Marble Racing: The Newest Sports Craze?

By Katie Moore
​
With the absence of major league sports games due to the Coronavirus pandemic, new sports and activities have become increasingly popular. One in particular is marble racing. This new sport has taken the world by storm as one of the only forms of sports entertainment. 
​
​Marble racing is quite simply what it sounds like. A group of marbles in an array of colors are flung down a course, most frequently sand, and the first marble to reach the end is deemed the winner. Without the usual thrill sports provide for viewers, people at home are craving something to supply some entertainment. 

 Teams compete in marble racing competitions, each having fanbases, colors, and even mascots. The ability to follow and represent a team allows watchers to create a connection between marble racing and more conventional sports. Although it is still more typical to hear someone say they are a Yankees or Mets fan, with its growing popularity, it is possible everyone will start sharing their love for the Green Ducks or Raspberry Racers, two successful marble racing teams. 

With videos dating back to 2016 becoming well liked on Jelle’s Marble Runs Youtube channel, marble racing continues to become increasingly popular; major news publications such as The Washington Post, CNN, NBC, and ESPN have covered the new pastime. NowThis held an interview with Jelle and Dion, the individuals who run the Jelle’s Marble Runs Youtube channel, about the Marblelympics. The Marblelympics is just one event the duo puts on for marble racing.

​As the world is panic stricken due to the worsening impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic, people are looking for a distraction. Sports frequently act as a break from reality, but due to the pandemic, games have been suspended in order to protect fans and players. Marble racing has stepped in to fill that void for some fans. Sweeping the nation and occupying prime television slots, as well as dominating social media, maybe marble racing will become just as popular as baseball or football.