You MUST post a photo on Facebook or email a photo of your results to receive your medal. If you do NOT provide photo results by the end of the race period, you do not receive a medal and you forfeit the registration fee – just like in a road race, if you don’t show or don’t finish, no medal and no refund.

 

FACEBOOK is the main way we communicate with our racers. Please "like" our Facebook page to stay updated. Thank you.

FAQ's (...or everything you ever wanted to know - and a few things you didn't even think to ask! - about our virtual races)

 

1. What is a virtual race?

2. How do I sign up?

3. What is the deadline to sign up?

4. Where can I find updates, such as when medals are shipped, or the next race is open?

5. When will I get my medal?

6. Where are results posted?

7. Do I have to race BEFORE I register?

8. Do I have to RUN the whole thing? What if I can't run the whole distance all at once? Or, what if I want to run more?

9. Can I use a race I'm already scheduled to run for the virtual run?

10. Can I use other exercise or sports to count such as bike, spin, swim, Stairmaster, rower, or the elliptical?

11. Do I even have to race at all? Can't I just buy a medal?

12. Can kids complete a shorter distance to earn a medal?

13. Can I run with my dog?

14. Will my run qualify me for the Boston Marathon, Half Fanatics, Marathon Maniacs, or the 50 States Half Marathon Club?

15. Is my virtual run registration tax deductible?

16. What is the refund, return, exchange policy?

 

1) What is a virtual race?

A virtual race is one that can be run or walked anywhere, at any time, indoors or out, in your neighborhood, with friends, on a treadmill, or during a scheduled race. Just register and complete the distance within the time frame. Help dachshunds in need and get a unique, LIMITED EDITION, dachshund-themed medal for your accomplishments! 

 

2) How do I sign up?

1. Click HERE to register or go to the Online Store button at the top of this page to be redirected to a secured shopping cart page where you can register using PayPal.

2. "Like" our Facebook page to stay updated, to post your photo results, and to cheer each other on. If you do not have a Facebook account you may email your photo results to doxierunners@gmail.com.

3. Run or walk a at least a 5k (3.1 miles). (See Q14 below if you want to bike, swim, or do other exercise). 

4. Take a photo at the end of your race - of you, your dog(s), your fitness tracker, phone app, Garmin, or treadmill screen - announcing you've completed the race and post it to the Facebook page.

5. Medals are sent when you post you completed the race. Check the Facebook page for updates.

 

3) What is the deadline to sign up?

We post on Facebook the deadlines to pre-register for individual races. Please follow us on Facebook to find out when race pre-registration is to reserve your medal for the next race.

 

4) Where can I find updates, such as when medals are shipped, or the next race is open?

We communicate with our racers via Facebook. Please "like" and "follow" the Doxie Runners page on Facebook to stay updated. Also add "DoxieRunners@PB07.WixShoutOut.com" to your 'safe' list so you receive all our emails. 
 

5) When will I get my medal?
After we have received medals, we send them when you have posted/emailed your photo race results. Race pre-registration runs for about 2 weeks, we place the order with the medal company, and then it generally takes 6-8 weeks for us to receive the medals.

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If you received a USPS/PayPal email that your medal was sent, use the tracking number from the email to see where your medal is in the shipping process. We use USPS first-class mail which is usually delivered in 2-5 business days, but that is not a guarantee. If after one month you have not received it, we will send a replacement medal. If we have no replacement medals left for that race, you have the choice of a refund or free registration into the next race. Please understand this is a volunteer one-person operation and we will do the best we can to fulfill everyone's registrations.

 

Once the race has ended if you have NOT posted or sent results you forfeit the medal and the registration fee (profits will still be donated to rescue). Just like with a road race - if you do not show or do not finish, you do not get a medal or a refund.

 

6) Where are results posted?

Results are self-reported on Facebook, and a photo of some sort MUST be included. You may also email a photo to doxierunners@gmail.com. Post a photo after your race is completed - of your Garmin, fitness tracker, treadmill screen, screen shot of your running app, a photo of just you post-race, screen shot of race results, you and your dog(s), or just your dog(s) - or a collage of several of these types of photos.

 

7) Do I have to race BEFORE I register?

No. Please register first to reserve your medal(s), then race on your own time once the race period begins.

 

8) Do I have to RUN the whole thing? What if I can't run the whole distance all at once? Or, what if I want to run more?

You can run or walk, or run/walk the distance you choose. If you are new to running there is a wonderful program called "Couch to 5k" that can help you get up and walking or running your first 5k in as little as 9 weeks! If you want to train for a longer distance, check local running stores for local run groups to join. We recommend Galloway Training which is a run/walk/run method. See Question 14 if you are interested in other sports such as biking or swimming.

