Find Your Limit Virtual Mile Challenge

This competition involves components of measurement (distance and time) and comparison. Since this is a virtual event that we're all doing "together," we've got some technology requirements to ensure the fairest event. We think we've answered most of the questions you might have about the event details below, but if not: shoot us a note using the 'Questions?' button on the main event page.

Before Race Day

• Register for this event
• Measure out your own 1-mile course (unless you're running on a treadmill, of course!). Pro-tip: having more than one course will be key to your sanity on race day. Have 4-5 options or more will help keep things fresh. Multiple routes aren't required, but you might enjoy a change of scenery! It will be best for you to ensure that the start/finish of all your routes is at your house (no need to worry about extra mileage to return to your Zoom meeting).
• You must have the Zoom app on your phone or computer.
• You must have a Strava account and log each mile on your account as a separate activity
• You must join the Find Your Limit Virtual Mile Challenge Strava group
• If you're planning to run outdoors, a GPS device is recommended. Test your integration between your GPS device's software (eg., Garmin Connect) and your Strava account beforehand to ensure that your data flows seamlessly. We recommend temporarily changing your privacy settings for Activities to be viewable by everyone so organizers can verify your runs. You don't want to worry about this on race day.
• If you are on a treadmill: you will need to log your miles manually. Be sure ahead of time that you have an easy setup to get this accomplished before your next mile begins. Also, your camera setup must show you the entire time. We need to see you running since you'll be logging manually.
• Prepare your technology
  • Charge your GPS device (watch/phone)
  • Make sure the device you're planning to use for the Zoom call (computer/iPad/phone) is both charged and has the ability to be plugged in. Some of you are going to be running a LONG time!
  • Prepare your camera setup (power cords/cables, test your camera setup where you'll have it located, etc). We recommend keeping your camera recording device indoors (showing your front door, garage door, etc is good but not required). See below for examples of potential camera placement. Having an outdoor setup is not recommended, as weather or thieves could both have your equipment damaged/stolen and you no longer have a way to check-in at the event. The Find Your Limit Virtual Mile Challenge is not responsible for any equipment lost/stolen/damaged due to owner neglect.
  • 
• Prepare for your run(s)
  • Plan your nutrition/water needs for the day and have everything easily accessible. The Find Your Limit Virtual Mile Challenge will not be offering nutrition/hydration advice. There are plenty of fantastic ultra-running resources out in the world, those folks are the experts. We'd probably just recommend eating pizza rolls and drinking root beer. 
  • Plan for changes of clothing and shoes and have everything ready to go when you may need it
  • Have easy access to a restroom. A bathroom at every mile?!? Most physical races don't have that frequency. Yours should!
• Join the organizers the night before for a pre-race Q&A (and technical check) Zoom meeting. We will provide this meeting invitation via email on Monday of race week. This is for participants only.
  • Ask questions
  • Make sure your tech works
  • Change your Zoom screen name to be [first name][last name][bib#] - virtual bib numbers will be provided during race week. Click on the three dots on the top right of your picture and then 'Rename' as shown below.
  • 

Race Day

• Double-check your technology setup and your nutrition/water/clothing/shoes/bathroom setup as discussed above
• Log in to the Zoom meeting at least 15 minutes prior to the 6a EDT event start time. This will enable organizers to check you in, you can fine-tune your camera setup, and you’ll get all the pre-race instructions from race staff. 
• Please note: you will be muted on entry to the Zoom meeting. If you have questions for the event staff, please use the chat feature in Zoom and we can temporarily unmute you. Once the number of competitors has been significantly reduced, we will allow participants to mute/unmute at their discretion.
• There will be a repeating 15-minute countdown clock visible and pinned on the Zoom chat, this is the official race clock!
• We begin the race at 6a EDT on the nose. You’ll head out for your first mile (or begin on the treadmill if that’s your thing), returning back to your stationary camera setup at the completion of your mile.
• You must start each mile no more than 60 seconds beyond the start of the 15-minute period based on the official race clock (will be visible on the Zoom meeting)
• Run your mile!
• You must check-in at the completion of each mile using the Zoom chat function in the following format: "[lap time]" Example, typing "9:45" - we'll get your name and bib# from your Zoom name.
• We know that technology sometimes has glitches. If you experience one, know that you can miss up to ONE check-in, but your run must still be logged in Strava with the appropriate start time. Two missed time check-ins for any reason will result in disqualification.
• If you drop out and/or do not complete a one-mile segment, please confirm with race staff in the Zoom chat so we know you are done and can remove you from the list of active participants being monitored
• Wait for the next start time to begin your next mile. Each mile will start when the clock hits 0:00

