had run before. What was so special about it? The event was held virtually on the Web. 

A first for running portal site Nike+, the race was held in conjunction with the sold out Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco on October 21st. The half marathon didn’t follow a distinct course, and could be run anywhere, in any city around the US. $50 for the inaugural event sold out in just ten hours.

Women simply registered online and used the Nike+ system (an iPod nano and a Nike+ Sports Kit) to track their progress. On the day of the race, women around the country jogged the 13.1 mile custom course and synced their iPod system to a computer afterward to upload their results. As long as each runner completed the race before 11:59 PM on October 21st, she was considered an official Nike+ Women’s Half Marathon finisher. The 2,361 women who finished the race also received a Finishers T-shirt and a specially designed Tiffany and Co. keychain in the mail.

Runners, family members and friends can go to The Nike+ Events site to check out Finishers times, photos, and other race news.

The best part about the race? Portions of the proceeds were donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society— the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research education and patient services. A recent article from the US Track and Field organization highlights the charity impact of the Nike+ race other similar events held around the country. The philanthropic aspect of this race almost makes me want to run with my mom next year…if I can keep up!