Team tips & bonus opportunities

There are several ways that you can give yourself an edge in the Great Neighbourhood Race. Here are a few.

The 'Diamonds in the Rough' show off their custom t-shirts at last year's race.

Team Name & Race Outfit

Get creative! Remember, this year’s theme is all about heroes. Pick a name that’s fun and captures the essence of your group. Past team names include: the Banking Bandits, Speed Freaks, Hug It Out, and the Fab Four. Once you’ve created your name, think about your look! You can create your own race T-shirts, ensemble – even a full costume, if you like! Be unique, but we kindly request that you keep it tasteful. There’s a Team Spirit prize up for grabs!

Play Online, Get Ahead

Thanks to Refresh Partners, United Way’s Great Neighbourhood Race will be available to Facebook users for a pre-race competition. Sign your team up, answer the weekly quizzes, collect fans and win a chance to have a huge advantage over other teams.

Here's how it works:

Register for the Great Neighbourhood Race.
Login to Facebook and search for "Great Neighbourhood Race" in applications (or use this direct link). Click on the blue button to add the application to your Facebook account.
Find your team's name in the list. PLEASE NOTE: The system requires one full business day before your team will be listed in the application — the process is *not* instant.
Encourage your friends to support you. Send them an invite to the application, ask them to find your team name in the list and sign on as a "Supporter".
Each week for three weeks, there will be a set of quizzes about the race, United Way and Toronto. Answer them correctly and earn points! If your online supporters also answer the questions correctly, your chances of winning increase!

The team with the most points will win an advantage in The Great Neighbourhood Race on game day. There's also a game-day advantage for the team that collects the most "Supporters" online — so get busy! In the case of a tie, more than one team will receive a game-day advantage.

(Full rules and regulations - pdf, 19 KB)

Get Your Pledge On

A big part of what makes Great Neighbourhood Race a success (and you a local hero!) is that this race raises funds for United Way’s community service agencies. Fundraising has never been easier thanks to our customizable e-mail system that allows you to ask friends, colleagues and family to support you. New this year: Our exclusive Great Neighbourhood Race Pledge application for Facebook by Refresh Partners! Download it and add it to your profile – everyone that checks out your page will see an easy way to sponsor you in the race!

Spring Training

Flex your muscles, hit the streets of Toronto and explore new neighbourhoods. Getting to know the downtown core inside and out will help prepare your team for success - and don’t forget, brush up on your United Way knowledge too!

Some sample questions from previous races have included (answers toward bottom of the page):

This man, the 42nd president of the United States celebrates his birthday today (August 19th). Subtract from his age Sundin’s uniform number, then add the address of your final destination and subtract 40. Find this checkpoint on Queen Street.
Fifth sign of the zodiac. Get your picture taken with any of those available but be sure to find them in that part of the city that caters primarily to the largest immigrant population in Toronto.
Through mentoring, social and recreational activities, employment training, and leadership development, how many youth does United Way help each year? 225,000 / 525,000 / 325,000. (may need updating)
There is a very good chance that you will be star-struck at this coffee shop. Around the corner from Isadore’s hotel empire is your chance to be a part of Hollywood North. You must pick a song from the list, and sing for us – not the four of you, but five. Find a stranger to participate.
Do, Re, Me. NA-ME-RES. Head to this United Way Agency on Vaughan Street and find the mural that has been in the community for 250 years. How many people are in it?

Game Day Aids

Even heroes need a little help from time to time. Cell phones, blackberries and other hand held electronic devices are often helpful when solving clues and completing various tasks in the race. Paper, pens and general information about United Way and the City of Toronto are strongly recommended, as are comfortable shoes, sunscreen and water!! Be sure to bring a digital camera or a cell phone with photo capabilities – not only will you be able to capture the fun but it might even come in handy on race day.

Answers to the sample questions:

Answer: 58 – 13 + 294 - 40 = 299 Queen Street West (CityTV).
Answer: Any lion in Chinatown.
Answer: 325,000.
Answer: Starbucks on Yorkville Avenue
Answer: 25 Vaughan Street: 7