Lululemon Is Hosting a Virtual 8K Race on the Schuylkill River Trail

The Lululemon Ghost Race returns this month to the Schuylkill River Trail. Photograph by iStock/aimintang.

When it comes to running, we all have off days. Maybe we’re not dressed well for the weather, we’re sore from another workout, or our dinner from the night before just isn’t sitting well with us. It’s always a bummer when this happens on race day, because there are no do-overs in road races.

Or, at least, that’s what we’ve been told. But during the Lululemon Ghost Race, you can actually get as many do-overs as you want on the 8K course.

If you’re like, Huh? then allow me to explain. The Ghost Race is Lululemon’s annual virtual 8K race, which takes place in 12 different cities, but actually got its start right here in Philly. Every registered participant of the Ghost Race will use the Strava app to track their trips down the course, and, yes, you can do it over and over again as many times as you want to get your best time. Oh, and to give you a little motivation to run faster, you can scope out your competitors’ times on the Strava app as well.

This year, runners have their choice of two 8K courses: the SRT East, which follows a flat section of the Schuylkill River Trail along Kelly Drive, and the SRT West, which follows the Schuylkill River Trail, um, west, with a turn-around point by a waterfall.

The virtual nature of the Lululemon Ghost Race means that you can compete in it literally any time you want to between October 12 and 21. Want to run at five in the morning? Go for it. Want to wait for a perfect, 60-degree day? Have at it. Want to run the course day and night, all 10 days of the race? By all means.

To join the race, you’ll need to download and create and account on Strava, join the Lululemon global run club on the app, and add yourself to the Lululemon Ghost Race Challenge in Philly. You’ll also want to make sure you’ve granted the app access to send you email notifications so you receive your Proof of Sweat emails after running. You can find more info on registering here.

Of course, once the race is wrapped up, Lululemon wants to have you out to celebrate everyone’s achievements. There’s a party planned for October 20 — keep an eye on Lululemon Philly’s Facebook page for more details, including the TBD location, over the coming weeks.

Happy racing, everyone!

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