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).

60k ultra awards

OK so here is a picture of the Ultra awards. These compasses are solid brass and the back will be engraved with date, distance and name similar to that of the half and full marathon runners. They will have a orange lanyard as well.

You VS Them

As the last few days before the run fly by I thought I'd post my favorite youtube clip here. I hope you all like it.

Thank you!

A big thank you to everyone that showed up to run in the rain this past Saturday. Despite the light drizzle and cooler temps it was a great day to be out trail running and meeting new people. I made mention on Saturday that I have finally found a bag piper to come out and play at the start of the race! So that is good news. I have sent off the first installment of the race spreadsheet to Hoosier Trophies so that the awards can be engraved with your names. I hope to get 90 % engraved before the race. Those signing up for the race later than noon on the 27th will receive a nameless award; with the opportunity to take the medal into Lou at Hoosier after the event should they choose to do so.

Shirts are in...

Ok so here is the back of the shirts. I hope you guys like Orange. I figure with this bright color you guys will be easy to spot from the air by search and rescue. :)

Shirts are IN!

I just got a email from Dave at Metro Run and Walk (574-257-7867 for all your running needs! ) to let me know that the shirts are in and that they look awesome. Truth is I'd be happy if they looked terrible, people would remember them then. Just kidding. I hope you guys like orange, because that is the color we went with. I'll swing by Metro and post up a picture of the shirts as soon as possible. Also, I'll put up a picture of the ULTRA awards. I have them sitting on my kitchen counter, so I figure I should get them on the web. REMINDER: We are having a training run this coming Saturday at Noon. We will be starting at the Orchard Shores Picnic area and running approx. 6.7 miles of single track mountain bike trail. This will be a excellent way for you to see 1/2 of the course and eliminate any surprises on race day. Call or email if you have questions Senator Brett 574-596-3860 pctrailinfo@gmail.com

Looking for a bag piper

Yep, ladies and gentlemen I am in need of a bag piper. I want to have a bag piper play at the start of the race and all my leads have gotten me nowhere. Please give me a call with any possible leads. 596-3860. Thank You!

Next weekend ( Saturday April 16th) we will have another training run out at the park. We will meet at the Orchard Shores Picnic area at noon and run the mountain bike course in reverse in similar fashion to that of race day. This 6.7 mile loop will give you insight into what to expect come race day. If you have questions about the race, or this training date please give me call on my cell phone 574-596-3860 or email here at the race's email address. If you can not be with out water for 1 hour please arrange to bring some with you. A small hand held will be fine. For those of you who have friends that are on the fence about this race; this would be a excellent opportunity for them to come out and run the front half of the course with you and a fun group of people. All done in a low- pressure type environment. Also, I would like to start a pool with a $1.00 buy in on guessing what color tights Bill K will be wearing on race day. 8-)

Where to stay?

I just had a interesting phone call asking me where to stay when coming out for the race. I realized that this needs to be addressed ASAP. So here is what I found; rated by what is the closest to the park, and not by price. If you are not down with the whole camping thing here are some places you can stay. Comfort Suites South 60971 US 31 South South Bend, IN 46614 (574) 291-3100 comfortsuites.com‎ This hotel is 10-15 minutes north of the park. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Plymouth 2619 N. Michigan Road Plymouth, IN 46563 (574) 936-2444 This hotel is around the 15-20 minute south from the entrance the park. As of right now, my race is so small and new that I have not worked out any sort of deal with the local hotels. I am sure you guys can find something on PRICELINE or HOTWIRE if you dig into it. Also, it should be noted that there are quite a few B&B's in the area if one wants to go that route. Please note that due to the time of year runners will not have to fight tooth and nail to get a good room. This would not be the case if it were a fall race and ND football season. As always, if you guys have questions I will be happy to help as much as I can. You can reach me here on my cell: 574-596-3860 of by email thru the race pctrailinfo@gmail.com Also I am trying to post up info on FB as well at Potato Creek Trail Runs.

New flyer

A friend of mine just came up with this new flyer! Thanks Chello!