FAQ
Q: What happens if I want to join after December 21st?
A: You can still sign up still! Registration is open until March 19th, 2024, the last day of the race. You are able to backlog your miles for the dates you weren't with us. For example, if you joined us on January 15th, simply login to your profile and log the miles for December 21-January 14th.
Q: How does this Virtual Challenge work?
A: Each day from December 21st till March 19th you have the opportunity to go for a run/walk/xc ski/bike/swim or OTHER (you can label anything else that you can accumulate miles with such as ice skating, kick sledding or stand up paddle boarding). All you have to do in this challenge is log your distance under your profile!
Q: Does this race support anything?
A: YES! The Race Across Alaska will donate $10 for every participant to the Alaska Trails, Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage and Challenge Alaska, which are all 501(c)(3) that help support physical activity for Alaskans. Additionally, the Race Across Alaska supports the future of Turnagain Training, a business that offering Summer Triathlon Camps, youth triathlon team and races for Alaskan kids, ages 3-17yrs old.
Q: Can I participate in this race from another country?
A: YES! We welcome you from where ever you are and would love it if you joined! Please note, if you are outside of the USA there will be an added shipping charge. If you're unable to register, please email raawc@turnagaintraining.com so we can include your country in the approved list to allow your access to join!
Q: Can I just walk the challenge?
A: Absolutely, walkers are definitely welcome to participate in this challenge and a large part of our event are walkers and hikers! This is a multi-sport challenge, so you can walk, run, xc ski, bike, or swim to get in the miles to complete the distance race you have signed up to complete. Use the challenge as motivation to stay active!
Q: Can I count my daily steps?
A: We encourage you to log only exercise specific times. This means you planned to walk, run, etc. and not just time you cleaned your house and called it your exercise time, sorry! The goal is to motivate yourself to exercise more anyhow, right?! But if steps is what truly motivates you and what matters to you, count them. This 3month challenge is about better yourself and only you can determine what physical activity and mental health means to you!
Q: What are the distances?
A: 60 miles,125 miles, 235 miles, 350 miles, 500 miles, 800 miles, 1150 miles & 2000 miles. You pick the distance that works best for you!
Q: How does the team component work?
A: Everyone on the team is an individual but you'll also be on a team leaderboard if you join a team where you are working together to get the highest mileage. The key is for everyone on your team to focus on a distance because the teams are separate teams for every distance. Ex: if you have 5ppl in the 125 mile but 1 in the 235mile race. The 125mile team might be doing well in team ranking but your 235mile team will struggle because there is only one person adding up mileage. We no longer have a RELAY option, it was too confusing to have a team component and a relay event, sorry!
Q: Do I need a GPS watch/tracker, or Strava? Will I need to show my watch or device for proof of running, walking, biking, swimming, or xc skiing?
A: You can use one if you wish but it's not required. Strava has a free app and you can join our club, Turnagain Training, to join others to track the progress of everyone and keep everyone motivated. Unfortunately, Runsignup does not have a way to link up your device with Garmin, Suunto, etc. but you can upload GPS files when you go into "Submit Virtual Results".
Q: If I complete the 125 mile Challenge and want to switch to the 235 mile Challenge, can I? (And Vice Versa)
A: NO! We are no longer offering the option to transfer from one event to another. Though, we will mail you the highest race mileage medal that you complete at the end.
Q: What will I receive by doing this challenge? When will I receive my swag?
A: All participants automatically receive your choice of a long sleeve hooded tri-blend race shirt, polyester t-shirt or polyester tank top and winter hat for signing up! You also can go into your race profile and print out the virtual bib before the race to share with others during race kickoff day! During the race you'll also receive virtual badges for completing race percentages and special mile marker badges! In addition, those who complete their challenge will earn an awesome bottle opener finisher medal with the race distance on the back on the medal! Shirt orders will go in on December 2nd & January 2nd and racers can anticipate 3-5wks for delivery from the order date. All racers that sign up after January 2nd will receive shirt sizing in a first to sign up, first served basis with limited sizing available. Medals will be ordered on March 22nd and racers can anticipate 3-5wks for delivery.
Q: Are the shirts unisex or gender specific?
A: Gender specific! We will have a men's and women's shirt option available during checkout for each racer!
Q: How will I receive my swag?
A: Swag will be mailed out for all out of state racers. For racers in Alaska we have 2 swag pickup opportunities then we will mail out immediately after the 2nd packet pickup. See above for time frames.If you pickup your swag at a packet pickup, we will donate an extra $5 to our non-profits! Swag details coming soon!
Q: If I complete the challenge early, will I get my medal upon completion?
A: No, we will mail out all medals at the conclusion of the challenge date, which is March 19th but racers can anticipate +/- 3-5weeks from the last day of the challenge.
Q: Can I create or join a team after I have registered?
A: YES! We love to see friends and families encouraging each other. You'll go back into your profile > Manage Registration > Teams > add a team.
Q: We want to be a team; Can we sign up individually & does start - destination need to be the same for all?
