About the Race About the Walk General Info COVID Precautions 2021 Sponsors and Teams Be A Sponsor Questions?
The Arc of Northern Virginia Corporate & Community Team Challenge
The Arc of Northern Virginia’s Corporate and Community Team Challenge brings together companies and community to raise important funds to sustain and strengthen its vital programs, services, and advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This year, the premier corporate challenge foot race and the area’s only team-based race with teams of 5-7 runners will remain virtual with the option to race the 5K in-person on May 2nd at Burke Lake Park. Individual walkers and walking teams will participate only virtually. More details below!
About the 5K Race – Choose between the Virtual 5K or join other runners (safely) in person
What is a virtual 5K?
A virtual 5K is a race that you complete where ever you would like. Choose your own route in your neighborhood or favorite park. Then run or jog the distance and record your time to complete the virtual run. You are “competing” against other runners who are also running their own routes and recording their time.
How to join in the fun – if you are registering as an Individual Runner:
1. Register at RunSignUp for the 5K and choose the virtual or in-person option.
2. Receive your race package (T-shirt and race bib). Race packages may be shipped to the address you provide at registration or you may pick up your packet at a location and time to be determined.
3. Complete your virtual run any time between Saturday, April 24th and 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 2, 2021.
4. If running in-person at Burke Lake Park on May 2nd, the race will begin at 8:30am at Shelter C. The first group of 25 runners will begin at 8:30am and then staggered every 5 minutes.
5. If running virtually, submit your time via RunSignUp.
6. Join us for the LIVE race awards program online Sunday, May 2, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.
How to join in the fun – if you are participating as a Running Team of 5-7:
1. Designate a team captain. Have your team captain request a registration form by emailing: teamchallenge@thearcofnova.org.
2. Runners from the same team may choose to run virtually or in-person.
3. Receive your race package (T-shirt and race bib). Race packages may be shipped to the address you provide at registration or you may pick up your packet at a location and time to be determined.
4. If running in-person at Burke Lake Park on May 2nd, the race will begin at 8:30am at Shelter C. The first group of 25 runners will begin at 8:30am and then staggered every 5 minutes.
5. If running virtually, complete your virtual run any time between Saturday, April 24th and 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 2, 2021 and submit your race time to your team captain no later than 10:30am on May 2nd.
6. Join us for the LIVE race awards program online Sunday, May 2, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.
Why are both virtual and in-person options available for the 5K?
We want as many people to join in the fun as possible, we want everyone to be safe, and we must adhere to safety guidelines.
The virtual race allows more runners to participate while still following physical distancing guidelines. But an even greater benefit is the flexibility a virtual event offers you, the participant. You can run when you want, where you want, and how you want. You can even use a treadmill and run at home if you prefer!
But for many in the running community, outdoor exercise has been possible, and we wanted to offer the option to run a chip-timed race. So this year we will allow limited participation in-person at our usual Team Challenge site at Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA, 22039. The CDC has provided guidelines that allow us to offer a safe in-person race with a limited number of pre-registered participants.
Selecting a course:
Selecting a good course is a very important part of having a successful virtual run. If you need help, some suggested course ideas will be shared when you register for the event. We also suggest running your race day course for warmups or practice prior to the race window. You want to make sure there are no dangerous road crossings, heavy traffic on roads, or other hazards if you’re running a trail. Using apps to record your distance can help make sure you get the most accurate time possible.
Do I use a specific race app to clock my time and distance?
An app is not required. You are welcome to use whatever tool you wish to record your time.
Team Categories include:
• Corporate Coed – (Note: requires at least 2 female team members.)
• Corporate All Male
• Corporate All Female
• Community Open
Awards:
Trophies will be awarded to the top five Corporate All Male, top five Corporate Coed, top four Corporate All Female, and top four Community Open teams.
Overall Finish Categories:
The top five men and women will receive Amazon gift cards.
Age Group Categories:
The top two males and females in each age group will receive Amazon gift cards: under 15, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+
Registration Fees:
Running team ( 5 to 7 runners): $500 Individual runner: $35
All preregistered participants will receive an event t-shirt and a race bib.
Register as a team and receive these additional benefits:
• custom printed t-shirts with your group’s logo on the sleeve and your team listed on back, (Registration due by April 16th to receive customized t-shirts) -and-
• an engraved plaque with your team photo to commemorate your participation.
Registration Now Open!
Running Team Registraton:
Team Captains email teamchallenge@thearcofnova.org
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About the VIRTUAL Team Distance Walk
The walk will continue to be a virtual event this year as CDC guidelines limit the number of participants allowed at Burke Lake Park.
What is a virtual distance walk?
A virtual distance walk is one that you complete where ever you would like, and your distance is combined with others on your team, resulting in your total team distance. Walking teams can have up to 10 participants. Each participant chooses one day during the event window that they will do their walk. On this day, the participant records their distance for that one walk. Individual walkers will report their distances, and those individual distances will be compiled to determine the final team results. This is meant to be a fun walk, one that is pet, family, wheelchair and even stroller friendly!
How to join in the fun as an Individual Walker:
1. Register for the distance walk at RunSignUp.
2. Receive your race package. It will be shipped to the address you provide at registration, or you may pick up your packet at a location and time to be determined.
3. Complete your distance walk on any one day between April 24th through May 2nd at 10:00 a.m.
4. Enter your distance walked through RunSignUp following the instructions received when you registered.
5. Join us for the LIVE race awards program online Sunday, Sunday, May 2, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.
How to join in the fun as a Walking Team of up to 10 participants:
1. Designate a team captain. Have your team captain request a registration form by emailing: teamchallenge@thearcofnova.org.
