Registration is OPEN and back on UltraSignup!

 We CAN.NOT.WAIT. to see you guys again in December!  Registration is open:

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=104917

Potential 200 & 500 Mile Jackets

REMINDER:  I have moved the Loup Garou registration over to UR Ultra - a site that donates a portion of the proceeds to veterans charities.  The link for 2023 is here:  https://urultra.com/races/loup-garou-trail-run/

Just out of curiosity, I decided to compile all of the results from 2017 - 2022 to see who may be creeping up on a 200 or 500 mile jacket, and WOW the list is growing!  Many races have 500 mile jackets when you cover 500 miles at their race. I have one from Rocky Raccoon and it is my favorite jacket (4 - 100 milers and 2 - 50 milers).

When I started Loup Garou, I knew I wanted to do a 500 mile jacket for this reason, but I wanted to offer something to reward people who are loyal to the race but just don't want to run a 100 miler, so I came up with the 200 mile jacket milestone as well.   (Details on the qualifications here:  http://www.loupgaroutrailrun.com/p/200-500-mile-clubs.html)

Mike Smith was the first to earn a 500 mile jacket in 2021, and now has 600 miles on this trail.  I guess I have to come up with something for 1,000 miles as well now.  What a cool problem to have! 

We also have a couple of great guys who will be earning a 500 mile jacket with their next 100 mile finish:

Gerardo Ramirez and Rene Villalobos

I love these guys and can't wait to hand them their jackets!!  BUT, we also have a healthy list of people sneaking up on their 200 mile jackets.  If you read the requirements, you know that for this jacket, you can not have run a 100 miler, but any combination of shorter distances.  If you do the 20 miler for 10 years, you will get your 200 mile jacket!    Here's that list and the remaining miles to cover until they qualify for a jacket:

Myphuong Lam has 180 miles run, and only needs 20 miles!

Christopher Ange, Gwen Zywicke, Jerry Bueno and Sonia Burdett all have 160 miles run, and only need 40 more miles to get to their jacket.  Whether they knock it out in one try or split it over 2 - 20 milers is up to them. 

Sarah LeBlanc, Gennipher Ricks and Jonathan McCall each have 140 miles and only need 60 to get their jackets.  

Mary Skinner has 240 miles (4 - 60 milers) and slipped under the radar for her jacket!  She will be getting hers soon.

This is such a great testament to the loyalty that our runners show to this race, and it is an honor to offer this extra incentive to keep you all running and coming back every year!  We are so happy that you continue to choose Loup Garou and we are always working to make the race an even better experience than last year.

IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE PEOPLE MENTIONED ABOVE, and you plan on trying for your jacket in 2023, give me a heads up by email at Edie.Couvillon@gmail.com, so I can have them ordered in time.  Otherwise I will have to mail it to you after, but I would much rather hand it to you myself. ;-) 

REMINDER:  I have moved the Loup Garou registration over to UR Ultra - a site that donates a portion of the proceeds to veterans charities.  The link for 2023 is here:  https://urultra.com/races/loup-garou-trail-run/

"The Hot Year"

 

It was a HOT one, but it was an incredible year nonetheless!  What an amazing weekend to spend in the woods with my trail running family.  Thank you to all who came out to race and stayed to visit after.  So many people came for the beautiful trail and great support and stayed for the camaraderie, beer, gumbo and vegan chili after, it made my heart full.  Trail running is about racing and pushing yourself, but it is just as much about community and making new friends.  I love that we can provide a venue for both to happen.

The results from 2022 are up (see results page), and we are close to opening 2023. SAVE THE DATE!  December 2, 2023 will be the 7th installment of the Loup Garou Trail run and we are already excited to see all of you again.  

We are moving registration over to UR Ultra this year, away from Ultrasignup.  UR Ultra is a registration company owned by veterans who give a portion of their fees to veterans charities.  As a big fan of veterans (my dad was active duty in WWII, and my husband was active duty in the Gulf War), this is a win-win.  The registration will be open shortly, and the updated link will be on the Registration tab of this website.

If you are considering staying in the park, now would be a good time to reserve your cabin or camp spot.  When looking on the park map on the reservation site (https://www.lastateparks.com/parks-preserves/chicot-state-park), if you look at PV001, that is where the start/finish will be.  The south landing is the closest area for camping to the start/finish and there are "glamping" tents just a few minutes from the start as well. 

If you are on Facebook, like the Loup Garou page for updates, and consider joining the Loup Garoup (Thanks to Paul Hand for naming the group - still laughing at that!).

https://www.facebook.com/loupgaroutrailrun/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/221117288773059

For specific race questions, see the Race Doc tab. If you read through the race doc and there is still a question, feel free to email me at Edie.Couvillon@gmail.com.

Thank you and I can't wait to give all of you medals and hugs one day! 

Edie C Aymond, RD and proud "trail mom" to all of you! 

Something to look forward to....

 As the summer training miles add up, I thought I'd post a reminder of what you are working towards.  Chicot is such a beautiful park, and we are so happy that the full loop is once again open, giving you ALL of the incredible views!  Here is a short video filmed the first year of the race to distract you from your daily grind.  

Man, I love this sport!

