Potato Creek Trail Runs, August 9th, 2014 8:00 AM: 2014

Thursday, August 7, 2014

We have 107 pre-registered racers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks guys, we know we have the best of the best!! Here is some info for the newer potato runners.

LOCATION: Start/Finish is at the Beach area for the race. Its has bathrooms, showers, a larger parking lot and a concession stand.
The Park is located here:
Potato Creek State Park is an Indiana state park located in north central part of the U.S. state of Indiana about 12 miles southwest of South Bend.
25601 State Route 4, North Liberty, IN 46554
(574) 656-8186

Packet Pick Up: Packets will be available for pick up on Friday at the new Fleet Feet ( old Metro Run and Walk) during normal business hours. Friday it is open 10AM-7PM
Here is their info:
Fleet Feet Mishwaka
Address: 3522 Grape Rd, Mishawaka, IN 46545
Phone:(574) 257-7867
They are partial sponsors of the race this year but really can't answer any questions about the race itself. Please forward your questions to me at my mobile phone: 574-596-3860 or Race Mom 574.514.2511

Packets will also be available for pickup at the start/finish area on race day up until the start of the race. The park is open at 7 AM and the entry fee is $5.00 per car. I am sorry but I can't do anything about that cost, but it does support our park and we love Potato Creek!!

See you all very soon! Looks like it will be a high of 84 on race day! Sounds perfect to us!

Friday, August 1, 2014

Just so you understand, today is the last day to sign up and get your name on the medal. Wednesday Aug 6th registration closes, so we can pack the race packets. WE WILL ACCEPT NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ULTRA WALK ON REGISTRATIONS THE DAY OF THE RACE. NONE. NADA. ZIPO.

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Hear ye! Hear ye! We are CLOSING registration for those who want their names on medals tomorrow night at 11:59 PM. No exceptions. We are also closing all registrations on line as of August 6th. We will accept race day registrations for 1/2 and full marathons ONLY. If you were planning on signing up online on the 7th or 8th due to payment challenges, please call race mom at 574.514.2511 so we can get you in the system and you can pay on race day via cash or check. THANK YOU.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Runners take note!!!!

We are excited about the number of runners we have this year! We are very excited to have the most Ultra Runners we have EVER had! We are going to set a cut off date of Friday August 1st to get your name engraved on the medals. We will accept sign-up until the day before the race on line and race day registrations .... WE WILL NOT ACCEPT ULTRA WALK ON REGISTRATIONS! We want to make sure we are adequately prepared to serve all of you in the best way possible so we are asking you to get registered before this Friday! Help us, help you, in making this the best possible racing experience!

We look forward to seeing you on race day!

https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/NorthLiberty/PotatoCreekTrailRuns

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Race Weekend Starting Schedule

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Potato Creek Trail Runs Weekend Schedule

Schedule for Race weekend:

Friday August 8th:

We strongly suggest that you take advantage of early packet pick up located at

Fleet Feet Sports. They are open from 10AM-7PM EST. This will allow you greater time during the morning of the race, making it less hectic for everyone. I understand not everyone can make it out there or has the means to travel that far from the park. We will offer packet pick up at the park the morning of the race.

Saturday August 9th:

7:00 AM - Park is officially open. Potato Creek State Park

7:00 AM- Packet Pickup begins at the beach. When entering the park follow the signs for the beach located on the north shore of the lake. We will also have signs to help direct you to the start finish area from the entrance of the park.

7:15 AM - Course meeting with Ultra Runners. Drop bags taken to Nature Center Aid Station.

7:30 AM - Early Ultra Runners are off.

7:45 AM- Course meeting with 1/2 and Marathon runners.

8:00 AM - Group Prayer, Bag Pipes and Start.

The course will remain open 10 hours from 8 AM. One will need to maintain a 15 minute mile for 38 miles in order to finish before the course closes. We have not in 3 years clocked anyone out, nor forced anyone off the course. We hope to continue this trend. Please run in accordance to your training regimen.

