Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to understand how TruRace works, how competition is structured, and how membership connects to leaderboards and prizes.
Core concept
What is TruRace?
TruRace is a racing league layered on top of existing running events. It groups participating runners into matched heats based on performance so runners at every level can get rivals, compete to win, and climb a leaderboard.
How is this different from a normal race?
Your race stays exactly the same. TruRace does not change the course, distances, or timing. It adds an additional layer of matched competition on top using the official results.
Is TruRace just about prize money?
No. Prize opportunities are part of the hook, but the bigger idea is a racing league where everyone gets matched opponents, a real chance to win their heat, familiar names across races, rematches, recognition, and a leaderboard to climb.
Is this an elite running league or a running club?
No. TruRace is not only for elite runners, and it is not a training club. It is a competition format for runners at every level: you race people near your ability, try to win your heat, and build your standing over time.
Does TruRace replace racing for a PR?
No. Running for time will always be part of racing. TruRace makes that effort more exciting because a PR, season best, or strong race can also beat matched rivals, win your heat, and move you up the leaderboard.
Do I need to register separately for the race?
Yes. You register for the race through the race organizer as usual, and you join TruRace separately as a member.
Leaderboards and competition
How do leaderboards work?
During the pilot, there is one overall leaderboard. Standings are based on points from TruRace results plus any pilot bonus points and small automatic training consistency bonuses, so separate race mornings can become part of one ongoing season where every level has something to chase.
Do all my races count?
Leaderboards count your best 3 verified race results within the fixed calendar season for your tier. Starter runs January through December; Pro and Elite run January through June and July through December. Signup or other published leaderboard bonuses may still apply separately, but referral rewards do not count toward standings or payouts.
What is an Equalizer heat?
An Equalizer heat is a social TruRace competition for runners doing the same race. It lets runners of different ability levels compete together using a TruRace adjusted handicap score instead of raw finish time.
Do Equalizer heats count for payouts or leaderboards?
Usually no. Self-created Equalizer heats are social only and do not award prize payouts, TruRace leaderboard points, or prize eligibility. During the pilot, TruRace may create an admin-formed Equalizer heat from unfilled entries; if TruRace marks that admin-formed heat prize eligible, it also awards leaderboard points.
How are Equalizer heat results calculated?
TruRace locks each runner's expected time before the race. After official results are available, TruRace calculates an adjusted handicap score: how much the runner beat expectation, weighted by how fast that expectation was compared with race-distance standards.
Can we rematch?
Yes. Equalizer heat result pages include group history, win counts, current streaks, shareable recap text, and a path to start a rematch at another race.
Prize Builder
What is Prize Builder?
Prize Builder is simple: paid members earn Prize Value from qualifying runs, adding to the balance that can unlock a Current Prize.
How does Prize Value work?
Prize Value is not cash and cannot be wagered, staked, withdrawn, or transferred. It is a paid-member benefit available to every paid tier and used only for eligible TruRace Current Prize opportunities. Members can start using Prize Value at races once their available balance reaches $100.
How much can training increase a prize?
Training adds Prize Value within the monthly tier cap: Starter up to +$10, Pro up to +$35, and Elite up to +$130. The cap resets by calendar month, and the cap-reaching run credits only the remaining amount. All paid tiers share the same standard $250 Member Current Prize cap.
Does more mileage earn more credits?
No. Prize Builder rewards consistency, not extreme mileage. Starter and Pro members can qualify one run per day; Elite members can qualify up to two runs per day. Daily limits still stop at the tier monthly cap.
Can I use Prize Value to buy leaderboard points?
No. Prize Value cannot be redeemed for leaderboard points. Training may create a small automatic consistency bonus, but leaderboard standings are still primarily driven by race performance.
What happens if I race for my Current Prize but do not win?
Reserved Prize Value is consumed because you participated in that prize opportunity. It is not pooled or transferred to another runner.
Race day
How do I check in on race day?
Find the TruRace booth or check-in table before your race. We will verify your identity and give you the wristband assigned to your specific heat. If you still need in-person help verifying a time, we will try to help at the booth, but the best option is to complete verification online before race day.
Do I have to run with my heat?
