FAQs

General Questions

Are there deadlines for registration?
The deadlines for team events outside of the LIVESTRONG Challenge Series are based on entry availability. This is different per city and all entry applications are reviewed and accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. If you already have obtained an entry to an event and simply want to join our team, please email teamlivestrong@livestrong.org.

For the LIVESTRONG Challenge Series, our event capacities are determined per city based on the number of people who can fit safely on each course. As a potential participant you can register the day of the event, but you will run the risk of being denied if the event is full. As the events draw closer, we'll update our website to alert participants if a ride or run is filling up. Don't miss your chance to participate, register today!

Is there an age minimum to register?
For RAGBRAI, we ask that any participant under the age of 21 be accompanied by an adult, who is also a fundraiser for Team LIVESTRONG. For half marathons, the age limit is 16 and for full marathons, the limit is 18. For triathlons, please check the specific event's website. We have agreed to uphold the limitations set by our partners at these events.

For the LIVESTRONG Challenge Series, we welcome participants of all ages to join us. Minors (18 years of age or younger) must be accompanied at the event by a registered adult participant who also agrees to the fundraising commitment. Please note that the 70- to 100-mile ride options may include challenging hills not suitable for the novice rider. We recommend only experienced cyclists who are at least 16 years old register for the 70- to 100-mile distance options.

Can I participate in more than one Team LIVESTRONG event this year?
Of course! You'll need to register and pay the necessary registration fee, as well as meet the minimum fundraising requirement for each separate Team LIVESTRONG event for which you are registered.

Prior to your first event, please inform your coach that you plan on participating in multiple Team LIVESTRONG events. We would like you to use only one of your HQ pages to do your fundraising to avoid confusion for your donors. However, you must meet the fundraising requirement for each event (i.e., if you're participating in all four cities and raising all of your money in your Austin account, you must have at least $250 in that account before each of the other Challenges or you will not be allowed to participate). If you need money transferred from your main account to cover the minimum required for a separate Team LIVESTRONG event, please contact your coach two weeks prior to the event so that he/she may make the necessary adjustments.

Ride for the Roses Questions

What is Ride for the Roses Weekend?
Ride for the Roses Weekend is a celebration of LIVESTRONG's most enthusiastic supporters. Team LIVESTRONG participants who raise a minimum fundraising level of $10,000 by October 1 at 9 a.m. CST are invited participate in Ride for the Roses Weekend (held in conjunction with LIVESTRONG Challenge Austin) October 22-24, 2010. For more information contact ridefortheroses@livestrong.org.

If I've raised at least $10,000 total but I've used my separate fundraising accounts (i.e. marathon and Challenge participant, or two Challenge cities) to do so, will I still be invited to Ride for the Roses?
Prior to your first event, please inform your coach that you plan to participate in multiple events and would like your donation totals added together prior to receiving fundraising incentives. If the combined total of the donations you raise for all Team LIVESTRONG events is more than $10,000 as of 9 a.m. CST on October 1 you will be invited to Ride for the Roses. However, you must inform our staff that you want your donation totals added together before you participate in your first event. For more information contact ridefortheroses@livestrong.org.

Donations and Matching Gift Questions

Who should I make my check out to?
Please make all checks payable to: LIVESTRONG.

Where do I mail donation checks?
All donations must have a donation form attached and should be mailed to the address on the donation form:
Lance Armstrong Foundation Events
National Mail Processing Center
P.O. Box 6002
Albert Lea, MN 56007-6602

Is it necessary to send a separate donation form for each donation?
Yes. In order for a donation to be processed properly it is necessary to send a separate completed donation form for each donation. We will process only one check per donation form. Donation forms can be found on your personal fundraising website.

If you need a donation check to be split, please send a separate donation form for each participant and indicate the amount to be credited to each participant. Once a donation is posted to an account, it cannot be split.

Can I mail a cash donation with a donation form?
No, please do not mail a cash donation with a donation form. We cannot accept cash donations. For any cash donation you receive, please convert the cash to a cashier's check and mail it with a completed donation form. Please be sure to include the donor's personal information on the donation form so that an accurate receipt can be generated for tax purposes. Please do not deposit the cash into your own account and write a check for that amount; the IRS regards this as income and in addition, if a check is written from your account, you would then receive the tax receipt. It isn't possible to have a check written from your personal account credited to another donor. However, if you have several cash donations from different donors and want to convert them to one check, you can accompany one cashier's check with multiple donation forms to indicate the amount that each donor contributed. Each donor will receive a tax receipt for the amount specified on their donation form.

