mandy.braverman April 20th, 2008
Greetings Athletes!
So apparently we’ve all skipped over Spring and gone straight to Summer! Hopefully you all have gotten in some fantastic training in preparation for this season’s events, I know I’ve been out as much as possible!
We are exactly a week away from the 2nd Annual Nutmeg State 1/2 Marathon and 10k Eco-Friendly Charity Race to be held on April 27th at the Washington Primary School in Washington Depot, CT.
I apologize for the length of this note, but I want to make sure we have all of our bases covered. If you know of anyone who is not pre-registered, please either forward them this email or have them visit www.endureitmultisports.com where I will post this as well.
As many of you know, I put on these events to raise money for local charities - $120,000 and counting! This year (and for years to come), we are also making a concerted effort to make our races as environmentally friendly as possible. We have started working with Athletes For a Fit Planet to achieve these goals. Beyond composting, re-using and recycling all possible materials, we are also happy to note that the power we are using on race-day comes from a hydro-electric facility. Our portable toilets contain biodegradable liquid that will not harm the planet. While there are many more “eco-initiatives” going on behind the scenes, I need to ask you all to help us out on this front. If you know someone coming to the race, or you have friends and family coming to spectate, please carpool. Also, we ask that you only drop trash at the designated aid stations - we pride ourselves in leaving our race courses and communities cleaner than we found them, and your cooperation will help us to do so!
Onto some race details:
Race morning, registration will open at 6:30 AM at the Washington Primary School Pavilion. When you arrive, find your race number and the appropriate line. Please bring a photo ID.
Race day registration will be CASH ONLY.
If you would like to switch races (1/2 marathon to 10k etc) please email me directly by THURSDAY afternoon.
For those of you using the 1/2 marathon to qualify for other races, our course certification number is: CT08002JHP
The races will be chip timed by Platt Systems, results will be online by the race afternoon at www.plattsys.com Please be sure to return your chip - if chips are lost or not returned, there is a $50 fee. If you decide to abandon the race, please make sure you give your chip to a volunteer.
The 10k Race will start at 7:50 AM
The 1/2 Marathon runners will begin there race at 7:55 AM
All racers have until 11 AM to complete their respective courses. Anyone on course at 11 AM must either surrender their number and chip to our follow vehicle or accept a ride in the follow vehicle back to the finish line area.
Please be courteous to all volunteers, spectators, police, woodland creatures and residents - you are our ambassadors and we hope to hold this race for many years to come. Please do not mark the roads, litter, urinate on lawns, etc. Just common sense, you all know the drill.
While on course, please run with traffic. For the most part, you should not see any vehicles on course, but please exercise caution and stay on the side of the road. The courses are marked with large 4 x 5 foot staked arrows. The 1/2 Marathon mile markers are on the same large cards and 10k miles are marked on the pavement. The sag vehicle will follow the last athlete on the 1/2 marathon course. Aid stations will begin at mile 4 of the 1/2 Marathon course and are approximately every mile to mile and a half apart. 10k runners will be able to utilize the aid stations starting at mile 1.5 of their route.
Aid stations will be fully stocked with water, Hammer HEED, ice, Hammer Gels (various flavors) and select aid stations will have flat coca cola, pretzels, cookies and oranges. Please remember, if you have trash to drop, leave it at the aid stations - this goes for things you take from aid stations, please drop your gel packs and cups as close to the aid station as possible.
While on course, I’ve been reminded by USATF that your race number must be visible on the front of your body and headphones/mp3 players, etc are not permitted - this is for safety reasons. Also, anyone bringing dogs to the race site, you must have them on a leash. If you would like to run with a baby stroller or your dog, we ask that you line up in the back of the field and also, keep your dog leashed at all times.
We will have a buffet for all athletes post-race. 10k awards will be at 9:30 AM and 1/2 Marathon awards will be held at 10:30 AM. Last year, we presented awards earlier, but we’ll keep you posted on race day. Awards will be presented for both races to the top 3 overall male and female competitors as well as to the top male and female in the following age categories: 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 + We will not be mailing any awards this year (we spent $560 on mailing awards last year from our 4 events - we’d rather give that to charity), so please stay - also, who can resist a photo opportunity?!
For those of you bringing family and friends, this race has got you covered, there are expansive playgrounds for the little ones and if you walk less than a 1/4 mile to Marty’s cafe, you can grab breakfast, coffee, shop and watch the race on their front lawn (the 1/2 Marathon is a clover-leaf and goes thru town 3 x).
If you have not done so, hop on over to the website www.endureitmultisports.com and check out our fantastic sponsors: Cannondale, Crystal Rock Water company, Up n Adam Kennels, The Mayflower Inn and Spa, Washington Supply Company, Washington Food Market and liquor store, JohnHirsch.org, Eric Hodska www.hodska.com, TriBags, Larabar, Hammer Nutrition, Carbboom, Aquaphor and many more! Please support our sponsors!
If you are tri-inclined, please check out our 8th Annual Lake Waramaug Sprint Triathlon on June 20th and our 2nd Annual Nutmegman 1/2 Iron distance triathlon on September 21st.
Also,we can always use volunteers - we have many jobs - aid stations, start/finish, chip collection, food - We are also happy to fill out any forms for students seeking community service credit (as many high schools now require it). You get a t-shirt and food and the feeling that you’ve done something really great!
I hope you all have a wonderful and restful week and let’s keep our fingers crossed for great weather on race-day! We are on, rain or shine, but shine is most-preferable!
Happy tapering!
Your faithful Race Director,
Mandy Braverman
