October 11th Email (Sent to All Races)

Hello Ghost Train Runners!

Well, we only have a few days left - I hope the taper crazies aren’t hitting any of you too badly!  The weather forecast is all over the place, but it generally seems to be improving.  Keep all those positive weather thoughts coming!

Here is the quick overview of the race you are signed up for:

Your race:

Race Date:

Location:

Bib Pickup:

Race Start Time:

Parking Opens:

Cutoff:

If you have any questions at all, please see our web page, read the Ghost Train Handbook, or join our very haunted, er, friendly Facebook Group.  If you still need an answer or any other help, please reach out to me at ghosttrainrace@gmail.com and I’ll be happy to help.  All funds raised from Ghost Train go to the Brookline and Milford Conservation Commissions to improve the trails.  We are humbled and thankful for everyone’s support.

Are you or your relay team going for greater than 100 miles?  Here’s the deal if you are!  Every 7th out and back you must turn around at the turnaround marker, which will be just south of the new tunnel.  This means you can get distances in the 30-Hour Ultra or 30-Hour Ultra Relay of 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 100, 115, 130, 145, etc miles.  I realize this may be a change, but it will significantly help our amazing timer and help his software to track and live track the race.  Did I say live tracking?  Yup, it will be on WebScorer starting on Saturday, assuming no technical glitches!  I don’t have the bib numbers yet, but will post them to the Facebook Group when I do.  Don’t worry, we’ll have a sharpie at bib pickup if you need to mark a drop bag.

Also a timing reminder!  If you want to add on to make your race a 50K, 100K, or just like running, you are welcome to go back out on the trails after your race finishes!  (As long as you are cleaned up by 4pm on Sunday!)  If you do, please remember to remove your bib so you don’t confuse the timing system.  Thank you!

Period products will be available either at a table by the porta potties, in the porta potties, or at each aid station, depending on the weather.  If you need something and don’t see it, please ask!

If you’re in the area on Friday, October 13th, join us at the Spaghetti Dinner put on by the Brookline Community Church.  Dinner starts at 5pm.  It’s delicious.  I will be there!

Are you interested in some Ghost Train merchandise?  Please bring cash to purchase items from Move Free as well as our own Ghost Train merch.   Profits from all sales benefit the trails!  We’d like to thank Patrick Caron especially for his generosity through Move Free.  What is for sale?  All Ghost Train items from Move Free, plus the race will be selling embroidered orange baseball caps at $25, embroidered black fleece hats for $20, and if you don’t have a collapsible cup we have them for $5 each.  We will have a sale on Ghost Train tech hats that are great for winter running at only $10, which is a total steal!  Merch will be for sale for 2 hours before each race starts, and all weekend at Camp Tevya.

(If you order quickly, you can squeeze in an online order with Move Free using the coupon code “GTPICKUP” - your order will be available for pickup at the race this weekend, and you won’t pay for shipping!)

Food donations!  In the past we have asked runners to help supply the aid stations.  This year we are starting a new tradition - if you can, please bring a non-perishable food item that will be donated to local food pantries.  If you are looking for ideas on what is needed, check this link out.  Snacks for kids, period products and personal care items, food for people with special diets, and maybe some special treats like coffee or baking supplies are things we may not always think of, but are very needed.

Parking opens 2 hours before each race starts.  Please don’t arrive earlier as we won’t have volunteers in place to assist you!  The quick and easy answer as to where you will park is the volunteers are amazing - just tell them what race you are there for and they will help you!

If you are running the 30-Hour Ultra or 30-Hour Ultra Relay, you can set up a 10’x10’ tent or similar on Friday, October 13th starting at 3pm and quiet hours start at 9pm.  Please do not arrive early!

Lastly, please make sure you thank the volunteers!  They are giving their free time to help you achieve your goals!  Please observe good trail etiquette by being aware and yielding to runners approaching both in front and behind you and your group.  Remember to smile - we GET to do these activities!  🙂

Thank you to our sponsors!

Conductor Level:  Camp Tevya and Move Free

Ghost Level:  Alene Candles and Lull Farm

Jack-O’-Lantern Level:  Tailwind and Allstate Agent Karen Wright (Did you know Karen is a 6 time Ghost Train finisher, and four of those finishes are 100-Miles?  Amazing!!) 

Trail Supporter Level:  Union Coffee Company

See you all this weekend!

Rob Fiero

Ghost Train Race Director