Pheidippides Challenge

Run Anywhere! This is a virtual event, so you run wherever you want to! (Except please don't run anywhere pedestrians are prohibited. That would be no fun).

Each year, suicide claims more lives than war, murder, and natural disasters combined. Yet suicide prevention doesn't receive anywhere near the funding as other leading causes of death. It's up to us to make a difference. Together we can change the conversation about mental health and put a stop to this tragic loss of life. With the continuation of the constraints of the pandemic, suicide rates are on the rise and continues to be a leading cause of death for all ages. For this challenge, we're partnering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a national organization dedicated to suicide prevention, and Tudor House, a new non-profit dedicated to assisting people in the Roanoke Valley of Virginia who are affected by suicide. A portion of the proceeds of this event will be donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and to Tudor House.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Established in 1987, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.

AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide.  AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health by engaging in the following core strategies:

• Funding scientific research
• Educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention
• Advocating for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention
• Supporting survivors of suicide loss and those affected by suicide in our mission

Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, and with a public policy office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. AFSP celebrates 30 years of service to the suicide prevention movement.

Tudor House

Tudor House is a local charity that is in its beginning stages of fundraising and getting established within the Roanoke, Virginia community. Tudor House will be a place where people can get support, and have access to suicide prevention and education. Tudor House strives to improve the lives of everyone who needs help within the community with the prevention of loss. The Tudor Family wants to shed light on the seriousness of mental illness, and the lack of community resources. Tudor House will be a place where people in the Roanoke Valley can go to feel safe and get support for grief and loss as well as access to suicide prevention. This foundation is being started to ensure that no family will have to go through this alone, helping provide navigation during difficult times. 

All participants in the Pheidippides Challenge will earn a medal to show off their 356 mile achievement! The design features Pheidippides on his journey across Greece, a large "356", and a custom ribbon with coordinating design.

All participants will receive a LONG-SLEEVE performance shirt from Leslie Jordan Apparel! These 100% polyester shirts are a great base layer for any of your favorite outdoor activities. They fit TRUE TO SIZE, and sleeves are plenty long! Design shown here:

When you register for an event, you will get a link to distribute to friends and gain referrals.  For every 5 people who register using your link, you will get a $20 referral reward!  They must use your link to register or the referral will not count. Share your link with friends and family, on social media, and in your running groups!

By registering for the Pheidippides Challenge, you'll get:

• An awesome LONG sleeve event shirt (shipped with your medal when you complete the challenge)
• A custom event medal (shipped with your shirt when you complete the challenge)
• A customized virtual event bib (downloadable from your runner profile)
• Live virtual tracking on the challenge map
• A customized virtual finisher's certificate (downloadable from your runner profile)
• The satisfaction knowing you have run the length of Pheidippides ancient route to defeat the Persians and brought awareness to suicide prevention along the way!
• Sore legs!

There are lots of team options for this challenge! Two, three, and four person team relays, and Corporate teams.

Relay Teams

The team "relay" option is for 2, 3, or 4 people who want to complete the 356 miles together. For the relay teams, one person (the captain) registers and pays for the entire team. During registration, the captain will create a password for the team. Then, the captain will communicate with the other team member(s) the team name and password, and teammates will register like normal, answering "yes" to the question about joining the team. They will enter the team name and password, and at checkout the amount owed will be $0. Team members are responsible for reimbursing the captain for their portion of the entry fee. On these relay teams, the mileage does NOT have to be split evenly between team members.

Corporate Teams

Corporate teams are designed for companies to pay for a portion or all of the entry fee for their employees. If you are an employer or other individual wanting to pay for others' entries, this option is for you. Corporate teams CAN include relay teams within them!

You will be logging your miles directly into the RunSignUp System.  You will get an email with instructions for you to upload directly.  If you do not get the email, you can follow the below instructions. You will not be able to enter data until January 1.  If you are having any trouble, please contact: info@blueridgeracing.net

To log through your profile, follow these instructions:

1. Navigate to your RunSignup profile by selecting the Profile Icon at the top right hand corner
2. Under your Upcoming Events > Select Submit Virtual Results
3. Enter in your Activity type, distance, and time
4. Select Submit Time

To log through the website, follow these instructions:

1. Log into RunSignUP first. If you are not logged in, you will not be able to post results. If you were already logged in and having trouble, try logging out of RunSignUP and then logging back in again. If you forgot your password, you can have it reset: https://runsignup.com/Login.
2. Go to "Participant Tracking" on the main page, search for your name and click "More Details."
   This will bring you to your information. You can then click on "Submit Virtual Results."
3. You MUST enter the Date and Distance for your run or walk. You may enter the time if you wish. The comment box is optional and is for your reference only. We will not be reviewing the info in that field.
4. If you had multiple workouts that day, you can enter each new run/walk by clicking "Add Another Activity" button. If you do 2 runs/walks in 1 day, you can add them together or separately, whichever you prefer. You can update your time and miles daily or every other day, or once a week, whatever you prefer.
5. Do not forget to hit submit results when you are done!

