It is just over a week until the Bimblers Bluff 50k, you have one more weekend of training that hopefully is easing you into taper mode. Thank you for supporting the Bluff, the entry response has surpassed expectation in our first year.
Whether we have rain or sunshine the race will go ahead and below are a few things for you to note.
1. There will be no race day registrations, please don’t bring friends who haven’t pre-registered in the hope that they will be allowed to enter.
2. Race number collection will commence at 6:15 in the school gymnasium. The doors open at 6:00 am and we’ll need a few minutes to get organized. If you want to know your number in advance, they are listed in the Confirmed Entries post on the BS web site.
3. A race briefing will start at 7:40 to cover things like course markings and other safety information. Please try to attend.
4. Portable toilets shall be positioned outside by the school tennis court, please do not use the facilities inside the school building.
5. The gymnasium will be open for pre-race activities only. Please do not leave personal belongings in the building during the race.
6. Out on the course there will be 5 aid stations, station 1/5 is only 3 miles from the start/finish and will be stocked with drinks and a limited supply of snacks. Stations 2, 3 and 4 will offer a greater range of food as well as drinks. It is recommended that you carry a drink bottle as the distance between aid can be as far
as 8 miles. We’ll have Heed, Gatorade, soda and water to drink.
7. Every runner must ensure their number is checked off at every aid station. Failure to do so may result in a DQ
8. The Genesee Preserve property is a water catchments area owned by the Regional Water Authority, access is usually only permissible with a RWA recreation pass. Your race number is your pass during the race, please make sure the number is visible or you may be stopped by an RWA warden. This section of the course also has a very strict carry out what you carry in policy which includes calls of nature!
9. Please be careful not to drop trash elsewhere on the course either, there will be bins at every aid station.
10. Relay Runners: Race numbers are issued to a team, with each bib labeled Goat or Gazelle, please wear the correct one to match your role in the team. The change over stations will be at aid stations 2 and 4. It is your responsibility to transport yourselves to these locations. Change overs can only occur after the in-bound runner has checked in at the aid station. If your transport arrangements allow, and both team members wish to run the final leg, the time of the last team member to cross the line will be recorded as the team’s official finish time but the designated Gazelle must complete the last leg in order for your team finish
to count. Do not leave cars at Renee Way and expect a ride back to collect them.
11. Cut Off Times: You must reach Renee Way by 3:00 pm. If you haven’t reached this location within 7 hours the chances are you will not be able to get to the finish within daylight hours. We don’t want to have volunteers waiting around after dark, so you will be asked to withdraw from the race.
12. If you think you might finish close to the final cutoff I suggest you consider carrying a small flash light to navigate Timberlands Woods for the last three miles as beneath the trees it could be quite dark. The last aid station (Old Archery Range) is on the northern edge of these woods and has to be visited twice (out and back), it will be possible to drop your light off here for collection on your way back through to save you carrying it the entire 50K!
13. Anyone who drops out of the race between aid stations MUST ensure that a race volunteer is notified, we don’t want to instigate searches unnecessarily.
14. We have over 30 volunteers helping to make this race a success for you, if you have the energy please take a moment to show your appreciation for their support. Please listen and comply with their instructions.
15. To receive a finisher award, you must have crossed the finish line by 6:00 pm. The award is a unique garment that has been designed and produced especially for the event. If I told you what
it was I’d have to shoot you – if you want to know you’ll have to finish the race!
See you all on the 26th and remember this is the Bluff “…exactly what
you think it isn’t..”
Jerry RD
I’m VERY EXCITED for my FIRST 50k!!! 🙂 p.s. I will be one of the few who are bringing a headlamp!! ha.