Thursday, December 7, 2017

Pre Race Email from the RD

Hello everyone!

While the weather in south Louisiana is dreary today, your forecast for race day is looking close to perfect! 



For those of you coming from outside of the area, 40 degrees looks pretty mild, but keep in mind you will be running near water for most of the race, so the temperature can feel considerably colder with the humidity.  Plan accordingly.

PACKET PICKUP will  be held Friday, December 15th from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. at the pavilion near the start/finish.  From the main park entrance, drive straight in - you will see the start/finish area either set up or in the process...look to the left behind the s/f and you will see the pavilion.  For those of you who can not make it in on Friday, we will reopen packet pickup Saturday morning at 5:45 - 6:45 and then again from 7:15 - 7:45 for the remaining 20 milers. 

PARK ENTRY FEE: The park entry fee is your responsibility and it is $3 per person per day.  Thank you for supporting this Louisiana treasure!  Your money will be well spent on trail and facility maintenance.

CREW ACCESS:  The only crew access points are at the start/finish and at the 4 Mile Aid Station (Mud N Guts).  To access the Mile 4 Aid Station from the main entrance:  take a left on N. Landing Road (right after you enter the park), and drive about 4 miles - you will see the aid station tent on your right.   The other aid stations are only accessible by private road or are on very narrow dirt roads where vehicles can get stuck.  Please plan on seeing your runner ONLY at the S/F and 4 Mile A/S.

PARK HOURS; The park opens its front gates at 6:00 a.m., but if the park staff give us the okay, I will open the front gates earlier than that to give everyone time to get comfortable.

BATHROOMS:  There are park bathrooms a short walk from the s/f, but I am bringing in two porta potties for the s/f and there will be another one on the trail at the mile 8 point (Louisiana Ultra Runner's aid station).

FOOD: We will have a Hospitality Area at the pavilion near the start/finish.  We will be cooking chicken and sausage gumbo, vegan chili, and a few other options.  As it becomes morning on Sunday, we will switch to egg and sausage burritos, and we are looking at a vegan breakfast option as well.  This food is mainly for the runners, so crews please be respectful of this.  That being said, we won't let anyone go home hungry.  :-)   If we see that we will have plenty, we will open it to everyone. 

The aid stations will be fully stocked with everything you need and probably a whole lot of stuff you don't need.  Bring any special nutrition requirements you might have, but other than that you will be covered. 

BEER: Our beer sponsor is Bayou Teche Brewery in Arnaudville, Louisiana.  They make fantastic beer and we will have lots on ice for when you finish your run.

CUTOFF TIMES: The overall race cutoff is 30 hours, with the course shutting down at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.  The cutoff for beginning the last loop of the race is 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, giving you 5 hours to cover the last 20 miles.  Shorter distances have the same 1:00 p.m. Sunday cutoff time as well, so if you really want to finish, there is no reason you shouldn't be able to.

DO NOT SPEED in the park unless you feel like making an additional donation.  Seriously - the park is graciously allowing us to hold this event on this beautiful trail, and the park staff has been incredibly supportive.  Don't screw it up.  If I get a report from the park staff that a crew vehicle was pulled over for speeding, your runner is automatically disqualified and will not get a finisher time or medal/buckle. There are sections approaching the s/f where runners will run on the road for a short time.  Keep your eyes open, especially at night.
DROPPING DISTANCE:  No, unless cleared with me prior to the race.  If you sign up for the 100 miler but stop after 20, you have not completed the 20 miler, you have DNF'd the 100.  Hopefully you will be able to make it back next year to try again.

If you have any questions prior to the race, respond to this email, or email me separately at PaixRunning@gmail.com.  

I am looking forward to handing you your medals or buckles, and getting about 150 finish line hugs.  :-)  Very excited to meet all of you, and thank you for putting your trust in us.  I think you will be well pleased with the experience.  --Edie

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