2014 Hawkeye 50K & 25K Update #3

Hi Runners!

More reminders and random stuff. Yes some rambling and repetition. Please read closely though. Race day is in less than three weeks!

1. Hey here's something exciting! Did you know you are now part of a new trail race series in the area? You are! It's called the No Coast Trail Series and you're automatically enrolled in it by signing up for the first race in the series, the Hawkeye 50K & 25K! Look to the right and you'll find information. What's written there is all I know about it. It looks cool! I'm hoping to run the new race at Sunderbruch, and I'm signed up for Booneville already, so you should too

2. Well the big news is the weather. Holy Guacamole this has to be putting a damper on some folks' training. Hopefully you're not one of them? For those of you not from right around here, we still have snow on the ground, despite two warm-ish days and a downpour last week. And rumors have it more snow is coming. Furthermore, there appears to be no relief from this super-cold in the next ten days or so, taking us through about March 6. If this cold continues, expect there still to be snow on the trails. But then again it could warm up. Two years ago on this same weekend we had our infamous 80+ degree weather race. If it does warm up, expect mud? I have no feel right now for how high the water crossing will be. We'll have a better grasp on things in a couple of weeks of course.

3. Speaking of training, it's about this time that some folks start to get cold feet (no pun intended) about that 50K they signed up for. I am not encouraging you to drop down, but here are the rules: You can drop down to the 25K at any point including race morning. You don't get a refund. (You can move from the 25K to the 50K as well, but you do have to pay an extra $10 for that. I don't think anyone has ever done this.)

The moment the gun goes off and you start running, you're in the race you signed up for. You cannot drop down mid-race. So, for example, if you are signed up for the 50K and do just one lap, you DNF. You still get your shirt and can have a 25K medal and I'll record your time for what you did, but you cannot be on the 25K podium. 

If you DO want to drop down, try to do so before race day, actually. Makes it easier on me and the morning packet pickup folks. I assign bib numbers based upon which race you're in.

4. Also, if you cannot make it to the race, please let me know ASAP. We still have folks wanting to get in.

5. There is a race hotel. See info on the right. You can also find maps to the start, previous race results, and even a video of the course.

6.  Parking. Please carpool if you can! Parking is very limited. The first folks will park quite close to the start line. Later folks will be about 0.6 miles away. And please pack the cars as tightly as you can. There should be no parking on the main park road.

7. For race vets, notice the new start time. The gate will (automatically) open at 9:00 am and you can drive in. Race begins at 11:00 am. There is an 8 hour time limit. 50K runners must begin lap two before four hours. By the way, sunset that day will be at 7:13 pm, which is just 13 minutes after the eight hour time limit. So we really have to enforce that. (Note: you'll set your clocks ahead the weekend before this.)

8. If you're a volunteer, I need to get emails out to you. I'll try to do so soon! Thank you for volunteering! And runners, be sure to thank every volunteer you see on race day!

9. Packet pickup will be at We Run in North Liberty, probably from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Friday night. There is race morning packet pickup but please do it the night before if you can.

10. Remember, if you like, feel free to bring some food or drink on race day. A little something for the post-race refueling. Whatever you like, but only if you really want to. And if you do, don't bring a ton of food, but enough to feed 20 or so. If enough of you do that, we'll have a great feast. We'll bring some food too (e.g., bagels) but it's always fun to have the runners contribute their favorites.

9. Thanks to our sponsors! We Run, Running Wild, Scheels, Panera Bread, Casey's, Hammer Nutrition, Road ID. And to Jay Danek and Scott Ludwig for donating books they authored.

Your Friendly RD,

Tim