For chip-timed events, no. TruRace uses chip time to determine the heat winner, so you do not have to start next to the runners in your heat. If you want to run with your heat, meet at the TruRace booth well before the official race start so the group can go to the starting line together.
Prizes and payouts
Is this gambling?
No. TruRace does not allow gambling, wagering, betting, staking, or games of chance. You race to win. Outcomes are determined by athletic performance, not chance; membership fees are not entry fees for a specific prize pool, and Prize Value is not a wager.
Where do prize payouts come from?
Prizes are funded by TruRace and structured through the membership model. They are not pooled directly from participants in a specific race or heat.
How do I become eligible for a prize?
During the pilot, competitors can request competitive heat placement. Each race can have up to 80 pilot prize spots; those runners can receive a $100 TruRace-funded bonus and prize swag if they win an eligible verified heat. Paid members can also build Prize Value and choose whether to race for their Current Prize when eligible. After the pilot, free accounts do not include standard cash prize access, though TruRace may occasionally select a small number of free runners for discretionary prize opportunities.
Is a Current Prize guaranteed?
No. The standard Member Current Prize can be up to $250 when a paid member has at least $100 in available Prize Value and chooses to use it for an eligible race. Event Prize Boosts may temporarily raise the Total Current Prize for a specific event.
How are payouts handled?
Prize-eligible winners are required to verify identity and complete payment onboarding. Cash payouts are processed through a payment provider after results are confirmed and approved, and prize swag details follow after review.
How do winners get prize swag?
Free and pilot winners pick up prize swag at a designated TruRace location or at a later race. Paid members can request free shipment for eligible prize swag after registering for a future race.
Membership
What does my membership actually give me?
Membership gives you access to TruRace competition, including matched heats, leaderboard participation, Prize Builder earning, and potential Current Prize eligibility. Prize Value is available to all paid members; higher tiers build it faster and store more so frequent racers can keep using TruRace benefits.
Do I need a paid membership during the pilot?
No. Free pilot prize opportunities are available while pilot mode is active, including the $100 heat-winner bonus and prize swag for eligible finalized pilot heats. Paid memberships are optional during the pilot; paid members can build Prize Value, use Prize Builder when eligible, and receive extra TruRace apparel.
How do monthly and annual paid memberships differ?
Monthly paid memberships add membership Prize Value over time as your paid access stays active. Annual paid memberships unlock 12 months of membership Prize Value up front when the annual plan starts or renews.
How does paid Prize Value accrue?
Paid memberships receive welcome Prize Value when first activated. If you later upgrade to a tier with a higher welcome amount, TruRace adds only the difference between your previous welcome amount and the higher tier amount; canceling and rejoining does not restart the welcome amount. Monthly paid memberships add membership Prize Value over time; annual paid memberships unlock 12 months of membership Prize Value up front when the annual plan starts or renews. Prize Builder training benefits are still earned separately through qualifying training.
Can I upgrade to Elite only around race day to unlock Elite prizes?
No. Every paid tier has the same standard $250 Member Current Prize cap. Elite builds and stores Prize Value faster; it does not create a larger standard single-race cap.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. You can cancel your membership, but cancellations may affect eligibility for future competitions, leaderboards, and prize progression.
Race organizers
Do race organizers have to change anything?
No. TruRace is designed to sit on top of existing races. Organizers do not need to change their course, timing, or event structure.
What does TruRace need from organizers?
Primarily access to official results and basic coordination. TruRace handles its own matching, leaderboard logic, and payouts.
Why would an organizer want this?
It can increase runner engagement, create a stronger competitive experience for more participants, and give runners a reason to return across multiple events.
Integrity and fairness
How do you prevent cheating or manipulation?
TruRace verifies results using official race data and may request additional proof. Suspicious or unverifiable results can be excluded, and accounts may be penalized or removed.
What if someone submits misleading information?
TruRace may review suspicious seed times, proof, or results to protect competitive integrity. False or unverifiable information can affect leaderboard and prize eligibility.
Are all races treated equally?
Not always. TruRace may exclude or adjust results from races that are not reasonably comparable due to course conditions, data quality, or other integrity concerns.
Still have questions?
If something is unclear or you want to talk through how TruRace fits your situation, reach out directly.