1Day Relay

Before I Register for the 1Day Relay

Q: Do I need to have all of my team members together to register?

A: No. If you know you want to run in the 1Day Relay, but don't have all of your friends on board, you can still register. However, the first person to register must register as the team captain and pay the entry fee.

Q: Do I assemble my own team or will 1Day Relay do that for me? Do you have any suggestions for putting together a team?

A: You are responsible for gathering your own team, but luckily, you only need 4-6 people to participate in 1Day Relay (or 2 people if you're registgering as an Ultra team)! You can find potential team members at work, school, our facebook page, your local happy hour... Just be sure you like everyone on your team well enough to spend a day in the car with them.

Q: Who can run 1Day Relay?

A: If you are at least 18 years old and healthy enough to run a 5k, you can run.

Preparing for the 1Day Relay

Q: When will my team receive our start time? How are start times determined?

A: Teams will receive email notification of their official start time at least 7-10 days prior to race day. Teams are started on a staggered basis between 6am and 11am. The estimated team finish time spreadsheet must be submitted at lease two weeks prior to race day. Failure to submit the tean's estimated finish time can result in disqualification and forfeiture of your entry fee. Teams may not switch start times for any reason. Starting at a time other than official designated start time will disqualify a team.

Q: What happens if a team member drops out at the last minute?

A: As long as you have enough members to be considered a team (at least 4 for regular teams and 2 for ultras), there is no issue with a team member dropping out.

Q: How many legs are there and how long is each leg?

A: There are 12 legs and each leg varies in distance from 3 – 7 miles. Total distance each team member runs will vary depending on the legs you choose.

Q: Once I've registered my team, how can I update my team information?

A: Updating team information can be done by calling Active.com at 1-877-228-4881. All changes and required information must be submitted by September 21, 2012.

Q: Can the team captain pick up the team's race packet?

A: Yes, the team captain can pick up the team race packet; however the captain must have a photocopy of the ID and completed/signed 1Day Relay Waiver for each individual team member. Captains will not be allowed to pick up a packet without these 2 items for each team member. All team members must be present at the mandatory race day safety meeting that takes place approximately 30 minutes before the team's official start time.

The Day of the Race

Q: When and where does the race start and finish?

A: The 1Day Relay Florida will begin on Main Street in Bradenton and end at the beach parking lot just north of Sharkey's in Venice. Each team will start at a different time, based on its projected pace time (see start time question above). The first team will start at 6:00 am, and the final team will start at 11:00 am. When your entire team crosses the finish line, the race is over, and you will be rewarded with frosty beverages and live music at our Finish Line Party.

Q: Will the race course be marked? What if one of my team members gets lost?

A: The 1Day Relay course will be marked with signs to help you navigate the entire 50(ish) miles. Any time there is a turn in the road, you will see a 1Day Relay sign pointing you in the right direction. If you find yourself off course, you will need to contact your team car and figure out how to get back on track... on foot! Each team will receive a detailed map of each leg of the course. We recommend you review the map closely and print out an extra copy of each leg map for individual runners to take with them on their legs.

Q: How can I stay in contact with my teammates?

A: It is all mandatory that all teams must have one cell phone in the car and one cell phone with the runner at all times.

Q: Can I wear headphones while I run?

A: No, you are running on an open road and need to be aware of the traffic around you and be able to hear your phone in case your team members need to contact you. When you get back in the team car feel free to crank up your iPod to "11."

Q: Can my dog run with me, or may I run with a stroller?

A: The 1Day Relay is for adult humans only. For safety and insurance reasons we do NOT allow strollers or pets in the 1Day Relay. Plus tossing Fido, your kid and a stroller in the team van after your leg might take up room you would rather use on things like teammates and food. (Ed. Note: we don't actually recommend "tossing" dogs and children).

Q: What happens if our team loses our slap strap?

A: The entire team is immediately disqualified!! Just kidding. But seriously, don't lose your slap strap.

Q: What is provided at the exchange stations?

