FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TCS New York City Virtual Marathon Returns Following Successful First Year
TCS New York City Marathon - Virtual 26.2M Powered by Strava
to increase entry opportunities when registration
opens on June 19, including an unlimited free tier
Ultramarathoner Michael Wardian to serve as Virtual Marathon Ambassador
New York, June 11, 2019 - The TCS New York City Marathon - Virtual 26.2M
Powered by Strava is returning for a second consecutive year and will
include four different registration tiers, including an uncapped free tier,
when registration opens on June 19. The 2019 TCS New York City Marathon -
Virtual 26.2M race period will begin on October 31 and finish on November
3, the same day as the in-person marathon. It will be part of the New York
Road Runners' Virtual Racing Series Powered by Strava, which allows runners
anywhere in the world to run a race at their convenience and location of
their choice during a specified period of time.
"We are delighted to bring back our Virtual Marathon and open it up to
everyone around the world," said Michael Capiraso, president and CEO of New
York Road Runners. "Together with Strava, we have been able to bring our
NYRR Virtual Races, including the marathon, to people of all abilities to
make an impact in more than 100 different countries and make running an
NYRR race more accessible than ever before."
The inaugural TCS New York City Marathon - Virtual 26.2M last year had 424
finishers from 26 countries and 39 states, ranging in age from 21 to 67.
Spots were available at a first-come, first-served basis, with registration
filling up in seven hours. Those who ran the virtual marathon received
guaranteed, non-complimentary entry to the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon.
Due to last year's high demand, NYRR is increasing registration
opportunities for the Virtual Marathon year.
Runners can register for the Virtual Marathon in the following ways:
- Limited 2020 Entry Methods
- 500 entries will be made available on a first-come first-serve basis at a
$125 NYRR Member/$150 Non-Member price, with finishers receiving guaranteed
entry to the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon and a medal.
- 200 entries will be made available on a first-come first-serve basis at a
$125 NYRR Member/$150 Non-Member price to those who raise $500 or more for
Team for Kids, NYRR's charity running team that raises funds for NYRR's
free youth programs. Finishers will receive the same benefits as mentioned
above, in addition to Team for Kids benefits.
- Unlimited Sweepstakes Entry Method
- An unlimited number of entries will be available at a $50 NYRR Member/$60
Non-Member price, with finishers receiving a medal and entry into a
sweepstakes for a guaranteed place in the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon.
Fifty winners will be randomly drawn in the sweepstakes.
- Unlimited Free Entry Method
- An unlimited number of entries will be available for free for those
wanting to run without the extra benefits, with runners still having the
chance to be a part of the global competition.
Ultramarathoner Michael Wardian will be taking part in this year's TCS New
York City Marathon - Virtual 26.2M, serving as an ambassador for the race
and running it on a home course in Virginia on Saturday, November 2.
Wardian has run the in-person New York City Marathon four times in his
career. Earlier this year, he completed the World Marathon Challenge for
the second time, running seven marathons on seven continents in seven days.
"I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to race the Virtual Marathon
this year," Wardian said. "I love the fact that runners of all abilities
have the opportunity to compete during a specific period of time in an
environment of their choice. I am also stoked that NYRR virtual races help
benefit youth and community programs and inspire people through running."
The NYRR Virtual Racing Series, launched in beta together with Strava at
the start of 2018, allows runners anywhere in the world to run a race at
their convenience and location of their choice during a specified period of
time. Since launching, the NYRR Virtual Racing Series has had more than
57,000 finishers from over 100 countries ranging in age from 18 to 99.
Proceeds from the virtual races support NYRR's mission to help and inspire
people through running, and benefit NYRR's youth and community programs.
"We are thrilled with the success of NYRR's 2018 virtual race series and
the impressive participation from runners around the world," said James
Quarles, CEO of Strava. "We truly believe in the power of community to
motivate athletes to be their best, and offering virtual races in
partnership with NYRR creates new goals for more runners."
For more information on the NYRR Virtual Racing Series, please visit
www.nyrr.org/run/virtual-racing.
About New York Road Runners (NYRR)
NYRR's mission is to help and inspire people through running. Since 1958,
New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world's
premier community running organization. NYRR's commitment to New York
City's five boroughs features races, community events, free youth running
initiatives and school programs, the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New
Balance Run Hub, and training resources that provide hundreds of thousands
of people each year, from children to seniors, with the motivation,
know-how, and opportunity to Run for Life. NYRR's premier event, and the
largest marathon in the world, is the TCS New York City Marathon. Held
annually on the first Sunday in November, the race features 50,000 runners,
from the world's top professional athletes to a vast range of competitive,
recreational, and charity runners. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.
About Strava
Strava is the social network for athletes. As the platform at the center of
connected fitness, Strava's mobile apps and website connect millions of
active people every day. All athletes belong on Strava, no matter where
they live, which sport they love or what device they use. Join the
community at strava.com.
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