FAQ

• Do I have to be on camera when each mile begins? The short answer is "no, unless you're on a treadmill". If you're running outdoors, you can leave the camera view a few seconds early to head outside to begin your run on time. As a reminder, be sure to start your run not later than 60-seconds beyond the start time for each mile (ie, if you know you can run a 5-min mile, you can't wait until there is 6 minutes to go to allow yourself additional recovery time). Failure to do so can result in disqualification.
• Do I have to carry the Zoom meeting with me on my run? NO! You do have to check-in each mile in the Zoom meeting chat, but we DO NOT recommend taking the meeting with you on your phone while you run. Your battery will be crushed, you'll eat a ton of data, and we don't want to watch you sweat or listen to you breathe. Set up your Zoom meeting at your kitchen table, coffee table, etc., and have it plugged in and ready at all times.
• Do I have to keep my video on while I'm out running? No! You can, but don't have to. Feel free to disable video until you return. If you're running outdoors, we technically don't even need to "see" you at all. Just check-in via chat and you're good to go.
• Is it okay if I started a few seconds early/late? Mostly, yes. It's preferred that you don't start each mile sooner than the clock hitting 'zero'. A few seconds early is okay. Minutes early is not. A few seconds late is okay. More than 60 seconds late... see above. You're an adult, you know what we're saying here. Don't cheat the system, be a fair competitor, play nice, and have fun. Thanks!
• Is it okay if my GPS device records 0.99 miles or 1.01 miles instead of 1.00 on the nose? Mostly, yes. Over is ALWAYS fine (feel free to run for 'no credit extra credit'). If you're recording just under repeatedly, you should probably just run a little further. Most GPS devices can be set up to beep/vibrate when you hit each mile. Run until you get past that sensation, and you should be good. If we feel like you're trying to game the system by running short, that will be grounds for disqualification. Warnings will be issued via private chat. 
• Can I just go out and run 3 miles at once and come back and report them as 3 individual miles? That's a hard "no," super chief. Each mile must be completed individually, and you must check-in/rest until the next mile begins as shown on the countdown clock.
• We have two (or more) in our household participating, do we need a Zoom profile for each participant? No. If you have multiple people participating together (ie, family members, or friends that are practicing proper social distancing per your area's guidelines), one Zoom meeting is fine. Please let race staff know when you first check-in to be aware that multiple bibs will be coming from one chat.

Tips for a smooth race experience

• Use any remaining clock time to stretch or walk
• Set your desired food and beverage out so that you can make sure you get proper nutrition throughout the event
• If you enjoy running with music, decide on a playlist ahead of time and have it loaded to the device of your choice (and charge those devices ahead of time!)
• Give yourself a reward for big milestones. Make it to a half marathon? Grab that favorite small snack to get you through the next lap. Have fun with the event!
• Decide on a pace plan ahead of time. It can be very easy to get caught up since it’s only one mile each time.

How do I win?

• Start a mile every 15 minutes as instructed.
• Complete said mile within the appropriate time frame.
• Repeat x 61 (or less if you're the last person 'standing'). Why 61? The event time frame is 15 hours. That's 60 one-mile repeats, and we added one for good measure because if you can run 60 miles, surely another won't hurt.
• All finishers of the full 61 miles will receive a $20 gift card to Columbus Running Company. 
• From those individuals who reach the 61-mile limit, the male and female winner will each be awarded a top finisher prize ($61 CRC gift card) based on who spent the least amount of time running over all miles (yes, we're keeping track)

How does my race end?

• If you do not finish your mile by the time the 15-minute countdown clock resets, your race has ended
• If you do not start more than one mile within 60-seconds, you will be informed by staff that your race has ended
• If you miss two check-ins (tech happens, we get it), you will be informed by staff that your race has ended
• If, after warning(s), staff has determined that you are continuing to try and "game the system", you will be informed that your race has ended

Timeline (remember, all times are EDT - plan accordingly)

• Friday, April 9 - 6:30 PM EDT - 7:00 PM EDT - Virtual meeting via Zoom if you want to test your connection and setup, or have any questions for the organizer. Details will be provided via email during race week.
• Saturday, April 10 - 5:15 AM EDT - Runners can log in to the race day Zoom meeting. Details will be provided via email during race week.
• Saturday, April 10 - 5:45 AM EDT - Pre-race meeting
• Saturday, April 10 - 6:00 AM EDT - The first mile "race" begins