Finding Our Way Down East

Wayfinder Schools is thrilled to announce the second annual Finding Our Way Down East virtual race! This fundraiser will get people moving this summer, whether they are walking, running, pushing a stroller, biking, swimming, hiking, or using indoor gym equipment (however you want to accomplish your miles is up to you!). Visit the coast of Maine virtually this summer and support Wayfinder Schools! We are honored to be a nonprofit beneficiary at this year's Maine Marathon race. Consider putting all those training miles towards a good cause and support Wayfinder Schools while you get ready for race day. 

Participants can determine whether they want to participate in one (or more) of three races:

·       Finding Our Way 22k – honoring our 2022 graduates, one-month race (June, July, August)

·       Finding Our Way 65k – honoring the 65 students we serve, one-month race (June, July, August)

·       Finding Our Way Down East – virtually travel through towns and counties we serve from Kittery to Calais! - three-month race. This race is 326.7 miles (about 23.3 miles a week for 14 weeks). You will earn Milestone badges along the way, tracking your progress up the coast of Maine! 

All racers will receive a Finding Our Way Down East t-shirt with their registration entry and a digital Finisher's Certificate when you have completed your race!

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, participants will join the race(s) of their choice, taking to the pavement, trails, or indoor equipment of their choosing and log their miles online, all while showing support for Wayfinder Schools (and each other) through t-shirts, hashtags and photos. Leading up to and during your “race," you will have the opportunity to ask for donations from your friends, families and networks as they encourage you along your race route. All proceeds will benefit Wayfinder Schools, a non-profit alternative high school working with teen parents and other Maine youth who need a second chance at high school graduation. You can learn more about our school and our mission by visiting www.wayfinderschools.org. 

FAQs

How does the race work?
All of our races are virtual, so you can complete your miles wherever you are! You will log in your miles/activity into your race page and work towards your "finish line." As we are not meeting in one place, racers can share their progress online, and complete miles during days and times that are convenient for them. If you choose to do the Kittery to Calais race, you will receive milestone badges that will tell you what destination you have made it to based on the amount of miles you have completed - all without leaving your neighborhood! You can complete your miles however you want. You can choose to walk, swim, run, spin, push a stroller/pull a wagon, hike - whatever works for you! You can complete your miles any day and time that fits your schedule. 

Who can participate in these events?
Everyone! We have put together races for various levels, so choose what suits you best. You can also encourage family and friends to join your team and challenge them to get moving with you. You can run/bike/walk/swim/hike from anywhere to participate. How you choose to accomplish your miles is up to you! We also have a FOWDE Facebook group you can join to encourage one another and share your achievements. 

Are there prizes?
We have some great prizes for this year's race

INDIVIDUAL PRIZE: The individual who raises the most money over the course of the entire Finding Our Way Race (May 30 - Sep 5) will receive an L.L. Bean gift card for $50, a free subscription to Down East Magazine and some new Wayfinder Schools merchandise! 

SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTER EXTRAORDINAIRE: Share your race experience on social media and be entered into the raffle to win a $50 gift card to L.L. Bean, a free subscription to Down East Magazine and some new Wayfinder Schools merchandise! Any racer who shares a photo on Facebook and/or Instagram documenting part of their race will be entered into the raffle. RULES: You must tag Wayfinder Schools in your post AND use the hashtag #fowde22 so we can find you. You will get one entry for every photo you post and tag/hashtag (you may share as many photos as you want!). You will get an additional entry for every photo you share while wearing your Finding Our Way Down East t-shirt. Photos may be submitted any time during the race (May 30 - Sep 5). (Please note, by sharing any photos, you are giving Wayfinder Schools permission to use those photos on their own social media platforms, website, and marketing materials when talking about the race and Wayfinder Schools events.)

TEAM PRIZE: The team that raises the most money over the course of the entire Finding Our Way Race (May 30 - Sep 5) will be featured in an ad in Down East Magazine this fall! The winning team will be able to submit a team photo and a message that they would like to share. This is a great opportunity for businesses and families to be recognized on an international level.

When will my t-shirt arrive?
Once you have registered for a race, we will work on getting your t-shirt out to you! T-shirts will be in production starting in May. We encourage everyone to take photos during their "race" and share on social media. Be sure to use the hashtag #FOWDE22 so fellow racers can see your success. 

How do I complete my challenge?
You can complete your miles however you want. You can choose to walk, swim, run, spin, push a stroller/pull a wagon, hike - whatever works for you! You can complete your miles any day and time that fits your schedule. 

When can I start?
You can start entering your miles on the first day of your event. Please see the start dates below:

Finding Our Way Down East - Kittery to Calais = Starts May 30th
Finding Our Way 22k - June = Starts June 1st
Finding Our Way 22k - July = Starts July 1st
Finding Our Way 22k - August = Starts August 1st
Finding Our Way 65k - June = Starts June 1st
Finding Our Way 65k - July = Starts July 1st
Finding Our Way 65k - August = Starts August 1st

Can I sign up for more than one race?
Yes! Did you complete the Finding Our Way 22k in June, and now you want to see if you can push yourself on the 65k in July? Go for it! Anyone can sign up for more than one of the monthly races. The Finding Our Way Down East - Kittery to Calais takes place from Memorial Day to Labor Day, so only one registration is required for that race. Please note, if you are signing up for more than one race, you will only receive one t-shirt. You may purchase additional t-shirts on the race store page. 

What if I am already signed up for a different race that isn't associated with Wayfinder Schools?
Why not do both! You can use your training miles and race miles for other races towards these Wayfinder races if you wish - what a great way to track all that training you have been putting in. If you are signed up for the Maine Marathon, this would be a great way to put all those training miles towards a good cause!

How do I track my progress/submit my miles?
This challenge relies on the honor system. Here is how you can track your miles and share your accomplishments:

1) Go to the "Results" tab on the Menu bar at the top of the race page. At the top of the page, it will say "Post your Virtual Results." Hit the Blue "Submit Virtual Results" button. Search for you name and follow the steps.

2)  Join our Finding Our Way Down East 2022 Facebook Group! You can share photos of your progress and connect with other racers. Coming at the end of April!

You can also click on "Submit Virtual Results" when you are in your profile (click on the user icon once you are logged in, and then click on "Profile" in the drop down menu).

How do I manage my registration?
1) If you are not already, log in by clicking the user icon in the upper right hand corner of the screen.

2) Once logged in, click on the user icon and click "PROFILE" on the drop down menu that appears. 

3) Find your event that you registered for and click on it. Then click on "Manage Registration."

Once here, you can join a team, create a team, update your shipping information, etc.