HOPE Relay FAQ’s

1) What is a relay?

A relay is a team event in which each participant runs a section of the course and then “tags” another team member to run the next section of the course.  Instead of passing a baton from one team member to the next, the HOPE relay participants will pass a bracelet.  The passing of the bracelet occurs at a designated location called  “The Exchange Station.” Only one member of the team will be running at any given time.

 

2)  What are the differences between the HOPE 40 and the HOPE 20? 

The HOPE Relay provides two different course options for teams.  The HOPE 40 is a 40-mile course and the HOPE 20 is a 20-mile course.

Both the HOPE 40 and the HOPE 20 take place on November 9, 2013.  Both are designed for 5-person teams.  Both start and finish are at the Peace Center Downtown Greenville, South Carolina. Both are run to benefit the work of Project HOPE Foundation.

Here are the differences:

HOPE 40                                                                                     HOPE 20

The course is a total of 40 miles.                                     The course is a total of 20 miles.

Each runner on a 5-person team runs 2 legs.               Each runner on a 5-person team runs 1 leg.

The total race will last 3.5-7 hours.                                    The total race will last 2-4 hours.

Teams will start between 8:00 and 11:00am.               Teams will start between 8:00 and 11:00am.

The race starts and finishes at the Peace Center.        The race starts and finishes at the Peace Center.

 

3) How long will it take to run in the HOPE Relay?

All teams in HOPE 40-mile must have an average pace time of no more than 10 minutes per mile. All teams in HOPE 20-mile must have an average pace time of no more than 13 minutes per mile.  We cannot safely accommodate slower average pace times.

In the HOPE 40, teams with a 10-minute average pace time will take approximately 7 hours total to complete the course.  Teams with a 5-minute average pace time will take approximately 3.5 hours.

In the HOPE 20, teams with a 13-minute average pace time will take under 4 hours total to complete the course.  Teams with a 5-minute average pace time will take under 2 hours.

 

4)  Where is the HOPE Relay course?

The HOPE Relay 40-mile course starts and ends at the Peace Center. Go to http://hoperelay.org/course-information/ for a detailed description of the course.

The HOPE Relay 20-mile starts and ends at the Peace Center.  Go to http://hoperelay.org/course-information/ for a detailed description of the course.

 

5) What type of terrain should I expect?

Each leg of the course is a little different and includes some elevation changes. Go to http://hoperelay.org/course-information/ for a detailed description and map of each leg of the course.

 

6) How do I know whether to run in the HOPE 40 or the HOPE 20?

The main factors to consider in deciding between the two course options are the total time involved and the endurance of the team members.  The HOPE 40 will take 3.5-7 hours to complete; the HOPE 20 will take 2-4 hours.  In the HOPE 40, each team member will run 2 different legs (with a rest time of 1-3 hours in between).  In the HOPE 20, each team member will run 1 leg.

 

7) How do I put together a team?

For the HOPE 40, you are looking for a total of 5 people who will enjoy spending 3.5-7 hours together.  Runner #1 will run leg #1 (5.1 miles on asphalt, hilly terrain, medium difficulty level) and leg #6 (3.5 miles on trail, hilly terrain, medium difficulty level).  Runner # 2 will run leg #2 (4.18 miles on asphalt, a good climb, medium hard difficulty level) and leg #7 (4.5 miles on asphalt, hilly terrain, medium difficulty level).  Runner # 3 will run leg #3 (6.59 miles on asphalt, a long climb, very hard difficulty level) and leg #8 (6.59 miles on asphalt, downhill, medium hard difficulty level).  Runner #4 will run leg #4 (4.5 miles on asphalt, hilly terrain, medium difficulty level) and leg #9 (4.18 miles on asphalt, a good climb, medium hard difficulty level).   Runner # 5 will run leg #5 (3.5 miles on trail, hilly terrain, medium difficulty level) and leg #10 (5.1 miles on asphalt, hilly terrain, medium difficulty level).

For the HOPE 20, you are looking for a total of 5 people who will enjoy spending 2-4 hours together.  Runner #1 will run leg #1 (5.1 miles on asphalt, hilly terrain, medium difficulty level).  Runner #2 will run leg #2 (4.18 miles on asphalt, a good climb, medium hard difficulty level).  Runner #3 will run leg #3 (3.3 miles on asphalt, little uphill, medium difficulty level).  Runner #4 will run leg #4 (3 miles on asphalt, a little uphill, medium difficulty level).   Runner #5 will run leg #5 (5.1 miles on asphalt, hilly terrain, medium difficulty level).

Go to http://hoperelay.org/get-involved/run-with-us/ to register your team.

 

8) Can we run with fewer than 5 people on our team?

Both the HOPE 20 and the HOPE 40 course options are available to teams of less than 5 people as long as the team can keep up appropriate pace time for the duration of the course.

 

9) What happens at the Exchange Station?

The Exchange Station is the designated location where one leg ends and another begins.  These stations are where one team member finishes running and passes the bracelet to another team member to start running his/her leg.

The Exchange Station will be stocked with granola, peanut butter/jelly sandwiches, fruit, water and Gatorade.

The Exchange Station will have port-a-johns.

The HOPE 20 will have 4 Exchange Stations; the HOPE 40 will have 9 Exchange Stations.

 

10) What does the HOPE Relay support?

All proceeds support Project HOPE Foundation, a South Carolina nonprofit that has been serving the autism community since 1997.  Project HOPE provides services to children, youth, and young adults with autism.  Go to http://hoperelay.org/why-we-run/ for more information.

 

11) What is our fundraising goal?

With the new rate of autism (1 in 88 children, 1 in 54 boys), the need for Project HOPE’s services is urgent. Every dollar counts! But here’s the goal. The rate of autism is now 1 in 88.  We are asking each participant to take on the personal challenge of raising $100 to donate to Project HOPE Foundation.  If we reach our goal of 100 teams, with each person raising $100, Project HOPE will have an estimated $50,000.

 

12) How does the HOPE Relay raise money?  

The HOPE Relay raises funds through sponsorship and team fees. Additionally, participants will hopefully be inspired to raise money individually for the cause. The top fundraiser will be honored at the post-race event. Last year’s top fundraiser raised $3,000 individually. Go to http://hoperelay.org/video/ for ideas about how to raise money. Donations can be made directly on our website at http://hoperelay.org/get-involved/support-our-cause/ .

 

13) What’s the deal with the costumes?

At the post-race event, the HOPE Relay recognizes the teams with the best team name and the best costumes.  You are not required to dress up, but it is fun!

 

14) What happens at the end of the race? 

The HOPE Relay is a team event; therefore, you are encouraged to cross the finish line as a team. As the last runner starts his/her leg, the rest of the team will proceed to our designated location to join the runner in the final portion of the last leg.

After crossing the finish line, each team member will receive a medal.  We will have post-race food and music.  We will recognize the best team name, the best costume, the top fundraiser, the top team recruiter and the top finishers.