Frequently Asked Questions:
***FAQ based on last years questions, and updated frequently for any trends in questions. Don't be offended if your Question is answered with "Please refer to FAQ"***
Q) Explain the sign up process?
A) Basically 3 steps:
Read the event information and this FAQ. Understand the expectations. Pay attention to mailing and swag pickup info.
Go to Trackie and sign up for the event. This is where choose your Event option (Medal, T-Shirt, Pickup). After you confirm and pay you will see a confirmation page/e-mail. Read it, don't just close it, it's important!
The confirmation will include a link to the Big Land 1140 on My Virtual Mission (MVM). Sign up for the site (if first time user), then join the Challenge. Teams: It doesn't matter what you pick, solo or team, if you want to be a team, contact us and we'll set it up.
BONUS STEP! One last thing, how will you hear from us? 1) Via mass email from Trackie; ensure it isn't going to your Junk/Spam; 2) Your confirmation e-mail will also include a link to a private Facebook group for Participants; and 3) THIS WEBSITE.
Q) How do I receive my swag?
A) Two choices when registering. Default option is to be mailed out, but options are there for a $6 discount if you wish to pickup when it is available. If you choose the mailing option, please be aware of our Mailing Policy and Disclaimer (see above). We are not aware of any mailing issues from last years event.
Q) When/where will the pickup be?
A) Hopefully in late-May/June. The location will be a community location in metro region, likely Paradise, if a place is available. It will be one weekend, with designated times. Other people can pick up your swag. Last year we had multiple pickup times, that will not be the case this year. It will be one weekend. Instructions will be posted here, e-mailed, and on Facebook.
Q) Is there an age limit?
A) There is no hard age minimum. We do recommend participants be at least 16 years of age for full participation, as we cannot guarantee perfect moderation of the Facebook and MVM public content.
Q) What if I wanted to participate with my young child?
A) The host platform will allow you set your display name, if you'd like to make it a family affair, just enter "Smith Family." Use the manual add feature to record their distance. If you'd like to order an extra medal, please contact us below, prior to May 1, 2021.
Q) During registration it asks me select a gender, Male or Female. What if I do not wish to disclose or do not identify with either of those options?
A) This issue was discussed during our review of the form. Gender has no bearing on anything with the Challenge so we did not wish to have the question there. However; it is a default question of Trackie, the site that hosts our registration form, and we cannot turn it off. As they are geared towards competitive sporting events, this is generally a starting distinguishing point in the event field.
Q) What is Strava? Do I need it?
A) Strava is a social-fitness network that can be paired with numerous fitness/activity trackers (Garmin, Fitbit, Apple, etc). Your Strava account can then be paired with our event host website/app to automatically sync and move you along the Challenge. Click here to find out if your favorite activity tracking app syncs with Strava.
If you don't have Strava, or there are issues, you can just log into the website/app to manually add your distance and activity type. The site does support other trackers, however, MVM recommends the use of Strava as the direct link.
Q) This seems like a lot of distance?
A) We've upped the distance from last year, but also upped the days. Last year it averaged ~7.2KMs/day. This year, it's about 7.6KMs/day. If it was easy we wouldn't call it a challenge! However, to make this achievable you can team up with your friends (or enemies), come up with a clever name (no bonus'), and the cumulative distance of each team member will be added together.
Q) Won't a team finish faster?
A) There is no award for first place! This is a Challenge, so tackle it however you want over the 150 days. Want to run a marathon a week? Great! Want to convince the person who runs a marathon a week to be your teammate? Even better!
Q) How come I have to pay the same amount as a solo person if I'm on a team?
A) Because you still get the same swag! I don't know about you, but I don't want to share a t-shirt with my teammate or cut my medal in half!
Q) How do I set up my team?
A) During registration, you can choose to be Solo or a Team; however, this doesn't really do much. Once you and your teammates have registered, and signed onto the MyVirtualMission site, please fill out the form with your Team Information. The site administrator will get your team set up within 24 hours. We will confirm set up, and ask you if you'd like to submit a custom logo at that time.
Q) Can I create/or break up a Team once the Challenge starts?
A) Last year we had a lot of people wanting to disband their team once they got close to finish, and try to go solo. This created a lot of problems, as once the distance was reached, there was a limited window where changes could be made. So this year, once the Challenge starts, if you are on a team, you must remain on that Team. However, if you do want to form a team during the competition, that can be done. Just contact us. So reminder... start as a team, you finish as a team. Choose wisely.
Q) Do I have to run the whole way?
A) Nope! The website/app will be set up accept running, walking, steps, elliptical and wheelchair activities that occur indoors or outdoors. If using steps, you might find your are covering the distance very quickly if you have an active work day. But you can adjust what you track or remove activities.
Q) Do I need to show proof of completing an activity?
A) No, this is based on the honor system. If it's linked up to Strava, that's fine, but if you use manual entry, we just ask it's your best estimate of mileage. We don't have anything for you if you finish first!
Q) What's up with the swag?
A) We hope to have the medal and t-shirt designs finalized prior to the start date of the Challenge. However, it is safe to say the medal will compliment last years Newfoundland portion of the Province. The t-shirts are the same make as last years t-shirts, The Athletic Company Pro Team Short Sleeve Shirts. Colors by style are listed below, along with a sizing guide.
Q) I don't live in Newfoundland and Labrador, can I participate?
A) Yes of course you can! Last year we had participants from all across Canada. Come take a virtual tour of Labrador. Our only requirement at this time is that you need to have a Canadian mailing address if you wish to receive swag. For non-Canadian mailing addresses, only the No Swag option will be available.
Q) Can I join after the event has started?
A) Nope, this year we have adequate heads up for the event. We even have 15% off the regular price until 11:59pm on March 31st, then you have all of April (to 11:59pm on April 30th) to join at the regular price.
Q) Can I plan group runs?
A) Please conduct all activities related to this challenge in a manner that follow your recommend local COVID-19 related Public Health Orders and social-distancing recommendations. These guidelines are subject to regular updates, so you are responsible to know what's applicable in your Province. Please click here for Newfoundland and Labrador's COVID-19 Public Health Orders.
#socialdistancing #runsolo #dontlickyoursneakers
Q) I finished the mission as an individual or team and we want to continue tracking our progress, can I/we?
A) The Challenge was set up to see you complete the 1142KM cross Labrador journey. Once you hit that goal, MyVirtualMission will no longer track additional distances. This is simply because that is the finish line. You don't run a 5K race then keep tracking your results to 10K.
Many of you probably joined Strava for the first time to use it with this Challenge. Strava is an activity tracker, I'd suggest continuing to use that to track your continued distance.
Q) Do I need to register all my teammates at once?
A) Nope. While you can register multiple people at once, whether they will be your teammates or not, it is not required for teammates. Please Contact Us to form your Team. As noted above, when registering multiple participants, each registration will still be subject to a processing fee.
Still have a question? Contact Us @ https://www.paradiserunningclub.com/racesevents/bigland1140/contact/ someone will get back to you within 24 hours. If you don't see a reply, check your Junk/Spam mail.
