LIFE IS A MARATHON ESSAY CONTEST (“Contest”)
OFFICIAL RULES
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING.
Eligibility: Contest open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are at least 18 years of age as of March 18, 2019. Employees of Hachette Book Group, Inc. (“Sponsor”), Matt Fitzgerald (the “Author”), and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, retailers, suppliers, distributors, advertising/promotion agencies (collectively, “Promotion Entities”) and their immediate family members (spouses, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) and/or those living in the same household of such employees, whether or not related, are not eligible to enter or win. Contest is void where prohibited by law.
Submission Period: The Submission Period for all entries is between 12:01 am Eastern Time (“ET”) on March 18, 2019 and 11:59 pm ET on March 25, 2019
How to Enter: You may enter by visiting https://www.dacapopress.com/landing-page/matt-fitzgeralds-life-is-a-marathon/ to fill in the submission form (the “Entry Form”) with your name and email address where Sponsor may contact you and to upload your original essay (“Submission”). Submission requirements described below.
Limit one (1) Submission per person, per household during the Submission Period.
Proof of Submission is not considered proof of delivery or receipt of such Submission. Promotion Entities shall not have liability for any Submission that is lost, intercepted or not received by Sponsor, for any reason. Submissions will not be acknowledged.
Submission Requirements: Write an original essay in response to the following question: “How has running changed your life?”
Each Submission that is entered into the Contest must meet ALL of the “Submission Requirements” set forth below:
- (a) Must be a maximum 1,500 characters (text only).
- (b) Must be submitted via the entry in the Entry Form (Note: Sponsor will not accept hard copy or email submissions sent outside of the Entry Form)
- (c) Must be entrant’s original work and shall not consist of any third party created, owned copyrighted and/or trademarked material;
By entering into this Contest, each entrant represents and warrants that (i) his or her Submission is original; (ii) that the Submission does not violate the rights of any third party or infringe or violate any law and, as of the date of the Submission, is not the subject of any actual or threatened litigation or claim; and (iii) the Submission does not and will not violate any applicable laws, and is not and will not be defamatory, libelous, pornographic or obscene. Note: Sponsor reserves the right, in sole discretion, to disqualify any Submission in the Contest if Sponsor views the Submission as potentially infringing, a violation or potential violation of a third party’s rights, or if it deems the Submission to be lacking in taste or quality, or to be otherwise objectionable.
Winner Selection: On or about April 1, 2019, one (1) First Prize, two (2) Second Prize and five (5) Third Prize winners will be selected by the Author (the “Judge”), from among all eligible Submissions using the following criteria:
(1) Grammar: The Submission is grammatically correct and entrant understands basics of syntax and punctuation. (25%); and
(2) Adherence to Theme: The Submission fully addresses the question "How has running changed your life?" (50%); and
(3) Quality of Content (25%)
Judges’ decisions will be final and binding in all matters related to this Contest. In the event of a tie, a tie-breaker judge will judge the tied Submissions using the judging criteria to determine the winner(s). Sponsor reserves the right to not award any of the Prizes if, in its sole discretion, it does not receive a sufficient number of eligible and qualified Submissions. Sponsor will not reveal the judging scores for any Submission.
Winner Notification: Potential winners will be notified on or around April 4, 2019 by email using the contact information provided at the time of entry in the Entry Form. Sponsor shall have no liability for any winner notification that is lost, intercepted, delayed, or not received by the potential winner for any reason. Potential winners will be required to execute and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, Copyright Assignment, Liability Waiver and, unless prohibited, a Publicity Release (“Prize Claim Documents”) within five (5) days of date of notification and receipt of Prize Claim Documents from Sponsor. If a potential winner does not respond to the initial notification within the time period stated, all required Prize Claim Documents are not returned within the specified time period (if applicable), prize notification is returned as undeliverable, or a potential winner is not in compliance with these rules, the applicable prize will be forfeited and, at Sponsor’s discretion, an alternate winner may be selected. If the winner is considered to be a minor in his or her state of residence, at Sponsor’s option, the applicable prize either will be awarded to the minor winner’s parent or guardian on behalf of the winner, or the parent or legal guardian of the minor winner will be required to ratify and sign the Prize Claim Documents.
