FAQ
Are you thinking of entering a team in the Vancouver Money Mart Easter Seals 24 Hour Relay? Here are some frequently asked questions that may help you decide!
The Easter Seals 24 Hour Relay for the kids is a major fundraiser of the BC Lions Society For Children with Disabilities. The Relay is an annual community based fundraising event that challenges teams of runners to run relay style for 24 hours in support of Easter Seals Camps throughout BC. There are three relays that take place in BC- Vancouver Island May 29-30, 2010, Okanagan June 14-15, 2010 and Vancouver June 19-20, 2010.
How it works is teams of 20 or more people fundraise in the months leading up to the event and then run relay style from 10 am Saturday until 10 am Sunday on Relay weekend. But there is a lot more going on than just running for 24 hours. On Saturday throughout the day there is live entertainment, children’s activities and performers, a volleyball and bocce tournament, vendors and more. Through the night and wee hours of the morning there are even more entertainers and other activities to partake in such as a late night poker tournament. Teams can set up a group campsite in Burnaby’s Central Park as a team base and celebrate with other teams that raised money to support the same cause – helping children with disabilities.
What is a Team Captain?
Are you enthusiastic about helping children with disabilities? Do you have boundless energy and a positive attitude? Do you have creative ideas for fundraising events and team themes? If you answered yes to any of the above, you have what it takes to be a Money Mart Easter Seals 24 Hour Relay for the Kids Team Captain.
Team Captains are the heart & soul of the 24 Hour Relay. Captains build the team by recruiting 20-40 members who are passionate about having fun while raising money for BC's children with disabilities and keeping them excited and educated in the months leading up to the event. As such, the Team Captains act as the liaisons between the Event Committee and their team to make sure that important information is always being communicated. In addition, Captains coordinate and delegate the team's fundraising effots through out the year and encourage their runners to meet personal goals.
As the 24 Hour Relay approaches, the Team Captain works with the team to plan their participation in activities throughout the weekend. Together with the runners, the Captain also arranges the camping site and comes up with a fun theme for the area. As the event is a long, it is also important that the Captain keeps the energy up and encourages runners when they need a little extra boost.
How many people do I need to enter a team?
We suggest that each team have a minimum of 18 people and a maximum of 35-40 people. Each team needs to have at least one person on the running route at all times. If you have fewer than 20 people, each runner will probably have to do 3 or more laps over the 24 hours depending on how fast they run or walk. If you have more than 40 people, team members might want to buddy up to ensure everyone gets to do a lap.
Do participants have to be 19 years old or older?
Participants under the age of 19 years are welcome to participate in the Money Mart Easter Seals 24 Hour Relay For The Kids; however, participants must submit a completed waiver signed by a legal parent or guardian. Teams of participants under the age of 19 years are allowed participate in the 24 Hour Relay if they have arranged appropriate adult supervision for the duration of the event as well as submit signed waivers. Adult supervision constitutes a parent and/or guardian, a teacher or group leader. There must be one adult for every 10 participants under the age of 19 years. The BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities and Easter Seals are not responsible for supervising participants under the age of 19 years.
How much does it cost to enter a team?
The registration fee is $250 to enter a team, but if you register before March 31, 2010 - the earlybird registration deadline - the fee is only $175!
What is the deadline for registration?
There is no deadline for registration, although we recommend registering sooner rather than later. That way you can take advantage of the fundraising resources we provide and you’ll receive important updates and information that will help you get your team ready for Relay weekend. The Relay Rev-up night is in March and the Team Captains Reception is in early May. It would be a good idea to register so you can attend these events.
How much money does our team have to raise?
We encourage all teams to raise a minimum $5000. If you have a team of 20 people, that’s only $250 each! If your team falls short of this goal, you are still welcome to participate Relay weekend to find out what it’s all about. All participants have access to our online pledging system which makes it easy to recruit pledges via email. Teams are also provided with pledge envelopes, posters and information brochures to help with fundraising. You will have access to the fundraising opportunities and support that the BC Lions Society offers teams.
What time does the event run?