2. Receive your race package. It will be shipped to the address you provide at registration or you may pick it up at a location and date to be determined..
3. Complete your distance walk on any one day between April 24th through May 2nd at 10:00 a.m.
4. Submit your distance walked to your team captain no later than 10:30 a.m. on May 2nd.
5. Join us for the LIVE race awards program online Sunday, Sunday, May 2, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.
Selecting a course:
Selecting a good course is a very important part of having a successful and fun walk. If you need help, some suggested course ideas will be shared when you register for the event. We also suggest walking your race day course for warmups or practice prior to the event window. You want to make sure there are no dangerous road crossings, heavy traffic on roads, or other hazards if you’re walking a trail. Using apps to record your distance can help make sure you get the most accurate results possible.
Do I use a specific app to document my distance?
An app is not required. You are welcome to use whatever tool you wish to record your distance.
Awards:
Trophies will be awarded to the top three walking teams. Individual gift cards will be awarded to the top 5 distance walkers.
Registration Fees:
Walking team ( Up to 10 people): $500 Individual walker: $25
All preregistered participants will receive an event t-shirt and bib.
Register as a team and receive these additional benefits:
• custom printed t-shirts with your group’s logo on the sleeve and your team listed on back, -and-
• an engraved plaque with your team photo to commemorate your participation.
Registration Now Open!
Walking Team Registraton:
Team Captains email teamchallenge@thearcofnova.org
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Event Sponsorship Opportunities!
Since our first race event more than 40 years ago, we have been fortunate to have the support of generous businesses, corporations, organizations, families, and individuals. Our Team Challenge sponsors, through their contributions to the event, help ensure that the funds raised from this signature event are maximized to support and expand programs and services to the individuals and families we serve. It’s also a great way to associate your name with a highly-respected charitable organization and at the same time demonstrate your commitment to serving our community.
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General Event Information
All team participants will receive customized event t-shirts.
Packet Delivery:
Packets containing T-shirt and race bib will be mailed to registered participants. You should receive your packet in the mail prior to April 24th, the first day of the race window.
Team Registration Due by April 16th:
Teams can register after April 16th but they will not be able to get our beautiful customized t-shirts.
Team Photographs and Recognition Plaque :
We are asking teams to make arrangements to take a team photo. This can be done via a Zoom meeting with all participants in their video boxes, or in-person but properly socially-distanced. Be creative and fun, but safe. When you submit your team photo, we will include it on the recogniton plaque to be delivered after the race event.
Event Schedule
April 24th: First day to record your individual race time, or walk distances
May 2nd: Deadline to finish your virtual race or walk is 10:00 a.m.
May 2nd: Race results Awards Presentation Ceremony: Live, online at 4:00 p.m.
Join the community and stay connected:
Follow The Arc of Northern Virginia on Facebook and Twitter! Join our Team Challenge 5K Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thearcofnova.team.challenge. Post pics of your warm-up routine, starting your run/walk, crossing the finish line, and celebrating with your team. Use the hashtag #RaceForInclusion to share with the community. Throughout the next few weeks, we will be posting challenges, work outs and fun activities to engage in at home!
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COVID Precautions for In-person 5K
For those runners who may consider joining the in-person run at Burke Lake Park on May 2, a summary of our coronavirus safety precautions are below.
- The race will begin at 8:30am and groups of 25 will start every 5 minutes.
- Check-in is touchless and the event will be chip timed.
- Signage will be used to remind people to wear their face coverings and stay socially distanced at all times.
- Water and grab-and-go snacks will be available at the finish.
- Face coverings are required at all times when in check-in, starting, and finish areas.
- Runners must carry a face covering during the event (when running) and use when passing if ample distance is not available on the trail. If a racer doesn’t have a face covering, then one will be provided to them during check-in.
- The Award Ceremony will be held virtually at 4:00 p.m. on May 2, 2021.
- Spectators are not allowed.
- Hand sanitizer will be available at check-in, start, and finish.
- All racers will be required to self-validate that they do not have COVID symptoms or have been exposed to anyone suspected to have COVID for the 14 days leading up to the event.
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2021 TEAMS AND SPONSORS
We would like to thank the following sponsors and teams for joining us for this year’s Virtual Team Challenge:
Diamond Sponsor*:
Gold Sponsor*:
Silver Sponsors*:
Bronze Sponsors*:
The Burke Family
ALLY Sponsors*:
Hale Ball Carlson Baumgartner Murphy, PLC
Team Sponsors*:
Rikki Epstein & Ron Shapiro
Shana O’Brien & Family
Virtual “Finish Line” Sponsors:
The Church Family
Moms in Motion
The Monnig Family
The Spirit of PEC
Tuck Technologies
United Bank
Virtual “Starting Horn” Sponsors:
CRi
Good Neighbor
Russel Family Generations
Virtual “Race Warm-up” Sponsor:
Gerard S. Rugel, Esq.
SPecially Adapted Resource Clubs
Additional Teams*:
Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce
Chartis Federal
Conner’s Believers
L’Arche Greater Washington, D.C.
Special Olympics of Northern Virginia
St. Coletta of Greater Washington
St. John’s Community Services
Team Drew
Team Maddox
Volunteers of America Chesapeake and Carolinas
*(includes running and walking teams)
List complete as of COB 4/28/2021
Questions? Just Ask!
Team, registration, and race logistic questions can be directed to: Diane Monnig, Race Coordinator
Sponsorship, team payment, and donation questions can be directed to: Howard Stregack, Director of Development
A look at past years race results and photos:
2020 Team Challenge
2020 Race Awards Ceremony Video
2019 Team Challenge
2018 Team Challenge
2017 Team Challenge
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