11 Best Virtual Running Races with Medals in 2025

Ah, races! Words can’t quite describe that feeling you get as you cross the finish line, can they?

Whether it’s a marathon, half marathon, or 5k, traditional races boast music, costumes, themed miles, and loads of cheering fans holding up signs for not just their loved ones but everyone in the race! Race day is exciting and fun and jam-packed with other people who understand you and your passion for running.

But sometimes, you just can’t make it to traditional races! Whether you can’t or don’t like to travel, don’t have friends or family to support you at an in-person event, or simply don’t care to run 26 miles all at once, virtual events are now offering pretty compelling alternatives! (And this coming from someone who thinks most things should be done in real life whenever possible!)

Virtual run events allow you to log miles at your own pace and from your desired location, set higher-mileage goals, virtually connect with a worldwide running community, and, in some, even collect finisher medals!

But of all the virtual events out there, which are the best virtual running races?

I’m so glad you asked! Let’s dive in, shall we?

What Are Virtual Running Races?

Virtual run events allow you to complete a race distance on your own time and along your own route. You can join from anywhere and earn finisher medals or shirts for your efforts.

The Rise of Virtual Run Events During the Covid-19 Pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic caused many in-person races to be canceled. But unsurprisingly, runners still wanted to challenge themselves and stay motivated! This led to a huge surge in virtual options.

Virtual 5Ks, half marathons, and even full marathons became common. You could sign up online and run the distance whenever it fit your schedule.

These races helped people stay active during lockdowns and gave runners goals to work toward while gyms were closed.

Various Types of Virtual Runs

There are many kinds of virtual run events you can try.

Some are based on traditional races, like a 5K or half marathon. Others focus on longer distances, like running the length of the Great Wall of China or following Frodo’s journey in The Lord of the Rings.

Some virtual races have themes. You might find book series, movie, or holiday-themed runs that support a specific non-profit organization.

There are also challenge-based virtual runs. These might ask you to set a mileage goal to run over a month or complete a series of races.

Best Virtual Running Races Platforms in 2025

The Conqueror Virtual Challenges

The Conqueror Virtual Challenges are a series of virtual fitness events where participants can run, walk, or cycle a specified distance at their own pace and location. Upon crossing the “finish line” to complete the challenge, participants earn real, physical finisher medals as a reward.

The Conqueror offers a variety of themed challenges, each representing a famous route or location around the world, including Route 66, Grand Canyon, the road to Hana, the Great Barrier Reef, and more. They also offer several movie/television/gaming franchise challenges, including The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Star Trek, Game of Thrones, and Tomb Raider challenges.

Participants track their progress through the Conqueror app, which also provides virtual postcards and updates as they reach milestones along their chosen route. Plus, for every 20% of a virtual challenge you complete, they plant a tree in your honor!

For 10% off your first challenge, follow this link to visit the Conqueror Virtual Challenges website.

Virtual Run Events

Virtual Run Events offers a variety of themed virtual races that participants can complete at their own pace and location while also supporting their favorite non-profit organization. Here’s an overview of some of the popular events they offer:

1. Monthly Themed Races – Each month features a new theme, often tied to holidays or special causes.
2. Charity Runs – Many races donate a portion of the proceeds to a non-profit organization, allowing participants to contribute to a good cause while staying active.
3. Distance Challenges – Races range from 1 mile to marathon distances (26.2 miles), catering to all fitness levels.
4. Finisher Medals and Swag Packages – Participants receive custom-designed medals and often other swag like t-shirts, bibs, and certificates upon completion.
5. Virtual Run Clubs – Membership options that provide access to multiple races and additional perks.
6. Special Edition Races – Limited-time events that may correspond with significant dates or unique themes.
7. Kid-Friendly Races – Events designed specifically for younger participants, promoting family fitness.

Each race typically involves signing up online, completing the distance at your convenience, and then submitting your results to receive your medal and any other included items. The virtual challenges offered by Virtual Run Events make it easy for people to stay motivated and active, no matter where they are.

