Registered runner instructions

2025  

You may still be on the waitlist even if you are receiving this email!!!!

Find the long final instructions below:

By Wednesday , noon:  

Fill out the runner confirmation form (entry/forms page)

Don’t forget on race day

§ your aid drop or food/drink for the aid table (assignments below)

§ - course maps

-contribution for the trailside museum (encouraged)

- drop bag clearly labeled with your name (if desired) 

- 50 mile runners:  your own aid in your car at miles 31 and 37.

----------2025 "Final" instructions-----

Greetings DRB Runners! 

It’s time!  “Final” DRB instructions.  (Start lists and waiting list to be sent in a separate email in a couple minutes)

Sorry these are so long… I tend to be a detail person.  Please read (at least scan) everything including #13- there are several things you must do to run.  Slower runners need to be aware of cutoffs or aid station closing.  If there is something missing let me know and I can make this briefing even longer next year.  The race website has all the info as well. 

0) Wait list:  Be on the lookout for emails from me.  You have to confirm to get in off the waitlist.  I expect that several will get in.  

1) Drops before the race:  email me as soon as you can. At this point I will expect you to contribute to the Trailside Museum to get back on a start list for a future year.   

2) Runner tracking during the race / Emergencies:  Check in before the race at at the aid station each time you visit and at the finish line for miles 31 and 37  if continuing to 50 miles.   If you drop during the race, report this to the volunteer at the aid station or finish.  I will send out phone contacts for emergencies via email next week and you will get a sticker with the numbers when you check in.  You are encouraged to carry a phone with these contact numbers.  50-milers see special instructions in  #9 & #10 below!

3) Check-in:  Please fill out this emergency info Google form and waiver ASAP, deadline by Wed (April 16) noon to expedite check-in.  Arrive at least 15 min early to check in and verify all information.  Here is the link for the form: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13QYTWKYZxTD9-gTnasVFrNVgZ5mnSkr5rFrcIKWN_GU/viewform 

Don’t be late:  there will be an official race timepiece.  The 8 am start will be exactly 2 hours after the 50 miler goes off. 

4) Race Etiquette: Please no audible music on the course.  I am not sure if anyone uses voice-guided GPS but that would also be a no-no.  Please try to turn off your audible stats each mile on your GPS as well.    

And let’s all clean up after ourselves 105%!   

5) Aid drops / Aid station / drop bag :  There will be a manned aid station at miles 13/16/26 across from the stable / cross walk until 4:30 if needed.  It is about a quarter mile from the start/finish parking lot.  No runner parking here!   Expect basic medical and friendly faces.  Water, soda, and Hyle/Gatorade will be available.   Items will be crowd-sourced as described below (#8).  If you would like a drop bag please have it clearly labeled with your name (suggest duct tape and black marker) and drop it off yourself or give it to a volunteer at the start.  Do not expect volunteers to transport anything larger than a backpack.  At the end of the day you can return to the aid station to pick up your bag.  If the aid station is closed drop bags will be brought back to the finish line.  We are trying to make this a cupless race.  Please plan on filling your collapsible cup, bottle or hydration system from pitchers or coolers. 

   Water (and maybe a bit more) will be dropped in the woods at miles 5/11/28 (available until 5:00 pm);  mile 20 (available until 2:30 pm); and mile 23 (available until 3:30 pm).   (And miles 42 & 47 for 50 milers, until 7:00 pm)  Again, NO CUPS! 

       If you expect to take close to 10 hours or more to complete the course you should probably start at 6 am or expect to carry more aid!  We will try to leave at least water on the course past the above times, but there may not be any goodies left.

   The finish line is NOT an aid station for 50 milers.  Plan to get your own aid from your car at miles 31 and 37!

6) Course Maps:  Print the maps and course description from the race website (https://sites.google.com/site/tarcdrbdontrunbostonraces/maps-and-course-guides) and bring them with you!   

NOTE on GPS:  Good 50K and "last 19" Strava and All-Trails GPS maps are posted on the website.  

7) Bring an item for aid:  Some of you have volunteered for the aid drops or told me what you are bringing… you are all set.  Everyone else we ask for an “item” for the manned aid station.  We don’t need a lot- you don’t need to spend more than about $8.  Please consult the list below (if you have something special you want to bring instead, email me).   Try to drop aid station items off directly at the aid station location.   If you are unsure or running late, bring it to the start. 

 Last name starts with   Please bring about  $6-8 worth

B

Soda

D

Bread for sandwiches 

E,F

lunch meat (for aid station or finish line sandwiches)

T

sliced cheese (for sandwiches)

M,N

Boiled Potatoes

K,L

Bars, Cracker sandwiches, or other food 

Sp-Sz

Fresh fruit

W

Baked goods

A,C,J

Candy

G,H

Salty (chips or pretzels)

O-R

Peanut butter+Jelly

S-So

Backup people….you will fill in for cancellations or if not instructed, bring anything!

 8) Fundraiser for Trailside museum.  Going back to our roots in the 1990’s we took up a small collection to support the Mass Audubon/DCR Center passed at mile 20.  We would appreciate any donations in lieu of entry fee in the form of a check made out to “Blue Hills Trailside Museum.”   We will collect during check-in (or after the run.)  We have typically been raising about $700/year!

9) 50 mile on-course sign-in:  To aid in runner tracking and aid removal, 50 mile runners should sign in at miles 42 and 47 with their name, mileage, and time of day (“i.e. Howie B 42 3:30).  A note pad will be provided.

10) 50 mile cutoff:  Our permit goes to 7:30 pm, so a 13-1/2 hour cutoff will be enforced.  If you do not complete 31 in 8:40 or 37 miles in 9:55 you are unlikely to finish, if over 10:15 at 37 miles it is VERY unlikely.  If you slow to a pace such that you cannot finish by 7:30 pm please return to the finish by walking along Chickatawbut Road and Hillside Street so race management can locate you. 

11) Facilities Notes:

Houghton’s Pond Bathrooms (S/F):  2 portapotties

Aid Station Bathrooms:  portapotty near stable across the street (also I think mobile BR facility across from state police about 100 m down the road)

Trailside Museum Bathrooms (Mile 20):   Should be open around 10 am.  

12) Post race 

This event does not lend itself to “official” gatherings due to the slow trickle of finishers.  We will place some sandwiches and other goodies at the finish so you can relish in your finish and enjoy a snack. 

13) What to bring summary:  

(Fill out the confirmation and waiver form linked above RIGHT NOW) 

- course maps 

- your aid drop or an item for aid station or finish 

- drop bag clearly labeled with your name (optional) 

-contribution for the trailside museum (optional)

- 50 mile runners:  your own aid in your car at miles 31 and 37.

Final notes: 

-  Expect one or two very short final reminder emails.

See everyone on Saturday the 19th!

Howie