GB Triathlete challenges YOU to a (virtual) ultramarathon!
Following the wonderful achievements of the thousands of competitors who ran in the London Marathon this weekend, we know many people will now be inspired to set themselves new goals and their own challenges.
Virtual Athlete was conceived by two best friends who have been challenging each other since they met at an international school when they were teenagers. Their first joint fundraising challenge involved a 26km kayak race across the Bristol Channel. Following their school days, Rich went on to represent Great Britain in the sport of triathlon and Magnus became a distinguished member of the Norwegian military.
Rich & Magnus wanted to challenge each other at various things, but couldn’t due to little spare time, or the geographical distance between them. So, they devised virtual challenges to represent real-life ones that they might have otherwise completed together.
They soon realised that plenty of other people were in a similar situation. Or maybe some people don’t like to run with thousands of other people. Maybe they don’t want to run at all, they prefer to cycle or swim. Maybe they lack the motivation or confidence required to start out on their athletic journey. Rich decided to invite the whole world to join in by founding Virtual Athlete.
We spoke to Rich who tells us why one of his virtual challenges is in aid of the Triathalon Trust.
“Our Underground Ultramarathon is in aid of the Triathlon Trust. Opportunities within the sport of triathlon have given me so much over the years, in terms of physical, mental and social well-being. Making sport more accessible to children isn’t just useful, it’s necessary, to foster the skills that will enable them to develop into well-adjusted adults. I’m just glad Virtual Athlete can play its part.”
ASICS Frontrunner, Jenna Wilkinson completed the ultra marathon in training for this year’s London Marathon where she achieved a new Personal Best.
“Virtual Athlete was a great incentive for me as I was training for the London marathon this year. It was easy to sign up and I wanted to complete the ultra marathon within 5 days, it definitely helped me to get my trainers on! The upload to Strava was easy to do and then my wonderful medal appeared in the post! Perfect!”
Virtual Athlete use Work for Good to donate 20% of all challenge entries to seven different charities. See who else they support and set yourself a challenge with a friend or a colleague today.