The Course:

The old Garmin Map course for last year is accurate as far as the route. We have tweaked the course to make it flow better and to limit any course confusion.

I messed with the miles and a few connecting trails on the Mountain bike course to make it as accurate as possible. The hiking trails are 6.1 miles and the Mountain Bike single track as set up is right around 6.4/ 6.5 miles. The start finish area has a .45 mile Spur ( one way ) to the trails. This total distance is factored into the route only once. Garmin 310xt info:

DO's and DON'Ts:

Do:

Bring bug spray, sun screen, and a head covering. Why a head covering?

Bandana, Buff, or hat will keep the Horse flys off. No amount of insect repellant keeps these buggers at bay. I never met anyone fast enough to out run them.

Don't:

Worry about trail shoes vs. Road Shoes. This course is very friendly for the first time trail runner.

Do:

Bring a hydration system with you. I STONGLY SUGGEST you carry your own hydration system with you. (ie. hand held water bottle, hydration pack or what-have-you). The Aid Stations are no more than 3.5 miles apart. It will be hot so plan accordingly for method of water intake.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Information Update

Hello to All.

Here is a little info for the race on August 9th. We are continuing to work out a few last minute details; due to this, there will be a few more updates leading up to race day.

LOCATION: We are waiting to hear back from the park on the new location for the start/ finish area. We didnt get the Orchard Shoes Picnic area rented before someone else rented it this year. We are currently looking at the Beach area for the race. Its has bathrooms, showers, a larger parking lot and a consession stand. We are planning on this area to be the start/finish area unless we hear differently from the park.

The Park is located here:
Potato Creek State Park is an Indiana state park located in north central part of the U.S. state of Indiana about 12 miles southwest of South Bend.

25601 State Route 4, North Liberty, IN 46554

(574) 656-8186

Packet Pick Up: Packets will be available for pick up on Friday at the new Fleet Feet ( old Metro Run and Walk) during normal business hours. Here is their info:
Fleet Feet Mishwaka

Address: 3522 Grape Rd, Mishawaka, IN 46545
Phone:(574) 257-7867

They are partial sponsors of the race this year but really can't answer any questions about the race itself. Please forward your questions to me at my mobile phone: 574-596-3860

Packets will also be available for pickup at the start/finish area on race day up until the start of the race. The park is open at 7 AM and the entry fee is $5.00 per car. I am sorry but I can't do anything about that cost.

We hope to work out a few last minute details and will send you all updated info as its made available. ( No later than this Friday 07-25-2014 )

Again, if you have questions, comments, or just need someone to talk to give me a call on my cell phone at 574-596-3860 or shoot me a email Senatorb9@gmail.com

Thanks for your support,

Brett

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Course Map 2014

Hello to all. Things are moving along with the race. We have a new shirt on order and are working on a few other things. It has been brought to my attention that the course info is not adequate. In my attempt to remedy this I will post a link to the Garmin info as well as break it down section by section. For all intents and purposes; think of the course as a oddly shaped figure 8

Here is the important info needed on the course.

The Split times will show the distances between each of the aid stations.

Garmin Connect Split Times

Miles Distance	Feet Elevation Gain	Feet Elevation Loss	Minutes per Mile Avg Pace	Minutes per Mile Avg Moving Pace	Minutes per Mile Best Pace	Calories Calories

2.40	230	302	11:15	11:05	8:24	332
3.81	476	427	11:51	11:38	8:34	508
3.18	377	358	12:25	12:17	8:05	418
3.80	463	453	12:17	12:08	8:07	490
0.18	--

Section One: Orchard Shores East to Horse riders campground ( Split 1 )

The race runs out from Orchard Shores East Picnic shelter using the number 1, 2 and 4 trails to the south side of the lake. Think double wide, groomed, fast trails. This gives everyone time to sort out pace and pass easily if need be. Easy Peasey. Distance from Start to Horse Riders A/S 2.40 miles.