Q: What miles count?

A: Miles that are earned while you are exercising- out for a run or walk are what you should count. While we all know that a weekly grocery trip logs at least a half mile while you go from the produce section to the freezer section and then back to the produce section when you forget the lettuce, but that doesn't count towards challenge miles. Please only log miles that are put forth in an exercise effort.

Q: How do I log my miles? 

A: To log through your profile, follow these instructions:

1. Navigate to your RunSignup profile by selecting the Profile Icon at the top right hand corner
2. Under your Upcoming Events > Select Submit Virtual Results 
3. Enter in your Activity type, distance, and time
4. Select Submit Time

To log through the website, follow these instructions:

1. RunSignUP and then logging back in again. If you forgot your password, you can have it reset: https://runsignup.com/Login.
2. Go to "Participant Tracking" on the main page, search for your name and click "More Details." This will bring you to your information. You can then click on "Submit Virtual Results."
3. You MUST enter the Date and Distance for your run or walk. You may enter the time if you wish. The comment box is optional and is for your reference only. We will not be reviewing the info in that field.
4. If you had multiple workouts that day, you can enter each new run/walk by clicking "Add Another Activity" button. If you do 2 runs/walks in 1 day, you can add them together or separately, whichever you prefer. You can update your time and miles daily or every other day, or once a week, whatever you prefer.
5. Do not forget to hit submit results when you are done!

Q: Do I have to be in the United States to complete the event?

A: No! You can complete the event from anywhere in the world! International shipping requires an extra $20 that can be added on during registration.

Q: Can I run on trails?

A: Yes! Pheidippides certainly didn't have any asphalt to run on! Running or walking on any surface counts- road, trails, greenways, treadmills, hot coals (not recommended), or even a bed of nails (ouch!). Even a weekend hike with the family counts!

Q: For Relay teams, do all the participants have to run equal distances?

A: No! Relay teams are great for couples, friends near and far, the office, and families! Each person logs the mileage they complete until the total reaches 356 miles.

Q: How do I sign up a relay team?

A: One person should sign up for the 2- 3- or 4-person relay team and create the team. This person is the captain and will create a team name and password (recommended) and pay the entire race fee for the team. After completion of the captain's registration is done, s/he should send all teammates the team name and password, and the others can register. Make sure you're registering under the same category (2- 3- or 4- person team), and choose "Join an Existing Relay Team" at the prompt after the waiver. Select the team name from the dropdown menu and enter the password. Continue with the remainder of registration and pay $0.

Q: What if I'm signed up for other events?

A: If you're running an in person or virtual race like a 5K or 10K, you can count those miles toward your challenge distance too! Running another challenge event or race? Well, we'll leave the judgement up to you on that one!

Q: I'm registering late. Can I log my miles that I ran before I registered? 

A: Yes! You can register all qualified miles that you have run starting January 1. Registration deadline is January 7!

Q: How can I see the cumulative mileage for my relay team?

A: On the results page, click on the team name (you may have to scroll right), and that will show you cumulative mileage for the team.

Q: I'm not appearing in the results, but I logged miles. Why am I not showing up in the results?

A: When you set up your Runsignup account, if you opted to remain anonymous in results, then you will not see your results. You can change that if you wish- here are the instructions: https://help.runsignup.com/support/solutions/articles/17000064490-hide-yourself-from-public-lists 

Q: I am a disabled athlete and use a handcycle or a push-rim wheelchair. Can I sign up?

A: Yes! We're excited to be able to include ALL athletes! When logging miles, both handcycle and push-rim wheelchair are options for activities.

Q: When will I get my shirt and medal?

A: We'll be shipping shirts and medals together starting the week of February 1 for those that finish the challenge by that date. Remaining packages will be shipped as you finish.

Q: I live outside of the U.S. Can I participate?

A: Yes! For international participants, please select the International Shipping Add-on for $20. This will pay for the additional shipping cost of your shirt and medal. If you do not select this option and live outside of the U.S., you will not receive the shirt and medal.

If you have any questions about this challenge, click the button below.

Questions?

We're always looking for great sponsors for our events and the Pheidippides Challenge is no different! For this challenge, ALL sponsorship dollars will go directly to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention or Tudor House - your choice! Contact us at info@blueridgeracing.net for more information and sponsorship levels.

THANK YOU to our sponsors!