Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions? We have answers! Please review our list of Frequently Asked Questions below.
If you still want to know more, please feel free to call us at (646) 758-9693 or e-mail us at teamforkids@nyrr.org.
TEAM FOR KIDS FAQs
WHO WE ARE
What is Team for Kids?
Who benefits from the fund-raising money?
HOW TO JOIN
Do I have to be a member of New York Road Runners to join?
What are the benefits of joining Team for Kids?
How do I register for Team for Kids?
Can I join Team for Kids if I already have been accepted into the ING New York City Marathon or NYC Half-Marathon?
Does Team for Kids pay for my marathon or half-marathon race fees?
Is there a deadline to register for Team for Kids?
How can I get my company involved with Team for Kids?
FUND-RAISING
What is the fund-raising pledge commitment?
What fund-raising resources does Team for Kids provide to help me reach my fund-raising goal?
Where do I mail checks given to me by donors?
Are corporate matching gifts counted toward my total?
Can I get a discount if I register with a group?
TRAINING
I am a first-time marathoner. Will I be able to run the marathon?
Will Team for Kids provide an on-line training schedule that I can follow?
I live in the NYC metro area and I would like to participate in group runs. Are these available?
Do you have group training runs in other cities?
TECHNICAL
Will my credit card be charged if I have not raised the full amount?
What happens if I get injured and cannot run the marathon? Is there a cancellation policy?
I forgot my username/password.
Does Team for Kids provide a training and/or racing shirt?
Does Team for Kids provide travel and lodging?
I am traveling to the race events. When should I plan to arrive in New York?
Will Team for Kids pick up my race packet and bib for me?
Are there volunteer opportunities?
WHO WE ARE
What is Team for Kids?
Team for Kids is a committed group of adult runners from around the world who add meaning to their miles by raising funds on behalf of New York Road Runners youth programs, and in return, receive guaranteed entry into premier NYRR events. To learn more about Team for Kids, please click here.
Who benefits from the fund-raising money?
The money raised by Team for Kids members goes toward New York Road Runners youth services which provide free or low-cost school- and community-center based health and fitness programs to children who have little to no access to regular physical activity. These programs currently serve nearly 100,000 children each year in more than 400 schools and community centers in New York City, nationally, and in Africa. For more information on where the money goes, please click here.
HOW TO JOIN
Do I have to be a member of New York Road Runners to join?
No, NYRR membership is not required. However, if you would like to know more, please click here.
What are the benefits of joining Team for Kids?
In addition to the personal satisfaction that comes from helping to fight childhood obesity and giving youth a running start in life, TFK members receive expert guidance, support, and many other benefits, ensuring they cross the finish line with a smile. For information on specific perks available, please visit each event’s specific page. For a listing of all events, please click here.
How do I register for Team for Kids?
To join Team for Kids, please click here to begin the process. You will first create a Team for Kids profile and will then select which event you would like to participate in.
Can I join Team for Kids if I already have been accepted into the ING New York City Marathon or NYC Half-Marathon?
Yes, we welcome individuals who already have guaranteed entry into these events. If you have guaranteed entry prior to joining Team for Kids, you are entitled to a reduced pledge commitment. Please contact us at tfkservices@nyrr.org for more details or click here to join today.
Does Team for Kids pay for my marathon or half-marathon race fees?
No, Team for Kids does not pay any race entry fees. All Team for Kids members are responsible for paying applicable race entry fees. An email detailing next steps will be sent after your Team for Kids registration is processed.
Is there a deadline to register for Team for Kids?
While there is no official deadline to sign up with Team for Kids, there are a limited number of slots available. Once these slots are filled, we will be unable to take on additional members. Team for Kids events have a history of selling out several months before the event.
How can I get my company involved with Team for Kids?
For more information on how to get your company involved with Team for Kids, please visit our Corporate Team for Kids page here.
FUND-RAISING
What is the fund-raising pledge commitment?
Fund-raising commitments differ by event. For full details, please click here to visit each event's specific page.
What fund-raising resources does Team for Kids provide to help me reach my fund-raising goal?
Team for Kids offers substantial fund-raising support to members. Each Team for Kids member is automatically set-up with a personal, customizable online fund-raising page. Additionally, members have access to fundraising templates, webinars, clinics, and many tried and true tips and tricks.
