Become a team Hoyt VB Athlete

Frequently asked questions:

Q.  If I can't participate by riding or running in all of the races, can I still participate?

A.  Life is hectic; we understand.  Even if you can only run in one race a year, we would still love to have you.  We can't express how rewarding it is to ride or run during an event...to hear the cheer of the crowd or see the smile in the stroller up ahead.  If you have the opportunity, seize it!  Just make sure that you have filled out the proper paperwork and have been cleared, whether you are a runner or a rider.

Q.  Are there any age or weight requirements to participate as a rider athlete with Team Hoyt VB?

A.  Nope!  We have quite the fleet of racing chairs and have learned (after a few tweaked wheels along the way) which rider athletes to put in which racing chair to give everyone—from our rider athletes to our runners—the best possible experience.  We would love to have you or your child or young adult participate and feel the power of "YES, YOU CAN!"  We will work around any concerns or limitations you or your rider athlete may have.​

Q.  I'm a runner, do I find a rider athlete, or do you pair one with me?

A.  You can provide your own rider athlete if you have a special needs family member or friend who wants to race.  You can also request a pairing for a specific rider athlete.  Otherwise, you will be paired with a rider athlete who is an appropriate weight, gender, and/or needs for you.  The goal is to provide you with a rider athlete that you can physically push for the duration of the event.
 
Q.  I don’t have a racing chair/jogger—are those provided?

A.  Team Hoyt VB will provide all equipment for the rider to participate.  Some rider athletes have personal chairs that they bring to the events.
 
Q.  Who needs to actually sign up for the race?  The runner, the rider athlete, or both?

A.  All runners need to sign up and register for the event with the race organizer (see the EVENT CALENDAR tab at the top of this page).  We have formed great relationships with the race organizers in this area, who allow our rider athletes to participate for free.  Some events require that the rider athletes be registered for insurance purposes - this will be noted in the event description on the Events Calendar page.
 
Q.  Will my rider athlete receive a number and/or medal at the end of the race?

A.  Yes, all rider athletes will receive a medal (if provided by the race) and any of the swag.  Since the rider athletes are typically not required to register, they usually do not receive a t-shirt or any expo or pre-race gear.  If the rider athlete is required to register for the event, they will be issued a bib to have on the course, along with a full swag bag provided by the race.

Q.  I’m nervous because I have never run a race pushing a rider athlete.  Will I be grouped with a more experienced runner?  If so, will that person also be pushing someone, or will they be able to help me push my rider athlete?

A.  For your first race, you will be paired with a veteran runner to run alongside you and answer questions.  Depending on the number of rider athletes for a specific event, the veteran runner may be pushing another rider athlete alongside you or sharing the work with you.  You can pair up with other runners for events to push as a team if you like.  Once you're comfortable and have cleared the necessary background checks, you may be paired directly with a rider athlete.

 
Q.  A couple of friends are interested in running alongside me and my rider athlete on race day—do they also need to do the background checks provided on the Team Hoyt VB website?  How does that work (see the question below about corrals)?

A.  To ensure the safety of our rider athletes, THVB permits only cleared runners to push our rider athletes during race events.  If you have friends running in the race, they will need to start in their specific corral.  They can catch you during the race and run alongside you during the event.  Family members of the rider athlete are the exception to this; they are permitted to start with the team.
 
Q.  Where do I go on race day?

A.  Race instructions are sent out to the team several days before the race event.  The instructions provide details about parking, packet pickup, location of the trailer and staging area, pre-race details, a specific schedule of events for the race morning, and pertinent weather concerns for race day.  You will also have a specific contact person for each race and his/her phone number if you have questions on race morning. 

Q.  What is race morning like?

A.  The emailed instructions will give you a timeline for the flow of events.  After you park, locate the trailer at the race venue and check in with the event race director.  He or She will need your bib number if you are a runner or will issue you a rider bib if you are a rider athlete (if required for the event). Then find your pairing for the race and get your chair set up with drinks, snacks, a speaker, or other gear.  Make sure the rider athlete is strapped in and positioned comfortably.  We usually have a team picture before the event and go over any

last- minute details for the race and then head for the start line. 
 
Q.  Is there a Team Hoyt corral, or do we run in the corral corresponding to our time?
A.  Team Hoyt VB usually starts at the front of the race field to allow the chairs to space out on the course.  This allows other racers to safely pass us on the course. During local triathlon events, we often start before the age group athletes as well. 
 
 
Q.  I usually see Team Hoyt runners wearing red shirts.  Are those provided?  Are they provided for the runner, the rider athlete, or both?

A.  We provide a Team Hoyt VB T-Shirt or Tank for all runners and riders who join the team.  You can purchase other Team Hoyt VB gear from the Apparel Store HERE! If there is something you'd like to see in the apparel store, please let us know; we are always adding new gear for purchase.