Frequently Asked Questions for the TCS New York City Marathon

1. How can I maximize my experience in obtaining my registration/bib for a New York City event through TeamFORCE?

• Look for our emails! Make sure you do not opt out of communications from FORCE. You can do that after your race if you choose, but email is our primary (and sometimes only) way to communicate with you. If you do not make sure you receive our emails, you will miss important information such as event updates, team activities and interactions, and registration must-dos.

• Join our TeamFORCE Facebook Group page. You can do that via this link, but please answer the questions when you request to join, as this page is kept private for TeamFORCE runners only.

• Email us with any questions at TeamFORCE@facingourrisk.org. There are two of us who respond to those emails, so with close to 600 registrations per year, we appreciate your understanding and patience as we respond. We are here for you, and we sincerely appreciate you being on our team.

• Read and understand your obligation to be on our team. We charge the credit card on file for unmet fundraising commitments on the dates listed on the landing page you used to register for the event. We will make every attempt to contact you via email with reminders and updates, but if you do not receive our emails, we will not be able to reach you. Please confirm your commitment and email us at TeamFORCE@facingourrisk.org if you have any questions.

• HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE AT THE EVENT! You are in New York City, and you have decided to make your miles count in a very meaningful way. You are running with a team of people who are truly making a difference, and we thank you so much for being part of it.

2.   Is the price I pay for my registration with FORCE part of my fundraising commitment?

No, it is not. Participants pay the NYRR directly for every bib in our allotment. FORCE paid a set price per bib to the NYRR for each bib we have to offer. You, in turn, pay the registration/bib fee directly to the NYRR at the price they request. You can assure your donors that, as we assure you, all dollars they donate to FORCE will be used to support our mission. FORCE holds the highest rating possible with Charity Navigator (the largest independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit evaluator in the U.S.) and other watchdog organizations (such as CANDID). We strive to conduct our program in the most transparent and ethical way possible. What you pay for your bib is completely separate from your fundraising commitment.

3.   How and when do I receive the link I need to register as a NYRR participant?

FORCE will receive registration links from the NYRR. Those links will be sent to all participants who have registered on our team. We receive those links from the NYRR shortly after the official lottery closes, and we will immediately send them to our team. We will email you the link to complete your registration with the NYRR, and you will use that link to pay the NYRR directly for your racing bib. Once that registration is complete, it will be added and visible in your NYRR account. 

For a valid reason, such as if fundraising due dates are not met, your registration with FORCE and with the NYRR could be canceled at any time. For that reason, we do not withhold sending those links to all registered participants; they are sent as soon as they become available to us.

4. How and when do I get my race bib?

Once you are registered with the NYRR, you will receive a registration confirmation email. On race weekends, the day before your run, you will need to pick up your race bib at the Runners’ Expo, just like all runners registered with the NYRR. You should also be able to get your official event shirt and any pre-paid merchandise you purchased through your runDisney account at that time.

5. When will my registration be added to my NYRR account?

Once you complete your registration with the NYRR, and your bib has been purchased via the link we will send you, we will be asked to officially approve your registration (as a member on our team). We will enter that “approval” as soon as possible after you purchase your bib. At that point, your registration will show in your NYRR account.

6. Do I need to join the NYRR to register for my bib?

No, you will be given the option (at the time you register with the NYRR) to register for the year as an NYRR member, and in the past, that has been offered at a rate equal to the discount they apply to the registration cost (meaning it has been offered previously at no “additional” cost to become a member). But those details are set by the NYRR, and you should read all the information available to you when you register to make that decision. Whether you join the NYRR or not has no effect on your registration with our team. It is totally an NYRR benefit.

7. What are my fundraising requirements?

Fundraising requirements for your event will be clearly stated when you register with FORCE. If you have questions about the amount of your fundraising commitment, please email TeamFORCE@facingourrisk.org. 

8. Is what I paid when I purchased the bib tax-deductible?

No, since you pay the registration fee directly to the NYRR, it is a purchase and not considered a tax-deductible donation.

