The Runner Awakens

I recently had the opportunity to participate in The Runner Awakens.  It was a virtual run hosted by Level Up.  Having only participated in one other virtual race, I was a little skeptical.  I wondered what would make Level Up a different experience.  The online registration process was quick and easy.  The entry fee was also much less than the other company's virtual race that I had participated in.  That was nice...and different. 



My race was completed at the first miles of a long, slow run.

I had chosen the 10k as my distance and planned to run this race separate from anything else.  But, last minute travel plans interfered with that.  That's the wonderful thing about a virtual race.  You are not locked in to an exact day.  I ran The Runner Awakens as the first part of an 11 mile long slow run, I stopped my watch at the 6.2 mark to record my effort and make it official.   

Five Reasons to Choose Level Up:

1)  You choose the distance you want to run as well as the day and time that works best for you.  Grab some friends and make it an event or run it solo.   You've got options!

2)  If you get sick, if your plans change -- you can make adjustments without losing your race fee!  Level Up gives you a 15 day window to run your race.   In my other virtual experience, we were only given three days to complete the race.

3)  The Star Wars The Runner Awakens theme was spot on.   The next one is equally as impressive.  Stay tuned for more information on that!  Let's just say it will be "INCREDIBLE".

That tiny item is a quarter, in case you were wondering.

4)  The finisher's medal is superior!  Not only it is much nicer than my other virtual race medal, it dwarfs most of my half marathon medals.  It spins {hello!} and BB8 cannot be any cuter.  My teenage sons were definitely impressed by this one.  I like the idea you must earn the medal by first completing your race. 

5)  Level Up Virtual Runs gives back a portion of their proceeds to schools around the US who are struggling to keep their sports programs alive.  Your race fee is going to a great cause! 

I'm linking up with the lovely ladies of the DC Trifecta for Friday Five.
Please hop over to these blogs and check out the other posts too.

Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC,

Cynthia from You Signed Up For What?!

Mar from Mar on the Run!.

Disclaimer:  I was provided with a race entry in exchange for my blog post review. 

However, as always all opinions are my own.