FAQ
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What is the Run for IVU Virtual Challenge?
The 2023 Run for IVU is a team-based virtual challenge in support of International Volunteers in Urology (IVUmed). Join one of 15 teams to help raise money for IVU programming and complete a 15 mile individual distance goal in 15 days (per team member). The challenge takes place from June 15-30, 2023. Participants can run, walk, hike, or bike to meet their personal distance goals. Participants also compete in a team fundraising challenge to support IVU.
The registration fee is $35 per participant.
What is IVU?
International Volunteers in Urology (IVUmed) is committed to making quality urological care available to people worldwide. In fulfilling this mission, IVUmed provides medical and surgical education to physicians and nurses and treatment to thousands of children and adults. For over 25 years, IVUmed has been sending highly-skilled surgical teams to train doctors and nurses in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. We work with our host colleagues to increase local access to quality urologic care. Our teams begin by demonstrating and teaching surgical techniques while treating patients in need. Then, as the local physicians gain experience and expertise, they begin serving patients directly and teaching the techniques to their peers. IVUmed volunteers return often, over a number of years, teaching increasingly more advanced procedures as the local physicians’ skills mature. The cycle continues until each host country has a pool of skilled talent with the ability to care for most patients on their own.
For more information about IVU programming visit www.ivumed.org
How can I donate to IVU?
Donate online at the race website: Donate to IVU
Donations may also be mailed to IVUMED, 3112 Windsor Road, #532 Austin, Texas 78703
We are registered as IVUMED, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
All funds raised will support general operations and programming for IVUmed. Only the top fundraising team’s Program Site will receive a bonus prize to be determined based on need.
What is a Virtual Challenge?
Virtual races allow you to join the fun without the crowds. You simply run or walk the distance on your own, and report your results – remember, we’ll send you instructions. Plus, you will still get a shirt and be able to share photographs of your run with the community. It is the perfect type of charity race for a pandemic world. Since the IVU community is all over the world, it is a way to bring us all together in support of one cause.
Team members will have 15 days to complete a 15 mile virtual challenge. This virtual challenge can be done from any location you choose! You can run, jog, hike, bike, or walk on the road, on the trail, on the treadmill, at the gym, or on the track. You get to run your own race, at your own pace, on your own time. Participants will be able to submit their mileage and time results virtually on their profile page by either manually uploading the results or by uploading a GPS activity file from Strava or Garmin Connect.
When is it?
The challenge will take place over a 15 day period from Thursday June 15 – Friday June 30, 2023 at Midnight (America/Central Time). Participants will receive instructions by email on how to submit their virtual results during the challenge period.
Where is the Race?
This virtual challenge can be done from any location you choose! You can run, jog, or walk on the road, on the trail, on the treadmill, at the gym, or on the track. You get to run your own race, at your own pace, on your own time. Participants will be able to submit their mileage and time results virtually on their profile page by either manually uploading the results or by uploading a GPS activity file from Strava or Garmin Connect. Because this is a virtual challenge, teams do not need to be geographically located in the same location!
How much is the registration fee?
The registration fee is $35 per participant. Included in the registration fee is some pretty cool IVU race swag, including a race T-shirt and IVU vinyl stickers! Registration fees do not count as donations.
Do I have to join a team?
Participants must join one of the 15 competing teams (each team represents one of IVUmed’s program sites). Each team will have a Team Captain and up to 15 team members total. Team members can be geographically distant from each other and do not necessarily need to know each other. Join a team, meet new people, have fun!!
To reach the individual physical challenge goal, each team member needs to average one mile per day.
Do I have to become a fundraiser?
As part of this challenge, we create a fundraising page for each participant/team and challenge them to give or solicit donations for the 15 miles they will run or walk during the challenge week. Each team will have 15 days to complete a $7,500 fundraising challenge. A fifteen person team should average $500 per team member to meet the challenge goal. Teams can solicit donations in a variety of ways. Team members can make personal donations, ask friends and family to donate, or have people sponsor them per mile of activity completed. Reach out to tell people about IVUmed and be creative!
How do I set up my personal/team fundraising page?
Once you have registered for an event you will be able to login to your profile page at the RunSignup race website. You will see your Upcoming Events, your Fundraisers and any groups you are affiliated with. You can personalize it with photos and stories to help inspire your family and friends to donate toward you fundraising goal. We have included a default description of IVU's mission and a fundraising goal. All of which you can personalize. Team Captains will be responsible for their team pages.
How do I share my personal/team fundraiser?
You can find the link for your fundraiser on your profile under My Fundraisers.
Will there be prizes?
All participants that successfully complete the individual physical challenge, and whose team completes the fundraising challenge will receive special recognition and a completion prize. There will also be prizes for top fundraisers, distance and special bonus prize for the winning team's associated program site. Check the Prize page for more information!
What do I have to do to be eligible for prizes?
To be eligible for prizes a participant must be registered for an event, and be a member of a team that completes the fundraising goal of $7500 in donations collectively or $500 individually. The deadline for eligible donations is July 4, 2023 at Midnight (America/Central Time). The completion of 15 miles is only required for distance prizes and challenge completion awards.
Sponsor the Run for IVU
We are the only global surgical group focused exclusively on urology. Sponsorship of the 2023 Run For IVU is a great way to associate your company or practice with an international community that supports urological needs in low resource areas globally. Our network can connect you with thousands of people in the urology field. Event sponsorship offers exposure through its websites, social media, race t-shirts, race prizes, gift boxes, and other programs. Opportunities available: Presenting Sponsor, Race Sponsors, Prize Underwriters, Gift Box Underwriters. Contact Us for more information
