OUTDOOR Forum at canaaninstitute.org

[Mike_L]

The Iroquois Trails Ultras Sept 20-21 2008

The event's website is www.IroquoisTrails100.com . The event will offer 50 and 100 mile trail ultramarathons run over 75% trail with 9,000/18,000 feet of elevation gain. The course is laid out in a relative tripod with 2 lollipops and 1 out-back yielding 50 miles, repeated for the 100 mile distance. There will be 5 unique aid stations that will be repeated for a total of 20 aid points ranging from 3.5 to 6.3 miles which provide nutrition ranging from simple sugared gummy worms to complex carb potatoes, duct tape to medical kits, a cot for a weary wrecked body to volunteers encouraging the weary runner to keep moving through.

The formalities begin on Friday afternoon the 19th at the Gatherings Restaurant and Cabins staging area in Virgil a pre-race dinner and briefing. It would be great to get ingredients locally and compostable utensils, plates, cups, etc.. We have reserved several cabins at Gatherings and the new owners have graciously offered to allow entrants, crews, and volunteers to camp on the premisis. Both races will start together at 06:00 Saturday morning, running a loop over Greek Peak Alpine Resort, up and over Tuller Hill State Forest, and continue along the Finger Lakes Trail through James Kennedy State Forest. The 50 mile course will close 13 hours later at 19:00 and the 100 mile course 36 hours later at 18:00 on Sunday. There will be post-race meal for 50 mile runners on Saturday, and a post-race brunch for athletes, crews, and volunteers on Sunday.

Currently there are 24 runners registered for the 100 mile distance, most with their own crews. Some will bring their own pacers, for others I have set them up with locals familiar with the terrain and who can take them through a portion of the final 45 miles where pacers are permitted. There are 12 currently registered for the 50 and I am expecting and hoping for a few more. Wilderness Search and Rescue will be on hand and working on testing out some equipment and protocols over the larger footprint and timeframe. We're still working out a broadband internet connection in order to provide real-time runner tracking and cellular text message updating via aid station check-in. The event's website has an area for volunteer sign up and sponsor recognition and we are most grateful for any and all assistance and provisions.
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

===