It looks like virtual events are here to stay as uptake soars in the Coronavirus situation. Whether it's a flat out 5K with English National medals and titles at stake; team relays over various distances; an outrageous two-year round the world 30,000-mile odyssey or something in-between, we just can't seem to get enough of the virtual challenges set by imaginative race organisers.

Participation numbers provided by multi-award-winning sports events company Threshold Sports have given an insight into the high demand for virtual events. The inaugural Dixons Carphone Virtual Race to the Stones saw a total of 8,330 people sign up to the week-long challenge in July.

The free to enter event offered runners and walkers a choice of three traditional distances – a half marathon, full marathon, or 100kms – and came following the postponement of the annual Threshold Trail Series to 2021 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Participants covered a combined 382,051kms during the week-long event, with more than £50,000 raised for charity and 70 prizes given out throughout the week. Some 80% of people taking part said that the virtual challenge had a positive effect on their physical and mental health. Meanwhile, 70% revealed it will impact their future exercise habits, illustrating the appetite that exists for virtual events during these difficult times.

Nick Tuppen, CEO of Threshold Sports, said: “COVID-19 has been incredibly tough and to be able to create something that united well over 8,000 people to get active has been a massive boost. Eight out of ten participants in Dixons Carphone Virtual Race to the Stones said it had a positive effect on their health and wellbeing and it had the same impact for us as a team.”

He continues: “We are also particularly proud that over 70% of participants were new to the Threshold Trail Series community. It has opened up whole new audiences to the world of accessible Ultras and trail running. Virtual will certainly be something we integrate every year, and we can’t wait to see thousands of those who took part online crossing our offline finish-lines in 2021.”

Pre-registration for the Threshold Trail Series of three long-distance events in 2021 is open now. For more information on Race to the Castle, Race to the King, Race to the Stones, and Race to the Tower visit Threshold Trail Series here

Image courtesy Threshold Sports