GPS Trackers To The Right Routes: Your Guide To Running A Virtual Marathon

Despite the pandemic leading to cancellation of marathons around the world, runners have found a new route to doing what they love with virtual marathons!

- Amrita Prasad

One can now walk, jog, sprint and race in marathons around the world from their own location, using GPS, official tracking apps of the marathon and fitness trackers. Several marathons like Delhi Marathon, Kolkata Run, etc have adopted a hybrid version with limited on-ground gathering and virtual run in full, half, 10km and 5km categories.

Subhojit Roy, IT professional, was set to take part in the Boston Marathon in April last year, before the pandemic posed a hurdle to his plans. So, he utilised his training by running the Virtual Boston Marathon 2020 and completing a distance of 44.5km in September 2020.He says, “For those who have been training hard but can’t run at a physical event, virtual marathons are a way of keeping themselves both motivated and on their toes.” Subhojit was accompanied by his wife and son for 25km of his run.

Despite the onus of infrastructure being on the runners, the pandemic has seen a spike in a lot of experienced and new runners take part in virtual marathons. When asked which marathons he likes better — virtual or IRL — Subhojit replies, “The feeling of participating in a real marathon is unparalleled. Besides, when running a virtual marathon means you need to figure out the route, take care of the nutrition, hydration and logistics, all on your own.”

TRACKING YOUR RUNS