A donor is requesting a 501(c)(3) letter. What is that and how can I get a copy?
The 501(c)(3) letter is proof Lance Armstrong Foundation Events is recognized as a nonprofit organization by the federal government. Contact teamlivestrong@livestrong.org to obtain a copy of this form.

What additional information should I include with my matching gift form?
To ensure that the participant you are sponsoring will be credited when the gift is matched, please write the participant's name, event location and participant ID in the upper right hand corner of the matching gift form. If your company's matching gift form is completed online and a "notes" field is provided please include the participant's name, event city and participant ID.

Also, please attach a copy of your donation receipt (if available) to the matching gift form.
Once you have made a copy of the matching gift form to retain for your own records, you should mail the original form to:
Lance Armstrong Foundation
Attn: Matching Gifts
National Mail Processing Center
P.O. Box 6002
Albert Lea, MN 56007-6602

How long will it take for a matching gift form to be processed and mailed back to the matching gift company?
When we receive your matching gift form it will be verified and sent back to the company within two weeks to be matched.

How long will it take for the matching gift to show on my donation report?
This depends on the company's policy. Please contact the individual company to find out how often matching gifts are distributed. Once we receive the matching gift check, it will be processed and added to your donation report within two?three weeks. Please note that on occasion, the matching gift companies do not note on the check that the funds were intended for your account. If you have confirmed that the matching gift company mailed the check to us and three weeks has passed, please contact us at teamlivestrong@livestrong.org so we can be sure to credit the funds to your account.

What happens if the matching gift is not approved by the matching gift company?
If the matching gift company does not approve a matching gift, the company will contact either the donor or Team LIVESTRONG with a denial notification. If Team LIVESTRONG is contacted, we will pass the information on to the participant.

What are the incentive levels in 2010?
We are still working on the 2010 incentive levels for Team LIVESTRONG. After the new year, please look for this information on our website or email us if you have specific questions.

LIVESTRONG Challenge Questions

How is the format of your events changing in 2010?
At LIVESTRONG, our goal is to keep our events dynamic in order to meet the interests of the cities and populations we visit. In 2010, based on participant feedback and additional internal analysis, we've decided to vary what events are offered in each city. Although we may not offer the exact same options we offered last year, our goal is always to provide the best LIVESTRONG Challenge experience possible.

In Seattle, we will offer a multi-distance bike ride and the walk/run. In San Jose, we will offer only a bike ride. In Philly, in order to accommodate a larger number of participants, we will move the walk/run to Saturday and the ride to Sunday. And finally, in Austin, we will offer the walk/run on Saturday and the ride on Sunday.

How do you select your weekends?
We work with each city and review their local calendars to make sure we do not create a conflict with another similar event and also to ensure the city can provide an adequate and safe level of logistical support. Our goal is to fill gaps in the city's schedule and/or provide events that are not currently being offered. Additionally we try to choose an appropriate time of year suitable for cycling and outdoor events so typical weather in each area is an important consideration as well.

What are the exact routes for the event? Will the routes for the 2010 LIVESTRONG Challenge events be the same as in 2009?
The ride courses in Seattle, San Jose, Philly and Austin will be very similar to the 2009 routes. For the most part, the run courses also will be very similar, with the exception of Philly where we are also adding a 10k route. More information about all routes will be available in the coming months.

Is there a health insurance requirement to register for a LIVESTRONG Challenge?
Yes. All registered participants (and volunteers) must have personal health insurance during the time of the event in order to participate. Although we provide emergency medical services at stops along the route free of charge, each participant must have personal medical insurance to cover the cost of any medical services received away from the event (for example, ambulance transport and emergency room costs). If you are unable to obtain health insurance, please contact teamlivestrong@livestrong.org to sign an insurance waiver.

What if I want to recommend my city for a Challenge?
The Challenge is a very big undertaking and we take particular care in making sure these events are the right fit for each city we enter. While we greatly appreciate our participants' enthusiasm for our expansion plans, we encourage them to consider other athletic events we participate in as Team LIVESTRONG as an alternative means of supporting the fight against cancer. If your passion lies in organizing an athletic event, please consider registering any event you plan through our grassroots fundraising program.

Lance Questions

Will Lance be at the events?
Due to his many commitments, which include training for the professional cycling season and promoting the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign, Lance will be unable to attend 2010 LIVESTRONG Challenge events.