A: Every racer is racing individually, for themselves but by joining a team you are working to improve your team overall miles. Please note, you are not working as a team to finish a specific distance (this is not a relay format), you are working individually. Also, if your teammates decide to do different distances, that's ok, they just won't be able to work together to get the largest mileage, since the races are considered several different races within 1 race. Ex: If 5 racers are doing the 125 but you're doing the 235mile race, your total won't be combined into the 125mile team total. The point of the team is a way to motivate one another and try to get the most amount of miles total done first. On the results page there will be a team page that shows total miles that your team has completed, which in theory will help motivate everyone on your team to reach their distance goal! We encourage strong leadership skills ;) We will have a prize for the BIGGEST team!
Q: Can I register for more than one event?
A: You can if you wanted to change events. We no longer are transferring events for racers as it caused too many issues with shipping swag
Q: Is it true, we can no longer transfer from one race to another?
A: CORRECT! The distance you sign up for is the distance you'll stay in for the entire race, unless you decide to sign up for a 2nd event. We really want to encourage racers to commit to a distance and challenge themselves to get to the finish line of that race.
Q: How do the results work? How is everyone being ranked? Will the winner be “the winner” based on time or distance, who finishes first?
A: Results are ranked by who has the greatest distance within your race (125mile, 225mile, etc.), time is just added so you can see at the end of the event how much time you've exercises but it is not factored into the ranking system. Additionally, tiebreakers are determined by the first racer to the 25% milestone. Most importantly, this challenge is about getting from A to B and pushing your self physically while seeing how others are doing. There are no prizes for "winning", aside from self pride and a bottle opener medal!
Q: Do we earn rewards for referring friends?
A: YES! But, they must use your personal referral link. The link was emailed to you, but you can also get it by following THESE STEPS!
Q: How do I see how many referrals I have?
A: You can see who used your referral link by going to Runsignup > Login > My Profile > Under Virtual Race Across Alaska in the Upcoming Events list you'll click on "Manage Registration". On the left side you'll see an option to click on "Rewards". Under there you'll see how many referrals you've received.
Q: My friend signed up for the race because I told her to but they forgot to use my referral code. Can I still get referral credit?
A: Yes! You'll need to watch THIS video THEN email the race director at Heather.Helzer@turnagaintraining.com with the information. Please give her 1-3wks to enter the information and get back to you.
Q: Can you tell me more about the shirt sizing?
A: Sure, they're Leslie Jordan tri-blend long sleeve hooded shirts, 100% polyester t-shirts and 100% polyester tank tops, along with a pom-pom hat!
Men's and women sizing fits true to size.
**Please note that shirt style and color may change, based on availability. Supply chain shortage is an issue races are experiencing as well.
Here is the sizing charts!
Q: Can I change my shirt size?
A: Yes. As long as the monthly deadline hasn’t passed (December 2nd, January 2nd). You can do this by heading into your Runsignup profile > Manage Registration> Giveaways. Here is a visual to help you understand how to do this, HERE.
Q: How do I submit my virtual results
A: There are several ways to submit virtual results. Click HERE to see what we think is the easiest way.
Q: I entered an activity incorrectly. How can I edit or delete the activity?
A: You go under your results page where you see every workout you've completed in your "Activity Log". To the left of the trash can is a pencil where you can click on and edit results that were mis-entered. You can also delete results by hitting the trash can.
Q: I see people posting pictures of where they are on the map. How do I do that?
A: Enter your name in the search field HERE. You'll see your map, trophy's and activity log there.
Q: Are there any awards for this challenge?
A: There are no awards for this challenge (simply because there is no verification system). However, we might have some fun door prizes for social media shared selfies, first to get to certain milestones, and we might make a friendly team competition (based on challenge completion percentage and not total miles).
Q: How do I get my digital race bib?
A: You can find your digital bib by logging into Runsignup, clicking Profile, under Upcoming Races you'll see Virtual Race Across Alaska, on the right hand side you'll see "View Digital Bib" where you can print and show off on social media!
Q. How do I refer people and get referral refunds?
A: 1. Register.
2. Once your registration is complete, you will receive a unique referral link. You can copy and past this link from (a) your confirmation page screen at the end of your registration, (b) your confirmation email, (c) you can resend your confirmation email from you Runsignup account and get the link.
3. Get 3 friends to sign up using your unique referral link and you will automatically receive up to a refund of $15.00, refunded to your credit card.
4. Get 6 friends to sign up and you get an additional $15 more!
5. Get 9 friends to sign up and you get $15 more! And onward.....
RULES:
The referral has to signup with your unique referral link. You cannot email us "after the fact for credit" saying "i referred someone and ask for them to be added to your total.
It has to be 10 unique transactions. AKA.. Any combo of 10 solo registrations and/or 10 team registrations.
The RunSignup system automatically keeps track and refunds the first $15-$45 automatically. You can receive a maximum of $75 back in refunds, 15 referrals.
Q. Does it make sense to sign-up everyone at the same time in my family or on my team?
A: YES! Register 4 or more friends, family, staff, and/or colleagues in one transaction and everyone saves $5 on their registration PLUS you only pay 1 service charge!
Lastly, before reaching out to us, check out at https://help.runsignup.com or by clicking on the help button on any dashboard page
Don't see your question answered here? Shoot us an email, raawc@turnagaintraining.com
