Tuesday, July 1, 2008

2008 Pre-Race Updates






GREETINGS EVERYONE,
First of all, thanks to all of you who registered early for the 15th Annual Afton Trail Run 25K and 50K.  We are going to have a record turnout for this year's race!  The overwhelming interest in the 50K will once again ensure that the Afton Trail Run(s) are the premier 25K and 50K races in the Midwest.

Listed below are a few things to keep in mind as the race draws near.

TIMES
The 50K starts at 6:30 a.m. and the 25K starts at 7:30 a.m. SHARP.

PACKET PICKUP
Packet pickup will be held on race morning only.  You can pick up your  number, race packet and t-shirt at the Interpretive Center at Afton State Park starting at 5:00 a.m. (the Interpretive Center is adjacent from the start finish area.)  Packet pickup for the 50K ends at 6:00 a.m. and at 7:00 a.m. for the 25K.  Arrive Early! This is the only opportunity for packet pickup there is no packet pick the night before the race.


T-SHIRTS
Those who are had their applications and were registered by June 29th are guaranteed to get a t-shirt on race day. For all of you late-comers, you may have to wait until a couple of weeks after the race for us to mail them to you. Sorry, but you know the old saying...... the early birds get the super nice technical t's on race day!

RACE DAY REGISTRATION
If you are signing up on race-day we cannot guarantee you a t-shirt.  If a t-shirt is not available we will mail it to you by August 15th.  Race day registration for the 50K ends at 6:00 a.m. and at 7:00 a.m. for the 25K.  Arrive Early!

PARKING PERMITS
If you do not already have one, we strongly encourage you to purchase an Annual State Park entry / parking permit prior to race day.  An annual pass can also be purchased on your way out of the park after the race, please tell the park official that you ran the race.  This is an excellent way to support our wonderful state park system.  More information can be found at
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/permit.html  If you choose not to purchase an annual pass (shame on you) we will cover the expense for your parking, but this just takes away from our overall donation to Afton State Park.  You can tell a hardcore Minnesota trail runner by the state park sticker on their windshield!

PARKING
Please carpool!  Reduce the races carbon footprint, save money and help reduce congestion in the parking lot – parking resources will be strained as there is limited parking.  When you arrive, drive all the way to the end of the road to the far parking lot and start parking there, do not fill the lots by the start / finish area first.  Do not park on the road.

PACERS
Pacers / non-registered runners are not allowed under any circumstance.

WORST CASE
If you need to drop out of the race, let a volunteer know that you are doing so, this way you will be accounted for and we will know that we don’t need to send out the bloodhounds.  If you go off course or get lost, be honest, let someone know, try to correct your mistake and try to finish, but let the timing official know when you cross the line.

As always, more information can be found at on our site, click here to view the 
ATR HOMEPAGE - THIS RACE IS HARDCORE, YOU ARE HARDCORE.  GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, PUSH YOURSELF, THANK THE VOLUNTEERS AND BE SAFE.
Thanks Again,

John Storkamp and the Entire ATR Crew