What Is It?

Strava is an online service for athletes to log their workouts. It is particularly awesome for runners and cyclists who use a GPS sports watch. Your workouts can be automatically uploaded from your device and you can see all your workout time, pace, splits and a million other things besides. Best of all … almost all of the best parts of the system are free.

Why Are We Using It?

Strava provides a powerful API (a way for computer systems to talk with each other) and we’ve been able to modify the software at my.runningevents (powered by Director AMS) to power our virtual run series from your Strava data. Cool. Or. What?

That means you can log your run on Strava and then import it into my.runningevents. We’ll check that the workout meets the criteria for the Run Albany training run and then automatically update your result on the official event results. This is all done in real-time, when you import your Strava workout.

But I Don’t Have Strava?

Did we mention it’s both free and awesome? It only takes a minute to sign up at Strava and if you are worried about privacy you can lock down your settings really tight and not even use the system for any other workouts than your Running Event runs. If that still makes you uncomfortable, just create an account for as long as it takes to upload your Run Albany time and then delete it. If you are a fully paid member of the tin-foil hat brigade, you could even create a dummy email address with gmail or hotmail just for this purpose.

Still not convinced? OK, we get it. Its not for everyone. If you absolutely cannot and will not use Strava to upload your result, we’ll accept manual results after the race and will upload them as soon as possible.

How Does It Work?

It’s pretty easy. Firstly, you need to login to your my.runningevents account, go to the event and click on Make Changes. Select the Race-to-Race option and select the Virtual Run. You may need to setup an account first if you haven’t already done so but it only take a minute.

Secondly, go to “My Results” and find the line for the virtual run and click on the view icon. On the detail page, you’ll see a green “Strava Import” button. Click on that and you’ll be asked to permit the Running Events app to read your workout data. We’ll pull through your last 20 workouts and validate them against the eligibility rules. Any workouts that pass will show a green “Select” button. Click that button to import this workout as the basis for your Run Albany race result.

Important! Your workout distance doesn’t need to be the exact distance of your event. We’ve built some tolerances into the system (see rules below) and we’ll adjust your time to be correct for the race distance you registered for.

Important Eligibility Rules

For your Strava workout to be acceptable. It must meet *all* of the following criteria:

• Workout Type on Strava must be “Run”, “Walk” or “Hike”
• The workout must have been recorded on a GPS device. Manual workouts are not accepted.
• The start time of your workout must be between 00:01am Saturday morning and 11:59pm Sunday night.
• The workout distance completed must be within our acceptable tolerance. For each distance in the virtual run series, we’ve set the tolerances as follows:
  • 5K: Strava distance from 4km – 8km
  • 2K: Strava distance from 1.5km – 3km
• The adjusted finish time (calculated from your Strava workout time adjusted for the actual distance covered) must be within the acceptable finish times for each event. These limits are:
  • 5K: 14 min – 1 hr
  • 2K: 5 min – 30 min

OK – After all that, I am gonna need you to hold my hand through this…

We got ya – head over to this PDF and follow the steps.

Important!  Please DO NOT attend if you:

• are unwell
• are a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19
• are waiting for a test result for COVID-19
• are self-isolating.

Continue to practice good hygiene. This means:

• Keeping 2 metres away from people you don’t know
• Covering coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or coughing/sneezing into your elbow
• Disposing of used tissues appropriately in a bin
• Using hand sanitiser

Your time will be taken from when you pass over the mats so please space out and keep your social distance from other people in the area.

Please ensure you wear your number on the front of your shirt in order for the timing mats to capture you during the training run. Your number should be secured to your shirt by a safety pin in each corner. Your electronic timing tag is attached to the back of your number so be careful not to crease, crush or puncture it.

Important! Make sure you only cross the timing mat as you start, lap and finish or your results will not be correct.

Important! If you need to collect your race bib, you must do so from the Running Events team member at Hooten Reserve during the hours of the training run or for 30 minutes afterwards. There will not be a registration tent at the start line.

Important! All single race numbers must be collected during one of the sessions at Hooten Reserve, Albany. See the Training Run Weekend Schedule for times.

Important! Please don’t lose your number. Replacement numbers are $10. Any replacement numbers must be arranged prior to going for your training run. Please use the contact page below to get in touch if you are a series entrant and have lost your number.

When you receive your number, your electronic timing tag will be attached to the back. We are using disposable stick-on timing tags this year. We are sure you will appreciate the convenience of not having to attach a plastic tag to your shoes and then return it at the finish. All you have to remember is to secure your number to the front of your shirt and you’re all set. Try to avoid holding your arm in front of the number as you cross the finish line (e.g. to turn off your watch) as this can sometimes affect the tag reading. Just wait until a few steps after the timing mat.

A member of the Running Events team will be located at the carpark at Hooten Reserve throughout the hours of the training run (and for 30 mins afterwards). Present your race number to them at any time and you will be given your Run Albany medal.

You do not have to complete the training run to receive your medal, but you must get your race number scan, so make sure to bring it along.

