2014 SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN
ENDURANCE CHALLENGE
Encouraging Healthy Lifestyles in Southeast Wisconsin
TEAM GUIDE
Friends, Families, Businesses, Neighbors,
Clubs, Fitness Centers
© All Rights Reserved – AD-vantage Promotions / Plan Ahead Events – Racine, WI 53405
SWEC PLANNING GUIDE
Team up for SWEC!
Completing a 5k or any other endurance event is an amazing accomplishment and one that is enhanced when you are supported
by friends, family and colleagues. The SWEC is all about setting goals and teamwork. In fact, the SWEC events focus on team
building and cooperation. In the spirit of SWEC, we invite you to form a team and join us for the 2014 Southeast Wisconsin
Endurance Challenge.
FAQ:
Why form a team?
•Train together and encourage each other. A team provides great motivation to reach a personal goal and you can enjoy
time with others.
•Team participation creates great community visibility for a company or organization. Show your
company/organization’s spirit at the race!
•Make a commitment to a healthy lifestyle with your friends, family, and/or co-workers!
•Our SWEC Challenge is not like any other, it’s a celebration and your team can enjoy it together!
Who can create teams?
Anyone! We invite companies, organizations, neighbors and clubs to gather their colleagues, family and friends. A team should
have at least 10 people; there is no limit to the team size.
How do I sign up as part of a team?
Once a team has been established pick a team name. Each team member can register for the race on his/her own online or by
paper form; just include your “team name” on your registration.
What does it cost?
See each event listing for details. Typically there are no additional fees for registering as a team. Each individual is responsible
for his/her registration fee.
Can we make our own shirts?
We highly encourage you to dress alike or wear a fun accessory so your team members are recognizable … However, if you
decide to create your own shirt, please contact us for discounts on t-shirt printing services. 1.877.651.2440
Tips for recruiting teammates!
Want to make sure you will have plenty of event buddies at the SWEC Challenges? Consider these tips when recruiting
people to sign up for your team:
Start early. It’s never too early to start recruiting. Make sure your co-workers have the event dates on their calendars. See
event listing and check the web site often at www.SWECevents.com.
Be visible. Sit in a visible spot at your company one day a week. Make sure you have handouts about the events
(Download off the website or conatct us and we will drop copies off). You should also have a sign-up sheet for those who
want to receive more information.
Communicate. Make sure to tell interested people how to sign up, what your team will be wearing on race day, where to
meet, etc.
Engage. Help runners/walkers with a training plan if they need it. Match up people of similar paces. Organize a few
practice runs or walks.
Set aside 15 minutes in your weekly calendar to review team stats, write emails and brainstorm about how to motivate
your Colleagues.
Encourage Health and Wellness at Work
A business has so many tasks and responsibilities to think about that it can be only too easy for health and wellness
concerns to fall through the cracks.
But, considering that people spend such a large proportion of their lives at work, prioritizing and promoting wellness can
make a big difference for even the smallest companies. Plus, once you add up the figures with your small business
accounting software, you could be pleasantly surprised by the cost savings.
Why encourage health and wellness?
Lower health-care costs. For many businesses, one of the main motivations to implement staff wellness programs is
financial. If you provide health care for your employees, a healthier workforce will save you money.
For example, Dr. Richard Syder, senior medical director at Independence Blue Cross, says that at least 50 percent of an
organization's healthcare costs are linked to employees' smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise, according to figures from
the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Fewer employee sick days. Healthier employees are also less likely to take time off for illness, thus putting less strain on
other workers and helping ensure projects are completed in a timely manner.
Reduction in employee stress. A stressed workforce is less likely to be productive, and a healthy workforce is less likely
to be stressed.
Recruitment and retention. Putting a wellness program in place shows that you care about your workers' health and
wellbeing. This move will increase your opportunities for attracting high-quality job candidates, as well as improving
employee retention for existing workers.
Builds community. A wellness program gives workers the opportunity to interact outside the office, support each other's
progress and build camaraderie.
2ND Annual Southeast Wisconsin Endurance Challenge
(Registration is FREE)
THE CHALLENGE
Participate in events, just like you already do. If you participate in Southeast Wisconsin Endurance Challenge (SWEC)
Approved events, you will have a chance to win cool stuff just by doing what you love to do. The more you complete
SWEC Approved events, the more cool stuff you can get. Times do not matter, just crossing the finish line. 6 minute miles
or 15 minute miles, it does not matter. You are out there and that is what counts!
