Race Day info:
With 100 new entries over the last 5 days things have been brisk here in JCHM headquarters. We have made every effort to answer all emails, make changes, and tweak the 150 folks that needed it. I'm sure there are still some minor corrections so look this over and let me know if you need changes. If all is well I don't need to hear from you, but feel free to say hi or send me a pic of your outfit.
Details about busses etc are at the bottom. If your friend is not getting emails at this ponit they aren't registered of have a bad email address. It is time to panic.
Nov 3, 2012 Race Day Time Line:
7:00am packets are available at Centennial park
8:00am Full marathon starts at Centennial Park
8:05am Half marathon early bird bus leaves from Centennial park
8:45an Early Bird half Starts
9:00am Half marathon busses start leaving from Centennial park
9:30am Last half marathon bus leaves
10:13am half marathon starts Noon Lunch starts
2:00 awards & Lunch ends
Bib pick up: You can pick up packets two ways 1- from the community rec center (144 Wilson Ave) Friday from 4-7pm. 2- race day at the finish line from 7:00-9:30 Your packet will include your timing chip, some papers, and a shirt. Wear your timing chip on your ankle. It is really easy and critical to the timer's sanity. If you lose your chip by race time ask for a new one at the park before heading up the hill. THERE ARE NO PACKETS OR TIMING CHIPS AT THE START LINE.
Transportation: You should park at the bottom of the course near the finish line. Parking lots include Raymond Park, The Charter School, City Creek Trailhead, and street parking in the area. Centennial Park is reserved for the busses and worker vehicles. Parking at the top is very limited; do not drive to the top. We are asking spectators to stay below cherry springs (course mile 4.5) as the road is narrow and twisty above that point. Bring your bag with you so you can ditch your extra clothes or gear at the top and we will have it for you at the finish line. DO NOT MISS the last shuttle. Having a lot of cars on the road is not safe for other runners. Again: It is dangerous to have cars above cherry springs. ASK YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM TO STAY BELOW THIS POINT.
The Start: We have a pretty sparse start line. There are bathrooms, water and energy drinks, a spray paint start line and a trailer to drop gear in. If it is cold there may be fires. There is no cell service, there is no running water, electricity, parking, or other amenities. We will have someone taking pictures at the start which will be available in the intewebz so do not send your personal photographer to the start line to jam up the road with traffic.
Let us know if you would like more time on the course. You can run or walk or both. It is a non-competitive division. You will get on the bus at 8:05 and start at about 8:45am which gives you a 90 minutes head start on the pack. This has been a big request. This allows slower participants enough time to finish and get lunch and be at the awards. You must email me back to be in this division.
Aid: We have aid stations at miles 2, 4.5, 7, 9, and 11. Mile 2- water station, energy drinks, clothing drop 4.5- bathrooms, water, energy drink, gel, clothing drop 7- water, energy drink, 1 bathroom 9- water, energy drink, bathrooms 11- table of temptation, water, energy drink with bathroom. If you need more water than this please carry some. If Hammer gel and Power gel don't agree with you, carry or stash your brand of choice. You can drop clothes at any aid station in a box and they will eventually make their way to the finish line. Please note that gels will only be available at mile 4.5. If you need a gel at mile 7 put one in your pocket.
Finish Line: At Centennial Park we will have a full dutch oven lunch and lots of drinks. Awards are at 2:00 but people are likely to continue to finish after that. The staff will be there until the last person crosses or is declared 'done' by a doctor. If the weather is terrible we will make plans for an alternate lunch and awards location.
Course Tips: The first two miles are steep and fast. Then next 6 are mostly gentle downhill. The last 5 miles are flat or rolling. Save some go juice for the last few rolling hills. Just because ding dongs are available at an aid station doesn't mean you have to eat one. The course will be marked with paint and signs. LEFT ON GRANT IS THE ONLY CRUCIAL TURN. Please run against traffic. There is no cell service until mile 7. The course is open to regular traffic so running 'best line' at the top is a risky move.
IF there is snow on race day we will run an alternate course out towards Inkom. No more ice skating down Mink Creek Road.
The Bet: There will be some sort of award involving beating Lance (me) and Josie (the race founder). It is traditionally an Arctic Circle Milkshake. Lance ran a lot this spring peaking at the Pocatello 50 but has been tapering aggressively since then. Expect around 1:50 to be the time to beat. Josie is injures as usual (I'm growing suspicious) so beating just Lance is the goal. Everyone should beat Josie.
Secret to Happiness: Oreo Milkshakes and dressing to the theme. Directions to finish line: From I-15 take the Clark Street Exit (69) and head west on Clark (downhill). Follow Clark all the way down until it becomes Center at the underpass. Merge left and turn left on Arthur (don't turn Left on Main it is one way). Go south on Arthur until Benton. This is a stoplight intersection, turn right on Benton. Cross the river and turn left on Grant. After abut ¼ mile you will pass a white LDS church on the right and come to Idaho Street on your left. Turn left and you are there. If you are a local it would be helpful if you actually parked at Rainey Park/The Charter School and walked across the bridge.
Directions to the start line: From the finish line drive south on Grant Street. After 1.5 miles it merges with Bannock Highway and continues south. After another 3.5 miles (5 total) you come to the bannock/mink creek intersection. Stay right and head into the hills. It is only 8 more miles on the main road. Our parking lot is shortly after the South Fork road turns off. We are in a gravel lot on the right. If you are coming from the South it may be easier to take the Portneuf Gap exit and take Portneuf Road to Mink Creek. There will be bathrooms at the top for all to enjoy.
The Theme: The theme is "Zombie Apocalypse". However not everyone is interested in running with a shot gun. SO feel free to Joe Fro. Or both. The point is please dress up and have a good time. How you interpret the theme is up to you. I assume there will be a lot of blood, a lot of wigs and some with both. At the finish line we will have a brief and informal costume contest. There may be a dance contest. You never know.
The table of temptations: At mile 11 you will pass an aid station offering a variety of foods and beverages that are not normally found on a race course. If someone hands you a tiny glass with clear liquid do not assume it is water. There as various forms of trans fats, sugars, adult beverages and items no human should ever take into their body. If this is offensive to you grab some water and move on. If this is your thing hunker down and enjoy the feast. My strategy has been to take some water, eat a ding dong and take some licorice for the road. Others have commented that a swig of JD is the ticket to a strong finish. Sitting down to rest for a few minutes is a strategy that I have seen employed with mixed results.
FULL MARATHON PARTICIPANTS: Thank you for being hardcore. You are a small but elite crowd. I anticipate less than 25 participants. We will likely not have fully staffed aid stations on your way up. I will put everything out and fill some cups but it may fall to you to grab a cup and maybe even fill up some cups for yourself. You will only have 2 chances at GU (mile 10 and 17) so prepare accordingly. For your heroic efforts you will get a custom shirt and a place in the record books. Good luck. You will start at the bottom at 8am and turn around at the top to head back down to the park. Questions? Comments? email me back. lclark@pocatello.us