Virtual Strides

Virtual Strides is a platform that organizes virtual races, allowing participants to run or walk at their own pace and location while supporting a non-profit organization. It offers a wide range of themed races throughout the year, often tied to holidays, seasons, or special causes.

Each race supports a specific non-profit organization, and a portion of the entry fee is donated to that cause. Over $1,190,000 has been raised for various charities through Virtual Strides events.

Challenge in Motion

Challenge in Motion offers a variety of virtual races and activity challenges designed to motivate and engage participants in running, walking, cycling, and other fitness activities. Challenges can range from short distances like 5K to longer ones like marathons, and participants can complete the race on their own terms, choosing their own location, pace, and time.

Many races have unique themes, often tied to holidays, seasons, or special causes. Some races support charitable organizations, allowing participants to contribute to causes that are important to them.

Participants receive finisher medals and sometimes additional rewards like t-shirts or certificates upon completion.

Run the Edge Virtual Run Events

Run The Edge offers a variety of virtual run events designed to motivate participants to stay active and achieve their fitness goals. Here are some key features of Run The Edge virtual run events:

1. Long-term Challenges – Events like “Run The Year” challenge participants to run or walk a specific number of miles over the course of a year (e.g., 2,025 miles in 2025).
2. Team or Solo Participation – Participants can join as individuals or form teams to collectively achieve the mileage goals.
3. Progress Tracking – The platform provides tools to track progress, including integration with fitness apps and devices.
4. Virtual Badges and Rewards – Participants earn virtual badges and other rewards as they reach milestones throughout the challenge.
5. Community Engagement – There is a strong emphasis on community, with participants being able to join online groups, share their progress, and support each other.
6. Motivational Tools – Features like virtual postcards, milestone celebrations, and motivational emails help keep participants engaged and motivated.
7. Special Events – In addition to year-long challenges, Run The Edge offers shorter, themed events and challenges that participants can join.

Yes.Fit Virtual Challenges

Yes.Fit is another virtual fitness platform that offers a variety of virtual races and fitness challenges designed to motivate and engage participants in staying active. As participants progress, they receive virtual postcards and updates about their location on a virtual map, adding an element of adventure and engagement.

Gone For a Run Virtual Races

Gone For a Run virtual races are designed to allow participants to complete races at their own pace and location. These virtual races cater to runners of all skill levels and often include unique themes and benefits.

runDisney Virtual Races

runDisney is a series of race events organized by Disney at various Disney theme parks and resorts. These events include marathons, half marathons, 10Ks, 5Ks, and kids’ races, often featuring Disney characters, entertainment, and themes that create a unique and magical experience for participants.

runDisney also offers virtual races. These virtual events allow participants to run at their own location and pace while still enjoying the Disney-themed experience.

Participants can choose from various distances, such as 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons, and upon completion, they receive finisher medals and other memorabilia. The virtual races are a great way for Disney fans and running enthusiasts to stay active and engaged, even if they can’t attend the in-person events.

viRACE Real-Time Virtual Runs

viRACE virtual runs are designed to provide a competitive and engaging real-time running experience.

Participants register for a virtual run through the viRACE app or website, selecting the event they wish to join. Before participating, users need to download the viRACE app and set up their profile.

On the day of the event, participants use the app to track their run. The app uses GPS to track the participant’s distance and time, ensuring accurate results. It also provides real-time audio feedback on progress and rankings.

After completing the run, results are automatically submitted through the app. Participants can view their rankings and compare their performance with others.

Depending on the event, participants may receive digital certificates, virtual badges, or even physical finisher medals and other rewards.

Challenge Hound

Want to create your own virtual challenge to share with family, friends, or coworkers? Challenge Hound is a virtual challenge platform that allows users to create and track virtual challenges for activities such as running, biking, swimming, and more.

