The Birthday Run

Question 1

Can I transfer to another event?

Accepted Answer

Participants are able to transfer their places to another event as long as there is more than 7 calendar days before the event.

If it is before the event, then the participant can action this via their login and arrange the transfer themselves.

Additional monies may be payable if the cost being transferred to, is greater than the original booked event.

Please refer to the full terms and conditions page.

Question 2

Can I transfer my place to a friend

Accepted Answer

Participants are able to transfer their places to other participants up to 48 hours before the event (Zig Zag Running will obviously need to know the details of the changes. Monies to be sorted out between the 2 participants)

This transfer can be made by the participant themselves if it is over 7 days until event day.

After this time and up until 48 Hours, this change will need to be administered by Zig Zag directly and an email will need to be sent regarding the changes needed.

Question 3

It's less than 7 days before the event I've entered, can I transfer to another event?

Accepted Answer

In accordance with our terms and conditions, if you wish to transfer your place and its less than 7 clear days to the event you can pay a £10 transfer fee to another event. However, this can only be done up to 48 hours before the event.

Please note if the event you are transferring to is more expensive, then it may be that you need to pay £10 plus the difference between the event prices.

Question 4

What happens if I can't make the event?

Accepted Answer

If you cannot make the event and its less than 7 days, you can opt to run the event virtually within 3 months and send in a screenshot to get your medal posted out to you.

If its more than 48 hours before the event, then you can pay a £10 transfer fee.

If its more than 7 days, you will be able to transfer to another event. This can be done directly with your log in. Please note some events cost different amounts so additional monies may be required.

Question 5

Is there a bag drop?

Accepted Answer

Some venues have a baggage area. Please check the details within the race briefing pack or entry page of the specific venue you are attending.

Where there is no baggage, you are usually very close or pass by your parked cars.

Question 6

What does my entry include?

Accepted Answer

A bespoke medal (if chosen when booking), and eternal glory.

We will also have a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate ready for you at the end at the end along with a nice slice of cake.

Our marshals also take photographs of you whilst you are on the route and these are available on the Zig Zag Facebook Group page normally within 48 hours of the event.

Question 7

When & Where do I get my race number?

Accepted Answer

You'll pick this up on race day morning.

When you arrive at the race site head to race registration to collect your bib number.

The Race brief will happen approximately 10 minutes before the Start. Please ensure you have visited the toilets and are ready to listen to the briefing which will cover aspects such as coloured arrows to be followed, any safety issues to be aware of, how many laps per distance and any other on the day changes.

Question 8

Can I leave my own drinks & food at the Aid Station?

Accepted Answer

We will have an aid station at base camp which will supply water, coke and squash, crisps, pretzels and sugary snacks. If you want to place your own food or drink on this table, please ensure it is labelled with your name.

Our events are CUPLESS so please bring your own bottle or cup for refilling. This is to help with the environmental impact of hosting race events.

If this is not a short loop or out and back event (eg over 5.3km) then there will be other aid stations but we do not have the facility to get your items to other stops. Any specialist foods/drinks on these events will need to be carried by the participant

Question 9

Do you supply cups at the Aid Station ?

Accepted Answer

No.

We have gone cupless to try and reduce our impact on the environment.

Please therefore come along to our event with a bottle or other liquid recepticle to hold your drinks.

Question 10

Can I wear headphones?

Accepted Answer

Headphones are permitted at all events except Suffolk Running Centre, where bone-conductors are ONLY allowed. This is due to the fact that the event takes place on open roads.

You should be mindful of your surroundings and be able to listen to marshals should they issue you instructions.

Question 11

What does Lucky Dip mean?

Accepted Answer

The lucky dip option is a little cheaper than the event medal option.

You will still get the full race day experience but when you finish you will be given a selection of medals to choose from. Some of these are from previous events which means you can sometimes get the chance to pick up a medal you may have missed.

This also helps us to recycle/reuse old medals so therefore also doing our bit for the environment.

Question 12

Why is there only the Lucky dip option available when booking?

Accepted Answer

The lucky dip option allows participants to come along and get the complete race day experience but at the end, its a choice of medals (not specific to the event) that can be chosen.

Some people aren't fussed on a medal so select this option.

Most often this medal option is available because the event has been so popular that the Event medal is sold out but Zig Zag Running do not want to prevent you from coming along and joining in the day and this is another way of doing so.

