The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Auchterarder Running Festival going virtual for athletes around the world
COMPETITION: Online portal will time event’s socially distanced entrants
A pandemic will not stop the organisers of Auchterader Running Festival from drawing in competitors from around the world this year.
Race directors Fiona and Steven Watt say they have had entries from as far afield as Australia for September’s event, which is being hosted virtually for the first time since its launch in 2017.
In three weeks’ time, runners from around Perthshire, the UK and the world will take to their own running routes to clock up the distance required to complete the 10k, half-marathon or Double Dare, which requires them to take on both in the weekend window.
The virtual starting pistol will be fired on September 10 and runners will have until that Sunday to finish their distance.
Husband and wife team Steven and Fiona have done everything they can to make sure the event is as similar to last year’s as possible.
Socially distanced runners will be timed through an online portal run by the organisers and times will be posted on a digital leaderboard.
Finishers will be sent medals and masks in the post.
Opening and closing ceremonies will be streamed on social media and competitors will be able to print out bib numbers for the real experience.
Steven said: “It’s difficult to train when you don’t have that race to look forward to. It’s amazing what that does for a runner.
“We’re doing everything we can to emulate that excitement at the start line and the rush of crossing the finish.”
Fiona said: “We were adamant not to miss a year. It’s felt weird – usually we’re organising 100 volunteer marshals and co-ordinating first aid. This year, it’s been different logistics altogether.”
Entrants can sign up via the festival’s Facebook page.