"Virtual Marathon" is a popular race for distances run using GPS 0:29 on June 5
The "Virtual Marathon", where runners nationwide compete for the distance they have run using GPS, is gaining popularity as marathon competitions are canceled one after another due to the new coronavirus.
This event is planned by a medical device manufacturer in Tokyo and is held on a 10-day schedule from the 29th of the previous month to the 7th of this month.
The total number of runners participating is 100km, and the distance run is aggregated using GPS and published in ranking form on the Internet.
Partly due to the fact that the marathon event has been canceled all over the country, about 24,000 people have entered this event, which was initially expected to be about 5,000 people.
Hidetoshi Ikemori, the manager of Japan Sigmax who planned the event, said, “The participants are surprised by far beyond their expectations and feel the runner's desire to run with their goals.
Virtual marathon participants
Yuko Komine, 37, Urawa-ku, Saitama City, is unable to run at the four marathon events scheduled for participation, including the Tokyo Marathon in March when general runners stopped participating, and the "Virtual Marathon" I decided to participate in.
Normally, I ran about 300 kilometers a month, but the distance I ran was significantly reduced due to the cancellation of the marathon event and the request to refrain from going out.
However, with the goal of the "Virtual Marathon", the distance to run again increased, and at this event, we were able to run 100km in total by the 4th.
Mr. Komine said, "Because I was able to set goals, I became motivated even if I was tired from work, which gave me the opportunity to motivate again. I was talking.