Virtual Runs
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Your Pace / Your Place
Can't make it to race day? We'll miss you! But switch to the virtual option - available at all Auckland Half Marathon Series or North Shore Run Series events - and you still can claim that all-important Finisher Medal. Just record yourself completing the event distance on a GPS device and submit it for validation.
But remember, you only have three weeks from race day to complete and submit your virtual time.
Join the Virtual Run
You'll need a valid event ticket TO transfer to the virtual option
EVENT TICKET
To take part in a virtual event, you must first hold a valid entry ticket for the standard in-person event (you cannot enter the virtual run directly).
If you have not already done so, you'll need to start by going to the event web site and clicking on the Enter link. Select the race distance you want to enter and follow the prompts to purchase a ticket.
Important! Save a copy of your e-ticket from the confirmation screen when you finish.
TRANSFER TO VIRTUAL
Prior to race day, head to your Ticket Dashboard (see this page for help if you can't find your ticket) and select:
> Make Changes -> Race to Race Transfer -> Transfer to Virtual
Remember that once transferred, you cannot transfer back to the in-person event. There is no walking category in the virtual event (although you are still free to walk the virtual). Participants are ranked by distance only.
Important! You can only change to virtual prior to event day. If you forget to do it in time, get in touch via the contact form and we'll take care of it for you ... but the three week time limit to complete and submit your virtual run still applies (see below).
Run (or Walk)
Complete your virtual run or walk at your place and time of choosing
COMPLETE YOUR VIRTUAL RUN
The first part of recording your virtual time is to get out there and run (or walk) the distance. Make sure you have your GPS watch or GPS-enabled phone with you to record the activity. We recommend Strava for ease of recording and uploading - but there are lots of phone apps and services out there to choose from.
If you're super-keen, you can start your virtual run any time from 00:01 on the Saturday of race weekend ... just make sure you finish and submit within the three week time limit.
You don't need to perform your virtual run on the official course. You can do it anywhere that suits.
VIRTUAL RUN RULES
1/ You must start your virtual run no earlier than 00:01am on the Saturday of race weekend and no later than 23:59 on the Sunday, 21 days after the event.
2/ Your virtual run must be a continuous effort recorded in a single workout file or a GPS-enabled device (pausing your watch during your workout is fine).
3/ Your virtual run workout distance must fall within the allowed distance tolerances for the race distance you are registered for. These are > Half Marathon (20.1 - 25.1km), 15K (14 - 18km), 10K (9 - 13km), 8K (7 - 11km), 4K (4.5 - 7km), 2K (1.5 - 3km).
Submit Your Run
OUR SYSTEM WILL VALIDATE YOUR RUN VIA STRAVA OR MANUAL SUBMISSION
TICKET DASHBOARD
With your virtual run complete, head to your Ticket Dashboard to let us know about your finish. Provided you are registered in the virtual run - and you are within the time limits described above - you'll see a prompt at the top of the screen to submit your virtual time via the Strava Import or Manual Submission. Remember, you only have 3 weeks from race weekend to complete the whole process.Important: If you cannot access your Ticket Dashboard, follow the instructions here.
STRAVA IMPORT
If you recorded your virtual run on Strava then it's super-easy to follow a couple of prompts to import a list of your recent workout activity into our Director system. Director will validate that the workout is a run, walk or hike, that it was performed during the virtual run eligibility period and that the distance falls within the distance tolerances listed above. Any matching workout will have an [Import] button next to it for you to select and import as your Virtual Run.
Important! If a workout is marked as [Ineligible] and you aren't sure why, hover over the button to get more info on why this workout cannot be used.
MANUAL SUBMISSION
If you didn't use Strava or can't make the import process work, select the manual submission button. Complete the form using the exact distance and time from your workout ... our system will check the values fall within the virtual run parameters and pro-rate your finish time based on the actual virtual run distance. Finally, provide a public link to your activity so we can validate it (if you can't find a public link, you can upload a screenshot to a service like snipboard.io - there are many others - and send the link to that).
Important! Your manual submission will be uploaded to the results immediately, pending our review.
finisher medal
three options to collect your all-important finisher medal
EVENT COLLECTION
By far the easiest way to get your medal is to collect it from one of our upcoming events. You do not need to ask in advance - we'll always have medals there for collection. Just head for the Help Desk (avoid the lines pre-race and collect after you finish). Our friendly crew will check your name off the finisher's list and present your medal.Important! Medals must be collected in the same race season they were earned, so Waterfront Half Marathon is your last chance for event collection.
WAREHOUSE COLLECTION
If you don't mind heading over to the Running Events warehouse in Hobsonville, Auckland, you can collect your medal in person. If you are in a big hurry to feel the weight of that achievement, this is usually the fastest way to get that bling! As the PIN-protected collection box is mounted outside the warehouse, you can collect at any time, day or night. Just send a note through the Contact Form to let us know you want to collect. We'll get back to you with the collection address, instructions and when your medal will be ready. Please ensure you collect within 7 days as items are rotated through the collection box frequently.POSTAL DELIVERY
If you don't have another event planned with us - and you can't make it to the warehouse - you can get your finisher medal sent to your home by purchasing a delivery token. Your medal will be sent by courier. Medals are sent out in batches so please allow at least one month after ordering for your medal to arrive.
$7.50 / medal [click here to purchase]
Important! Medal delivery is available for New Zealand addresses only.
Important! Leave a note when purchasing a delivery and we'll try our best to combine postage with other items (such as uncollected merch or medals for family members).