* Please take the time to read this email *
We hope you're excited to race in 20 days! This email reviews these specifics items:
- The start
- Course Concerns (regarding participant overlap)
- Customizing your bib
- Additional Race Info
The Participant Handbook will be released on 5/20 which details the entire event experience. (The event website remains your best resource for information.)
THE START
The start logistics were posted to the event website on Friday, 5/7. You can read it here.
The Start Summarized:
- You will be assigned to a wave based upon your expected finish time
- Within your wave, you will stand socially distanced based upon markers on the ground (you will have the freedom to choose which marker you stand near; we are not using letter assignments like other AREEP events over the past year)
- You must be masked while in the staging area prior to the start. You must remain masked for the start. You may lower your mask once you start. Mask usage is optional while you are actively in motion during the event. You must use your mask at water refill stations and any moment during the race for which you are not moving.
CHOOSING WHO YOU START WITH
- You can override getting assigned by pace - and instead- choose to start with a specific person/group of individuals, as detailed here.
- The deadline to choose a start group is May 16. Repeated: this IGNORES your expected finish time. Do NOT choose this if you want to race based upon your expected performance.
EVENT SIZES
Below is how many people we estimate will be starting each event, along with the expected time of the first person to finish (which impacts the timeline of race overlap, as referenced in the next section).
- 5M: 310 people -> First place expected under 25:00
- 10M: 615 people -> First place expected under 50:00
- 26.2M: 170 people -> First place expected around 2:20:00
THE COURSE
Internal Operations Map - Click on a location to see the distance and times of first/last at each location. (These are the course marshal locations but it is ideal if you, as a participant, also see this to better understand the course/logistics.)
The staggered start enables us to be spaced out. While yes, this is part of our COVID-19 mitigation plan, it is also a vital necessity due to the narrow nature of the bike path and sections of participant overlap that will occur.
As such, it is imperative that you prioritize:
- Running single-file
- Staying to your right (except for near location #19, as directed by event staff/signage)
These two items do not apply to "every second" of your experience, but there are a few particular sections that you might especially must do this.
There will also be lead cyclists and float cyclists assisting with this, along with signage and course volunteers.
10 Mile Participants
Be Alert from 3.7M to 5.6M* and also, for those running 8:30 pace and slower, the lead marathoners will be passing you within a couple of miles of finishing.
- Beginning at 3.7M miles (location #19), all 10 mile participants will be running towards marathon participants (8.3M for them) who are moving at 9:17 pace (and slower). This is "head on" (ie. see each other / not passing from behind).
For the fastest 10M runners, this overlap will continue until 5.6 miles (1.9 miles total).
*For most 10 milers, this will barely apply for a half mile (3.7M to 4.2M) - for some it won't apply at all. - 10 Mile participants moving at faster than 5:30 per mile (55:00 total time), will pass (from behind) some walkers in the 5 Mile.
- 10 Mile participants moving at slower than 8:30 minutes per mile will be passed at some point before finishing by the leader in the marathon (his goal time is 2:20). There are very few marathoners with goal times under 3 hours - and considering how small the marathon is (less than 200 runners), we do not expect this to be much of an issue that far into the race - but 10 Milers, please do not take up the full width of the trail to ensure that you do not block the path.
Marathon Participants
- For those running 9:17 pace and slower, you will be running "head on" towards 10 milers at 8.4 miles (location #19) and prior. For marathoners running near the cut-off pace of 13:45, this overlap will begin at 6.4 miles, and continue until you reach location #19.
- For those running faster than 6:30 pace, you will begin passing the 10 Mile runners (from behind) at about 19 to 20 miles. Pass on their left. Lead cyclists will have already alerted the 10 Mile runners that are you approaching.
5M Participants
- No course concerns other than an FYI to 5M walkers that the first few 10 Mile runners will be passing you. (They will be running at faster than 5 minutes per mile.)
CUSTOMIZING YOUR BIB
Want to put your name or something else on your bib? You can, but you MUST take action to do so. (If you do not do this, your name will not be on your bib.)
Go to your confirmation page: {ConfCodeURL} to add it. Make sure you SAVE your changes after you insert the text. (12 character limit.)
You have a deadline of Fri, 5/14 to do so.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- We are still finalizing event logistics with our venues and event partners - the Participant Handbook, coming out in 10 days, will be your ultimate guide to the event.
- Please remember this is a CUPLESS event. Yes, there are water stops, but we are not providing cups. You are welcome to carry your own cup, bottle, hydration backpack, etc.
- See the Packet Pick-up dates/times, etc. here. Please remember, there is no race day packet pick-up at the 10 Mile start. Everyone is highly encouraged to get their packets BEFORE race day. (Yes, you can send someone else to get it.)
- If you are in the 10 Mile and need to get your packet on race day, get it from packet pick-up near the finish (starting at 7AM), then go to the start (via the bus or your own ride, as applicable).
- 10 Mile shuttle/bus information will be in the handbook. (Summarized: your bib will indicate you purchased a seat, you'll board it near the finish line between 7:20AM and 8:00AM.)
- Yes, if in the 10 Mile, you can park at the 10 Mile start; you will need to arrange your own ride to get back to your car.
- There is ample parking at/around/near Mohawk Harbor (site of Packet Pick-up and finish line of all races).
- Registration ends this Friday. If you have friends who want to run, have them sign-up this week.
HELP WANTED
Volunteer Sign-up
We've got about 80 volunteers. We nearly need to double that.
If you have friends/family who would like to spectate, help make the event happen, and also get the event shirt, free meal, and even a free beer (true story! details coming in the Handbook) - do know that we greatly need additional help - especially as course marshals. We welcome you to encourage anyone you know to be part of our team and help make it happen.
Click the image above for a 1 minute preview of our recent races.
THANK YOU
Thank you for choosing our event! We are SO EXCITED to be making this happen and truly can't wait to enjoy Sunday, May 30 with you.
Appreciatively,
Josh Merlis and the team at ARE Event Productions
http://www.areep.com
http://www.milesonthemohawk.com