Check out the Great Neighbourhood Race event details on Facebook.
Get the Great Neighbourhood Race Facebook application.
Race info
Registration
The first step in joining us for The Great Neighbourhood Race is to register a team of four online and select a Team Captain. If you don’t have a full team, you can still create one and use our registration system to send out invites to friends to join you.
To become an official team, each of the four team members must raise a minimum of $50 in pledges for a combined team total of $200. Our simple online system lets you spread the word about the race and collect pledges instantly and easily. We’ve even created a great Facebook application with our partner Refresh Partners that will help you promote yourself when you’re online! Once you’ve reached $200 in team pledges, don’t stop there! Not only is there a prize for the best fundraisers, but we’ll be giving teams that raise $500 by July 7th a special fast-forward in the game that will give them a fantastic advantage (and that much closer to winning our grand prize!).
What to Bring
Each member or the team should come to the Great Neighbourhood Race with:
- Comfortable closed-toe shoes
- Their health card (in case of emergency)
- Water
- Sunscreen or any other sun protection
- Money (in case you need a snack during the day or to spend at the after-party)
At least one member of the team should have:
- A cell phone, preferably one that is data or web-enabled
- A digital camera (or a cell phone with a built-in camera)
- A map or good knowledge of the city
Start Line
All official teams must sign-in at Berczy Park, across from United Way Toronto’s offices at 26 Wellington Street East (one block east of Yonge St.) between 10:30 am -11:30 am. The warm-up begins at 11:30 am and the race starts at 12 noon sharp!! All four members of your team need to be present in order for you to participate!
Warm-Up
At 11:30 am all teams will be led in a group stretch to prepare for the race.
Team Package
All teams will be given a team package that includes a race book on race day. More details regarding the contents of the package will be announced closer to race day.
Transportation
Allowable methods of transportation include walking, running and riding the rocket (TTC passes provided). Teams are not allowed to use other methods of transportation such as skateboards, roller-blades, bicycles, rickshaws, or any form of motorized transportation other than the TTC (e.g. scooters, cars, motorcycles, taxis). If caught using alternate forms of transportation, your team will immediately be disqualified. *Any other allowable forms of transportation required for completing the race will be indicated at the checkpoints.
Checkpoints
Teams will have to solve clues that will lead them to a series of checkpoints. Once your team has its race book stamped to indicate it has completed all checkpoints, it should head to the finish line. It is up to your team to create a strategy to cross the finish line first. Some tasks will be easy, others more challenging! Checkpoints may include United Way agencies, public establishments, landmarks, and/or businesses.
Race Book
Each team must have their race book stamped at each checkpoint and all four members have to be present to get a stamp.
Finish Line
All clues lead to the Official Great Neighbourhood After Party. (Make sure that all team members have their ticket to the after party - found in your team package.) The team who arrives first with all four members present, a completed race book in hand and has complied with the rules will be declared the winners … but there are 2nd and 3rd place prizes too! Even if your team has NOT completed each checkpoint by 4:00 pm, please head to the After Party … you can still win some great stuff! The awards ceremony starts at 5:00 pm.
After-Party
Revival (783 College Street - see map) is our official after-party location and the scene for all the great prize distribution. Racers who cross the finish line and can immediately relax and enjoy what Revival has to offer. Those who haven't completed the race by 4:00pm are asked to Fast-Forward to this location. Friends and family members of race participants are welcome to join us for a mere $5 at the door starting at 4:00pm.
Safety
Each racer must abide by all traffic regulations and other laws during the race. Failure to do so will result in disqualification from the race. In order to register, you must also agree to our waiver and rules and regulations.
Food and Beverage
There will be no food or beverage stations set up for the race. Racers are free to stop for food and/or beverages throughout the course of the race (at the racer’s expense), however we encourage you to bring your own snacks and beverages to avoid unnecessary pit stops.
Pledges
Only pledges completed online by 5pm EST on July 18, 2008 will be credited to a team and used for the purposes of determining the order of the top pledging teams. All pledges are non-refundable.
Sponsors can only pledge individuals, not a whole team. If you would like to sponsor a team, you must choose one person on that team to sponsor, or make four separate sponsorships to the individuals on the team. Remember that each team member must collect at least $50 in sponsorships, so you may wish to sponsor a team member who has fewer pledges.
Pledges will only be collected online using credit card donations. Please do not bring cash or cheques to the event.