Where do I mail checks given to me by donors?
Please make sure all checks are made out to Team for Kids. The Team member’s name and entry number should be noted in the memo line. Then, please mail to:
New York Road Runners
Att: Team for Kids
156 W 56th Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10019
Are corporate matching gifts counted toward my total?
Yes! We encourage members to take advantage of their company’s matching gift program and to recommend that their personal donors do the same. All matching gifts will be counted toward the pledge commitment as long as they are received prior to the fund-raising deadline. For additional questions about matching gifts, contact our finance coordinator at TFKfinance@nyrr.org.
Can I get a discount if I register with a group?
Team for Kids is offering a reduced pledge commitment of $1,000 each for the New York City Half-Marathon for groups of five or more individuals who register at the same time. For the ING New York City Marathon, groups of ten or more individuals who register together will be eligible for a reduced fundraising commitment of $2,500 each. To be eligible, all team members must register for the event within two weeks of each other. Once everyone has registered, please e-mail TFKfinance@nyrr.org with the name or your team and all team members' names. Please note that each team member is responsible for individually reaching the fundraising commitment. There are no shared fundraising commitments.
TRAINING
I am a first-time marathoner. Will I be able to run the marathon?
Yes, runners of all abilities are welcome to join Team for Kids. Our training is geared toward individual fitness levels and finish-line goals. Many first time runners successfully complete the marathon and half-marathon with us each year.
Will Team for Kids provide an on-line training schedule that I can follow?
Yes! When you register with Team for Kids for the NYC Half-Marathon or the ING New York City Marathon, you will be invited to join the Team for Kids on-line training and communications site, www.Flotrack.org. Once on Flotrack, members can access the workout calendar, contact Team for Kids coaches, staff, and team members, and receive training tips and updates on events taking place throughout the year. Members of our Nautica New York City Triathlon team will also have access to an exclusive Team for Kids training schedule and coaches for any questions.
I live in the NYC metro area and I would like to participate in group runs. Are these available?
Team for Kids holds group runs for both the ING New York City Marathon and NYC Half-Marathon teams. Details and schedules will be provided for each group on Flotrack.
Do you have group training runs in other cities?
While Team for Kids does not have official coached workouts in other cities, we have team members in cities throughout the world who often organize their own runs based off of the Team for Kids training plans.
TECHNICAL
Will my credit card be charged if I have not raised the full amount?
Each Team for Kids event has a fund-raising deadline. When this date is reached, if there is any outstanding pledge amount, the credit card on file will be charged the balance due. If there is a problem charging the card or retrieving the balance in another form, the TFK member will not be permitted to participate in the event.
What happens if I get injured and cannot run? Is there a cancellation policy?
In the unfortunate circumstance that runners are injured, or otherwise unable to participate in TFK events, members can cancel their race entry and defer to the following year for the ING New York City Marathon and the New York City Triathlon only. Members will still be responsible for fulfilling the fund-raising pledge commitment. To have your spot deferred to the following year, contact TFKfinance@nyrr.org. Please note that it is not possible to defer your entry in the Empire State Building Run-Up or the NYC Half.
I forgot my username/password.
If you have forgotten your password for the Team for Kids log-in page, click on the link to have your password sent to you. If you have forgotten your username, contact the Team for Kids staff at TFKservices@nyrr.org.
Does Team for Kids provide a training and/or racing shirt?
TFK members receive an electronic welcome kit that includes fund-raising donation cards, sample fundraising letters, and a training schedule. Your TFK signature green singlet will be mailed when you reach the halfway point in your fundraising. Technical training shirts are available for $15.
Does Team for Kids provide travel and lodging?
Team for Kids does not provide travel and lodging, but members can take advantage of travel and lodging deals through the official travel partner of NYRR, Anthony Travel.
I am traveling to the race events. When should I plan to arrive in New York?
It is suggested that members arrive in New York City at least two days prior to their event. It is also suggested that runners do not fly back to their destinations the day of the race but instead stay an extra day before flying.
Will Team for Kids pick up my race packet and bib for me?
No. Only registrants themselves may pick up race packets and race bibs. Please plan your travel accordingly.
Are there volunteer opportunities?
We welcome volunteers to get involved with our programs, as well as our events throughout the year. For more information on opportunities available, please click here.