A: Each exchange station will be manned by volunteers, who will provide encouragement, directions, and access to first aid if needed. Your team members will need to provide you with water, nourishment, and anything else you may need to get you to the next exchange.

Q: Where can team members park?

A: Each team vehicle will need to find a safe, legal place to park along the route if they need to provide water, food, etc. to their runner along the way. For each exchange, there will be a marked designated parking area.

Q: What if one of our runners gets injured or can't finish the race?

A: Since you are only allowed one vehicle per team, if one of your runners gets injured or can't finish the race your options (depending on the severity of the injury) are:

1. Abandon the race and drive them to receive medical treatment immediately

2. Contact an ambulance to transport them for medical treatment and have the rest of the team continue

3. Have them repair to the team car and continue to cheer on the other team members

Q: Are there activities before and after the race?

A: Before the race, all team members must be present for the mandatory safety briefing before the race. Plan on arriving at the start 45-60 minutes prior to your start time to check-in, enjoy some coffee, visit our Porta-Potties, and work out the team strategy for the day.

There will be food, drink and music after the race so you can sit back and relish in the afterglow of your finish – and enjoy a celebratory drink with your team members!

General Race Questions

Q: Does the race benefit a charity?

A: A portion of each race registration will be donated to Make-A-Wish Foundation. To donate additional funds team members and supporters can visit http://www.active.com/donate/1dayrelay2012

Q: I'd like to participate, but I can't run. What can I do?

A: We'd love to have you as part of our event as a 1Day Relay volunteer. To volunteer, submit a request form here.

Q: Can we have a non-runner as our driver (extra team member)?

A: Yes, you may have a non-runner drive your team vehicle for the duration of the race. It is important to note though that only running team members will be eligible for awards. (That doesn't mean the team can't reward the driver in their own way!) For ultra teams, drivers are considered a member of your team and will be provided a tee and medal at the finish.

Q: What pace should each team member be able to maintain to participate?

A: The minimum average pace for each team is 12 minutes per mile. You can combine slow and fast people on the team, but we recommend the slowest people on the team be able to maintain at least a 14 minutes per mile pace. Remember - each leg is only 3-7 miles long, so you need to calculate the pace based on each team member's 10k pace not their marathon or half marathon pace. We also recommend having slower, less experienced runners do the shorter legs.

Q: What happens if my team is too slow?

A: There will be a team pace checkpoint at the midpoint of the race. If the team falls below the average pace time you risk being disqualified. However, as long as each team can maintain the 12 minutes per mile average time, the team should not be concerned with being removed form the course. If you are really worried about this, just go out and find some faster friends.

Q: How many teams will be allowed to participate in the 1Day Relay?

A: The 1Day Relay will be capped at 200 teams.

Q: Can I run the entire race as an individual?

A: Nope, but we have added a new Ultra division! Ultra teams consist of 2 runners and a designated driver (a.k.a. boredom fighter extraordinaire). We know it's not as challenging as that 100k you just crushed, but we promise it'll be a whole lot more fun. 

Q: Can I wear a crazy costume?

A: YEEESSSS!! The goal of the 1Day Relay is to have fun and enjoy a relaxed race atmosphere together. We encourage teams to wear costumes and decorate their cars around their team theme.

Q: Can a team have pacers riding bicycles next to the runners?

A: NOOOOOOOO!!

Q: Will the race happen rain or shine?

A: Yes, the race will go on rain or shine. Please monitor our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/1dayrelay) for the most up-to-date announcements regarding race conditions.

Q: Do you use chip timing?

A: We use "retro" timing. We record when your team starts and then we record when your team finishes. The difference is your time.

Q: Is the entire course paved?

A: The course consists of a variety of running surfaces including grass (just a little at the start and finish), asphalt, concrete, steel (on our incredibly scenic bridges) and other stuff. Your regular running shoes are perfect. This is not considered a trail run.

Q: I still have questions, who do I contact?

A: You can submit your question via our contact form.

Q: Can I transfer my registration or get a refund?

A: Absolutely no refunds will be permitted. You are able to change team members until two weeks before the race by contacting active.com customer service at 1-877-228-4881.