5K FAQ
What is a 5K?
A 3.1 mile run or walk. This year, we will offer virtual and in-person participation; please select only one option.
How do I register for the in-person or virtual 5K?
Register yourself and anyone in your family (ages 13+) though our registration process.
How much does it cost to participate in the Spring Carnival 5K?
$15 for students or runners age 13-17.
$25 for everyone else.
RunSignup adds a 5-6% processing fee (plus $1) to all registrations for the event. Additionally, a 4% processing fee is added to any gift made through the RunSignup platform. These fees are reflected in your final total before checkout.
Can I request a refund for my registration?
Refunds are not allowed for this race. Please be sure you will be able to participate before registering for the event. You may be able to transfer your registration to another runner if you are unable to participate. Contact us directly at alumni-networks@andrew.cmu.edu to make that change.
How long do I have to finish the 5K?
The virtual Spring Carnival 5K can be completed anytime during Carnival Weekend, from Thursday, April 13th at 12:01 a.m. through Sunday, April 16th at 11:59 p.m. The in-person event will take place at 8:00 a.m., Sunday, April 16th.
How will you track my time?
You will submit your official virtual race time one of a few ways:
- Submit the information on the Spring Carnival 5K main page. A button will appear when the virtual race opens to submit your time and photos from your race. Show us your plaid pride as you complete your run or walk and share a photo of your tracker with the time, date and distance.
- Submit from your RunSignup profile. Click on your profile icon in the top right-hand corner of your a link from your running app to your Virtual 5K account page.
- Upload from your run/walk tracker. Participants record their activities for Virtual Events on a multitude of devices and platforms. Two very common formats of data are GPX and FIT, which services like Garmin and Strava use to store activity data. Upload your GPS activity recorded while using third party types of tracking tools.
- Submit via text message. You will need to opt into TXT results, which you can do either during or after the registration process. Once you have opted in, you will receive a text message with a URL providing details and instructions for submitting your results, as well as an option to unsubscribe
- Submit via email. You can choose to sign up for email notifications by entering your preferred email address. If this is selected, you will receive an email, separate from your confirmation, that contains a link with details for submitting your results
The in-person event will be timed and tracked onsite and immediate results will be displayed for participants and spectators at the event and online.
Where should I run/walk/skip/stroll my virtual 5K?
Complete the 3.1 miles where it’s convenient. In a public park, around a track, on a treadmill or on a route from a mapping app such as Map My Run. Be sure to stay safe and keep others safe, too, by following all social distancing guidelines in your area.
I’ve registered for the 5K. Now what?
Train for the 5K!
If you haven’t already, make a gift to help your class, reunion or regional network in the 5K Giving Challenge.
Follow the Carnegie Mellon University Alumni Association:
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
Create a sign to support your fellow Tartans as they complete the 3.1 miles. Post it on your social media accounts with the hashtags below or bring it with you to the race on April 16.
Get ready for the social media challenges!
What groups are participating in the 5K Giving Challenge?
Reunion Class Years
1st Year Reunion - Class of 2022
5th Year Reunion - Class of 2018
10th Year Reunion - Class of 2013
15th Year Reunion - Class of 2008
20th Year Reunion - Class of 2003
25th Year Reunion - Class of 1998
30th Year Reunion - Class of 1993
35th Year Reunion - Class of 1988
40th Year Reunion - Class of 1983
45th Year Reunion - Class of 1978
50th Year Reunion - Class of 1973
Half Century Tartans - Class of 1972 and prior
Regional Networks
Atlanta
Austin
Boston
Chicago
Dallas/Ft. Worth
Denver
Detroit and Southeast Michigan
Greater Maryland
Houston
Los Angeles
New Jersey
New York Metro
North Carolina Triangle
Northeast Ohio
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Portland
Rochester
San Diego
San Francisco
Seattle
South Florida
Tampa/St. Petersburg
Washington, D.C.
Students
Class of 2023
Class of 2024
Class of 2025
Class of 2026
Class of 2027
Where does my donation go?
All gifts made to the Spring Carnival 5K Giving Challenge will be directed to a selected fund of your choice. Any gift made via the 5K Giving Challenge counts as an annual gift to the university.
My regional network or reunion class year aren’t listed. Can I still participate?
Yes! Participate by making a gift directly to one of the areas most important to you!
What does the winning group receive?
As an added incentive, if your reunion class or regional network wins the Spring Carnival 5K Giving Challenge, we’ll send* you a prize pack
*Residents of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii only.
What is the Virtual 5K social media challenge?
Using your public Facebook, Instagram or Twitter accounts, post a photo of you for the categories below. Be sure to use #SpringCarnival5K, #CMUCarnival and #CMUReunions to tag your photos. If you do not have public social media accounts and still want to participate, send your photos with categories to alumni-networks@andrew.cmu.edu to be entered in the challenge.
Best 5K Outfit
Most Tartan Pride
Most Creative Bib
Most Creative Support Sign
Best Pet Participation Photo
Best Family Photo
Best In-Person Course Photo
Best Post Race Photo
I would like to volunteer to help with my reunion or regional network. Whom should I contact?
Reunions – Lindie Droulia
Regional Networks – Dana Bekavac
When will we receive our Spring Carnival 5K swag?
All runners participating on campus in-person will pick up their swag Friday or Saturday at the Spring Carnival Registration tent. We will have a limited opportunity for participants to pick up their bags on Sunday at the in-person 5K start.
The three participants with the top times in the men’s, women’s and non-binary categories will receive a place prize. Additionally, winners of the giving and social media challenges will be announced after Spring Carnival and Reunion Weekend commences. Virtual 5K swag and prizes for all winners will be shipped after the announcement.
What about weather?
With the exception of severe weather, the Spring Carnival 5K will proceed as scheduled in rain or shine or snow. It is Pittsburgh, after all. If severe weather does occur, you will be notified via email of any changes to the race starting at 5 a.m. on race day. We may adjust the starting time due to the forecast, and you will receive updates as conditions change. Please note that canceling due to weather will not result in the refunding of any race entry fee or future event credits.
Please reference the registration pages for additional details and information about all of the Spring Carnival 5K events.
For any other questions, please contact us at alumni-networks@andrew.cmu.edu
