Author Topic: Race Director's Caution  (Read 6507 times)

Vomastic

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Race Director's Caution
« on: August 19, 2016, 11:54:17 AM »
In the email of 17 August 2016 to all runners from the Race Director (Ron Ilgin) stated "Should we experience adverse weather, you may be stopped from continuing above timberline, should you not have the appropriate clothing."  I do not remember seeing that specific caution stated before in previous PP races.  I think that is a very wise and prudent decision.

Nearly all runners with a finish time over 6 hours can expect to spend over 2 hours (40 minute miles) above timberline.  See the 2015 PPA In-Progress Results With Splits for last year (2015).

Almost all runners with a finish time over 5 hours will spend over 90 minutes (30 minute miles) above timberline.
Plan accordingly

Kip Russell

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Re: Race Director's Caution
« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2016, 12:15:23 PM »
Hi-
I didn't see that email come through my inbox.  Can you post it here if you have sec?

Vomastic

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Re: Race Director's Caution
« Reply #2 on: August 19, 2016, 12:25:34 PM »
Greetings 2016 Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent Runners 

With the 61st running of the Pikes Peak Marathon and Pikes Peak Ascent around the corner, this is a good time to go over some key highlights and some new items. All the information you need is on our race website containing much greater detail with additional maps and photos.
 
Always of concern is the weather. Do not forget to bring appropriate clothing in preparation for the wide range of conditions that can be experienced while on Pikes Peak. Should we experience adverse weather, you may be stopped from continuing above timberline, should you not have the appropriate clothing. See below for more information. Remember that both races are in their own right, mountaineering events, where you are not always guaranteed to summit.
 
Also of special note, we will again be doing a rolling wave start. Please pay special attention to the Start Procedures section below.
 
And please remember to come and celebrate 60 years of Pikes Peak running at the 2ndPikes Peak Run Fest in downtown Colorado Springs on August 18th, starting at 5:00 p.m.
I hope you enjoy your time in Manitou Springs and wish you the best when running this weekend.
 
Live to Run
Ron Ilgen, Race Director
==========

 SAFETY FIRST -- Be Prepared:
First and foremost is your safety and the safety of our volunteers. In short, be prepared for adverse to severe weather, be it rain, hail, snow, lightning or cold temperatures. You veterans know how weather conditions can quickly change. For you first timers, be prepared. There may not be a cloud in the sky at the start. However as many learned in previous years, conditions may be treacherous by the time you reach timberline.  For Ascent runners, be sure to use the sweat check service and pack plenty of warm clothing.
 
El Paso County Search and Rescue, who provides our race rescue support, tells their members the following two things. First, historically on every race weekend there will be a period of rain, thunder, lightning, graupel, wind and perhaps snow. The second is that “cotton kills.” The following are their clothing and accessories recommendations:
1. Waterproof jacket, ideally with a hood.
2. Hat (running hat for the sun if desired and wool type cap for the cold).
3. Gloves, ideally a wind stopper although wool mittens can work.
4. Water-resistant pants, primarily as a wind barrier.  Everyone should consider them, especially for the three miles above tree line.
5. Sunscreen and sunglasses.
6. Consider water repellent barrier spray for your gear.

 Packet Pickup: 
A photo ID is required to receive your packet and your wristband. You must appear in person with your photo ID in order to receive your packet and wristband. A friend or family member cannot pickup your packet for you.
 
Packet pickup will start on Thursday, August 18th at the Run Fest, weather permitting from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. It will then continue at Memorial Park on Friday, August 19 form 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday from noon to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:45 a.m.
 
No Bib Transfers:
If you will be a "no show", do not transfer your bib to another runner! This will seriously disrupt the results, as well as the awards. In addition, it could end your chances of running the race ever again.

