published Wednesday, January 12th, 2022 at 10:17 am by
Blaine Moore
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and the surge in the Omicron variant, we must cancel the in-person running of the race on February 6, 2022. This was a difficult decision to make and was reached in part due to the record surge in coronavirus cases, the expected peak in cases for the Omicron variant a week or two before race day, the unpredictability of the weather and our inability to safely provide race services completely outdoors, and the lack of hospital beds available in our area in the case anybody gets injured at the race.
We are still going to hold the virtual #InTheWild version of the race, and completion of the virtual race will still score you points in the Maine Track Club Grand Prix Race Series, and will count towards earning your race jacket for completing at least 1 event in each of the races in the series in 2022. (As a reminder, you can earn additional points by running multiple events, which are still available for at least the Longfellow Frostbite 2.5k and the Maine Marathon, and potentially other races in the series!)
Refund Policy Updates for the 2022 Running of the Race
In an effort to be as fair as possible because the in-person race had to be canceled, we are temporarily updating our refund policy for 2022 to provide the following options for runners to choose between:
Option 1: Donate Your Race Entry and Switch to #MWCinTheWild
If you choose this option, your in-person race entry will be converted to a virtual race entry, and we thank you for donating the additional cost of your race entry fee to the 2022 race beneficiaries. If you purchased a shirt, then we will refund the price of the shirt ($15) in February. If you are already registered for the #MWCinTheWild option, then we will consider this a donation and will just cancel your in-person registration.
Click here for directions on how to donate your race entry.
Option 2: Switch to #MWCinTheWild and Receive a Partial Refund
If you choose this option, your in-person race entry will be converted to a virtual race entry, and we will refund the difference between the in-person registration price and the #MWCinTheWild registration price ($10) as well as the price of the shirt ($15, so $30 total) if you purchased one. Refunds will be processed in February. If you are already registered for the #MWCinTheWild option, then we will consider this a $10 donation and will just cancel your in-person registration.
Click here for directions on how to switch your race and receive a partial refund.
Option 3: Defer Your Race Entry to 2023
If you choose this option, you will not receive a refund, but you will have a guaranteed entry into the 2023 running of the race. In order to successfully defer your race entry, you must claim your place before registration opens towards the end of this year. (The cut-off date is as yet to be determined but will be widely publicized in the Fall, and you will have an opportunity to claim your spot immediately after deferring your race if you choose to.) If you purchased a shirt, your purchase will be carried forward as a credit towards the race shirt for the 2023 running of the race as well.
Failure to claim your spot in the 2023 race before the deadline will lose your spot and your race entry fee will be considered donated to the Maine Track Club.
You can still register for the 2022 #MWCinTheWild option for the race separately if you have not already done so if you choose this option.
Click here for directions on how to defer your race entry until the 2023 running of the race.
Option 4: Receive a Refund For Your Race Entry Fee
If you choose this option, then you will receive a refund for the in-person registration price of the race ($25) as well as the price of the shirt ($15, so $40 total) if you purchased one. Refunds will be processed in February. Your race registration will be fully canceled and you will have to register separately for the virtual #MWCinTheWild version of the race if you want to run.
Click here for directions on how to receive a refund of your race entry fee.
Option 5: Do Not Respond Before the Cut-Off
We will do our best to get in touch with everybody, but the default option for people who do not respond before our cut-off date will be to choose option #1 for them as it is closest to our pre-existing refund policy.
Next Steps
Please look over the options above and see which option suits you the best, and follow the directions by Wednesday, January 26th, Friday, January 28th, 2022. We will plan on issuing any refunds in early February to cut down on expenses to the race so we can avoid issuing more than one refund per person.
To Donate Your Race Entry and Switch to #MWCinTheWild:
- Login to RunSignUp and navigate to Profile -> Upcoming Events and find Mid-Winter 10 Mile Classic
- Click on Manage Registration -> Transfer Event
- Click on the Start Transfer button and then you will be able to re-register for the #MWCinTheWild virtual event.
- If you need it, you can watch a video on RunSignUp about how to transfer to another event and find answers to some frequently asked questions.
To Switch to #MWCinTheWild and Receive a Partial Refund
- Login to RunSignUp and navigate to Profile -> Upcoming Events and find Mid-Winter 10 Mile Classic
- Click on Manage Registration -> Transfer Event
- Click on the Start Transfer button and then you will be able to re-register for the #MWCinTheWild virtual event.
- If you need it, you can watch a video on RunSignUp about how to transfer to another event and find answers to some frequently asked questions.
- Go to this form and fill out your information so that we can process your partial refund in early February.
To Defer Your Race Entry to 2023
Deferring your race entry is a 2-step process; please set a reminder to come back once we setup the 2023 event to claim your spot in next year’s event as we are unable to setup the event until after race day. We will setup the new race shortly after race weekend, and the cut-off to claim your deferral will be November 1st, 2022.
- Step 1: Defer Your Race Registration
- Login to RunSignUp and navigate to Profile -> Upcoming Events and find Mid-Winter 10 Mile Classic
- Click on Manage Registration -> Defer Registration
- Confirm your information is correct and then click on the Confirm Deferral button.
- Set a reminder to come back once the 2023 race is setup to claim your deferral.
- If you need it, you can watch a video on RunSignUp about how to defer your registration and find answers to some frequently asked questions.
- Step 2: Claim Your Race Registration Deferral
- Wait until the 2023 race information is available.
- Login to RunSignUp and navigate to Profile -> Deferrals
- Find your Mid-Winter 10 Mile Classic deferral and click on the Complete Deferral link.
- Click on the Start Transfer button and then you will be able to register for the 2023 race.
- If you need it, there are step-by-step instructions on RunSignUp with screenshots about how to claim your deferral and find answers to some frequently asked questions.
To Receive a Refund For Your Race Entry Fee
- Login to RunSignUp and navigate to Profile -> Upcoming Events and find Mid-Winter 10 Mile Classic
- Click on Manage Registration
- Click on the Request Refund menu item.
- Verify your information is correct and press the Issue Refund button.
- You will receive your refund usually within 5 business days, depending upon your bank.
- If you need it, you can watch a video on RunSignUp about how to request a refund and find answers to some frequently asked questions.
To Receive a Refund For Your Race Shirt
- If you are requesting a refund for your race entry fee or for a partial refund, your shirt will be refunded at the same time.
- If you are deferring your registration to 2023, then you will not receive a refund for your race shirt and will receive a credit towards next year’s registration and race shirt.
- If you are not requesting a refund and are not deferring your registration, we will be automatically refunding the price of the race shirts in early February and you will not need to do anything else.
#MWCinTheWild Race Details
We will still be running the #MWCinTheWild virtual event. Once you are registered, you must run 10 outdoor miles at any time in the week of January 31 through February 6th, 2022. You must report your run by 11:59pm on February 6th.
The 2022 Mid-Winter 10 Mile Classic will still be race #1 for the 2022 Maine Track Club Grand Prix series. Points will be awarded based on participation in virtual events and performance at each live MTC race, and prizes and bragging rights will be given out at the end of the year at the Annual Banquet. Anybody who runs in at least 1 event for each race in the series in 2022 will also receive a Maine Track Club Grand Prix race jacket.
Because the in-person event has been canceled, there are no restrictions about running on the race course on race day, but please be aware that there will be no support available on the course.
You can register here for the #MWCinTheWild virtual event.