If you opt for the virtual run and record a result, we will courier your medal out to you (at our expense) approx. 7 days after the training run.

Super Slam
If you have a series pass race number, you will also be given a North Shore Run Series Grand Slam medal.

Important! You must have recorded a finish time – in your own full name and date of birth – in all three events in the North Shore Run Series in the current season to qualify for the super-slam. A list will be available online for you to make sure your name is on the list. If it is not, please use the contact form ASAP. Check our facebook page closer to the event for information.

IF YOUR NAME IS NOT ON THE QUALIFICATION LIST PRIOR TO THE GRAND FINALE – YOU WILL NOT GET A SUPER SLAM MEDAL.

While the adjusted course does not cross any roads, this is just a reminder that all roads are open to the public at all times. Stick to the pavement where one exists and do not cross any intersection unless you have determined to your own satisfaction that it is safe to do so.

Please remember the golden rule … Always give way to vehicles. No matter who has right of way, vehicles always win.

There is limited parking available on Civic Crescent and further street parking over towards the bus station. The most convenient and plentiful parking, however, is available within Westfield Albany mall, which is right across the road from the race venue. For the best parking, follow the signs for Event Cinema or Farmers and you’ll have a 2-minute walk to the race venue.

Important! Westfield Albany mall has parking zones which are rigorously enforced. Taking part in the event does not absolve you of the need to park appropriately. When you arrive, look out for FOUR HOUR parking spots, which are normally placed furthest from the mall entrance. This will give you ample time to enjoy the event and even take in some shopping before returning to your car. If you park in a one hour spot you are very, very likely to receive a parking ticket.

Run Albany awards will be given based on times recorded on the official training run.  All Run Albany merit awards and Legends trophies will be available for collection from Hooten Reserve from 10:00am until 10:30am, Sunday 13 September.  Collection can also be done from the Running Events office on Monday 14 September 4pm until 7pm.  8/3 Workspace Drive, Hobsonville.

Spot Prizes

We have many wonderful spot prizes to give away including vouchers for Brooks shoes and  Garmin Forerunner GPS sports watches. The grand prize is a big screen TV. Spot Prize draws will be done on Monday

Merit Awards

Beautiful glass trophies for Run Albany winners will be awarded to:

• Overall champion male and female in the following races …
  • 5K Run
  • 10K Run
  • 15K Run
  • 5K Walk
  • 10K Walk
• Overall champion boy and girl in the 2K Kids’ Dash for …
  • Ages 7 & Under
  • Ages 8 & Over

In addition to these awards, points are accumulated from each race in the North Shore Run Series and special series points awards will be presented at the Grand Finale.

Running Events welcome walkers in all of our events, irrespective of the distance. Walkers routinely make up around 15-20% of the total field. We take the needs of our walkers seriously and have made changes to how our events operate to allow walkers to be appropriately recognised and accommodated. The notes here will help you, as a walker, to get the most from the event and help familiarise you with our setup for walkers.

Important! In the spirit of fair competition, we ask that all competitors adhere strictly to the rules. Competitive Walkers must not run or jog at any time during the event and must maintain contact with the ground at all times.

Should I register in the Walk?
If you plan to walk most of the way but want to have the option to jog or run at any point, you should select the RUN entry category. If you intend to walk throughout the event and want to measure yourself against other walkers, you should choose the Competitive Walk option.

Important! The walking competition is limited to the 5k and 10k races only. If you are registered as a walker and complete the 15k distance, you will be moved into the run category.

Are There Prizes?
Please see the Merit Awards section for details of prizes. To be eligible for awards, walkers must enter in the competitive Walk category, start on the Walk start signal and must only walk during the event.

How Is the Walking Competition Judged?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide walking judges for our events. Therefore, we rely upon the integrity of those taking part to adhere to the rules of the walking competition and not run or jog at any time. In our experience over the years, we have found that the most common error in the walking competition is where people register as a competitive walker but decide to run on race day. We have worked around this issue by having a dedicated race start for walkers wherever there are Competitive Walk merit prizes at stake.

Important! We do not make judgement calls on disqualifications based on reports from other competitors. Unless advised otherwise by the competitor in question, we trust the integrity of our competitive walkers. In all cases, the Race Director’s decision shall be final.

It is compulsory for all participants to attend, listen to and heed the advice of the safety briefing. Above all else, however, please understand that no roads are closed during the event. You have sole responsibility for your own safety. Do not leave any pavement, cross any road, pass any driveway unless you deem it is safe for you to do so.

Please remind your own spectators that they should not attempt to accompany you in vehicles, bikes or otherwise. They must follow the normal rules of the road to reach vantage points.

Important! A copy of the approved Health & Safety plan is available from Running Events on request.

Course Safety

Remember that other a very small area near the start and finish of the event, all roads are open to the public at all times. Stick to the pavement where one exists and do not cross any intersection unless you have determined to your own satisfaction that it is safe to do so.

Please remember the golden rule … Always give way to vehicles. No matter who has right of way, vehicles always win.