9. Are the donations made to my fundraising page tax-deductible?

Yes, FORCE is a registered 501(c) (3) organization holding the highest ranking from many watchdog organizations, such as Charity Navigator and Candid. As a not-for-profit, FORCE relies on and deeply appreciates contributions from friends, corporations, foundations, and partners. All donations to FORCE are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law

10. Am I required to use my FORCE fundraising page?

You are not required to “use” your FORCE fundraising page, but you must set up your page to complete your registration. This provides a secure way for you to make donations to your page in lieu of fundraising if you choose to do so, and allows others to donate to help you reach your fundraising commitment. You can also use Facebook or Instagram or host your own fundraiser. If you raise funds another way, please contact us at TeamFORCE@facingourrisk.org. 

11. Will there be FORCE race day support and a team gathering?

FORCE staff currently do not attend the event, to make the best use of the dollars received. Therefore, there is no planned meet-up at the event. We wish we could be with you, but we do our utmost to steward the dollars you provide through your fundraising to support our mission and serve the hereditary cancer community. Sometimes there are staff members who live closer to the NYC area and can attend. And if we are able to grow this program to the point where we can provide on-site staffing, you will receive information about meeting us there in the “event weekend” email, sent 2-4 weeks prior to the event weekend. 

12. Does FORCE help me with travel and accommodation plans?

FORCE does not provide any travel details for this event. There is information on the NYRR website at: (https://www.nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon/raceweek/travel-and-hotels). If we receive any information, such as hotel accommodation discounts or recommendations, it will be emailed to you as soon as it is received.

13. Does FORCE help me with race logistics?

The best information about the race is on the race organizer’s website. (https://www.nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon/race-day/the-start). You can also connect with your TeamFORCE teammates on the TeamFORCE Facebook page. If you have any more questions about race logistics, please email us at TeamFORCE@facingourrisk.org.

14. Where can I learn more about FORCE? 

Visit our website at www.facingourrisk.org  and click “About FORCE” and “Mission & Impact.” Read stories from people who have benefited from FORCE’s programs and services, made possible by our donors and fundraisers. Also, sign up for our newsletter and find us on social media.

15. Will the TeamFORCE runners be wearing a team T-shirt during the race?  Is it required?

You will receive a TeamFORCE T-shirt in the mail.  Some runners will wear it during the race, but it’s not required. You will also receive an official race-day shirt from the NYRR at the expo on race weekend. Please note that we can only mail our shirts to addresses in the United States. If you registered under a non-mailable address, please email us at TeamFORCE@facingourrisk.org to see if other arrangements may be made. 

16. What happens if the race is canceled due to inclement weather or other reasons? How will I be informed if the race is canceled?

To keep you as up to date as possible, details like these will be provided by the NYRR. We are here to support you in any way we can, but all event logistics are handled solely by the NYRR, and they will communicate with all registered participants. Watch your emails, check the NYRR event page for your event.

17. Where can I get some fundraising tips?

Check out our Fundraising Guide.

18. Who will hold my room key and bag while I’m running the race?

Prior to race day, you will receive communications from the NYRR regarding gear storage and transportation options to the start line. We strongly suggest you be on the lookout for those emails and act as soon as possible, as some options fill up quickly. We can see when you make a selection and send a reminder, but it is in your best interest to act on those emails as soon as you receive them to secure your preferred options.

19. Is there a way to let others know who I am running in memory of or in honor of? 

We hope you will consider wearing a “back bib” on which you can write the name of the person you are “running for.” It resembles a racing bib, but it is not that at all. It is meant to be worn on the back of your shirt. It is a great way to let others know how you are making your miles count in such a meaningful way. Please email us at TeamFORCE@facingourrisk.org to let us know you would like one sent to you. We are also hoping to offer a printable option soon.

20. What is FORCE's tax ID number?

FORCE’s Tax ID Number (or Employer Identification Number “EIN”) is 65-0927702.

21. How do I mail checks to FORCE?

To mail in a check, please make it payable to FORCE. To ensure your donation is accurately recorded, please print and complete our “Mail-in-Donation Form”. Please mail the completed form, along with your check, to:

            FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered

            16057 Tampa Palms Blvd, W. 373

            Tampa, FL 33647          

22. Where may I view my state disclosures?

You may view state-by-state charitable gift disclosures on our website.

23. Will my employer match my gift?

Many companies offer a matching gift program to encourage philanthropy among their employees, and some even match donations made by employees' spouses and retirees. Please ask the employer if they offer a matching gift program. You may be able to double, or even triple, the impact of your gift to FORCE! Click here to find out your options.