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Black Spur Ultra Final Update |
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Greetings, BS-er -
We are just two weeks from the 5th annual Black Spur Ultra! This is the final update unless something big comes up.
If you missed our previous email updates, you can find them here. The last few newsletters included a plea about garbage, animal encounters, and more.
http://archive.benchmarkemail.com/SinisterSports
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We have shut down the ability for solo runners edit your distances online. That said, we're pretty flexible. If you want to switch to either the 54k or 108k from your current distance, you can do so by 8:00pm on Friday at check-in, or just send me a note.
Once the race has commenced, you cannot change distances!
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Desperately Seeking Susan (or John, or Linda, or any of your friends) |
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Kudos if you picked up on the 80s movie reference. But seriously, we need a bunch of volunteers. We only have three aid stations on the course, but we can't leave them stocked with food unless there are volunteers present. There is still a bit of everything available, from remote checkpoints to helping at registration, and all roles in between. http://www.blackspurultra.com/volunteer
All of our volunteers will get a nice gift to celebrate the 5th Annual Black Spur Ultra. You can run and then volunteer too if you want a bit more.
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Race check-in is open from 2:00-8:00pm on Friday, August 23. We are pretty efficient, and here are a few notes to help you cruise through:
- Come early; Check-in opens at 2:00pm and it is usually a slow build-up to the race meeting when things get really busy. Someone else can register on your behalf if necessary, as long as we get a signed waiver.
- Have your waiver ready; Have it signed and witnessed before you line up at registration. Teams can bring a teammate's waiver if they can't be there. We will have copies available but waivers can also be downloaded here - http://www.blackspurultra.com/files/BSU_Waiver.pdf. You cannot sign on behalf of someone else. No waiver = no race for you!
- Know your bib number; We have separate lines for solos and teams. Knowing your bib number when you get there helps you jump right in. We will have a list of all the racer names at the info desk so check it out before you line up.
- Solos - if you are using drop bags, have them ready. You will have until 8:00pm Friday night to drop them off at registration. We have colour-coded tags for everything, you just need to write your bib number and drop them in the correct pile. You can put one drop bag at each TA plus Ambler Loop. We do not move drop bags from location to location. We take pretty much anything so you don't necessarily need a huge bag. They are all collected at HQ after the race.
- Teams - try and have your team together. We know that many of you are coming from different places but things tend to go a bit faster when you're all together. One person can register the entire team if they have all of the waivers. Again, don't line up if you don't have your waivers signed.
We offer late registration at the start line up until 7:30am on race day. Please try to not make this your last resort! If we are swamped and you don't get checked in, no race for you!
Please attend the racer meeting at 8:00pm. This will give us the chance to welcome you to Kimberley, and update you on any last-minute concerns or changes due to environmental considerations and animal activity.
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Drop Bags + Support Crews |
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If you are using drop bags, this is so easy. The drop bag tent is at the Start/Finish area, and you can just put them in there on Saturday morning before the race. We have ribbon to write your bib number if you need it, but just make your bag distinct.
We take pretty much anything, but keep in mind there will be hundreds of bags so please keep the size reasonable. And don't bring your entire lawn furniture set! If you have a lot of stuff, it will need to go in the support crew area.
There is a place for support crews to set up just to the side of the start area. This is probably the easiest race your crew has ever supported.
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Just a reminder that the checkpoints do not have cups. About six years ago we eliminated cups at our checkpoints for all Sinister events. You'll still find them at the transition because eating meatballs out of your hydration pack is generally awkward. This means that while you are on course, you need a way to get fluids. You provide your own container (bottle, bladder, cup) - we provide the fluids.
This year we are also giving all BS-ers a custom NDURE cup that you can take with you on the trail! This is a great little souvenir, and it will also help us cut down on waste. This is just one part of a bigger sustainability plan that we are working on, so stay tuned for more.
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So this race is tough. I want to remind everyone that this is serious business out here. You will be in remote wilderness and you need to be prepared for mountain travel. Although we don't have "mandatory" gear, we do have a recommended gear list, and if we see anyone competing unsafely, we do have the right to pull them from the race. While we have a Search and Rescue team, if you get stuck, you could be waiting up to four hours for a rescue: will you be carrying what you need to be safe during that time. You are the best person to keep yourself from getting into trouble out there.
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Medals:
Solo runners that finish within the 12-hour or 24-hour time limit get a custom bottle of beer with your name and time, and one of our skookum spurs. If you finish but not within the time limit, you get the beer but no spur!
Every relay runner who finishes the course will get a medal.
Prizes:
For any of you lucky people who end up on the podium, make sure to stick around for the awards, or have someone pick up your prize. If you really need to leave before the awards, we may be able to get it to you beforehand, but we'd like to see you up there.
If you need a prize shipped, we'll arrange this with you after the race, but please provide shipping information by email. Due to the number of requests for shipping, prizes will be sent COD.
For draw prizes, you have to be there to get them!
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Meal Tickets + Goodr + Shirt Exchanges + Other Fun |
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My lovely wife, Sarah, has an important role at the race: selling extra meal tickets and doing shirt exchanges for you delinquents who didn't specify a size.
We will have a limited number of extra meal tickets for sale on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want to bring your family, come early!
This year she will also be hawking our custom Goodr sunglasses (aka: Enjoy Some Sin Before Your Impending Death). What a gal! Stop by and see her at the race expo.
If you want to switch from the Friday to Sunday meal, or vice versa, you must do so by no later than 8:00pm on Friday night! We have to update our caterer by then.
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