ForestCityRoadRaces

Frequently Asked Questions about the Forest City Road Races

What are the registration gifts?
Do participants in all events receive a shirt?
Which races receive medals?
Can I change my event?
Do I get my money back if I can't run?
Where do I pick up my race kit?
Can I get a friend to pick up my race kit for me?
What is the latest date I can register?
May I register on race day?
May I pick up my race kit/chip on race day?
Is there baggage service at the start/finish?
Where do I park at the start/finish?
What are the popular spectator spots?
Are there gels on course?
Are there port-o-potties on course?
Where is the start line for all races?
Where do I take my pledge dollars raised?
When are awards and prizing given out?
Are Walkers allowed in the events?
Do walkers get a timed result?
Can I push a baby stroller/jogger while I run/walk?
Can I wear headphones/earplugs?
Will I receive my prize/award after the event?
How do I wear my timing chip?
What is difference between Chip Time and Gun Time?
Is race parking available?

What are the registration gifts? The first 850 half marathoners to register will receive a Deluxe Forest City Road Races Sports Duffel with Water Bottle Holder. The first 600 10k runners to register will receive a Forest City Road Races Basic Sports Duffel ? The first 500 5K runners to register will receive a Forest City Road Races Basic Sports Duffel. The first 300 1K Fun Run runners to register will receive a Forest City Road Races String backpack.

Do participants in all events receive a shirt? No, see above.

Which races receive medals? Finishers in the Half Marathon, 10k, and 5K races will receive a medal. Finishers in the 1K Fun Run will receive a ribbon.

Can I change my event? Prior to April 15 please send an email to forestcityroadraces@tvcc.on.ca and let us know your name and registration number, the event you are currently registered for and the event you would like to change to. If you are changing to an event with a lesser entry fee, there will be NO REFUND of the difference. If you are changing to an event with a larger entry fee, you will be charged the difference, plus an additional processing fee.

Do I get my money back if I can't run? There are no refunds and entries are non transferable.

Where do I pick up my race kit? At the Registration Tent and Mini-Expo in Victoria Park, downtown London, on Saturday May 1, 2010, between 10am and 5pm.

Can I get a friend to pick up my race kit for me? Yes. Please bring a signed note and or the confirmation number of the registration from the person you are picking up for.

What is the latest date I can register? Mailed in entries must be RECEIVED at the Thames Valley Children’s Centre Community Relations office by April 29 at NOON. On-line registration closes at 6pm on April 29. On site registration at the Registration Tent and Mini Expo on Saturday, May 1 ends at 5pm for all races. There is NO registration for the half marathon, 10k and 5K on race day.

May I register on race day? The ONLY registrations accepted on race day will be for the 1K Fun Run, and these must be completed no later than 9:15am in Victoria Park at the registration tent.

May I pick up my race kit/chip on race day? Yes, but you must pick them up no later than 30 minutes before your race start time. We discourage this practice, and urge runners to pick up race kits/chips at the Registration Tent and Mini-Expo on Saturday May 1 to avoid possible delays on race morning.

Is there baggage service at the start/finish? Yes, for all races except the 1K Fun Run. Baggage checkin/recovery will be at the Band Shell in Victoria Park.

Where do I park at the start/finish? Parking is available in several surface lots around downtown, as well as in multi-level garages downtown. In addition, there is on-street parking on certain streets not affected by the race (no parking on the streets bordering Victoria Park: Central, Wellington, Dufferin, Clarence). Fees vary by parking vendor.

What are the popular spectator spots? The start/finish in Victoria Park is the most popular, but other sites include Gibbons Park, along Wharncliffe Road, and in the neighborhoods north of Victoria Park.

Are there gels on course? No gels are provided, as most runners who use them have their preferred brand and flavour.

Are there port-o-potties on course? Yes, every 5K approximately.

Where is the start line for all races? All races start at Victoria Park in downtown London. The Half Marathon and 1K Fun Runs start on Dufferine Avenue, while the 10k and 5k start on Wellington Street.

Where do I take my pledge dollars raised? Donations collected for Thames Valley Children’s Centre can be taken to the Registration Tent and Mini-Expo on Saturday, or the start/finish line on Sunday. TVCC will have staff present to accept your pledges. You can also forward your pledge money directly to Thames Valley Children’s Centre.

When are awards and prizing given out? Where? Awards for the half-marathon, 10k, and 5k will be given out in Victoria Park shortly after the conclusion of the various races. Look for times to be announced on the website soon. No awards or prizes will be given for the 1K Fun Run, but all finishers will receive a ribbon.

Are Walkers allowed in the events? Yes, we allow walkers in all our events, but we do not provide prizes for walkers. Please note that there is a 3 hour finish time for the half marathon. If you are walking that event and cannot finish in three hours you may be asked to move onto the sidewalk to finish, and you may not get an official chip time.

Do walkers get a timed result? Yes. All participants (excluding the 1K) get a timed result. The half marathon is timed with a chip time start/finish, while the 10k and 5k have a gun-time start time.

Can I push a baby stroller/jogger while I run/walk? Yes, BUT…please be considerate of other runners by starting at the rear of the pack, and by NOT walking/running two or more abreast.

Can I wear headphones/earplugs? We STRONGLY encourage you NOT to wear headphones or earplugs while running in our race. You will be sharing the road and paths with many other runners, as well as cars in some areas, and you should be able to hear what is going on around you. In addition, there are some parts of the course where you may need to hear instructions from marshals, which will be impeded by your headphones/earplugs. For your safety and the safety of others, we encourage you to not wear such devices.

Will I receive my prize/award after the event? Yes, all prizing must be picked up on the day of the event. There is no prizing in the Walking events.

How do I wear my timing chip? A short plastic zip strip (like a twist tie) to be attached to your shoe will be included in your runners kit. Only participants wearing a ChampionChip will be timed. The reading distance of the ChampionChip System is limited. The antennas are embedded in the red mats on the road. Therefore the chips should be located as close to the mats as possible on the shoe of the participant. Using the strip to attach the chip to the bottom portion of your shoelaces makes it easier for the finish line crew to remove them. If you tie it into your laces you will have to untie your shoe when you finish. It is also important to put the long end of the chip pointing toward your toe. Bear in mind: no chip, no time.

What is difference between Chip Time and Gun Time? Gun Time: The time from the sound of the starters signal to the time when the runner crosses the finish line. Also known as the Official Time. All award categories are prized by Gun Time.Real Time, Chip Time: The time from when the runner crosses the starting mats at the start line, to the time elapsed when the runner crosses the finishing mats. Prizing is not based on Chip Time.

Is Race parking available? Saturday:Runners can park in the London Life lot at Clarence and Queens for a discount rate of $2 to come pick up the race kits or register. Centennial Hall lot is also open for a cost of $5 (standard rate).Sunday: Runners/volunteers can park in the London Life lot at Clarence and Queens for a discount of $2. There are other lots and on-street parking (free on Sunday) around downtown as well.