Prize: One (1) First Prize is available; two (2) Second Prizes are available; five (5) Third Prizes are available (collectively, the “Prizes”).
The First Prize consists of:
One (1) Dick’s Sporting Goods® gift card in the amount of two hundred dollars ($200.00) (approximate retail value (“ARV”) $200.00);
One (1) hardcover edition of Life is a Marathon the Author (ARV $27.00); and
A thirty (30) minute Skype video session with the Author to be arranged at a mutually convenient time (the “Session”). The Session must be scheduled and completed by June 30, 2019. (Your carrier's data rates may apply. Consult your internet and/or mobile service provider regarding their pricing plans.) *
The ARV of the First Prize is $227.00
The Second Prize consists of:
- One (1) hardcover edition of Life is a Marathon the Author (ARV $27.00); and
- A thirty (30) minute Skype video session with the Author to be arranged at a mutually convenient time (the “Session”). The Session must be scheduled and completed by June 30, 2019. (Your carrier's data rates may apply. Consult your internet and/or mobile service provider regarding their pricing plans.)*
The ARV of each Second Prize is $27.00. The ARV for both Second Prizes is $54.00.
*Please Note: The discussions, suggestions and/or any recommendations that may be provided to you during the Session are not intended to replace or conflict with the advice given to you by your physician or other health professionals. All matters regarding your health should be discussed with your doctor. Consult your physician before adopting the suggestions in this Session. Sponsor and Author disclaim any liability directly or indirectly from the Session by any person, including the First and Second Prize Winners.
The Third Prize consists of:
- One (1) hardcover edition of Life is a Marathon by the Author (ARV $27.00)
The ARV of each Third Prize is $27.00 The ARV for all five Third Prizes is $135.00.
The ARV for all the Prizes is $416.00.
Further Documentation: If Sponsor shall desire to secure additional assignments or other documents in order to effectuate the purposes and intent of these Official Rules, then each entrant agrees to sign the same upon Sponsor’s request therefore.
General Prize Conditions: Terms and conditions apply to use of the Dick’s Sporting Goods , Inc. gift card. Prizes will be awarded only if the potential winners fully comply with these Official Rules. No interest will be paid on any prize. Prizes are non-transferable and non-assignable and non-cash prizes cannot be redeemed for cash. All details and other restrictions of prizes not specified in these Official Rules will be determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute all or part of a prize with for one or more prizes of comparable or greater value due to any reason whatsoever. Prizes are awarded “as is” with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied.
Publicity: By participating in the Contest, each entrant (and, if a minor, his/her parent or legal guardian) irrevocably grants the Promotion Entities and their respective successors, assigns and licensee, the right to use such entrant’s name, likeness and, biographical information in whole or in part, in any and all media now or hereafter known, in any manner and together with other materials, for any purpose, including without limitation advertising and promotional purposes, as well as in, on or in connection with the Contest and/or other promotions conducted by the Promotion Entities, worldwide in perpetuity, without further compensation or notice to or permission from entrant, and each entrant (and, if a minor, his/her parent or legal guardian) hereby releases the Promotion Entities from any liability with respect thereto. Sponsor shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to edit, composite, morph, scan, duplicate, alter, publish, or other use each Submission for any purpose which Sponsor deems necessary or desirable (including, without limitation, posting on its Site), and each entrant and, if a minor, his/her parent or legal guardian) irrevocably waives any and all so-called moral rights he/she may have therein. Promotion Entities are not responsible for any unauthorized use of Submissions by third parties. Sponsor has no obligation to make use of the rights granted herein.