Section Two: Return Loop from Horse Riders Campground to Nature Center ( Split 2 )

This section will use the 1, 2, and 4 trails in a loop back to the Nature center. The trails are still wide, groomed, and fast. While on these trails you can expect gravel, dirt, and loose rock. Nothing too technical. This is one of the only sections of the race that has significant elevation gain and loss. While on the return loop you will be expected to ascend the steep face of Steamboat hill and run down the back side to Vargo hill where you will get to enjoy a 1/2 mile of down hill. Distance from Horse Riders A/S to Nature Center A/S 3.81 miles.

Section Three: Nature Center to Peppermint Road ( Split 3 )

You will run from the Nature Center to the Mountain Bike Trails located behind the playground at the nature center. Use the bathroom at the nature center or the vault toilets located on the playground if needed before you hit the single track. Taking a left onto the Mountain Bike trails you will run the trail system in reverse order as stipulated by the park for safety. We have never had a problem with bikers in the past but you should know the potential does exits as the park will not allow us exclusive right to the mountain bike trails for the day. The Mountain Bike Trails are technical single track and are very narrow. Please do not walk/ run two abreast as to not allow anyone behind you the ability to pass. When you hear loud polka music playing through the woods you know you are close to the aid station. The folks who run this A/S are a special breed and who love this race and the park. Please take time to thank them Welcome to the middle of nowhere. Nature Center to Peppermint Road A/S 3.18 miles

Section Four: Peppermint Road back to Nature Center. ( Split 4 )

This is the section that will test your mental fortitude. People who have run this race in the past have told me that this is the hardest section mentally. You will be running on the mountain bike trail back to the nature center. This is the section that contains the now infamous boulder pile. Yes...that is the trail run over the pile of large rocks. I promise you wont break. After what seems like 8-10 miles you will exit the mountain bike trail near where you entered and run back to the Nature Center. Note: Bathrooms are located here. Peppermint Road back to Nature Center 3.8 miles

Section Five: Nature center to Orchard Shores ( split 5)

This section if you are running the half is a return to the Orchard Shoes Picnic area. Its only a quarter of a mile to the finish. If you are running the Marathon you get to head back out and do it all again. Ultra peeps...surprise....you do this entire course twice more.

My Garmin 310xt says its accurate +/- to .30 of a mile. I have done some tweaking to the course in general in order to keep the distances accurate. We may make a few more changes along the way so we dont confuse anyone. ( and no making fun of my pace on the split table...I was tired and getting over a cold or something like that )

Click Here for the MAP

Friday, April 18, 2014

Greetings to all!
The online registration is up and running. Please find it in the right hand column.

I have been working on trying to get you guys some different swag for this years event. Please email me with your suggestions. Currently, I am looking at water bottles with the race logo. That way we don't have issues with sizing and color likes and dislikes. Shoot me an email and let me know what you guys think. ( I am wondering if anyone really reads this stuff anyway.) senatorb9@gmail.com

Respect

Brett

Potato Creek Online Registration

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Potato Creek Trail Runs August 9th, 2014

Hello to all.

Due to the Indiana Trail 50/100 and various other race conflicts in the month of April we have decided to move the race to a warmer month with fewer races. The 2014 installment of the Potato Creek Trail runs will take place August 9th. 2014 at 8:00 AM. The month of August will offer different challenges than what we experienced in April. The main one being the heat. Hydration will be key this time of year. In addition to the heat we also anticipate bugs; and, seeing how it is the upper Midwest, please plan for crazy weather.
I am currently working on a more accurate, less confusing route ( if that's at all possible). I am also in the process of forging the first place awards for this years race. I will also be making other awards for people who have supported us over the years. More on that later.

Currently we are using T&H timing out of Valpo. Todd and his crew do an excellent job. We will be working to get online registration up and running shortly. Mail in registration should be linked on the menu on the right hand column.

As questions arise please email me at senatorb9@gmail.com or give me a call on my personal mobile phone at 574-596-3860.

Thank you

Senator

2014 mail in registration