FAQ

Please carefully review the rules and guidelines for the Phoenixville Area Bed Races.

Any bed or team that does not comply with the below rules or guidelines will be disqualified.

Help us make this event a fun and safe experience for everyone!

RULES:

1. A full team is required (four pushers/runners and one rider) in order to race.

2. Riders must be 13 years or older and wear a helmet at all times during the race.

3. Pushers/runners must be 15 years or older, wear closed toe sneakers (appropriate running shoes), and are responsible for stopping and maintaining overall safe operation of propelling the bed along the race course the entire time.

4. A team may have up to two alternates that can only be substituted in for a main team member in case of injury, illness, or emergency. Before an alternate can be put into rotation, the change must be documented on the official roster by the Course Marshall before the next race. Once an alternate is put into rotation, the original team member can not be put back into rotation.

5. All members of the race team and all four wheels of the race bed must cross over the turn around point line AND the finish line, while maintaining contact with the race bed, in order to qualify for the next race. The rider is the only member of the team to be on the bed during the race.

6. The Phoenixville Bed Races will be a double elimination bracket with a "winner's bracket" and "second chance bracket". The bracket will be announced the week of the race and is drawn randomly.

SAFETY:

Your safety is VERY important to us!

1. A protective helmet (like a bike helmet) must be worn and securely fastened by the rider during the race. This requirement will be enforced by race officials. Bed riders without helmets will be disqualified.

2. Pushers must wear good running shoes, along with suitable attire for the weather conditions. NO flip flop or other open-toe shoes are allowed. Be aware that accidents may occur, such as falling down on pavement, scrapes, bruises, tripping, collisions, etc. Safety gear to avoid and/or protect against such hazards is recommended.

3. Obstruction of beds during the race will NOT be tolerated. Any individual or team found to do so will be disqualified and asked to leave immediately.

4. All participants will receive a WAIVER OF LIABILITY upon registering. Waivers for all team members are REQUIRED one week prior to the event. No waiver - no participation.

PLEASE BE KIND AND HELP US KEEP THIS EVENT FAMILY FRIENDLY

1. All decisions by race officials are FINAL. (Please be kind. They are volunteers.)

2. All participants will conduct themselves according to the highest standards of sportsmanship - particularly in regards to other competitors. Race competitors must obey instructions from the police, race officials, and event coordinators.

3. NO alcoholic beverages, drugs, smoking or vaping is permitted at the event or on the race course. Any person who is visibly intoxicated, under the influence, or exhibiting impaired judgement/actions will be asked to leave immediately.

4. NO foul language will be permitted. Little ears will be all around you.

5. Please be respectful.

For questions about rules or team make up, please contact us.

The Course Marshall will make all final race day decisions on the day of the event.

Overall Design:

1. Beds should be built as close to a regular twin bed size as possible. It does not need to be an actual bed frame, but must mimic a bed with a head board, foot board, and mattress.

2. Beds must have a pillow and blanket as part of the theme / design.

3. Each racing bed must have a solid bed base so there cannot be any way for a rider to slip through. It should have some sort of soft "mattress", whether it is an actual mattress or thick foam padding. No waters beds are allowed.

4. Beds may only be one level. No bunkbeds are allowed.

Specifications:

1. Minimum bed size: 35" wide by 70" long

2. Maximum bed size: 55" wide by 80" long

3. Clearance: no less than 10" and no more than 30" from the ground to the support frame (underside of the bed)

4. Maximum height (including decorations): may not exceed 80" from the ground

5. Push bars, if used, cannot extend more than 10" out from the head board or foot board, and are included in the total maximum width of the bed

6. Beds must have four (no more, no less) load bearing wheels, so situated to make the bed stable, safe, and able to stand on its own. All wheels must touch the ground and can be any size.

7. Beds cannot have any means of propulsion other than the team members pushing it. No motors.

8. Beds cannot have a steering mechanism. Human powered direction only.

9. Beds cannot have brakes to slow the bed.

10. Nothing sharp may be a part of the bed. No jagged or sharp edges allowed.

11. Any violations in bed design will have penalties (up to and including disqualification). Beds that are not constructed according to the rules will be required to be modified to adhere to the rules in order to race.

12. Beds MUST be able to turn. The race course has a turn around point at the half-way mark.

Decorations:

1. Be creative! Beds can be decorated in any way that is in good taste / not obscene. This is a FAMILY FRIENDLY event.

2. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes in the theme of their bed. Costumes are not required, but team costumes will be considered in the voting process for which team wins "Best Bed Theme".

3. Costumes and decorations should not impede the proper function of the racing bed or the runners. Sneakers are a must for all runners. A helmet is a must for all riders.

4. The team name must be displayed and securely attached to the bed so that it is easily visible by onlookers and race officials.

5. Names, advertising, slogans and logos may be used to decorate the bed and/or costumes provided they are securely fastened and do not interefere with the safe operation of the bed. It is the team's responsibility to ensure that these stay attached during the entirety of the event.

6. When designing and decorating the bed, consider that pushers must be able to see the course in front of the bed at all times.

Yes! New as of 2024 - you can borrow a PRE-MADE bed!

Beds will be available to teams on a first come, first serve basis during registration. If your team reserves a bed, you will be given time the week before the event to decorate it at the HEART Campus.

Teams are responsible for:

1. Transporting (walking the bed) from the HEART Campus (146 Church Street) to Reeves Park the morning of the event AND returning it to the HEART Campus after the event.

2. Removing all decorations from the bed frames after the race and appropriately disposing of any trash.

Questions? Contact us to learn more.

Team Fundraising is what helps keep our programs moving forward!

Help support Ann's Heart and Good Samaritan Services by fundraising as a team. The team who can raise the most funds by 11 AM on November 1st will win the coveted prize of "Most Funds Raised"!

How do you fundraise? We make it easy.

1. Once you register your team, we will send you a custom GiveButter link for your team.

2. Share this link out to your network of family, friends, co-workers, and community. Donations can be made through GiveButter by Venmo, PayPal, ApplePay, Cash* or Check.

3. There will be a leaderboard that updates in real time on our website and GiveButter so you can see how you are doing against other team.

4. We will provide you sample social media graphics and an editable poster you can use to promote your participations and solicit donations.

5. Aim High - We set a goal of $500 per team, but don't let that limit you! The earlier you start fundraising, the better your chances of winning. And in the end - all donations go to support our programs and the community we serve.
   

* If someone chooses to donate with via cash or check:

Cash: Collect the cash directly from the donor and save until the event day (11/01/2025). Be sure to enter their donation through your GiveButter link but select the "Give a Check" option at checkout. On the day of the event, provide an envelop with your team name and contact information with all check or cash donations to the event staff at the Team Check In Tent at the start of the event.

Check: Donors can mail a check to "Ann's Heart" at 35 Hall Street, STE 301, Phoenixville, PA 19460. Or you can collect the check directly from the donor and save until the event day (11/01/2025).

Be sure to enter their donation through your GiveButter link but select the "Give a Check" option at checkout if they have not done so themselves. On the day of the event, provide an envelop with your team name and contact information with all check or cash donations to the event staff at the Team Check In Tent at the start of the event.

For questions or issues, please CONTACT US for support. We are here to help you!

Thank you for making a difference!