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Frequently Asked Questions

General 

 

Can anyone participate?

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Yes! Young or old, fast or slow – we encourage participants of all ages and ability levels. Pet are welcome on a leash.

Virtual Race

What is a virtual race?

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A virtual race can be run (or walked!) anytime and anywhere, even indoors on a treadmill. Participants in Virtual Strides virtual races earn awesome medals for themselves while raising money for charity. 

How does a virtual race work?

 

Simply register for one of our virtual runs, complete the distance anytime and anywhere you desire (even on a treadmill!), and

e-mail your finish time to our website. We will mail you a finisher’s medal & t-shirt after we receive your results or at the end of the race period, whichever comes first.

Can I walk? Do I have to complete the entire distance all at once?

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We call our events “runs,” but walkers are certainly welcome! Most participants complete their virtual race all at once, but we understand that not everyone is able to complete our minimum 5k distance in one outing. Others like to set a very long goal and chip away at it over the course of a month (or longer), which is perfectly fine too! What we are doing here at Virtual Strides is less about strict rules than it is about providing motivation to help with your personal goal setting, while raising money for great causes in the process. So set your goal – whatever that may be – and go out and accomplish it! If you want to break up your virtual race into multiple segments, that’s perfectly fine. You can submit your results when you reach your goal distance, or you can upload your results as you go. If you use any of the run-tracking apps that our system integrates with, you will be able to select multiple runs/walks and our system will add them up for you, no problem. After submitting partial results, you will be able to see your progress toward your goal.

COVID-19 Safety Protocols & Social Distancing

We are extremely excited to run with you in person and kindly ask that you follow the guidelines we have created with the local health department to keep everyone safe and continue to host live, in person races!

 

  • Participants are required to self screen and must be free of symptoms and illness for 14 days prior to the race. Symptomatic participants may not participate. You will be asked COVID symptom related questions at packet pick up.

  • Anyone who has COVID-19 will not be able to attend nor participate in the event. Additionally anyone who has come into contact with anyone who has or had COVID-19 within the past 21 days will not be able to attend nor participate. This includes participants, race staff and volunteers.

  • There is no race day or paper registration. You must register online by 7am on race day.

  • If you register by 12 pm the day before the race, packet pickup will be contact-less. All bags will be pre-packed, labeled and set out in alphabetical order for participants to quickly retrieve their swag. Registrants after 12pm the day before the race will pick up in a separate line.

  • Whether at packet pickup or in the park on race day, you must wear a mask while in line to pick up your race items and you must maintain six feet physical distance from the person in front of you.

  • Participants must wear masks until the race actually starts. The mask or face covering must cover your nose, mouth, and chin.

  • Though our physical contact with participants will be minimal, hand sanitizer will be provided at the start and finish line areas.

  • You can begin lining up at 8:50 am for the start at 9:05 am. Please wait in your car until it is time to line up.

  • The run will begin individually and in small group (family/spouse/etc..) waves every 10+ seconds with the maximum group size limited to 10 people. Marks on the ground for social distancing will be enforced during packet pick and starting the race.

  • Participants are encouraged to maintain a distance of six feet from other participants and to run/walk single file as far right as possible, allowing enough room for others to pass if needed. Thus, running/walking side by side or in groups is highly discouraged.

  • There will be no water stops on the course, so please bring your own water. At the finish line, we'll have bottled water and snacks to take with you.

  • Restrooms may or may not be available in the park.

  • No spitting, "snotting", or projections of any bodily fluid before, during, or after race.

  • All participants must avoid any physical contact with other participants which include high fives, fist bumps, or close contact before, during or after the event.

  • Before, during, and after the race, participants must abide by the six-foot physical distancing requirement when lining up or passing other participants.

  • Spectators are not permitted on the course, at start line, or finish line.

  • Please do not congregate after the race. Participants are encouraged to gather their belongings and leave immediately after the race.

  • Please read and follow all guidelines for this event. We cannot stress this enough. If these guidelines aren't followed, we'll have to stop the race. Additionally, following these guidelines will demonstrate to decision makers that we can continue to have future events.

  • Local government and/or health officials may force us to change the in person status of the race due to COVID. Therefore this race may transition to a virtual event and no refunds or transfers will be offered. If this race transitions to virtual you will need to pick up your race swag bag at the originally scheduled packet pickup time/date above. No items will be mailed except for those who register for the virtual races.

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