Requirements:

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• Adhere to all requirements outlined within the CARA’s Best Practice Guidelines. Races must have a full understanding and plan for executing the CARA Best Practices Guidelines prior to application;

• Provide a CARA member registration discount [minimum discount of 10% or $5] that is active until the close of online registration*;

• Provide CARA with at least three (3) complimentary race entries to be used at CARA’s discretion that are active until the close of online registration*;

• Post-race, distribute to participants, by e-mail, a survey related to event organization;

 

​*Races that do not comply with this requirement will not receive any promotional benefits with their certification (i.e. Connection listing, Calendar highlight, printed material distribution).

 

Benefits:

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• Race will receive CARA Certified Race endorsement including a unique CARA Certified Race logo, certification number, and statement to be used event materials and website;

• Race will receive participant post-event participant survey results from CARA to aid in the evaluation of event and future planning;

• Race will be designated as a qualifying race for CARA Racing Award requirements;

• Race will be considered for inclusion in following year’s CARA Runners Choice Circuit and/or as a CARA Training Program Target Race;

• Race will receive a CARA Certified Race icon and search results distinction on CARA Local Race and Events Calendar;

• Race will be featured in the CARA Connection newsletter's listing of upcoming CARA Certified Races approximately four weeks prior to the race date. The Connection is distributed to CARA's over 10,000 members;

• CARA will display the race’s printed event materials (up to 8.5”x11” provided by race) at the CARA tent/booth at all CARA Runners' Choice Circuit races and all other races it attends up to three months prior to the event;

• Listing in CARA members-only discount code listing;

• 10% discount (Up to $500) on apparel orders from Marathon Sportswear / e-mail kristy@marathonsportswear.net;

• 10% discount (Up to $500) on timing services from Big River Race Management / e-mail zach@brrm.com. 

 

Fees: 

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• A $250 fee is required prior to review of the application ($50 application fee and $200 certification fee). The total fee must be paid PRIOR to the application being reviewed. Should the application be denied, the $200 certification fee will be refunded. Fees are not refundable, deferrable, or transferrable for any other reason, including race cancellation. After submission, instructions for payment by credit card or check will immediately be provided.

• Multi-race discounts are available. E-mail events@cararuns.org for inquiries.

 

Application Process: 

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• Complete application online HERE. Applications are only accepted online as of 12/1/2020. Applicants should expect the application to take up to 20-30 minutes to complete.

• Complete payment of $250 fee. Applications will no longer be reviewed prior to payment. Should the application be denied, the $200 certification fee will be refunded. Fees are not refundable, deferrable, or transferrable for any other reason, including race cancellation. After submission, instructions for payment by credit card or check will immediately be provided.

• IMPORTANT: Races MUST not advertise in any way themselves as CARA Certified on current year's materials and websites prior to approval. Doing so may result in certification denial. It is the race's responsibility to apply far enough in advance to meet its marketing deadlines.

• Races should submit their race to the CARA race calendar at https://airtable.com/shrvEIkheh2HZjynG. Races are not automatically added after certification.