Email to Participants - June 19th, 2025

First Sunny Saturday in Months!

Hi everyone!

I have apparently sold yet another chunk of my soul to get good weather at one of my races.  I don't know how long I can keep doing this, but let's enjoy some beautiful conditions at the race this weekend!  I'm beyond excited for the race, and I'm losing sleep I'm so focused on making it a great day for you all.  (Yes, I really shouldn't be lying awake freaking out that all the stores within 20 miles are going to run out of water, but apparently this is what I do!)

I'll break this down by must read, and good to know.  I'll leave it up to you to read appropriately.    Before that, one more THANK YOU for supporting Flat Rock Trail Race, which is a benefit for the Humane Society for Greater Nashua and their building expansion plan.  This expansion will help them bring more low cost services to the community, including low cost veterinary care, training, and better facilities for the pets as they wait for their fur-ever home.  We are all hugely thankful for you.

Also - THANK YOU to the volunteers!  Please make sure to thank them for spending their sunny Saturday supporting you and the race.  

Must Read:

Quick Schedule Summary:

June 21st, 2025

6:30am - Parking opens

7:50am - Pre-race briefing

8:00am - Race start (5-mile and 6-hour)

2:00pm - 6-hour race ends

Emergencies:

Rob's Cell Phone Number, in case of emergency: 978 846 2375

If the emergency is serious, call 911 and if possible then text/call Rob.

If I'm not connected to you already via cell # or Facebook, I have written my cell number on the back of your bib. (And probably a few where I am connected to you - I hit a repetitive pattern!)

The police and fire departments in Dunstable know the race is happening, they have the course map with the emergency access points, and they are in the loop! 

A basic first aid kit is available at the start/finish, but we don't provide medical assistance.  We're not licensed and seriously, you don't want us doing anything more than handing you the first aid kit.  If continuing the race puts your health or well being in danger, please don't continue.  And don't make the RD take your bib.  Nobody wants to be involved with that.  Definitely not Jen or Rob.

Parking:

Please use "510 High Street, Dunstable, Mass" in your GPS.

Look for the cones highlighting the turn.

Volunteers will assist you.  The parking lot is right at the start/finish.

A volunteer will ask if you mind parking in the longer grass, or if you prefer being in a trimmed area.  If you're in a truck, Jeep, or any vehicle that needs to drive in open fields now and then, you're in luck!  If not, that's cool too.  We welcome all!

Please do NOT park on High Street or, as the same street is known in Nashua, Middle Dunstable Road.  The road is narrow and you'll create a dangerous driving condition, plus you may get ticketed.

Trail Etiquette:

We are all guests on conservation land and we'd like to be good community members.  It goes without saying that some rules need to be followed.  (I'm going to say them anyway)

- No littering!  Trash bags are available at the aid stations.

- Be kind!  These trails are used by community members including dog walkers.  Please yield to them. 

- Dogs may be off leash - please use caution.  There is a leash law in Dunstable, and our notifications to the community have asked that dogs be on leash for the race, but please use caution if you see dogs off leash.

- Stay on course.  Do not approach nearby houses or go on private land.  Thanks for your understanding!

Aid Stations:

I have changed the aid station at Mill Street (about mile 3 of the course) to an unmanned (or unpersoned?) station.  We'll still check on it, don't worry!  We just didn't have the volunteers to staff it full time.  It will have water, Tailwind, ice in a cooler, bug spray, sun spray, and most importantly, a porta-potty!  There will be extra water and bags of Tailwind just in case supplies are used up faster than we anticipated.  

The main aid station at the start/finish will be fully staffed and will have great treats for you as well as bug and sun spray, ice, and maybe some surprises!

Please bring your own reusable cup as well as any hydration pack or belt that you'd like to use.  The race is not providing cups so we can reduce our trash output.

Bug/tick spray is highly recommended.  It doesn't work if you don't put it on!

Good to Know:

Course Information:

Information about the course, including a GPX file you can download, is on our Course Information page.  The quick and dirty - each loop is about 5 miles and has nearly 600 feet of elevation gain.  There is some great information about the history of the area on our web site too! 

Drop Bags:

I'm bringing a tarp to put drop bags on, which will be nearby the start/finish.  Given the good weather, I'm not putting up a tent, so be prepared for items to be in the sun.

Awards:

The first male, female and non-binary runners in the 5-mile race will get a special finisher award, and the top distances for male, female and non-binary in the 6-hour will get special finisher awards.  All finishers will receive a memento for joining us.  Pictures of the awards are on our Facebook group. 

The DFL or last person to finish in the 6-hour will get a special award!  My rule here tho - you can't just sit around and wait to finish.  You gotta be moving!

Post Race: 

Hang out and cheer other runners with us!

The 52nd Annual Strawberry Festival is happeing in Dunstable this Saturday from 10am to 2pm, sponsored by the Tyngsborough-Dunstable Historical Society.  They have a Facebook event with more information, but basically if you're done and have time, go enjoy yummy treats for another good cause!  It's at the Little Red Schoolhouse at 64 Main Street, Dunstable, MA.

The start/finish is only minutes off of Spit Brook Road in Nashua.  You can drive right by Pressed Cafe on your way to the highway if you need to eat something more substantial, or grab a delicious smoothie, or a coffee drink.  There are a ton of other places nearby also!

If you have additional questions that were not answered in this email or the links provided, please drop me an email at flatrocktrailrace@gmail.com.  

Thanks and see you in less than 48 hours!

Rob Fiero

co-Race Director