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FAQs

The Relay

Medal-Bearers

Communities

25th Anniversary Galas

The Relay

  • What is the average distance the Relay will travel per day?
    The Relay will travel a range from 40 to 80 kilometres a day.

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  • Will Rick Hansen be part of the Relay and visit our town?
    Rick travelled 40,000 kilometres around the world to raise money and awareness of spinal cord injury 25 years ago. He now plays a leading role in a number of spinal cord injury, accessibility and inclusivity initiatives, including the work done at the Rick Hansen Foundation. Because of his commitments, he is unable to travel along with the entire relay but will be making appearances at certain parts along the Relay.

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Medal-Bearers

  • What are the requirements of being a Medal-Bearer?
    - Medal-Bearers in the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay must be at least 13 years of age as of August 24, 2011. (There is no maximum age limit).

    - Be available for up to three hours to participate in the Relay on the day they have been selected between the hours of 7:00 am and 6:00 pm.

    - Have a valid email address in order to facilitate the selection process and prepare for the Relay experience

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  • Where will I participate in the Relay?
    During the Medal-Bearer application process, you will be required to select the community you would like to run in. The exact time and location within that community will be communicated to you before the event.

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  • How long will each Medal-Bearer Relay section be?
    Each Medal-Bearer will travel for approximately 250 metres. Medal-Bearers can walk, run or wheel at their own pace.

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  • If I am selected, can I transfer my Medal-Bearer spot to someone else?
    There is no transfer or substitution of a Medal-Bearer spot.

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  • Can I move my Medal-Bearer running location to another day, town, or street?
    It will not be possible to change day, time or location.

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  • How many Medal-Bearers will be selected to walk/wheel/run in the Relay?
    There will be 7,000 Medal-Bearers in the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay, with the majority of participants being selected through the online contest at RickHansenRelay.com.

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  • Who will get to carry the Rick Hansen Medal?
    Every participant in the Rick Hansen Relay will carry the Rick Hansen Medal during their stretch of the Relay as a Medal-Bearer.

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  • What is the Rick Hansen Medal?
    - The Rick Hansen Medal is not only a symbol of its namesake and his inspiring story of courage and determination, but also represents the potential in us all to make a difference in our communities, our country and our world.

    - The Rick Hansen Medal has been designed and developed by the Royal Canadian Mint, an Official Supplier of the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary.

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  • Will the Medal-Bearers get to keep the medal that they carried after their participation?
    The singular Rick Hansen Medal will continue to make its way across the country from Medal-Bearer to Medal-Bearer until it finally reaches Vancouver in May 2012. A unique Commemorative Medal (also created by the Royal Canadian Mint) will be presented to each Medal-Bearer as a show of appreciation, to recognize them as Difference Makers and to encourage them to continue on their journey of positive change.

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  • Will Medal-Bearers be supplied with a uniform to wear?
    Yes, the Rick Hansen Relay team will be supplying and distributing special uniforms free of charge to the Medal-Bearers prior to their participation in the Relay. The 25th Anniversary Relay uniform have been designed and developed by Nike, a Presenting Partner of the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary.

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  • Do I have to pay to be a Medal-Bearer?
    While there is no charge to be a Relay Medal-Bearer, you must provide your own transportation and associated costs to and from your location of participation in the Relay.

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  • Will all the Medal-Bearers be persons with a disability?
    All Canadians will have a chance to be a Medal-Bearer in the Relay.

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  • Will the sponsors and supporters of the Relay be allocated Medal-Bearer spots?
    Yes, as sponsors and supporters of the Relay, our partners will be given Medal-Bearer spots to award to their own difference makers.

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  • Will the Medal-Bearers be running continuously throughout the country?
    In order to make this Relay as inclusive and extensive as possible while staying true to Rick's original route, the Rick Hansen Medal will be passed from participant to participant primarily in populated areas and will be transported in "Carrier" or "Endurance" travel modes between communities.

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  • Will there be escort runners?
    Medal-Bearers will be escorted by members of the Relay staff in order to ensure their safety and to guide them during their participation experience.

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  • Can a member of my family or friend run along with me while I'm running as part of the Relay?
    Yes. We encourage Medal Bearers to bring their friends, family, and pets to run with them as they complete their 250 metre segment.

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Communities

  • I would like to volunteer in my community to support the activities associated with the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay, how can I get involved?
    Many of the community activities associated with the Relay will be planned locally. Please contact your municipality or mayor's office for more information on the specific activities that are taking place in your community and how you can assist in making these a complete success. The Rick Hansen Foundation is thankful to all volunteers for their support and interest.

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  • Why isn't my community an End of Day Community?
    It was integral to the planning of the 25th Anniversary Relay that the route remain true to the original path Rick Hansen took during the Man in Motion World Tour. The End of Day communities were pre-selected to facilitate this planning.

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  • My community is not on the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay route, how can we get involved?
    Although the Relay cannot make its way through every Canadian community, we encourage all Canadians to get involved. If your community is not on the route but you would still like to be involved, please contact for more information.

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  • How can my school get involved with the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay?
    There are many opportunities for schools across the country to be involved with the Relay. If you are interested in having your school involved, please contact [email protected] for more information. For more information on the Rick Hansen School program, please go to www.rickhansen.com/schools.

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  • Can I host a community event, or integrate an existing event with the 25th Anniversary Relay?
    The Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay Team will do its best to engage as many facets as possible of the communities that we travel through. If you would like the opportunity to host an event, or integrate an existing event in your community, please contact for more information. We look forward to collaborating with as many community groups and associations as possible throughout the Relay.

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  • Besides community events, is there an opportunity to plan other types of events in conjunction with the Relay?
    Yes, there are some organizations and individuals across the country that will host reception-style events in support of the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay. If you are interested in a hosting opportunity please contact Heather Maciver, Manager of Events and Planning, at for more information.

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25th Anniversary Galas

  • What are the 25th Anniversary Galas?
    The 25th Anniversary Galas are large-scale events that will take place in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. Each of these events will offer a first-class experience, renowned entertainment and inspired cuisine. Most important, net proceeds raised by these events will go towards the Rick Hansen Foundation.

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About the MedalAbout the Medal

Pass it on. And on. And on... Learn about the Rick Hansen Medal – created by the Royal Canadian Mint – and passed on by 7,000 participants across 12,000 kilometres.

The Relay Medal

Relay MapRelay Map

Follow our journey through 600 communities and across 12,000 kilometres. Click here to view our interactive Relay Map.

Relay Map

Celebrating 25 YearsCelebrating 25 Years

34 countries, 4 continents, 792 days, 40,000 kilometres, 126 flat tires – covering the circumference of the earth: click here to learn about Rick’s original Man In Motion World Tour.

Celebrating 25 Years

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