Have a question about the Beat the Bay State Team Challenge? We’ve put together a list of Frequently Asked Questions! (If you’re looking for FAQs for the 2021 event, they’re very similar – but will be published soon! The biggest 2021 change? We’ve added an in-person 5K).
Last updated: Wednesday, November 4th, 2020
Q: How do I log my miles?
There are two ways you can do it. Remember, you need to be registered for the Beat the Bay State on RunSignUp in order to submit your miles.
1st way — It can be done through the RunSignUp results page for Beat the Bay State, which can be found on the top bar of the registration site. Click RESULTS on the top bar, and then the orange “Submit Virtual Results” button at the top of that page. The next screen will have participant lookup fields where you can search for your name. You will be able to submit miles you’ve covered by walking or running on the next screen by clicking the “Log Activities” button. This is also the best way to do it if one family member is logging miles for multiple people. (If you can’t find your name through the search, you may not be registered for the event yet.)
2nd way — If you are logged in to RunSignUp with the same info you used to sign up for Beat the Bay State, you can go to your profile: https://runsignup.com/Profile
Scroll down to the event for Beat the Bay State, click “Submit Virtual Results.” You will be able to submit miles you’ve covered by walking or running on the next screen. Please note that the form fields will not appear until November 1st, since miles must be done between Nov 1st and Nov 30th. The submission form will remain open until December 1st at 12PM Eastern so you can log your final totals for the month of November.
You can log your miles daily, every few days, weekly – it is up to you. Remember, as each member of your team logs miles, your team will move along a mapped route. We’ll also be sending weekly reminders via email and daily reminders to the Facebook group (see below) to have people log their activity. You do not need to have MapMyRun, Strava, or a GPS watch.
Q: I only track my steps. How do I log those?
Since each person’s stride is different, we’re using miles to have a way to compare teams. Your fitness tracker may also estimate the number of miles that you’ve logged. If you want to convert from steps to miles, you can use this calculator: https://www.thecalculatorsite.com/health/steps-miles.php
Q: How do we know how far along our team is?
All team results / progress will be on the Results page. From there, you can click to your own Team Page, where you can see how you and your teammates are doing as individuals. You’ll also receive badges through RunSignUp and emails along the way as your team hits milestones on your 900 mile journey. (You can also access your team at the bottom of your Profile).
We’ll also send a weekly email to all participants giving everyone an overall event update and reminding people to submit their miles so their team total is accurate.
Q: Can someone join our team even after November 1st?
Yes! There is no cutoff date for when someone can join your team to help log miles toward the 900 mile goal during the month. You can share your team page with them at any point.
Q: Is there a hashtag I should use or a Facebook group for the event?
Yes! Facebook no longer allows an event to last for more than 2 weeks, so we created a Facebook Group for this year’s challenge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/beatthebaystate There will be weekly events within the Facebook group which will allow for additional individual prize opportunities.
You can also use hashtag #BeatTheBayState on your social media of choice to see other posts from people who are taking part during November. We’ll search public posts on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram and pick a few to feature in the weekly update email to participants!
Q: I want a winter hat or a buff, but I didn’t purchase one when I first signed up. Can I still get one?
Yes! You can access the store here. On the main RunSignUp page, you can also click “STORE” at the top. The store will let you buy something without going back through the registration process. If you’d like to order a large amount of items to distribute to your team, please contact Brendan (bkearney@dev.walkboston.org) and he can arrange that with you.
Q: I ordered a hat or buff. When should it arrive?
Oct 30th update: We’ve got the buffs and will start mailing them out soon, and should get the hats any day now! Brendan (bkearney@dev.walkboston.org) is handling fulfillment, and you can arrange a pick up from him if you want your buff ASAP for your walks/runs. (He lives in Watertown, close to the Arsenal on the Charles.)
Q: Our team will mostly be families in my neighborhood doing walks/runs together. How many members of a family can log the miles? For instance, if I am signed up but my son goes for a 2-mile walk, can I add his mileage to mine?
Something to consider: our executive director created a team for her friends & family to join, and her children are each signed up as team members since they each wanted to know how many miles they contributed to the team during the month. The rule of thumb we’re using: if you’re old enough to sign yourself up, you should be your own team member on the team. (It is your call, though – if you want to have your son signed up as a user, that’s great! But if you find it easier to combine those miles with yours, go for it.)
Q: Are there prizes?
There are prizes for the team that finishes the 900 miles first, biggest team (most participants), and the most money raised (both individual and team). These links will provide rankings: Team rankings | Team participants | Top Individual Fundraisers | Top Team Fundraisers
There will be weekly events within the Facebook group which will allow for additional individual prize opportunities, so we’d encourage you to join the Beat the Bay State Facebook Group.
Q: Does my registration fee or swag purchase go toward our team fundraising goal?
Registration fees and swag purchases do not go toward fundraising goals. The biggest team does not always raise the most money: we want to make sure we recognize both efforts!
Q: Fundraising: How do I create a page?
Team captains are required to create a team fundraising page when setting up the team, and participants have the option to create individual pages. (There is no fundraising requirement to participate). If you would like to become an individual fundraiser, click here. At the bottom of that page, make sure to join your team’s fundraiser so your individual fundraising total will be combined with your team.
Q: Can we keep going if/when our team hits 900 miles?
Yes! While your team marker won’t move around the map again, you’re able to keep adding to your total team miles tracked for the month.
Q: I have a question about something that isn’t covered here.
Send us a message through the RunSignUp page (contact form at the bottom) so someone can get back to you. https://runsignup.com/baystate
Thank you to all the participants in our first ever “Beat the Bay State” Team Challenge during the month of November. Over 450 people took part across 31 teams! The challenge was a way for people of all ages to participate in outdoor physical activity of walking and running over the 30 days of the competition. It also made it possible for teams to stay socially connected and have something fun and different to talk about when confronted with another Zoom meeting! We’d love your feedback: how’d it go, and what can we do to make it even better next year? 
