Assuming that humans actually need something to fight against. Then it's a good thing that we're making up reasons to do so. It's better than terrorizing innocent people halfway across the globe or even those that are closest to us. If these hyper aggressive people are given a relatively safe outlet to express their emotions then the world is better for it.

I'm curious why you think it's nonsense though. Those activities can be fun, safe and encourage discipline.

Most of the people I know who have done those races are essentially competing against themselves- they want to say they were able to do it.

I haven't met anyone who was actually competitive about it in terms of wanting to be the fastest or whatever. I suspect it is a minority of the group, who in turn are also a minority of society.

If we are making generalizations about what humans need, I wouldn't consider "fighting against something". Perhaps "being right on the internet" would fit more people.