2014 FAQ

1. When & where is Packet Pickup ?

Race packets will be available at Ken Combs Running Store, Friday, February 7, 2014, 12 noon to 6:00 pm EST and at the Horine Center on race morning from 6:30 to 7:30 am. You can also register at the store or on race morning at the Horine Center (Start/Finish area).

Horine Center:

Start/Finish/Parking area:

2. Will my feet get wet ?

There are several small streams. Most of the time the streams are dried up or frozen this time of year. If water is flowing, you can usually jump over them or carefully pick your steps across. If we have rain race day, or have heavy rain the day before (like in 2010), streams will be up & your feet will get wet.

3. Will there be any drop bag stations ?

50k & 15m:

There will an official drop bag area at the start where you will pass after the first leg --- or you can just stop by your car for your items in the parking area.

50k only:

The 50k will have an additional drop bag area at the Scott's Gap aid station (mile 19.8/mile 23.2). If you wish, you can leave a drop bag at any aid station once the station is open, however, you will be responsible for the bag & for making all arrangements. You can leave a drop bag for Scott's Gap at the Horine Center on race morning. You will pass thru the Scott's Gap aid station twice. After the 2nd time, be sure to leave your bag in the RETURN area. Bags will be returned to the START/FINISH area (Horine Center) as time & volunteers permit.

4. Where are the toilet facilities ?

Pit toilets (literally holes in the ground w/seats) are located at the start/finish and in the camping area about 1/4 mile into the race.

Port-o-cans will be located at the following locations: the start/finish, 1/2 mile into the race at the campsites and at the Scott's Gap aid station (mile 19.8/mile 23.2).

Indoor facilities can be found at the Horine Center at the start/finish area and on Mitchell Hill Road at the Welcome Center (mile 10.6/13.7 on the 15m course & mile 10.6/30 on the 50k course).

NOTE: The course passes within 20 feet of the Welcome Center front entrance. If you should need to use the restroom facilities, please be considerate if your shoes are very muddy!

Welcome Center (back entrance):

5. How many aid stations are there ?

There are three (3) for the 15m:

mile 5.7 - Start Area at the end of the 1st leg -- drop bags

mile 10.9 - At the start of the Purple Heart loop

mile 13.4 - At the end of the Purple Heart loop

There are eight (8) for the 50k:

mile 5.7 - Start Area at the end of the 1st leg -- drop bags

mile 10.9 - At the start of the Purple Heart loop

mile 13.4 - At the end of the Purple Heart loop

mile 16.1 - Bearcamp Road aid station outbound on the Siltstone Trail

mile 19.8 - Scott's Gap aid station at the end of the Siltstone Trail -- drop bags

mile 23.2 - Scott's Gap aid station at the end of the Scott's Gap loop -- drop bags

mile 26.9 - Bearcamp Road aid station inbound on the Siltstone Trail

mile 29.7 - At the Purple Heart junction

6. Is there a cutoff time & is there an "early start" offered ?

There will be a cutoff at 3 pm (7 hours) or whenever the RD decides -- at the end of the Scott's Gap loop (mile 23.2) in the 50k. If you're very close to the cutoff, chances are you will not finish the course before it gets difficult to see the trail. The course officially closes at 6 pm (10 hours).

Consideration for a 7 am start will be given to those runners who believe they may not finish before it gets dark -- contact Cynthia Heady, RD at cynthia@headfirstperformance.com

7. Will I need a light ?

If you take the early start at 7 am, you may need a light for the 1st mile or two.

8. Are there any training runs ?

There will be a training run on Sunday 1-12-14 on the Siltstone Trail (6.7 miles one-way) and the Scott's Gap loop (3.2 miles) and return. The run starts at 7:45 am EST from the Welcome Center on Mitchell Hill Road. The entire distance is about 17 miles, but you can turn back & return to the Welcome Center at any time.

There will be a training run on Saturday 1-18-14 on the 15 mile course (same as the first 13.4 miles and last 2.7 miles of the 50k). The run begins at 7:45 am at the official start location of the race. No permit is required to enter the Horine section of the Forest for this run. You can join in after the 1st loop is completed or at any point in the run.

It's possible another training run will be scheduled before race day - check back.

If you decide to run on the course prior to race day, all trail sections are officially open from 8 a.m. to dusk EXCEPT the Horine Section (start/finish area). Be sure to register for a permit at the Welcome Center before entering the Horine Section of the Jefferson Memorial Forest. No permit is required to enter on an official training run date and NO PERMIT IS REQUIRED TO ENTER ON RACE DAY !

9. Are pacers allowed?

Not at this time.

10. How do I find out additional information ?

Current info & race changes will be posted on this blog as the facts become available. Post your question (as a comment) to the last post in the blog or you can email me directly at edibo@insightbb.com. You can also email Headfirst Performance at cynthia@headfirstperformance.com or todd@headfirstperformance.com.