Ultra Registration :: Info Kit
Ultra Info Kit
- Important Notes and Changes
- Rules
- Course Description
- Weather
- Communications
- Tips
- Notes for Crews
- Runner Information Sheet
(to be
handed in at Start Line check-in)
Important Notes and Changes
Early Start and Cut-Off Times An early start will be available at 3 am (upon request only) for runners concerned with making the overall cut-off. In conjunction with this change, there will be a hard and fast cut-off at 4 pm at Exchange 7 (92 km mark).
Ultra Awards This year the Ultra Awards ceremony will again be held at 4:45pm at the finish line. This change was to enable more ultra runners to attend the awards ceremony by moving the awards to a more convenient time. Ultra runners are welcome to attend the relay awards and dance starting at 8:00pm.
Detailed Maps Consult the course & maps page for detailed maps of the course, maps of each stage and maps of the exchanges. This page also has an elevation profile.
Rules on Pacing Pacing will not be allowed. For competitive runners, pacing is contrary to IAAF rules. For slower runners, pacers in past years have contributed to a safety problem, where a pacer and runner running/walking side by side have impeded relay runners, forcing them to move into the traffic lanes. Safety is our primary concern.
Rules on Crewing A runner may be crewed anywhere that it is safe to do so. Unfortunately, in previous years, some crews have not always paid close attention to safety. Therefore, please read the rules below which clarify these aspects. In addition, the stand and hand rule has been introduced to ensure competitive fairness.
Vehicle Access Ultra support vehicles have full access to the course, including Stage 4 and 7. The reason for the Stage 4 restriction for the relay is due to the operation of heavy gravel trucks on Sylvester Road. This is a safety issue. Ultra support vehicles should be aware of this and operate with due care and attention.
Exchange Point Access Until Exchange 3, the ultra runners will have little or no traffic congestion. However, from Exchange 4 to the finish, the relay runners will catch up and there will be extreme traffic congestion and parking problems. Ultra support vehicles are to avoid the Exchange areas from Exchange 4 on. Since your runner can be crewed anywhere on the course where it is safe to do so, it will just be common sense that you will want to avoid the exchanges.
Note to Late Entrants Your entry fee includes your garment (technical
long-sleeved jersey).
All entrants will receive a garment.
The original order for garments will be submitted at the time of the early entry
deadline. A second order will be submitted shortly after the race. If you enter
late, your garment will not be available until the second order.
Race Morning Check In and Briefing - 3:00 to 3:45 am
On race morning each runner must:
Check in and Pick up timing chip - Pick up shirt.
Hand in Runner Information Sheet
.
Race briefing and crew briefing will be immediately before the start.
Rules
These rules are for your safety and the success of the race. They apply to all runners—this means you!
- All runners are required to wear a reflective vest/clothing during hours of darkness. A handheld flashlight is strongly recommended.
- Each runner is required to have a support crew/vehicle to follow the runner throughout the race. The support vehicle/crew may leave the course during the race to acquire supplies or allow the crew a meal break. You must not allow the runner to be unsupported for an extended period of time (i.e. more than an hour—note an hour's worth of water/drink is a reasonable amount for the runner to carry).
- If the runner decides to drop out, it is MANDATORY that race management be informed of this decision, otherwise we will assume the runner is lost and will be searching for you. You must also return your ChampionChip. There is a charge for unreturned chips.
- Runners must run on the left hand side of the road facing traffic (except where otherwise directed ... i.e. Stage 5 on Hwy 7).
- It is MANDATORY that runners check in at the start and at each stage checkpoint.
- Support Crews may only STAND & HAND support to the runner and only if well clear of the road. No pacing at any time. Support Crews must not block the Race Course, especially in sections where the shoulder is very narrow to run along.
- Support Vehicles must not directly follow (at running pace) or impede traffic at any time while supporting the runner.
- A Support Crew that does not follow the rules can incur a time penalty (15 minutes) or disqualification for your runner.
- A runner reaching Exchange 7 after 4:00 pm cannot continue.
Course Description
The existing relay consists of 8 stages. For convenience, the timing and checkpoints will be identical to the exchange checkpoints for the relay.