Here are some key features of Challenge Hound:

1. Customizable Challenges – Users can create individual or team challenges tailored to specific goals, such as distance, duration, or frequency.
2. Activity Tracking – The platform syncs with popular fitness tracking apps like Strava, Garmin, Fitbit, Apple Health, and MapMyFitness to automatically log activities.
3. Community Engagement – Participants can join public challenges or create private ones for friends, family, or colleagues, fostering a sense of community and competition.
4. Progress Tracking – Users can monitor their progress and see how they rank against others in the challenge through leaderboards and progress updates.
5. Motivational Features – Challenge Hound provides motivational tools such as virtual badges, milestones, and progress notifications to keep participants engaged.

The Office Virtual Run

And what kind of monster would I be if I didn’t mention The Office virtual run?!

The Office Virtual Run is one of the best virtual races inspired by, you guessed it, the popular TV show The Office. The race is themed around The Office, featuring references and elements from the show, making it a unique experience for fans.

My Personal Favorite Virtual Race Platform

In case you couldn’t already tell from their placement and additional details, Conqueror Virtual Challenges are my all-time favorite!

I completed my first Conqueror challenge, walking 124 miles along the Ring of Kerry in Ireland, in 2020 in an effort to stay active during the pandemic. I used my daily step count to walk the path and loved the motivation that came from completing it with a coworker.

Several years later, I decided it was time to rekindle my love for running half marathons…and what better way to stoke my motivation than another Conqueror challenge?! This company’s variety of races had something to offer every side of me:

• My love of archaeology and history: Trek to Petra
• My Japanese studies: Tokyo
• My trip to Tanzania decades ago: Mount Kilimanjaro
• My love for archaeology and ancient puzzles and kick ass-ery: Tomb Raider

This time around, I decided I would only count those miles logged on purposeful jogs and walks toward each challenge, rather than using my daily step count. (Different goals for different seasons.) But I’ve seen people use the challenges to log daily steps, treadmill runs, hikes, bikes, swims, rowing distances, and more.

Their finisher medals are crazy high quality, I love the interactive maps you travel (complete with photos, videos, and sometimes, street views), and their Facebook community is the most motivating and encouraging I’ve ever experienced. I’d highly encourage anyone and everyone to check out what Conqueror Virtual Challenges have to offer before visiting other race sites.

Training and Motivation

Getting ready for the best virtual races takes planning, support, and slightly more discipline than an in-person race. (After all, your family and friends can’t as easily view your progress on a virtual challenge to help hold you accountable!)

You’ll need a solid training plan and encouragement from fellow runners. Here’s how to set yourself up for success!

Setting Up a Training Plan

Creating a training plan is key to your virtual race prep. Start by picking a plan that matches your current fitness level and race goals.

If your virtual race is a one-time event, like a 5K or half marathon, you’ll want to look for training plans that gradually increase your distance week over week. If your virtual event requires logging multiple walks/runs to reach a big goal (I’m looking at you, Conqueror challenges over 1000 miles!), you’ll want to schedule out the days and distances you plan to run.

Include rest days and cross-training to avoid burnout! And consider mixing up your runs with:

• Easy jogs
• Tempo runs
• Intervals

Remember to gradually increase your weekly mileage. A good rule of thumb is to increase it by no more than 10% each week.

Joining a Running Community for Support

Running with others, even virtually, can boost your motivation.

Look for online running groups that match your interests and goals. In fact, many of the programs mentioned above include built-in communities!

You can find communities on:

• Social media platforms
• Running apps
• Forums dedicated to virtual races

Share your progress, ask for advice, and cheer on other runners.

And don’t forget to celebrate your achievements, big and small! Post about your personal records and milestones to inspire others and receive encouragement.

Consider joining a virtual running club for more structured support and regular meetups. These clubs often offer training plans and exclusive virtual races.

And there you have it…the best virtual running races out there today. While you may not get quite the same rush from virtual events as you do crossing the finish line at an in-person event, you might just be shocked at how much and how quickly you fall in love with virtual run events!

Do you have any favorite virtual events you think others need to know about?! Be sure to share your recommendations in the comments!

And happy running!

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