Toledo Runner Group Socials

RUN THE 419™ FREE GROUPS

Run Toledo and Dave’s Running Shop have been offering many free community run/walks in the 419 region for years, and we’ve added a few new ones too. For nearly a decade or more, Metropark Mondays and Wild Wednesdays have been a staple of these free, social, group runs.

Several years ago we added Thirsty Thursdays, Daybreak Divas, Monday RunDays, Sunrise Sons and course previews to our calendar of free group activities. We also offer exciting free popup run/social gatherings on 419 Day, Cinco de’ Mayo, National Running Day, Christmas Eve and others — led by friendly RTAs and Dave’s staff.

Look for these free group runs happening all over the 419 — from Sylvania to Perrysburg, Oregon to Delta, Findlay, Bowling Green, Maumee, Waterville and many points in between. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive notifications about each, and enjoy the outside in the 419 with us — together.

RECEIVE GROUP GATHERING UPDATES IN YOUR EMAIL

FREE 419 DAY ACTIVITIES

APRIL 19th • ANNUALLY

Kickoff the year by celebrating our hometown area-code day with free Dave’s activities. They will take place at a 419 region location/s to be announced ahead of the day.

We’ll let you know how to signup and give you all the details as they come together each year.

We’re looking at many cool options to add for your enjoyment to celebrate 419 Day in style.

SYLVANIA • PERRYSBURG • FINDLAY • DELTA

WHAT IS A FREEMIUM RUN?

SIGNUP TO SUBMIT WAIVER & RECEIVE LOCATION INFO • NO OR LOW COST ENTRY • SHOW UP & HAVE FUN

A Run the 419™ “Freemium Run” is a no or low cost gathering that thought up by the people for the people. These runs are planned spontaneously and designed for fun. For attending you might receive an old medal, outdated BIB number, or a previous race t-shirt that fits a 14 year old you. The winner may receive an expired gift certificate, and lots of high fives — but we’ll all have a good time and go out afterwards to celebrate the lifestyle.

HOW DO FREEMIUM RUNS WORK?
We’ll keep these gatherings very simple. Most will have no water stops, so bring hydration if you want. No stale bagels, snacks, or brown bananas will be served – we’re just going to enjoy running together and move on with our day. Registration will usually be open for a few days, and you must signup to submit a waiver and be added to the list to receive notification of the meetup location and time. Often the location will not be disclosed until just a few hours before we meet.

  1. Signup online or at the event. (we need WAIVERS signed)
  2. Encourage your fitness club, group, family or organization to participate.
  3. We will send you an announcement with details. (usually a day or two in advance)
  4. Show up!
  5. Run or walk at your pace.
  6. Go home or meet us at a designated venue for beverages or food and camaraderie.

You’ll have the option to be self-timed, or not timed. Want a medal? It might happen, or it might not. T-shirt? Nope, no time for that. Big ‘ol finish line? Not-gonna-do-it. We’re going old-school. Timing will be handled traditionally — by the wearable tech on your wrist, or shadows and the sun. Don’t worry, everyone will know your results, you’re going to post it on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter anyway. If you want an award for finishing first, well…we can offer a bunch of kudos on your Strava profile.

FAQ’s

IS THERE PRESSURE TO COMPETE?
Freemium runs come with no time pressure – mosey along at your own pace. You can walk, run, or even show up late and just wait for everyone to return so you don’t have to drink alone. But be aware, we’ll be gone 1 hour after the run starts. Of course, if you finish an hour after the event starts and we’re gone, remember to stop your watch.

WILL THE ROUTE BE MARKED?
Sort of. We will paint markings on the course, but no turn signs, water stops, traffic cones, or course marshals (you’ll need to pay attention to traffic signals and motor vehicles).

WHAT IF I GET LOST?
Call UBER. Do you have a GPS? Use the return to start function.

WHAT IF I NEED TO RELIEVE MYSELF?
Yeah, that could be a problem — no porta-potties will be waiting. Don’t drink coffee before the run, stop at a gas station, or seek out another private spot.

I FINISHED LATE – WHERE DID EVERYONE GO?
We’ll let you know beforehand. We’ll be either eating, or having drinks somewhere nearby.

WHAT DO THE MEDALS LOOK LIKE?
They are virtual medals. Picture it in your head, be creative.

HOW DO I GET IN TOUCH WITH THE RACE DIRECTOR?
There is no race director. These are informal runs, not races.

WHAT IS A VIRTUAL RACE?

COMPLETE THE DISTANCE ON YOUR OWN COURSE • SUBMIT RESULTS TO BE LISTED ONLINE • RECEIVE PERKS PACKAGE VIA MAIL

Virtual runs are great options for several scenarios. As a standalone way to motivate individuals to stay active, for local runners who can’t make the scheduled race date, runners from afar who want to support a particular charity or receive custom themed perks, as last resort for race directors forced to cancel a physical race.

HOW DO VIRTUAL RACES WORK?
The registration process is exactly the same for Run Toledo virtual races as for any other race. Individuals will register online via the RunSignup platform linked to from our event pages. One recommendation for having the best virtual race experience possible is to opt-in to receive text message and email notifications from the registration platform. These notifications will contain important links and answers to FAQs.

We’ll send you notifications via text and email with how to download and print your custom race BIB, submit your results and photos once completed, and provide you with event specific information throughout the lifespan of the virtual event. If you have text notifications enabled, then you simply reply to our text with your time to have it listed in results, or the word DONE to show completion without submitting a time. If you have email notifications enabled, you’ll also receive direct links to relevant updates and results listings where you can obtain a custom finisher certificate and easily share items socially.

WHAT IF A SCHEDULED RACE SWITCHES TO VIRTUAL?
We’ll attempt to notify all registrants thirty days in advance of any scheduled race that will be switching to virtual only. We’ll typically only switch to virtual and turn off standard registration if we cannot guarantee a safe environment for everyone. During this period of time we’re all dealing with COVID-19 uncertainty, these decisions are made in close consultation with local health departments and our Medical Director.

If a race needs to be changed to virtual only, we’ll email all registrants with a detailed outline of their options; typically within thirty days of the event, but unforeseen circumstances may arise closer to events as well. We strive to provide multiple options to accommodate everyones’ inconvenience should this become necessary.