Let’s get a bit philosophical about running for a sec and let me ask you a question: what is a race? Seriously. What is a race?
No, not literally.
What is a race? What’s the point of a race? Why do people run races?
And I’ll let you think about that while I give you a little more context: for example, a couple weeks ago a guy I run with in our local running crew posted a photo of himself with a medal. He was only partially joking, but he had made the medal himself for a race he had made up, named after himself, and run solo. He invented a race and ran it. It was a minute of fun and a semi-joke, but.. the group chat cheered him on and congratulated him on his accomplishment.
I’m not making fun. I’m genuinely curious: he made up his own race, “won” it, and our group of (very supportive) friends treated the post as if he had placed in the Boston Marathon.
Hmm. Cool, right?
Ok. Another example, and maybe a little more mainstream this time: Park Run.
I love Park Run. Do you know about Park Run? If not: It’s a weekly five klick race that takes place in communities all over the globe… or is it? I posted a pic with the start line of our local Park Run on social media a few months ago and had used the word “race” in the description and someone jumped at me, and vehemently blasted me saying “PARK RUN IS NOT A RACE” dammit.
But… I think of it as a race. I race it. I go out there acting like I’m racing, feeling like I’m racing. No medals, of course, but all my Park Run finishes are computed on a chart on their website just like ranked finishing times. Feels race-like to me.
Is Park Run a made up race, then?
What is a race after all?
Do you need more context? Here’s some: During the pandemic a bunch of the races we registered for were converted from in person events into virtual races because of travel or event restrictions. Log your run from home of a specific distance and post it and they would send you a medal. Oh sure, we called them “virtual” races but I still have a couple of those medals hanging on my wall. We got our race quota in for the season…
Hmm. Cool, right?
But were those actually races? Or just consolation runs because of a crazy situation?
What is a race, after all?
Not literally, but… something bigger than that? Does it need to be some huge organized event? Or is there something more to it? Does it only count if you pay your fee, wear a bib, and get a medal? Does it need a start line? Or is it just about reaching a finish?
