Photo's are here!

There is a quite a few. So have a looky at them; and remember you probably felt worse than what you actually looked. Copy and paste this address into a new window; http://www.flickr.com/photos/srsphoto1/ For whatever reason my new laptop is not allowing me to use a link.

Photo's coming soon!

I've been trying to contact the people who were there taking pictures. I think they are posted on photo bucket or something similar. I was told that one of them took 1600 pictures at the race. I will get you a link on the blog asap.

Results for 2011 and the "guess the gap" contest winner.

Thank you everyone for a great first year. Here is the link to T&H timing web page results T&H Timing

Looks like we had some superfast times!

The winner of the TIMEX IRONMAN Global trainer is...

DOUG MORRIS.(4:48.48) Please everyone check my math. The fist overall 1/2 runner was 99:20 and the first overall ultra runner was 392:32. By my estimation that is 4.88 and per the conversion it comes to 4:52:47. This is bad news for Eric Schumacher of Columbus Ohio who guessed 4:53. The second closest is Rachel Kaser with 4:44.44( first female in the half ). Doug please email me so I can set up a time to get you the GPS watch.
****EDIT***
OK...I just got off the phone with a fellow runner explaining where I went wrong with the math. In fact, Eric Schumacher is the winner. Apologies to Doug. I will be sending out a email to correct this. Thank you Larry for your timly phone call.

This years Potato Creek is in the books.

I'd love to sit here with a smug grin on my face saying we nailed it this weekend; but, I know there are many areas where we can improve. Please keep the emails coming with suggestions complaints, or compliments. Next years race will have more GPS info like mileage listed throughout the trail system, and mileage listed at each aid station. I was out this morning taking down the course markings and realized there was a two mile stretch with no pink blazes at all. I think on a conservative estimate, we lost somewhere between 20-25% of the course markings.
I had no idea what could have happened to the pink blazes until I found these two walking sticks.

Each of these sticks ( for mushroom hunting? ) had around 10-20 pink blazes on them.
Next year, I will use the old standby method; accuracy by volume. I also intend to put out less complicated signs...things like arrows seem to work better.
If you got lost, or were instructed to run in the wrong direction PLEASE EMAIL ME!!! I am very sorry your day was ruined. Speaking from experience it is no fun being lost.
www.pctrailinfo@gmail.com

I am working on getting our results posted online. It's a bit complicated as the contractor for the event used a sub-contractor from different part of the state. I have emails into both of them.

Prizes, give aways, and bragging rights

OK folks lets talk about prizes for a moment. As you have seen in the previous post Metro Run and Walk has donated a TIMEX Global Trainer. This will be given to the person who can correctly estimate the amount of time elapsed from the first over all finisher of the half marathon to the first overall ULTRA finisher without going over. NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN. Its a free contest to every runner; so make sure you get in on your chance to win.

Trophies: Here is the deal, you finish first in your distance you get a little running guy trophy.

Comp'd entries and discounts:
1st- free entry next year at any distance
2nd- half price entry next year at any distance
3rd- $20 off entry next year for any distance

For the half marathon, there will be male and female comp'd entries and discounts. Marathon and Ultra ladies I am sorry but there isn't enough of you to make this possible. It is because of this we will just have to do 1st, 2nd, 3rd. for those distances.
As the race continues to grow each year hopefully we can branch out and do male/female and age brackets. Right now, we just don't have the numbers to accommodate everyone.

Registration deadlines.

Ok Guys. The deadline for ONLINE registration will be NOON this coming Wednesday( April 27th), and mail in registration will be Tuesday ( April 26) at 5PM. If I do not recieve it in the mail by end of the day Tuesday you can still run it; but your finishers award will NOT have your name engraved onto it. Reminder, you can sign up the morning of the race but you will recieve a nameless finishers medal. NO ULTRA race day sign up.

Here is a race day prize that Metro Run and Walk has donated. (574-257-7867)
Its is a Timex IRONMAN Global Trainer. Its is a GPS enabled, heart rate monitor wrist watch. Also included is access to online software,USB cable, AC adaptor, handlebar bike mount and a quick start guide. This is a bad little monkey valued at $360.00.
You can sign up to win it by guessing your finishing time. The closest finishing time with out going over will win. There will be clip board at the start finish area where you will have to write out your time prediction.

Race Day info: Please take note!

The Park will be open from 7 AM to 11 PM.


Camping is available; please make reservations online or call ahead.


If you do not have a state park pass it will cost you $5.00 to get into the park.


Packet pick up will be available on Friday from 4-7 PM at Orchard Shores Picnic area.


Race day registration and packet pick up will take place from 7 AM to 7:30 AM.


No race day registration for the ultra event.


No whining.


The ultra runners will have a drop bag area near the Nature Center; bags can be dropped at the start finish and will be taken by race staff to the drop bag area.


The race starts at 8:00 AM EST whether you are ready or not.


Aid stations will be spaced from 3.8 miles to 2.8 miles apart.


Dress appropriately; normally that means multiple layers. Its spring in the upper Midwest expect anything.


The course will remain open until all Ultra runners have finished, dropped or it is 6 PM. Which ever comes first. There will be course cutoffs posted.


Times that the Aid Station will be open and closed will be clearly posted at each station ( for ultra runners only).