FAQ's
How fit do you have to be? Do I have to run?
The vast majority of people entering will not be serious runners. Please don’t worry, there will be plenty of people to keep you company. The HEROES RUN is all about taking part so if you run, jog, walk or crawl, we really don’t mind. The important thing is that you’re there with us on the day and helping us to Pass It On.
When should I enter?
As early as possible please as there are limited places for all the adults 5k/10k and Kids 500m dashes combined. We would like enough time to safely send you your race pack which should ideally and depending when you sign up, arrive 7-14 days before the race day.
Why should I fundraise for Pass It On Africa?
That’s a good question, well apart from the fact that you will be raising the funds desperately needed to support the educations of a few thousand African children. If you also do a bit of fundraising we will also show our appreciation by sending you a Thank You prize when you have reached a certain fundraising level on your Online Fundraising page.
How do I request a fundraising pack?
When you sign up to a HEROES RUN event online and get to the fundraising box just click YES next to the box that says
I INTEND TO RAISE SPONSORSHIP FOR PASS IT ON AFRICA. PLEASE SEND ME A FUND RAISING PACK.
For more information about fundraising and prizes go to
http://www.heroesrun.org.uk/content/fundraising
How and when will I receive my fundraising pack?
Your fundraising pack will arrive in the post a few days after you sign up. It might also be waiting for you at your local Royal Mail sorting Office. It will include everything you need to successfully fundraise for Pass It On Africa. Don’t forgot to bring your covering letter with you on the day as that is worth a free piece of cake from the HEROES RUN cake stall as long as you have raised something on your online fundraising page by race day.
How do I apply?
To enter online go to www.heroesrun.org.uk scroll down and click one of the four (ENTER A RACE) buttons.
How secure is the website?
All payments through our site are processed using Sports Systems and use their industry standard security measures.
What happens if I enter online?
When you enter online confirmation of your race entry will be displayed in your web browser and you will also receive confirmation of your payment from Sports Systems. If you have any questions about your entry, email mark@sportsystems.co.uk. He's a very friendly chap and will definitely be able to help you.
A number of us want to enter by entry form. Can I send one cheque to cover the lot?
That’s absolutely fine. Just make sure your friends pay you back! We will still need individual entry forms filled in by each entrant. Entry forms can be requested by contacting James at pioafrica.org.uk.
Is there an age limit?
There is no maximum age limit, the present record stands at 87.You will need to be 13 or over to run in the HEROES RUN 5k and 16 or over to run the HEROES RUN 10k. That said you will need to be 18 or over to use the online entry procedure. Any runners under the age of 18 who want to run the 5k/10k must download an entry form from the HEROES RUN website and get their race form disclaimer counter signed by one of their parents. Mini Heroes under 8 years must be accompanied by a parent / guardian who will then be responsible for that child for the duration of the event. Competitors aged 8-15 years can run the 500m dash unaccompanied.
What happens if I lose my child who is running the Kids 500 metre dash?
There will be child repatriation wristbands available on the day at the Information tent for any adults who want them. The adult keeps and wears a wrist band and their child does the same. If a child has a wristband on he/she can only be repatriated to the adult with the corresponding mobile number on their wristband by one of the HEROES RUN kids dash marshals after the kids dash event. In the event of a child being found without parents the kids dash staff are briefed to stay with the child in the same place for a maximum of 10 minutes and to report the child to the Information tent manager via an event 2 way radio. If the parents cannot be found after that time then the child will be taken to the Information tent. If a child is reported lost then all stewards with a radio will be notified and a team will be sent out to search the area.
Ill or injured?
You should not run if ill or injured for your own safety. You cannot give your number to someone else in your place. This is for insurance reasons.
I can't take part. Can I get a refund?
Sorry but we cannot give refunds. From the moment we start to organize a HEROES RUN, we start to incur costs and your entry fee is invested into the cost of staging the event – barriers, toilets, numbers, insurance, medals, cups, water etc.
Can someone else run instead of me?
No. They can’t for health & safety and insurance reasons. We need to know exactly who you are via your number in case of an emergency. That said if someone fills out and sends us a physical copy of the completed HEROES RUN disclaimer form and has had it counter signed by the person those place they are taking we can cancel the original runner’s place and register their transferee in their place. We would also need an email to this email address james@pioafrica.org.uk from the original runner authorising this action.
What time should I arrive at the venue?
Aim to get there at least an hour before the start of the HEROES RUN, so 9am to 10am ish. This will leave you more than enough time to get parked up, put your bag into the baggage reclaim, fill out a child repatriation wristband at the Info tent if you and your child require one and also enough time to use the loo’s and take in the unique HEROIC atmosphere.