The SWEC was designed to create awareness and encourage healthy lifestyles in Southeast Wisconsin. Our primary focus
is to promote local 5K's and fitness events. Anyone is welcome to join.
The SWEC is for the average person looking to have fun, complete races, and earn some sweet rewards. What you can
expect out of registering for the Southeast Wisconsin Endurance Challenge:
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Registrants will be notified of any discounts, changes or additional events as they are added
Awards and medals for participating in SWEC Approved events
End of the year banquet awards ceremony
Access to SWEC SHOP where you can get shirts, sweatshirts, decals, and more
HOW IT WORKS
Sign Up...
It doesn't matter when you sign up throughout the year, but you have to be signed up to earn all the cool stuff. Earn awards
and swag for getting involved in events you love! It is free to join and participate in the SWEC. Our first challenge begins
February 15th and runs until December 31st, 2014! Remember that to qualify for awards you must pre-register and you
MUST participate in the events.
Note: If you sign up in the middle of the challenge you can still submit past race results that are within the challenge
dates. Example, if you participated in the Cupid's 5K on February 15th and you don't register for the SWEC Challenge
until Oct. 15th, you can submit older race results that date back to the beginning of the challenge.
There is no cost to participate in this challenge outside your actual cost to participate in local events.
Register at anytime
I signed up. Now what?
After you sign up for SWEC, start participating in SWEC Approved events. Every time you participate in an event, check
in on our website at www.SWECevents.com to log your information and enter your results. You must complete the
"Event Check-In Form" to get credit for the event. You have until December 31, 2014 to Check-In all your events.
Sign up for as many events as possible! Check out the list of SWEC Approved Events. More events are being added
constantly. Prizes and Awards are given for participation and race times. We have numerous awards categories so most
everyone wins. The biggest reward will be a healthier you!
Now its time to CELEBRATE!
It’s all about living a healthier lifestyle... and of course the swag and the glory. Winning gift cards and other endurance
related merchandise is guaranteed to most participants. Select participants will win gift cards, gadgets and other
great swag!
SWEC Gala & Awards Celebration to be held Jan. 10, 2015 in Racine, WI.
Limited to 200people. Please pre-register for this event so we have an idea of attendance.
You'll have an opportunity to confirm your registration as an Individual or block a table of 8 at a later date.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS & PRIZES
Individual Participation Medals will be provided for the following:
• 5 Events:
• 10 Events:
• 15 Events:
Bronze Medal
Silver Medal
Gold Medal
Individual Top Time GOLD Awards:
Submit your best run times from your top five 5K events. The person submitting the best combined time
wins. Trophies will be given to all 6.
• TOP 3 Male
• TOP 3 Female
Individual Most Improved Runner
To receive this award you must submit your 1st run time for a 5k by June 30, 2014. Then submit your final
run time for a 5k no later than Dec 30th, 2014. Runs must be from our list of qualifying events and you must
have participated in at least five 5k Events..
Individual Weight Loss Challenge
To receive this award you must submit your starting weight and photo no later than June 30, 2014. Final
weight must be submitted no later than Dec. 30, 2014. The person losing the highest percentage of weight will
win this challenge.
TEAM AWARDS & PRIZES
Corporate Cup Award
Award presented to the organization ( Businesses, manufactures, banks, retailers, law firms, etc.) who has the
highest combined attendance at all qualifying events. Make sure your attendees sign up under your team
name. Remember, the more events you attend the greater your chance of winning!
Fitness Clubs/business Cup Award
Award presented to the organization (Fitness Clubs or Groups) who has the highest combined attendance at all
qualifying events. Make sure your attendees sign up under your team name. Remember, the more events you
attend the greater your chance of winning!
Family and Friends Cup Award
Award presented to the organization who has the highest combined attendance at all qualifying events. Make
sure your attendees sign up under your team name. Remember, the more events you attend the greater your
chance of winning!
FEES:
FREE, but you must pre-register to participate. You can register at any time, but you must register before the final
event. (see event list). Please note that you are still responsible to pay for the registration fees to each SWEC Approved
Event.