We are particularly concerned with runners getting lost by making a wrong turn. Please ensure that the runner/or support vehicle has a copy of the course description available at all times … and use it. Please note that all corners will be marked with flour/chalk and or race day signs. At each intersection you should look for markings (look on both sides of the road). Between Stave Falls Dam and Mission Municipal Hall there are a number of points where the course makes a 90 degree turn, so going straight ahead will put you off course. Look for the markings. We will try to have course marshals available whenever possible, but as the runners spread out this may not be possible.
The maps are available on this site. Elevation charts are posted with the maps, plus an overall profile from start to finish.
Weather
In past years, the weather has been quite variable. You should be prepared for all of the following possibilities: cold icy conditions in the morning, warm sunny conditions in the afternoon, and as always in the Pacific Northwest, you must be prepared for rainy wet conditions.
As a general rule of thumb, if the weather is sunny then overnight will be cold and frosty. If the weather is rainy, then temperatures will be more consistent throughout the time of the event.
Abbotsford Sunrise/Sunset Information for For Sat, Nov 06 2010 Canada/Pacific (local time):
Start civil twilight – 07:25
Official sunrise – 08:06
Midday at 12:54
Length of day – 09:35
Official sunset – 17:41
End civil twilight – 18:15
Communications (or What to Do if the Runner Drops Out)
Race management will use cell phones on race day for communications purposes. If you need to contact race management particularly if the runner has decided to withdraw, then you may reach us as follows:
- Contact cell number to be provided on race day
- If the cell number provided is out of range, you will automatically be prompted to leave a message. These messages will be checked regularly during the day.
- Other phone numbers available on race day will be provided to crew on race morning.
- Finally, communications can be in person by proceeding to the *NEXT* timing checkpoint. (Do not go back to the previous checkpoint since it could already be closed.) In this case, you should report to the Exchange captain and turn in your timing chip to the timing official at that exchange.
Drop out decisions MUST be communicated to race management by phone or at a timing checkpoint to the official in charge of timing.
Tips
- Carry a light flashlight during hours of darkness. When it becomes light you can hand it off to your crew.
- In addition to water, you will need to have electrolyte replacement fluid and it is recommended that you take/eat salty foods during the race such as chips, pretzels etc. Remember that your sweat is salty, so it is not enough to just replace water—you must replace your salt loss as well.
- Take warm clothes and consider changing some clothes during the race if you slow down. Note that late in an ultra you may slow. Your clothes that are wet with sweat may chill you if you are not moving fast enough to generate enough heat. Simply changing to drier clothes will make a world of difference (not to mention that you will just feel better with fresh clothes) Remember, it doesn't cost anything to have extra clothes in the support vehicle.
Notes for Crews
- Please remember that your runner may become quite cranky and demanding as the race wears on. This is the runner's race and day. Have patience—your runner will thank you later.
- Crew will want to eat. There are lots of restaurants in the Mission area.
They are off the course, however, so this will necessitate leaving your
runner for a period of time. After Mission, there is limited food available.
There is a restaurant at Dewdney (end of Stage 4) and at Sasquatch (end of
Stage 6) and there are some stores at DeRoche (end of Stage 5).
- Note—if you plan to leave your runner, we are particularly concerned with runners becoming lost on Stage 3 & 4 between Stave Falls dam and Dewdney school since there are a number of tricky corners. Crew can be of major assistance to their runner by ensuring that they stay on course.
- **IMPORTANT** we strongly suggest that you stay with your runner until the Dewdney restaurant at the beginning of Stage 5.
- Please bring adequate crew food/snacks/drinks in your vehicle.
- At Dewdney, we expect that there will be more marshalls on the course. (It is about 10 minutes driving to return to Mission restaurants from Dewdney.)
- When supporting your runner, you will want to proceed to a convenient pull off spot and wait for your runner, and then leapfrog along the course in this manner.
- We recommend that you pre-plan a checklist of things to take. Once out on the course, it may not be possible to get something that has been forgotten. Making a checklist, and having the runner double-check it and check that everything is packed *before* the race will help avoid disasters on race day. Be sure to pack adequate food/drink for crew.