Can I run with my friends?
Feel free. There is one race start so you can line up with your friends and go around together.
What is the route?
All four HEROES RUN courses are very scenic and fairly flat.
The HEROES RUN Brighton course is a fast and flat run along Brighton and Hove seafront around Hove Lagoon and back.
The HEROES RUN London, Poole and Southampton courses are slightly undulating in places and will give you that elusive "great I've escaped the city for an hour" feeling. To view the courses click on this link
http://www.heroesrun.org.uk/content/racemaps
I am a wheel chair user Can I take part?
Yes it would be great to have you taking part in our event.
Can I bring a buggy or a pushchair?
Yes it would be great to have you taking part in our event but we would ask that you please start at the back of the field so as not to run over any other HEROES feet. The Hulk is not nearly as tough as he likes to make out.
What do I wear?
Comfortable clothing and footwear is important. If you intend to jog or run, we recommend you wear footwear designed for that purpose otherwise you risk injury. Please note – no skateboarding, rollerblading, cycling, inline skating, dog sledding etc, will be allowed on the course for health and safety reasons.
Do I need extra water?
Over the past 7 years we have had some scorchers and whatever the air temperature is outside, in a lycra suit you can add at least 20 degrees. There is a water station provided on the course but if you are happy to carry a water bottle with you it may not be a bad idea.
I'm a charity and want to buy 10 or more HEROES RUN places to encourage our supporters to fund raise, what do I need to do?
It would be great to have your charity represented at our HEROES RUN event. We want as many other registered charities as possible to benefit from our events. Contact James at james@pioafrica.org.uk to get a HEROES RUN charity document and to have a bit of a chat about it.
I’m a student and I’ve heard I can have my HEROES RUN entry fee refunded back to me if I do a little bit of fundraising, is this true?
Yes it is. We have created an exclusive offer for all University students that will entitle them to a free place in any one of our HEROES RUN events if they manage to raise 30 pounds or over on an Online Fundraising page by the respective race day. All you need to do is click YES when signing up online and asked if you are a student fundraising for Pass It On Africa. You will then be sent your fundraising pack in the post.
Parking
There is no additional car parking provided at any of our HEROES RUN events, we are instructing people to use public transport or walk to the HEROES RUN events where possible.
Planes, trains and capes
HEROES RUN London is on Clapham Common starting at the Bandstand which is about 20 minutes walk from Clapham Junction station. The nearest postcode for sat nav’s is SW4 9DE
HEROES RUN Brighton is on Brighton and Hove seafront next to The Lawns cafe (BN3 2FR) It’s about a half an hour walk from Brighton station.
HEROES RUN Southampton is on Southampton Common (SO15 7NN)
HEROES RUN Poole is in Poole Park (BH15 2SF)
Toilets
We know how uncomfortable and awkward running as a HERO can be when you really need the loo, especially if you also have mini Heroes to look after, so don't worry there will be portaloo's on the day.
Changing
There are no changing facilities at the site so we recommend arriving at the event in your sports kit or HERO outfit.
Is there anything else I can do on the day to support Pass It On Africa?
You could buy a HEROES RUN cake from Jim’s Mum’s cake stall, or buy something from the HEROES RUN Shop in the Info tent on the day? All proceeds will be go to Pass It On Africa.
What is there to buy at the HEROES RUN shop?
You could buy a HEROES RUN costume, or a HEROES RUN t-shirt or a Running vest. Or perhaps a voucher for an official HEROES RUN photo for you and your mates/family/ work colleagues to be taken in the Bat Cave/Information tent on the day?
For more information click on the link http://www.heroesrun.org.uk/content/shop
Are you due an upgrade?
Do you have an old mobile phone, an old laptop or any used ink cartridges that you were planning to throw out? If so bring it with you on the day and hand it in to the registration tent. We have a partnership with a company called Recycling Appeal UK who will collect and give us funds for any of these recyclable items. We will then use this money to continue to support our projects. For more information and to see what items you can recycle and bring with you on the day click in the link below.
http://www.recyclingappeal.com/getinvolved/what_recycle.asp
Is there anything else I can do to be properly HEROIC?
Yes there are a lot of things you can do to support us.
Can you bring some friends with you to the HEROES RUN?
Can you or any of your friends fundraise for us at a HEROES RUN?
Can you run a marathon? Run a half marathon? Volunteer at one of our other HEROES RUN events? Or could you put on your own fundraising event? If you want to discuss this or anything else charity related please email James at james@pioafrica.org.uk
Thanks for being a HERO and see you on the day.
Love the Pass It On Africa team
