2010 BP MS 150 Registration is OPEN
Thanks to overwhelming community support, the annual Houston-to-Austin BP MS 150 fundraising ride continues to make a significant and positive impact in the lives of men, women and children living with multiple sclerosis. In response to increased interest and registration demand, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Lone Star Chapter introduced priority registration for the 2010 BP MS 150.
2010 BP MS 150 Priority Registration Q & A
Q1 Why did you establish priority registration for the 2010 BP MS 150?
We have chosen to offer priority registration in response to the ride’s growing popularity and in appreciation of our top fundraisers. We understand that today’s distressed economy creates a challenging environment for fundraising, and this is one way we can express our appreciation to cyclists that contribute significantly to help the 20,000 Texans affected by multiple sclerosis within the Lone Star Chapter.
Q2 Who is eligible for 2010 BP MS 150 priority registration?
Priority registration was determined based on fundraising from the 2009 BP MS 150 for the following riders:
- Club 300 members and two guests per member
- Participants who raised $1,000 or more (2009 registered riders and volunteers) by July 31, 2009
- Top fundraising teams that qualify based on overall fundraising and highest average pledge
Q3 When will riders and teams know if they are eligible for priority registration?
A Lone Star Chapter representative will directly notify eligible individuals and teams the week of Aug. 31. The 2010 BP MS 150 Club 300 members will be announced during this time as well.
Q4 Can participants that raise $1,000+ but are not Club 300 members enroll any guests?
No. Only members of Club 300 are allowed to enroll guests.
Q5 How long did participants have to raise $1,000 or more?
All funds must have been received by July 31, 2009 to qualify for priority registration.
Q6 If I donated $1,000 or more to a rider, do I qualify for priority registration?
No. This opportunity is for registered riders who were required to raise the minimum of $400 each. Registered volunteers are not required to raise a minimum amount but will be eligible for priority registration if they raised $1,000 or more in 2009 BP MS 150.
Q7 Does priority registration guarantee me a spot?
Priority registration does not guarantee a cyclist a space in next year’s ride, as there will be a predetermined number of priority spaces allotted. It does give a cyclist the first opportunity to register during a set time frame. We will not know how many riders qualify for priority registration until all fundraising has been turned in for the 2009 BP MS 150 on July 31. General registration will open in December, after priority registration closes.
Q8 What happens if I am eligible for priority registration, but I am not able to sign-up during the designated priority registration period?
While we will make every effort to make priority registration available to those who qualify, we must set a closing date in order to accommodate general registration. We will maintain an event cap of 13,000 cyclists on the road, due to various route constraints that impact rider safety.
Q9 When will priority registration open?
The Lone Star Chapter has adopted a multi-phased approach to priority registration:
- Priority registration for members of the 2010 BP MS 150 Club 300 will open on Monday, Oct. 12. Each Club 300 member will have the opportunity to register themselves and invite two guests to register during this time. Detailed instructions will be included in a communication piece in September that will be sent to all Club 300 members.
- Priority registration for individuals who raised a minimum of $1,000 for the 2009 BP MS 150 also will begin on Monday, Oct. 12 and conclude on Friday, Nov. 20.
- Returning Team Captains will have opportunities to register beginning Monday, Oct. 12 and ending Friday, Oct. 23. This includes all returning teams from the 2009 BP MS 150: those that qualify for team priority registration and those that are not eligible. A Lone Star Chapter representative will directly notify team captains with specifics in September. Team members that do not qualify for priority registration will have opportunities to register during general registration.
- Teams that qualify for priority registration based on overall fundraising and highest average pledge will register Monday, Nov. 2 through Friday, Nov. 20.
- General registration will be held on both Wednesday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 5, beginning at 11 a.m. General registration will remain open until a pre-determined limit has been reached on each date.
Q10 How long will priority registration last?
Priority registration will run from Oct. 12 through Nov. 20. Priority registration for Club 300 members and individuals who raised a minimum of $1,000 will begin on Monday, Oct. 12 and conclude Friday, Nov. 20. Priority registration for qualifying teams (based on overall fundraising and highest average pledge) will take place Monday, Nov. 2 through Friday, Nov. 20.
Q11 What will happen to participants that do not qualify for priority registration? Will any spots remain for the 2010 BP MS 150?
All other individuals who wish to register for the 2010 BP MS 150 will have opportunities to do so online beginning 11 a.m. on both Wednesday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 5. General registration will remain open until a pre-determined limit has been reached on each date.
Q12 How many teams will be able to participate in the priority registration?
Once fundraising totals have been confirmed, a Lone Star Chapter representative will notify eligible teams the week of Aug. 31. We anticipate this to be roughly 20 percent of the total teams, based on overall fundraising and highest average pledge. All funds must be have been received by July 31 to be considered as part of the qualifying process.
Q13 How much did a team have to raise to qualify for the priority registration?
The top fundraising teams were determined on a percentage of overall fundraising (total raised) and highest average pledge.
Q14 How do eligible teams register their team rosters during priority registration?
Team captains from qualifying teams must submit their team rosters to teams@nmsslonestar.org by Oct. 15. Captains will receive their 2009 team rosters for review the week of Sept. 14. Returning Team Captains will have opportunities to register beginning Monday, Oct. 12 and ending Friday, Oct. 23. This includes all returning teams from the 2009 BP MS 150: both those that are eligible for team priority registration as well as those that do not qualify. A Lone Star Chapter representative will directly notify team captains with specifics in September.
Q15 What is the process for returning teams that are not eligible for priority registration?
Returning Team Captains will have opportunities to register Oct. 12-23. This includes all returning teams from the 2009 BP MS 150: both those that are eligible for team priority registration as well as those that do not qualify. A Lone Star Chapter representative will directly notify team captains with specifics in September. Team members will then have the opportunity to register during general registration at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2 and 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. General registration will remain open until a pre-determined limit has been reached on each date.
Q16 How do new teams register for the 2010 BP MS 150?
New team registration will be available during general registration on Wednesday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 5. For more information on how to form a new team for the 2010 BP MS 150, please contact newteams@nmsslonestar.org.
Q17 I have been riding the BP MS 150 for several years. Will I be able to participate in a priority registration?
We value our loyal, long-time participants who have ridden with us for multiple years. Due to the increased popularity of the ride and demand for registration, the priority registration is based on fundraising from the 2009 BP MS 150. Long-time participants that do not raise a minimum of $1,000 will have the opportunity to register during general registration on Dec 2 and 5.
Q18 How many registration slots will be available for the general registration?
We estimate at least 4,000 slots, which is approximately one-third of all registrations, will be available during general registration.