05/01/2020
Dear runners and walkers,
Many of you have been wondering about the current status of The Cheddar Challenge set to take place on June 13th. We have remained optimistic for the month of June and the ability to produce this event for you. We have prided ourselves on putting this 5K on for you at Young’s Jersey Dairy every June since 2013. We see the accomplishments you make and the strides you have made to get to the starting line and to cross the finish line. Whether this was your first 5K, or your 100th, you all have trained hard for June 13th and that should not go unrecognized.
With that being said, the health and safety of our participants has always been a top priority. We spend time each year creating safety and contingency plans for all of our events. For this one, much of that typically revolves around weather and extreme heat for a June run. In this unprecedented time, we have a new challenge ahead of us that we have been planning for and coming up with ideas on how we can keep you all safe. As you may have guessed, that challenge is COVID-19.
We have been monitoring the situation, coordinating with Young’s Jersey Dairy, and listening to the Governor’s orders. We have discussed plans and strategized ways that we could make this 5K a socially distant event. While Ohio is set to begin reopening, large gatherings of people have not been given the green light to do so. Unfortunately, even with the measures we were ready to implement to keep you all safe, we are not allowed to host this event given the current climate and the restrictions on mass gatherings.
It is with much sadness, the 8th annual event is officially cancelled. It will not be rescheduled for 2020, but will take place as historically scheduled on June 12th, 2021. While many of you may still want to run this year, or don’t want to wait until 2021 to get your miles in, we have arranged a few options for you to take advantage of if you are a registered participant:
OPTION 1: JOIN THE VIRTUAL RACE (NO ACTION REQUIRED)
We know a lot of you are training for race day and don’t want those efforts to go to waste. While we can’t gather at the farm as planned, we are excited to offer a virtual race option! We will mail your race swag directly to your house and you can complete your run or walk from your own neighborhood, a local park, the treadmill---really, wherever you want!
We also know that COVID-19 has thrown a wrench into our schedules, so we are going to make the virtual race available to do over the course of a week (instead of just one day). We are working on some final details this weekend, but are excited to still be able to run with you, albeit virtually, this June!
The virtual option will be the default option. You do not need to do anything right now and will be automatically moved into the virtual event once the deadline for deferral or transfer arrives (May 16th). We will send you a detailed email after the deadline with how it works, suggestions to get social with everyone virtually, and a way to update your shipping address!
OPTION 2: DEFER YOUR REGISTRATION TO NEXT YEAR (ACTION REQUIRED)
The Cheddar Challenge is scheduled for June 12, 2021. If you prefer, you can easily defer your registration until next year for free! We will outline the steps below but you must complete the deferral online no later than May 15, 2020 at 11:59PM. After that deadline passes, all registrants will be part of the virtual race this year.
To complete your deferral, follow these steps:
Log into RunSignup and go to your profile: https://runsignup.com/Profile
Under the Upcoming Events section, click MANAGE REGISTRATION next to your The Cheddar Challenge 5K registration.
Click the DEFER REGISTRATION tab
Click the CONFIRM DEFERRAL button
Once registration opens for the 2021 event, you’ll be able to claim your deferral and sign up for free!
Having any issues? Watch this very handy video walkthrough:
https://help.runsignup.com/support/solutions/articles/17000062915-defer-registration-claim-deferral
OPTION 3: TRANSFER TO GOURDY’S PUMPKIN RUN (ACTION REQUIRED)
As many of you know, we have an awesome fall event called Gourdy's Pumpkin Run . We have events this October and November in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Akron on different days. We also have several other locations outside of Ohio, and a Virtual Run, if that suits you better! Check out all the details and dates at www.gourdyspumpkinrun.com
You can transfer your existing registration to Gourdy’s Pumpkin Run for free. We will outline the steps below but you must complete the deferral online no later than May 15, 2020 at 11:59PM. After that deadline passes, all registrants will be part of the virtual race this year.
To transfer to Gourdy’s Pumpkin Run, follow these steps:
Log into RunSignup and go to your profile: https://runsignup.com/Profile
Under the Upcoming Events section, click MANAGE REGISTRATION next to your The Cheddar Challenge 5K registration.
Click the TRANSFER TO ANOTHER RACE tab
Choose any of the races on the list and click ‘Start Transfer’
Follow the rest of the registration process as directed on screenAt the checkout screen, it will show a zero amount due (unless you added any extra merchandise on)
Click ‘Complete Registration’ and you’re all set!
OTHER SCENARIOS AND FAQS:
-If you volunteered last year and used your free registration code for the 2020 event, you will need to email us if you are choosing the defer to 2021 option or the transfer to Gourdy’s Pumpkin Run option. If you are choosing to do the virtual run this year, no need to do anything! Our email is [email protected]
- If you added on The Cheddar is Better Challenge, you will receive that medal in the mail if you do the virtual option this year (along with the regular finisher’s medal!) If you opt for deferment to 2021, you will be able to add that challenge on next year for free. If you opt to transfer to Gourdy’s Pumpkin Run this year, you will receive credit for the amount paid for the challenge. You can use it towards things like the Tough Pumpkin challenge or merchandise!
- You should be able to defer your registration or transfer to Gourdy’s Pumpkin Run very easily online. However, if you are having issues, please email us: [email protected]
- In summary, if you want to do the virtual run for The Cheddar Challenge this year, no need to do anything right now! You will be moved into it automatically. If you choose to defer to 2021 or transfer to Gourdy’s Pumpkin Run, you must follow the steps outlined above no later than May 15, 2020 at 11:59PM.
It really bums us out that we cannot gather together for race day as planned. We have spent a lot of time, energy, and money preparing for the 2020 event. It’s truly a huge bummer, but we know the health and safety of all our participants, volunteers, and spectators is paramount. We will get through this, have some fun with the other options, and be ready to rock the farm next June.
Stay healthy and we look forward to seeing you when the time is right!
-The Cheddar Challenge Team