Rules & Regulations:
Pikes Peak Marathon, Inc. has a jury of appeals to handle any issues arising on race days. The following are grounds for disqualification, primarily regarding:
1) Visible course cutting, either noticed by race officials that will be stationed throughout the course or reported by other athletes in the race.
2) Issues related to an athlete hampering another athlete’s progress such as an uphill runner not yielding to the faster downhill.
3) Wearing headphones.
4) Unsportsmanlike or egregious conduct.
For a complete list, got to http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/Rules.shtml
 
Cut-off Times & Race Finish Times:
Also for your safety concerns, you must finish the race prior to all cutoff times in order to receive the finisher shirt and finisher medal. Cutoffs are strictly enforced so that neither runners nor support crews are exposed to the dangers of extreme afternoon thunderstorms – and after all, these are races. Cutoff times are:
  Ascent                                          Marathon
10:30am         Barr Camp           10:15am
11:45am         A-Frame               11:30am
                       Summit                1:45pm     

In order to receive a finisher’s jacket and be listed as a finisher, Ascent runners must complete the entire course in under 6h30m; Marathon runners must complete the course in under10 hours. These cutoffs are determined by your chip time (start time -> finish time).
 
Course Information Highlights:
Now for some general information, suggestions and guidelines. Water will be available at all aid stations. Gatorade Endurance Formula will be available at the start, finish and all but the Incline aid station. Plenty of fruit and other food items will be at No Name Creek, Bobs Road, Barr Camp and A-Frame.  We recommend carrying a water bottle to refill at each aid stations, as it could be a long time between stations based on your speed. See the website for a course description if you are not familiar with the aid-station locations.
 
Course Etiquette:
Registration limits are ultimately for safety reasons, as well as to keep crowding to a minimum. To pass slower runners announce, “on your left,” a couple of times to make sure they hear you. This is one reason why earphones are prohibited. If this does not work, gently tap them on the shoulder and go around. Likewise, if someone is trying to pass you please make an honest effort to let him or her pass. You will expect the same when it is your turn to pass.
 
Contrary to normal trail etiquette where uphill traffic has the right of way, during the Marathon the downhill runners own the right of way. The front-runners especially, will be going very fast and cannot make quick course adjustments. When you see a runner coming down; yell out, “trail,” so others know to be prepared. And again, this is another reason why earphones are prohibited. Overall, be sure to stay alert, as the lead Marathon runners on the descent are averaging 6-minute miles and you do not want to be in their way! See the website for further rules and guidelines.

Please be aware, that we do not have exclusive rights to limit Barr Trail access to only Pikes Peak runners. However, we do our best to inform the public and advise that they avoid Barr Trail on race weekend. Even still, you will encounter hikers; especially on the lower trail section. Give them plenty of verbal warning as you approach, so that they have time to get out of your way.
 
Leave No Trace:
Participants are to observe the same etiquette concerning litter, as we would on non-race days. The races are by permission of the U.S. Forest Service, which ask that we follow their “leave no trace behind” policy. We gladly comply by placing trash zones at each aid station for you to drop your cups, gel packs and such. Otherwise, throwing any form of litter outside of these zones is prohibited. The trash zones will be clearly marked. Blatant littering outside of the aid stations will be grounds for disqualification.
 
Ascent Transportation and Finisher Shirt:
To prevent crowding at the summit and to get runners off the mountain as soon as possible, we provide a post-race staging area at Glen Cove. This is 6 miles from the summit at 11,440 feet where there will be a tent and post-race refreshments. This is also where you will transfer from the vans to the school buses for your return to Manitou Springs. It is strongly advised that once you finish the Pikes Peak Ascent, you get your sweat check bag, change to your warm clothes, grab something to eat and drink, then load into the vans to Glen Cove. We want to avoid past situations where runners are stranded at the summit due to adverse weather by having you get off the summit as soon as possible. Note that you will receive your finisher shirt when you return to Memorial Park in Manitou.
 
Chip Timing:
Two chips are attached to the back of your bib. Do not damage or remove the chip. Scoring is based on chip time, meaning your time starts when you cross the start line, not when the starting gun goes off. This means that you can lineup according to your predicted time and not worry about missing the few seconds before you cross the start line.  Signs will be posted according to your predict time and we ask that you line up accordingly.


Note: I changed the color of the text above to RED,  John Vomastic

 

Kip Russell

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Re: Race Director's Caution
« Reply #3 on: August 19, 2016, 12:37:38 PM »
Thanks for re-posting.  Much appreciated.  So... there's a chance it's going to be cold?  ;)