The opening ceremonies begin at 9:30 am and the first lap starts at 10am on Saturday, June 19th. At 9:45am on Sunday, June 20th the stadium gates are closed and the final laps take place on the track inside Swangard Stadium. Teams are encouraged to dress up in costume for this final lap. The clock is stopped at 10am Sunday, June 20th and the closing ceremonies take place. Awards are presented, Easter Seals Campers say a few words, and the total amount raised is announced!
Do team members have to stay for the entire 24 hours?
No, but teams tend to have more fun when everyone stays for the full 24 hours. There is onsite entertainment, tons of activities, great food & beverage options and overnight camping in Burnaby’s Central Park so we hope that people do stay for the duration of the Relay. We also encourage participants to come out for the opening and closing ceremonies on the mainstage at the beginning and the end of the Relay.
Will there be a place for my team to sit together?
Every team is assigned a section of seats in the stadium stands. Teams can also request a camping spot in Burnaby’s Central Park in the area outside the stadium. You can stake your camping area starting Friday, June 18th at 8am. If you would like a camping spot, please let us know ahead of time. Camping spots are assigned before the Relay. For more information on camping at the Relay click here
How long is the running course?
The Relay route is about 4 km long and goes around and through Burnaby’s Central Park. Along the way there are 2 water stations to refresh runners and walkers. At night the route is well lit, busy and patrolled by security.
Do participants have to run the Relay route?
Participants can run or walk the 4km relay route. The terrain of the running route includes sidewalk, road and trails through Burnaby's Central Park.
Is there parking for Relay participants?
Each team can request one parking spot. For this spot there are no in and out privileges. The parking lot at the Telus building at the corner of Kingsway and Boundary is open to participants to park for free; otherwise, there’s nearby street parking. We do encourage participants to carpool and/or take Skytrain to the event to cut down on traffic congestion. For more information about parking at the Relay click here.
Are there food & beverage services?
The 24 Hour Food Fair will be located in the food and beverage area at the South end of the track. Many of the vendors will be open for 24 hours starting Saturday morning. There will be a variety of foods available. There will also be a Father’s Day Pancake Breakfast prepared by the Maillardville Lions Club where $5 will get you pancakes and sausages. The breakfast will be available from 6am-10am on Sunday morning. For more information about food and beverage services at the 2010 Relay click here.
Canadian Springs Water Company supplies water to the event for the full 24 hours. On the running route, there are 2 water stations for runners and walkers as they go by.
Inside the Swangard Stadium is the beer garden, which is open from noon until 2am on Saturday, June 19.
Will there be changing rooms and washrooms available?
There are changing rooms inside Swangard Stadium under the stands. They are open for the full 24 hours (unless they are being cleaned). There are washrooms and porta potties in other locations in and around the stadium and Central Park. There is also an outdoor swimming pool that Relay participants can access for free. There are showers and change rooms there as well.
What kind of entertainment is planned?
In addition to running, the Relay offers participants much, much more in the way of entertainment. Team members can partake in the onsite games and activities, register for the volleyball or bocce tournament, peruse the back concourse area, have a relaxing massage or just sit back and have a 'cold one' in the beer garden.
For participants with children, the Kids' Zone is the place to be. Volunteers organize this area and offer a wide range of activities including face painting, balloons and arts & crafts.
Open all night, the 24 Hour Food Fair offers a wide range of food options and hot coffee drinks to help keep participants fueled throughout the event. The Relay also offers participants the traditional Sunday morning Father's Day Pancake Breakfast. Regardless of what you're doing or where you are, the music and fun go on and on.
Traditionally, the final lap of the relay is the costume lap where teams dress up and circle the track; however, we encourage teams to dress up for the entire weekend. There is prize for the best team costume, as well as for best team spirit.
For more information about Entertainment at the 2010 Relay click here.
What happens if it rains?
It won’t rain ; )
If it does, the event goes on! The beer garden and the stadium stands are under cover. Coffee products will be available to help everyone stay warm. There are hot showers in the change rooms. We strongly encourage participants to check the weekend forecast and pack their clothes accordingly. A little rain won’t dampen the spirit of the Relay!