ROC Walk & Run is Virtual in 2021!
The 2021 Reign Over Cancer Walk & Run has gone virtual! While we are disappointed we won’t be able to run together in person, we’re excited we can run together in spirit to raise money and awareness for the GEST Foundation!
Be sure to take a photo of yourself before, during, or after your run to share on social media. Tag us at @GESTFoundationInc and use the hashtag #ReignOverCancer. We can’t wait to see your photos and videos!
The 2021 Reign Over Cancer Virtual 5K/10K raises funds to provide grants to cancer patients to purchase services while recovering from surgery; including grocery delivery, transportation to and from post-op medical appointments and treatments, and personal caregivers to assist with daily activities. Registered participants can complete their virtual 5K or 10K any time from Friday, March 26 through Sunday, March 28 to be eligible for an age group award. Finish times must be tracked and recorded using the IYR Virtual App. More information on the app can be found here:
https://www.itsyourrace.com/pc/iyrvirtualhowto.
REGISTER BY 3/12/2021 TO RECEIVE YOUR PREFERRED SHIRT SIZE. Participants registering after 3/12/2021 will receive shirts on a first-come, first-served basis and sizes are not guaranteed. Participants have the choice to pick up their packet on Friday, March 26 (location TBA) or have their packet mailed for an additional $6 per packet. If you cannot pick up your packet on Friday, March 26, please choose the option to mail your packet during the registration process.
Packet Pickup Information:
Friday, March 26, 2021
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: TBA
AWARDS
The top 3 male and female 5K and 10K finishers from the following age groups will win a medal. The Overall Male and Female finishers for the 5K and 10K will also win a medal.
- 12 and Under
- 13-19
- 20-29
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50 and Over
Fundraise for the GEST Foundation and Receive a FREE Long-Sleeved Pullover
Everyone who registers for the ROC Virtual 5K/10K will have a unique fundraising page generated. Customize your page, share it with friends and family, and ask for their support in helping you reach your fundraising goal. Raise $200 or more and receive a free ROC long-sleeve, 1/2 zip pullover. The top 3 fundraisers will win a special award!
Complimentary Registrations for Cancer Survivors and Caregivers
A limited number of complimentary/sponsored walk registrations are available for cancer survivors and caregivers of individuals currently fighting cancer. To apply for a complimentary registration, please click here.
Be a ROC Walk & Run Sponsor!
Several sponsorship opportunities are available for those who wish to make a larger impact. Click here to learn more about sponsoring the event. Download the 2021 ROC Walk & Run sponsorship packet here.
**Due to the fundraising nature of this event, refunds will not be given. If you choose not to participate, your registration fee will be donated in its entirity to the GEST Foundation, Inc. Proceeds will be used to provide grants for services to persons undergoing cancer treatment. There are no exceptions to this policy.
IMPORTANT RACE UPDATES
Competitive 5K/10K
Participants can register to run the 5K or 10K for a chance to win an age group award. To be eligible for an award, runners must run a full 5K or 10K while using the Its Your Race (IYR) Virtual app. Final finish times and distance verification will be directly uploaded to the system. Finish times will be accepted from 12:00 a.m. on Friday, March 26 through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 28. You can run your race at any time during this period, but you must run the entire distance in one segment. Results uploaded outside of this timeframe will not qualify for an award.
Results will be posted to the IYR Results page on Monday, March 29. If corrections or edits need to be made after finishing your race, please contact our Race Director at melissa@positiveforce.com. Results will be finalized on Wednesday, March 31 and the GEST Foundation will mail top finisher awards on or around Monday, April 5.
RACE FAQs
Q: I signed up to run the 5K but would like to transfer to a 10K. Is that possible?
A: Yes, we will be happy to transfer your current registration to another distance. Please email our Race Director at melissa@positiveforce.com with your specific request.
Q: I can’t run the weekend of March 26-28 but I’d like to compete for an award. Can I turn my results in early/late?
A: No, we are only accepting results for the 5K and 10K competitive races during those dates. You are welcome to run your race on another day but you won’t be eligible for an age group award.
Q: I signed up to run the 5K/10K but I am not interested in competing for an age group award. Do I still need to run the weekend of March 26-28?
A: No, if you do not wish to qualify for an age group award, you can run anytime you choose.
Q: I want to run competitively but don’t want to use the IYR Virtual app. Can I send in my finish time via email and still qualify?
A: No, only finish times uploaded via the IYR Virtual app will qualify. If you have trouble downloading the app or issues with it during your run, please contact the Race Director at melissa@positiveforce.com.
Q: I don’t live in the Greater Houston area but would still like to compete for an age group award. Can I run outside of Houston and be eligible for an award?
A: Yes, you can run the competitive 5K/10K anywhere it is convenient for you as long as your race is completed March 26-28. Be sure to use the IYR Virtual app to track your time and distance.
Q: Can I participate in the 5K/10K competitive run by running on a treadmill?
A: No, because the IYR Virtual Run app uses GPS to log distance and time, it will not track miles run on a treadmill.
Q: I’m excited about participating virtually this year! What else can I do to support the GEST Foundation?
A: We’re excited to have you join us! Everyone who registers will automatically be assigned a fundraising page. Claim your page, customize it with information about why you’re fundraising for the GEST Foundation, and send the link to your friends and family to ask for their help in meeting your fundraising goal. The top 3 fundraisers will receive a special award plaque and a special thank you from the GEST Foundation team.
Q: I can’t run this year but would like to support the GEST Foundation. Can I participate in the Reign Over Cancer virtual run in another way?
A: Yes, there are several ways you can support the GEST Foundation:
- Sign up as fundraiser and create a unique fundraising page! Email your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors and ask them to help you reach your fundraising goal. Raise $200 or more and earn a free GEST Foundation half-zip pullover! Sign up here: https://reignovercancerwalk.itsyourrace.com/fundraise.aspx?id=9187
- Make a general donation to the GEST Foundation via our online registration platform. It’s safe, secure, and simple! Donate here: https://reignovercancerwalk.itsyourrace.com/donate.aspx?id=9187
- Sponsor a runner. Share the love and pay it forward by paying the registration fees for a cancer survivor or caregiver. Contact the Race Director at melissa@positiveforce.com for more information regarding registration sponsorship.
Q: How do I access the IYR Virtual app?
A: The app is available for download via the App Store or Google Play. Search “IYR Virtual”.
Q: I can’t make it to packet pickup. How can I get my packet?
A: We are happy to mail packets for an additional $6 fee. Please choose the “mail my packet” option during the registration process. Packets will be mailed via USPS the week of March 22.
Q: Will I receive a shirt with my registration?
A: Yes, all registrations received by March 12 will be guaranteed a shirt. Shirts for registrations received after March 12 will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to printing deadlines, shirt sizes are not guaranteed after March 12.