Question 13

My email confirmation states 9am when I am sure I selected 11am start?

Accepted Answer

If you click on "view booking" in your confirmation, it should detail the start time you have chosen.

Your email confirmation states 9am as this is when the whole event commences.

Question 14

What time does the parking open?

Accepted Answer

The parking opens at 8am.

Please do not arrive earlier than this as some venues will be completely locked. Please ensure you follow all instructions given by the marshals and please try to car share as much as possible to help on the environmental impact and share on parking charges (where applicable)

Question 15

What time do I need to arrive?

Accepted Answer

Please arrive after the parking opens.

You need to allow time to attend the toilets, collect your race bibs and be ready promptly 10 minutes before your start time to listen to the route and safety briefing.

Question 16

Is there parking?

Accepted Answer

All our venues have parking.

Some events the parking charges are additional. This information can be located within the venue briefing documents.

Question 17

Is there a course map?

Accepted Answer

The course map can be located under the route map tab.

You can also download a GPX of the file here too.

In circumstances beyond our control, we may need to change or alter the route used on the day.

Question 18

Whats the elevation of the route?

Accepted Answer

The elevation of the intended route can be found under the route map tab.

Please note some events have multiple routes and there could be a drop down of route choices. Please refer to the route detailed on the details page to identify the route being used.

If there is only one drop down, then this is the route proposed for all.

Question 19

Is there showers/changing areas?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately there are no showers or changing facilites available at this venue.

Question 20

Is this event  measured for Good for Age?

Accepted Answer

No, unfortunately this event does not have an officially measured marathon distance to qualify for Good For Age

Question 21

What is the closing date for entries?

Accepted Answer

The events are open up until 48 hours prior to the event start date.

Some categories may close earlier than this and will go to waitlist or sold out.

There are no "on the day" entries available.

Question 22

What is meant by Heavy Half Marathon?

Accepted Answer

A heavy half marathon is a distance between a half (13.1miles/21km) and the marathon distance (26.2miles/42km)

Question 23

What distance is an Ultra?

Accepted Answer

An ultra is any distance over a marathon. This differs course by course and is often linked to the cut off of the event.

The minimum ultra distance at any event is around 29.5 miles.

Question 24

Can I change the distance I have signed up for?

Accepted Answer

You should be able to manage this yourself within your profile by logging in.

If the event is price specific you may need to pay more to upgrade to a greater distance.

If the event is sold out, you will have to contact Zig Zag directly to see if it is still possible to change.

Changes can only be made on the system up to 7 days before the event day.

Question 25

If I don't complete the distance I signed up for will it be a DNF?

Accepted Answer

No, we are flexible in this regard.

For example, if you sign up for 6 laps and only manage 4, you would still get a medal of the 4 lap distance, your coffee and cake and your name in the results.

Question 26

What is the difference between a challenge event and pay per distance?

Accepted Answer

A challenge event means everyone pays the same to take part based on category selected eg. Event Medal or Lucky Dip. These events are flexible in that you can change your distance up or down on the day depending on how you feel. You just need to keep the chip timing team informed as your race number would have been assigned a set number of laps to count you through.

If you decide at the lap point to stop earlier than planned, please let the race timing team know so we know you are no longer on the course.

If you are feeling good and want to continue onto a further lap and the time constraints of the race allows, please also inform the race timing team so they can inform your chip that you are doing more laps and that you then receive the correct placement within the results table.

A pay per distance event means everyone is paying slightly different depending the distance proposed. The chip on your race bib has also been programmed to match what you have paid and will stop and record your time should you continue. The system will not know you have continued and you have not paid to run further.

You can increase your distance on a pay per distance event but this will need to be done either before race day or be paid at registration.

Question 27

I am on the waiting list for a Bespoke Event Medal.  Will this revert to Lucky Dip if I do nothing?

Accepted Answer

Depending on how many people are already on the waiting list, you may not ever receive an offer of an event medal.

If its less than 7 days before the event, it is very unlikely that you will receive an invite and at this point you should consider booking the Lucky Dip option if you are still considering coming along to the event.

You will not automatically join the lucky dip entry.

Sometimes the lucky dip also closes, so please pay attention to the weekly posts on Facebook about event spaces.

Question 28

If a group of us enters the waiting list together and one of us gets an invite, are we all in?

Accepted Answer

No unfortunately as one space becomes available one invite is sent.

