Win $1,500 for Church Missions
Dear Friends in Christ,
We at Front Street United Methodist Church in Burlington, North Carolina are excited about the fifth year of a successful event to raise money for mission ministries. Our church, along with Set Up Events, the Burlington Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Burlington City Council are again sponsoring the Buckner Mission Man Triathlon. This year’s event will be held on July 26, 2008 at the same site: Lake Cammack Park & Marina in Burlington.
A unique aspect of this event is that church teams may enter the contest to win money for that church’s mission endeavors. This year the requirements for church teams have changed so please read the attached information carefully. All church teams will be relay teams consisting of three (3) members each running one leg of the race. One member of each relay team must be a member of the sponsoring Church. The finish time for each 3-person team will be handicapped based on the number of female and minister participants. There will be $3,000 in total award money distributed to the first, second and third place church team winners. This award money may be donated by the winning teams to their mission of choice.
Prize money for your church’s missions:
1st Place: $1,500, 2nd Place: $1,00, 3rd Place: $500
Church teams who want to participate must:
- Register as a relay team at http://setupevents.com by 7/23/08.
- Complete a Church Team Registration Form.
- The completed form must be faxed to FSUMC by 7/23/08. Church Teams who do not register with FSUMC until race day will be assessed a 1 minute penalty on race time.
The cost for church teams to participate is covered by registration fees with Set Up Events.
Team registration and packet pick up will be held on Friday 7/25/08 at Front Street United Methodist Church in Burlington, NC.
For more information, you may call the church office at (336) 227-6263 or send an email to fsumc@frontstreetumc.org.
This race fills up quickly, so register early. It is our sincere desire that your church join with ours in this fun and exciting way to use the gifts God has blessed us with to glorify his name.
In His Service,
FSUMC Triathlon Committee
Church Team Requirements
<> Each church relay team must consist of three people. Each person must complete one leg of the relay.
<> A church may sponsor as many 3-person relay teams as they desire.
<> At least 1 member of each 3-person team must be a member of the sponsoring church.
<> A 3-minute bonus will be SUBTRACTED from the relay team’s finish time for each minister or female on the team.
<> A maximum handicap bonus of 9 minutes per 3-person team can be subtracted. Examples:
- Team of 3 male ministers = 9 minutes subtracted
- Team of 3 female ministers = 9 minutes subtracted
- Team of 2 men and 1 female minister = 3 minutes subtracted
- Team of 1 minister, 1 male & 1 female = 6 minutes subtracted
<> Church teams must be registered prior to July 24, 2008.
<> To register online go to http://setupevents.com/
- Click on: TrySports Triathlon Development Series
- Select Buckner Mission Man, from the select event drop-down box
- Click on: Register for event
<> In addition to registration on line, each church relay team must:
- Complete a Church Team Registration Form (note that this form will pop up in a separate window, it is in PDF format)
- Fax the completed church team registration form to Front Street United Methodist Church (336) 227-7905. The registration form may also be emailed to fsumc@frontstreetumc.org.
Frequently asked Questions
1. When will the swimmer start for our relay team? The swim scares me; will I be swimming with 500 people?
Answer: No the swim start is staggered by age groups in waves three to five minutes apart for safety. You will be swimming with a much smaller group. Relay teams start almost last. Individuals would of course start with their age group. This is also a very clean water lake, and the swim will be along the shoreline which makes the swim much more comfortable for first time swimmers.
2. We don't have a minister we have a priest. Does that count?
Answer: Of course.
3. We have a teammate that has to drop out and cannot participate. Can that teammate be replaced? Can the entry fee be applied to the new participant?
Answer: The teammate may be replaced. Set Up Events has a strict refund policy-see their website for details. The new teammate would need to register online just as the original teammate did. After the race cap of 550 has been met, team member replacement may be done by contacting the church league captain at 336-227-6263.
4. Will competing church teams’ information be available prior to the race?
Answer: Set-up has a list of all registered relay teams.
5. Will anyone check on minister credentials?
Answer: No, this is a church league, we use the honor system!
6. I have an old trail bike is that okay?
Answer: Sure, you will see all kinds of bikes. You must have a bicycle helmet.
7. Will there be help for first timers?
Answer: We will have help on-site on the race day to help first timers get organized and know where to go and what to do. There are several coaching sponsors, see the set-up website for more information.
8. We know we will not win one of the three cash prizes how can this be a fundraiser for our church?
Answer: You never know, put together a good team and try. We know of some churches that are getting sponsors like a walk-a-thon to raise money for their church.
9. Do I have to be a member of the church whose team I am on?
Answer: Our goal is to encourage you to join with a church family to use the gifts God has blessed you with to benefit others. We do require that each 3-person team have one member from the sponsoring church.
10. Does the relay team count as one finish time or three finish times?
Answer: Each relay team has one finish time. This time will be handicapped based on the number of female and minister participants.
11. Will there be support on the racecourse?
Answer: Yes. On the swim course there are multiple lifeguards along the shoreline and boats and kayaks in the water. On the bicycle course there will be motorcycles patrolling and policemen at every intersection. On the run course there will be aid stations with water and safety personnel along the course.
12. How long will I have to put together a team for this race?
Answer: We know of several churches that are fielding large teams and this race will fill up quickly so please do not procrastinate. The absolute deadline is July 24.