General Liability Release/Force Majeure: Entrants agree that the Promotion Entities (a) shall not be responsible or liable for any losses, damages or injuries of any kind resulting from participation in the Contest or any Contest-related activity, or from entrants’ acceptance, receipt, possession and/or misuse of the prize(s), and (b) have not made any warranty, representation or guarantee express or implied, in fact law, with respect to the prize(s), including, without limitation, to such prize’s quality or fitness for a particular purpose. Promotion Entities assume no responsibility for any damage to an entrant’s design or photograph, once submitted, or for entrant’s participating in the Contest or use of any prize. Promotion Entities are not responsible for (i) lost, late, incomplete, damaged, inaccurate, stolen, delayed, misdirected, undelivered or garbled Submissions or email or entry forms; (ii) lost, interrupted or unavailable network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), website, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications; (iii) failed computer, satellite, telephone or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure; (iv) jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties; (v) other errors or difficulties of any kind, whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise, relating to or in connection with the contest, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the Contest, the processing or judging of Submissions, the announcement of the prizes or in any Contest-related materials; (vi) any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest; or (vii) injury or damage to any person's computer related to or resulting from participating in this Contest. Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, disqualify any individual who is found to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest, to be acting in violation of these Official Rules, or to be acting in an unsportsman-like or disruptive manner, or with the intent to disrupt or undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest, or to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any person, and Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages (including attorneys’ fees) and other remedies from any such person the fullest extent permitted by law.
In the event Sponsor is prevented from awarding prize(s) or continuing with the Contest as contemplated herein by any event beyond its control, including but not limited to fire, flood, natural or man-made epidemic, earthquake, explosion, labor dispute or strike, act of God or public enemy, satellite or equipment failure, riot or civil disturbance, terrorist threat or activity, war (declared or undeclared) or any federal state or local governing law, order, regulation, public health crisis (e.g. SARS), order of any court or jurisdiction, or other cause not reasonably within Sponsor’s control (each a “Force Majeure” event or occurrence), then subject to any governmental approval may be required, Sponsor shall have the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the Contest. If the Contest is terminated for Force Majeure before the designated end date, Sponsor will (if possible) select the winner(s) from all eligible, non-suspect Submissions received as of the date of the event giving rise to the termination using the judging procedure set forth above or as otherwise deemed fair and appropriate by Sponsor. These Official Rules cannot be modified or amended in any way except in a written document issued in accordance with law by a duly authorized representative of Sponsor. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these rules shall not affect the validity enforceability of any other provision. In the event that any provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or illegal, these Official Rules shall otherwise remain in effect and shall be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or illegal provision were not contained herein.
Governing Law/Jurisdiction: ALL ISSUES AND QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEABILITY OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES OR THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF APPLICANTS, WINNERS OR SPONSOR IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONTEST SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW RULES OR PROVISIONS THAT WOULD CAUSE THE SUBMISSION OF ANY OTHER STATE’S OR JURISDICTION’S LAWS.
Data Collection: Information provided in connection with this Contest will be used in accordance with Sponsor’s privacy policy, available at http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/privacy-policy/.
ENTRANT ALSO UNDERSTANDS THAT BY ENTERING THIS CONTEST, ENTRANT WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY SUBSCRIBED TO HACHETTE BOOK GROUP NEWSLETTERS, AND WILL RECEIVE HACHETTE EMAILS CONCERNING AUTHORS AND BOOKS, EXCLUSIVE OFFERS AND OFFERS TO ENTER OTHER PROMOTIONS SPONSORED BY SPONSOR. ENTRANT CAN UNSUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTERS AND EMAILS AT ANY TIME BY FOLLOWING THE DIRECTIONS ON THE NEWSLETTERS AND EMAILS TO "UNSUBSCRIBE". ENTRANT UNDERSTANDS THAT SUBSCRIBING OR UNSUBSCRIBING WILL HAVE NO EFFECT WHATSOEVER ON ENTRANT'S CHANCES OF WINNING IN THE CONTEST.
Winners List: To obtain a copy of any legally-required Winners List, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to LIFE IS A MARATHON ESSAY CONTEST Winners List, Hachette Book Group, Inc., 53 State St. 9th Fl., Boston, MA 02109. Attn: QF #9-249. All requests must be received by Sponsor within six (6) weeks after the end of the Submission Period.
Sponsor: Hachette Book Group, Inc., 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104.
Dick’s Sporting Goods is a registered trademark of American Sports Licensing, LLC. This Contest is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by American Sports Licensing, LLC.