First-ever virtual runs of MDI Marathon to mark Acadia's 100th

For the first time ever, in celebration of the 100^th anniversary of Acadia National Park, runners and walkers anywhere in the world can join virtual runs of the Mount Desert Island Marathon and Half Marathon, and earn a special Acadia Centennial Medallion.

The first-ever virtual runs of the Mount Desert Island Marathon and Half Marathon is an official Acadia Centennial event. At least 5% of gross proceeds from virtual runs’ registration fees go to help support the park. Find more details and register here.

The MDI Marathon and Half Marathon – Acadia100 Virtual Edition is a special collaboration between three Acadia Centennial Partners, Acadia on My Mind, Mount Desert Island Marathon and Half Marathon and Crow Athletics, host of the real-live races. An official Acadia Centennial event, the virtual runs will help raise funds to support the park, with at least 5% of gross proceeds going to benefit Acadia.

“The MDI Marathon and Half couldn’t be more thrilled to work with Acadia on My Mind to offer this cutting-edge virtual edition of our event,” said Gary Allen, race founder and director. “Our partnership is an innovative way for our organizations to join forces to offer anyone, anywhere in the world, a chance to be part of the historic Centennial of Acadia National Park and participate in our award-winning event.”

The real-life MDI Marathon and Half Marathon are being held on Oct. 16, while the virtual runs give participants 10 days to log their miles, from Oct. 7 through end of day Oct. 16. Registration for the real-life MDI Marathon closes Sept. 1, while the real-life MDI Half Marathon is already full. Registration for the virtual MDI Marathon and Half Marathon is open now until the end of the day on Oct. 3.

Virtual runs are a growing fitness trend, offering runners and walkers the ability to be part of a real-life race anywhere in the world, and the chance to raise funds for charity and earn a finisher’s medal. We teamed up with racery.com to power the MDI Marathon and Half Marathon – Acadia100 Virtual Edition, after having worked with them on the year-long virtual 100-mile Acadia Centennial Trek, which also helps raise funds for Acadia.

The racery.com virtual map of the MDI Marathon route. You have 10 days to log your 26.2 miles, whether it’s half a mile here and another couple of miles there, or all 26.2 miles all in one go on the day of the actual MDI Marathon on Oct. 16. Each day’s mileage entry moves your race avatar along the map (Bubble Rock on the map represents @AOMM, or Acadia on My Mind, at the virtual starting line in Bar Harbor). You may see a Google Street View(C) photo of where you ended that day, if available. Registration for the virtual MDI Marathon and Half Marathon is open now, and closes at the end of the day on Oct. 3. Virtual runs go live on Oct. 7. (Image courtesy of racery.com)

Acadia100 virtual runs to complement award-winning MDI Marathon

MDI Marathon, named the 2015 New England race of the year by New England Runner, draws more than 1,200 runners from all around the world to its 26.2-mile route, stretching from Bar Harbor to Southwest Harbor. MDI Half Marathon’s 13.1-mile route goes from Northeast Harbor to the same finishing line in Southwest Harbor.

If you can’t do the real thing on Oct. 16, the next best thing is the Acadia100 Virtual Edition, running live from Oct,. 7 through Oct. 16. Or you can do both, and get 2 finisher’s medals, the famed lobster claw medal from the real-live marathon, and the special commemorative Acadia Centennial Medallion for the virtual marathon. (Image courtesy of MDI Marathon)

Registrants in the virtual races have between Oct. 7 and Oct. 16 to log their miles on the virtual map powered by racery.com. They don’t have to complete the full 26.2 or 13.1 miles all in one go, as they would if they were participating in the real-life race. And they could be participating from anywhere in the world.

With each day’s entry, whether it’s running or walking miles logged, each racer’s avatar will move along on the virtual map of the real-life race routes. And depending upon the day’s ending mileage, each racer may see a Google Street View© photo of where they virtually are.

The Acadia100 Virtual Edition is a great way for people who’ve always thought about signing up for the real-life MDI Marathon or Half Marathon to be part of the experience, virtually. It’s also a great option for people who got closed out of the real-life races to join in on the fun. And it’s a nice add-on for real-life registrants who want an additional finisher’s medal.

MDI Marathon lobster claw finisher's medal

If you run the real-life MDI Marathon, you have earned the right to wear this crusher claw. (Photo courtesy of MDI Marathon)

Registration fee ranges from $28 to $35, depending upon whether it’s the virtual Marathon or Half Marathon you’re signing up for, or whether you’re also a real-life registrant in the MDI Marathon or Half Marathon eligible for special pricing. Fee includes Acadia Centennial Medallion, and free shipping of medal in US ($13 international shipping).

It’s easy to join the virtual runs:

Sign up with your name and e-mail by the end of the day on Oct. 3
The race starts on Oct. 7
You can track your daily miles any way you like
Log your miles on the race page
Racery will keep track of fun stats like your total mileage and miles per week

Check out the racer experience in this short video.

And here’s the special Acadia Centennial Medallion you get for participating in the MDI Marathon and Half Marathon – Acadia100 Virtual Edition:

Sure to be a collector’s item, this limited edition of the Acadia Centennial Medallion is assembled and mostly made in the USA by Ashworth Awards, the same company that has made the Boston Marathon and real-life MDI Marathon and Half Marathon finisher’s medals. (The ribbon comes from overseas.)

Be part of this first-ever virtual running of the MDI Marathon and Half Marathon, celebrate the historic Acadia Centennial and help raise funds for the park, all at the same time.

On your marks!