This invite lasts for 24 hours or until someone takes up the entry. Unless more than 1 person transfers off, there are no guarantees for the rest of your group.

You can either sit it out and hope for a space or take the one space and everyone else enters as a lucky dip.

Question 29

When will I receive my race pack and information?

Accepted Answer

Nothing is posted out.

Your confirmation email contains a link to the venue race briefing page of the Zig Zag Website. This booklet contains all the information you should need about race day. The briefing document will not be named as your event (except 10in10 and Farmmageddon). It is venue related.

Question 30

Can my friend run with me as support crew?

Accepted Answer

You can run with a friend but they need to enter themselves.

If they run with you and are not part of the race, they are not insured to take part and are in breach of our risk assessment. This could jeopardise further events at the venue if persons unknown are taking part but not in the official capacity.

Some events have lesser distances and timescales meaning a friend can accompany another person, upon entering, for part of their race eg. the friend enters a 6 hour event, the participant enters a 12 hour event.

Question 31

How and when will I find out my results?

Accepted Answer

After each event, Zig Zag Running will email out the results from the day. These results will be received by email by midnight that same day.

These results are also held directly on the Zig Zag Running website in the event they need to be referred back to, at a later date.

Question 32

How do I find out how many loops or out and backs I need to do to complete the distance I have selected?

Accepted Answer

This information is dependent on the distance of the loop or out and back.

The numbers to be completed are detailed on the day at the Race Directors Race Briefing and are also contained within the venue information pack.

Question 33

Can I pay on the day?

Accepted Answer

Sorry no on the day entries are availble.

Events are usually available for entries up to 48 hours before.

Each week there is a posting on the Zig Zag Facebook group detailing the next 8 weeks of events and spaces available.

Please note that some venues have a strict upper limit on entries which means all entry types could close before event day.

Question 34

Are there any discounts available?

Accepted Answer

Discounts are available all year.

Enter 3 or more events or entrants into one basket at any one time and you will start receiving discounts.

Question 35

What trainers will I need?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the weather on the run up to the event, this could change.

Most of the events are on smaller loops meaning if you have both road and trail shoes you can bring both and if needed, change at the lap point.

Question 36

Is a map provided or am I expected to self navigate?

Accepted Answer

All our events are posted with arrows.

The arrow colour is described at the Race Directors Race Briefing so please ensure you are listening and attend the briefing held 10 minutes before your start time.

We will also have marshals on the course for the first couple of hours. Please look out for the blue hi-viz gilets.

Question 37

Do I get a T-shirt?

Accepted Answer

We only have event specific t-shirts at Farmmageddon and the Great Barrow Challenge. These are available in the shop for purchase.

Zig Zag Running has a selection of Zig Zag Kit at all events so whilst it may not be event specific, there is always options for a little purchase. Or you can pre-order in the online shop of the website for on the day collection.

Question 38

Is there prize money and trophies?

Accepted Answer

Zig Zag Running is a community based event and as such, we do not offer prize money or trophies for the fastest participants. We want everyone to achieve their own individual goals without the race pressure.

You are all winners in our eyes!

Question 39

What do I do if I get lost?

Accepted Answer

In the unlikely event that you get lost, you should contact the Race Director. His number is on the bottom of your race number.

Please do not leave the race (by other means eg friend or family picking you up) without informing the Race Director that you have done so. This is for both your safety and to prevent Zig Zag Running making a welfare call about your whereabouts.

Question 40

I can't make it now, can I get a refund?

Accepted Answer

We do not offer refunds but there are different options available according to how far out from the event we are.

If over 7 days, you should be able to transfer yourself by logging onto your profile and making the move yourself.

If less than 7 days then the options lessen with transfer fees to be paid or a virtual option to be taken.

Question 41

The weather isn't looking good for event day - will it be cancelled?

Accepted Answer

To date, no event has been cancelled. We have found the weather to have changed to what was predicted or if the weather has been bad, we have altered the course/route as required to ensure the event continues to go ahead safely.

If the circumstances are outside the control of Zig Zag Running, an email will be sent to all participants explaining the options. In most cases, all entries would be transferred to the following years event (subject to the date being available).

Question 42

I can't find my booking for the event

Accepted Answer

If you create a login you should be able to see all the bookings you have made.

The Birthday Run

Zig Zag Running

The Birthday Run

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