 What a great (if incredibly hot) year at Loup Garou!  The course was in perfect shape, the aid stations were on point (as usual), and the runners who came out, came to spend a day in nature and enjoy the great company- and they did.  As usual, on a difficult year, the drop rate was higher than usual, but all runners made the right choice for them and returned home safely. 

We had some great accomplishments from a 3:18 loop by a 14 (almost 15 year old), Oliver Garber, to hard earned finishes in the 100 by folks with an axe to grind from a previous year.  So much good stuff happening! 

20 milers heading to the trail! 

So the registration for 2022 is open!  The date is set for Saturday, December 3rd.  We are hoping (and assuming) that the trail will be fully open by then, but there are no guarantees in life. There is a slim chance that it will be another out and back year.  I also hoped that the original lockdown period would work, yet here we are.  For those of you who are unaware, a portion of the 20 mile loop is closed due to its proximity to a Covid quarantine camp.  Once the virus wanes, they will reopen the trail and close the quarantine camp.  Please don't message me asking when I think that will be. You can predict this virus as well as I can.  

That being said, when you register, understand that the trail can be either version this year - full 20 mile loop or out and back. There will be NO deferrals because you don't like the trail set up (or didn't train).  This is a small race, and I put most of the proceeds back into the race to give you all a great experience.  I can not afford to carry over entries any longer.

The people that came out this year were amazing, and helped me to remember why we work so hard to put on this race.  Here are a few more pictures. Once I have all of the pics from the trail I'll post the link.

It's fun to run, but man, it feels good to finish. Especially when you get first place! 

Finish line hugs from friends are the best.

Our mascot - the Loup Garou was in her full glory.

Mud N Guts aid station. All of our volunteers are experienced ultra runners. They did a great job keeping people moving, or helping them make the right decision to drop when it was time.  Love my volunteers.

When it is scorching hot during the day and gets pretty chilly at night - you adapt with a little trail fashion.

You can click HERE to register.

Until then, see you at Red Dirt! 

Happy Running! 

Edie

Last course update before the race!!

 Man, I can not believe that we are 2 weeks out from the race!  Louisiana is finally deciding to join the rest of the country in winter weather, so there's hope for a nice cool run. Current long range forecasts (which are completely useless) are predicting a low in the mid 40's and a high in the mid 60's.  Perfect.  I know our northern friends never believe us until it is too late, but with the high humidity here, you will really feel the cold.  Bring extra layers.

Here is the layout of the course for you guys - main point being, be prepared to carry enough liquids / nutrition for an 8 mile stretch.  It's not ideal, but when I floated the idea to my buddies about resurrecting the temporary Cajun Aid station at mile marker 12, I had to move quick to avoid sharp flying objects.  Evidently boating in tables, tents, food and hundreds of pounds of water, then carrying all of that up hill for over a quarter of a mile to reach the spot was not something they were planning to do again.  And really, it is just 8 miles.  You guys will be fine.

One of the bridges you will run across. The water probably won't be this high though.

FOR THE 20, 40, AND 60 MILER

**These distances are approximate.  We are going off of mile marker signs at the park, which are constantly being moved.  The GPS measurement for this course was 21 miles last year.

So, the out and back course measures 21 miles from the Start/Finish to the Mud n Guts aid station at mile 8, then back to the Start/Finish.  When you leave the start, 4 miles later you will have the Sloths aid station (you'll recognize them - they are very rowdy, and VERY Cajun).  Once you leave the Sloths, you will have an 8 mile stretch until you hit the Mud n Guts aid station (and the Porta potties).  This is where you will be turned around and head back 8 miles to the Sloths, then 4 miles to the start/finish area.  

Repeat as necessary for your distance. Yes, the 60 miler will be 63 miles.  You get extra gumbo and beer when you finish.

FOR THE 100 MILER

This year we will have a sign at the 12 mile mark (site of last years Cajun Aid station), with a unique hole punch.  ON THE FIRST LAP, use  said punch to mark your bib, turn around and head back to the Sloths, then to the start/finish.  

Here's what your race will look like:

First lap - head to Sloths (4 miles in), then to sign at the mile 12 marker with the hole punch.  Punch your bib to prove you didn't cheat, head back to Sloths. This will still be an 8 mile stretch for you guys since you go out 4 miles from the Sloths to the sign then head back to the Sloths, then the start/finish. This first lap will be 16 miles.

Next four laps, do the full course - s/f - Sloths - MnG - Sloths, s/f for 21 miles each.  This will give you a total of just over 100 miles total.  

I'll go over the details again race morning, but it is pretty straightforward.  100 milers punch your bib at the mile 12 marker (8 miles into the first lap), then head back the s/f.  Every other lap is the full trip to Mud n Guts and back.

Feel free to message with questions, or just ask me when you get there.  See you guys in two weeks!  

Happy Running! 

Edie

A small part of the Loup Garou family! 

See you on Dec 4th!

 We are so excited to see you guys in less than a month!  Jambalaya, vegan goodness, and cold beer are all lined up. and we are ready to take care of you guys!  

No more rollovers, since now I have ordered shirts, medals, buckles, paid insurance, venue, etc.  Thanks to the ones who understand! Course details posted tomorrow.

Happy running!  Edie