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You must complete a minimum 5k (3.1 miles), but you can complete the run in stages (say, 1 mile per day), or all at once. Beginners may take several days to complete a 5k, while ultra runners might complete 50 miles in one day. If you want to run more - go for it!

 

9) Can I use a race I'm already scheduled to run for the virtual run?

YES! If you are running a scheduled race and want to earn a Doxie Runners medal for that race as well, you are welcome to do so! 

 

10) Can I use other exercise or sports to count such as bike, spin, swim, Stairmaster, rower, or the elliptical?

Yes, with some adjustments. If you love to bike or swim you can use that. BUT bike and swim miles are not the same as miles on your feet walking or running.

 

*BICYCLE/SPINNING: Use a ratio of 4:1 for biking, that is, 4 miles of biking=1 mile of running. On your bike: 5k (3.1 miles) run=12.4 miles bike; 10k (6.2 miles) run=24.8 mile bike; 1/2 marathon (13.1 mile run)=52.4 mile bike. If your spinning bike measures miles, use the same equation as biking. Otherwise, 15 minutes spinning at moderate to hard intensity equals 1 mile running. Spin 46-1/2 minutes for a 5k. 10k= spin 1 hour, 33 min., 1/2 marathon= spin 3 hours, 16 min.
*SWIMMING: Swimming is the opposite ratio: 1:4, that is, 1 mile of swimming=4 miles on your feet. To swim the equivalent of a 5k, swim just over 3/4 mile. 10k=1.55 miles swim, and 1/2 marathon=just over 3.25 miles swim.
ROWING: 500M rowing=400M (1/4 mile) on your feet. Thus, row 6,200M for a 5k, 12,400M for a 10k, and 26,200M for a 1/2 marathon. *ELLIPTICAL: The elliptical is a 1:1 ratio so you can use that as is.
*STAIRMASTER/CARDIO: For the Stairmaster, 15 minutes is about one mile. Step 46-1/2 minutes for a 5k. Step 1 hour, 33 minutes for a 10k, and 3 hours, 16 minutes for a 1/2 marathon. For any other kind of intense cardio, use the same equation as spinning or Stairmaster: 15 minutes of moderate to hard intensity=1 mile.

Have an exercise you love that is not listed here? Contact us! We will figure out an equivalent!

 

11) Do I even have to race at all? Can't I just buy a medal? 
This is a race - so we do want you to complete some kind of activity. Walking and running are the primary ways to earn a medal, but please see Q10 above for alternate exercises.
 

12) Can kids complete a shorter distance to earn a medal?
YES! Kids love the doxie-themed medals! Children 12 and under may complete a 1 mile walk or run, or they may bike 5k (3.1 miles) to earn their medals. Races can be completed cumulatively over several days too. Always supervise and/or accompany your children when they complete their race, and consult your child's pediatrician before starting your child on any kind of exercise regimen to know what is appropriate for your child.
 

13) Can I run with my dog?

Sure! But please take your dog's safety and health into account. Not all dogs can handle running distance, and they must train for it, just as we do. Consult your veterinarian before starting any kind of intense exercise program with your dog.

 

14) Will my run qualify me for the Boston Marathon, Half Fanatics, Marathon Maniacs, or the 50 States Half Marathon Club?

No. Qualifying for the Boston Marathon has very specific criteria, as do the Half Fanatics, Marathon Maniacs, and 50 States Half Marathon Club. Please click the links to view the requirements for each of these groups.

 

15) Is my virtual run registration tax deductible?

Fees for race entry are not tax deductible. Doxie Runners itself is NOT a charitable organization. We are long-time volunteers and a foster family for dachshund rescue who want to raise money to help doxies in a fun and creative way. Once all race costs (medals and shipping, merchant fees, and postage, mostly) are covered, 100% of PROFITS will be donated to non-profit dachshund rescues. Doxie Runners gets ZERO profit from these races.

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16) What is the refund, return, exchange policy?

No refunds, returns, or exchanges. Our main goal is to raise funds to help doxies in need. If you decide you don't want to participate after you register, or you registered for 2 medals and change your mind that you only want one, or you decide your medal is not what you expected and you do not want it, or if you register but do not post or email your results within the race period, we are sorry - there are NO REFUNDS, NO RETURNS, NO EXCHANGES.

Note: if you decide at any time you do not want your medals, there a grassroots volunteer organization called We Finish Together accepts donated medals to give to people facing challenges such as serious illness. They ask when donating medals to please attach a card to each medal with an inspirational quote and ‪#‎wefinishtogether‬ on it. Send medals to 1000 Corporate Drive, Suite 600, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33334 or contact Kimberlystemple@gmail.com or Blakebstar2@gmail.com with questions. Read more about the organization here: The Power of A Race Medal - Runner's World. *Please note: Doxie Runners is not affiliated in any way with We Finish Together.

You may also find a local children's hospital that will take your unwanted medals to give to children coping with serious illness.

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