Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
Team Challenge - Malibu TriathlonFAQs
Registration
Q: How many entries does Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and Team Challenge have for the Malibu Triathlon?
A: There are an unlimited number of entries available for both distances of this event. After the first 7-weeks, participants will have the ability to either recommit or drop from the program. We call this our recommitment period. At that time, teammates who recommit are required to fulfill their fundraising commitment of $2,000 by September 20, 2023.
Q: Why am I required to give credit card information at recommitment?
A: Teammates who choose to recommit on August 9, 2023 are required to fulfill their fundraising commitment of $2,000 by September 20, 2023. In the unlikely event that you do not reach your fundraising commitment of $2,000 by the deadline, your credit card on file will be charged the difference. Don’t worry — our team will be there every step of the way to help you reach and exceed your goal!
Q: Is there a registration fee?
A: Yes, all participants must pay a $15 registration fee at the time of their registration.
Q: I have my own entry into the Malibu Triathlon. Can I still be a part of Team Challenge?
A: Absolutely! We’d love for you to join Team Challenge. All teammates who fundraise $2,000 or more with Team Challenge receive a host of benefits and perks during training and event weekend. For this reason, we ask that anyone who would like to join Team Challenge, but has already registered with their own entry to the Malibu Triathlon to re-register as a member of Team Challenge. Once the $2,000 fundraising commitment has been reached, participants will be eligible for reimbursement of the expense incurred when initially registering on their own. Please contact Kat Gunsur-Smith for more information.
Q: What if I register and then can no longer participate?
A: Registered participants will receive a 7-week training guide and access to our coaches, bi-weekly team calls, and more. After the first 7 weeks, participants will have the ability to either recommit or drop from the program (recommitment deadline: August 9, 2023). Teammates who complete the recommitment paperwork (regardless of their ability to ride on race day) must fulfill their fundraising commitment of $2,000 by September 20, 2023. Please understand we need this assurance to continue incurring program costs and securing event weekend activity details on your behalf. If you feel uncertain about meeting your fundraising commitment, please connect with your team manager, Kat Gunsur-Smith, to evaluate your fundraising progress and get help in developing a successful course of action. We know that it is possible to raise the funds and we are here to help you reach your goal!
Q: Can I form a relay team?
A: Yes! Grab one to two friends and form a team. For Saturday’s Olympic distance event, you’ll choose one friend to swim 1600 meters, another to bike 24.9 miles and one final person to run/walk 6.2 miles. For Sunday’s Classic distance, you will choose one friend to swim 800 meters, another to bike 17 miles, and one final person to run/walk four miles. You’ll cross the finish line as a team representing Team Challenge and our fight for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Q: How do I form a relay team?
A: Each team member must register as a Team Challenge Malibu Triathlon teammate for $15 here. Teammates will have their own individual fundraising page, or can share one fundraising page together with their team members. Your team’s fundraising minimum is a combined $2,000 total.
Malibu Triathlon
Q: When is the 2023 Malibu Triathlon?
A: The 2023 Malibu Triathlon will take place September 30 to October 1, 2023. The Olympic Distance takes place on Saturday, September 30th. The Classic Distance takes place on Sunday, October 1st.
Q: What can I expect at the Malibu Triathlon?
A: The Malibu Triathlon is an iconic, bucket list event that is quite the star-studded affair with participants swimming, biking, and running alongside celebrities who are often also taking on their first triathlon! Start the race with a swim in the Pacific Ocean, then ride through the Pacific Coast Highway, enjoying its breathtaking views, as you finish the course along the boardwalk and sands of Zuma Beach. This is truly the ideal climate to swim, bike, and run/walk!
Q: How do I find more information about the Malibu Triathlon?
A: For more race day information, please visit the Malibu Triathlon website.
Fundraising
Q: Is there a fundraising commitment?
A: Yes, all Team Challenge participants are required to raise funds and reach their fundraising minimum once they recommit (recommitment deadline: August 9, 2023). Fundraising commitments vary and are based on the event in which you are participating. To participate in the Malibu Triathlon, you commit to raising $2,000. But not to worry, our team is there to help you reach your goals!
Q: Can I earn rewards for fundraising?
A: Yes! You’ll earn Team Challenge gear at each fundraising milestone you achieve and opportunities to win fundraising contests. You can view all the prizes and milestones here.
Q: When is the fundraising deadline?
A: To help keep you on track, there are two fundraising milestones in your Malibu Triathlon journey. The first milestone is our recommitment period, which is halfway through the season. By this point, we recommend that you are at least a quarter of the way to your fundraising commitment. Participants will have the ability to fully commit to the fundraising minimum and deadline at that time or drop from the program. The second milestone and final fundraising deadline is 10 days before your race date, September 20, 2023.
Q: I’m registered for the event but am no longer able to participate. Do I still need to raise funds?
A: Once you have signed your Team Challenge recommitment paperwork (August 9, 2023), you are officially committed to fundraising on behalf of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Due to the expenses incurred for teammates, and to ensure that a majority of the funds raised go towards the foundation’s mission, we do not allow drops from the program after that time. The fundraising minimums are set based on the program’s expenses to ensure that we keep our costs at no more than 25% of the funds raised. Thus, your commitment is extremely important, maintaining the credibility of the fundraising program to all of our donors. Recommitted participants, regardless of their ability to take part on race day, must fulfill their fundraising commitment.
Q: How do I raise money?
A: Once you register, you’ll receive access to your fundraising dashboard and a link to your personal fundraising page, where you can create customized content, send emails, connect your fundraising page to a Facebook fundraiser and more. Plus, our extraordinary team will be there with you to help guide your fundraising and training every step of the way!
Q: To whom do I make checks payable and where do I mail it to?
A: Please make checks payable to Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Read our offline donation form for more information.
Q: How do I ensure check donations are allocated toward my goal?
A: Please ensure that your name is on the check memo line of the donation before mailing it and accompanying any check donations with this offline donation form.
Q: Where does the money I raise go?
A: The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is dedicated to finding cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and improving the quality of life for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). More than 10 million people worldwide are affected by these diseases — when you hit the streets of Malibu, you’ll be doing it for them.
Perks
Q: What perks does Team Challenge offer?
A: When you join the Team Challenge family, you’ll receive your Team Challenge T-shirt, triathlon kit top and bottom, race entry to the Malibu Triathlon, and a discounted hotel rate at Residence Inn West Lake Village. Also included are bi-weekly team calls with your coaches, managers, and other teammates, professional coaching, a 13-week training guide and fundraising resources. In addition, you can look forward to a fun ride weekend with a happy hour meet-and-greet on Friday evening, a race course preview and a celebratory brunch reception.
Q: How can I connect with other Team Challenge coaches and members of the Team Challenge family?
A: When you join the Team Challenge family, you’ll gain access to our Strava Club and Facebook Group! Additionally, you’ll be able to connect with teammates on our bi-weekly cycle team calls.
Training
Q: Does Team Challenge provide training support?
A: Yes! Coaching and training support will be offered to all registered participants. For the Malibu Triathlon, there is a 13-week training plan available.
Q: Is there an additional cost for training?
A: No. Your $15 registration fee helps cover the cost associated with the coaching and training plans.
Contact Us
Q: Questions?
A: Please contact us at teamchallenge@crohnscolitisfoundation.org.
