The founder of the Montrose Flyers has come up with a new race concept for 2021 – and is seeking support from Scotland’s runners to help bring it to life.

Michael Loudon’s ‘Race The Machine’ is a new virtual race with ‘an exciting twist’: it doesn’t pit runners against the clock, or other runners, but against their own potential. As, in Loudon’s view, ‘all runners are at their best when they have a target to aim for’, Race the Machine will provide runners with ‘hard but achievable’ target times – based on their own recent best times – to beat.  

Runners who beat their target times will receive a memento and an online certificate – plus the option to move on to another race based on their new PBs. 

The time-predicting ‘Machine’ itself is currently being put through its paces by members of the Montrose Flyers – and it’s not always winning.  On more than one occasion over the last few weekends, runners have beaten their target times, sometimes by as much as a few minutes.  

When fully up and running, Race the Machine will be able to provide runners with targets for seven different race distances, from 1500m to half marathon.

As Loudon explains on his crowd-funding page, the scope of Race the Machine should encourage long-term improvement for runners at every level, from those who’ve just ‘graduated from Couch to 5k, to experienced runners looking to shave seconds off their best efforts’.

In order to develop his concept, Loudon is seeking donations to purchase prizes and mementos for entrants to the first live Race the Machine race, to help fund web development costs and to pay for insurance.  

As Loudon explains, “Every runner benefits from realistic tailor-made targets, and beating yourself and your expectations provides a unrivalled sense of satisfaction. Because of this Race The Machine medals and mementos will have a special place in runners’ affections.” 

As the concept develops further, Loudon hopes to add training plans and advice to the website to give runners their best shot at beating their personalised target times. 

As of last night (Tuesday, 28 December), Race the Machine had raised £288 of its crowd-funding target of £1000, with 11 days remaining in the campaign. 

Runners who like the sound of pushing themselves to beat the Machine – and their current limits – can make a donation in exchange for a range of incentives, or join the waiting list for an entry if and when Race The Machine makes it to the real world.

Image credit: Michael Loudon/Race the Machine