Join the 2.6 Challenge using OpenTrack virtual running
To celebrate the launch of our OpenTrack virtual running partnership, we’re encouraging all England Athletics affiliated clubs and RunTogether groups to support the 2.6 Challenge – a new initiative which aims to raise the £67 million for UK charities that would have been raised by the now-postponed Virgin Money London Marathon.
Our virtual running partnership with OpenTrack means that all England Athletics affiliated clubs, and RunTogether groups, are now able to use the OpenTrack platform free of charge to create virtual running challenges.
We’re encouraging all affiliated clubs and RunTogether groups to use OpenTrack to create a 26-minute virtual challenge in support of the 2.6 Challenge, starting on Sunday 26 April but running across the duration of that week. It’s a great way to engage your club and group members and you can fundraise for any charity. How far can your club run?
Read more below about the 2.6 Challenge and how to use OpenTrack.
Remember – clubs, running groups, virtual race organisers and runners should continue to follow all relevant guidance from the government, police and our sport – particularly in relation to out-of-home exercise and social distancing. Runners should consider the time of day and period of time they exercise, carefully select their route, and apply social distancing to stay clear/give priority to pedestrians and people using public spaces. You can also click here to access our guidance document for ‘Organising a virtual race’.
About OpenTrack
The OpenTrack virtual running platform offers:
- Instantaneous scoring across a range of formats enabling inter-club and league competition
- Ability to specify a ‘racing window’
- Ability to submit results easily with one copy/paste from Garmin or Strava
- Charitable donation options on any race
England Athletics affiliated clubs and RunTogether groups can set-up their club/group on OpenTrack and will be able to use the service free of charge:
- Click here to learn more about virtual running and the OpenTrack offering
- Click here for details on how to set-up your club/group on the OpenTrack platform and organise your virtual challenge, on the OpenTrack platform.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be working with OpenTrack on new developments including support tools, automatic Strava API integration and use for virtual track and field competitions.
About the 2.6 Challenge
The UK’s charities need your help. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a massive effect on charities with the cancellation or postponement of mass participation events resulting in a huge loss of fundraising opportunities. The Virgin Money London Marathon alone, which should have taken place on Sunday 26 April, is the world’s biggest one day fundraising event and raised over £66 million for thousands of charities in 2019.
That’s why we’re encouraging our affiliated clubs and groups to join the 2.6 Challenge, using OpenTrack to set up a 26 minute virtual challenge, in line with government guidance and social distancing, to see how far your club members can run in that time. Clubs and groups can fundraise for any charity they wish and you can click here to find out more about the #TwoPointSixChallenge online.
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Click here for a reminder of the current guidelines from the government, including restriction of movement, out-of-home exercise and social distancing.
Click here for our guidance document on 'Organising a virtual race'.