FAQ

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Q: I will be too hung-over to run, but I'd love to help. What might I do?
A: If you can still stand and are functioning at better than 25% of your potential, we would greatly appreciate your help on the event management crew. Follow the link for some suggested crew tasks.
Q: It's New Years Day. Responsibility or work of any ilk does not appeal to me any more than having a root canal would. Is there any other reason why I would want to participate in this event?
A: Sure. The whole objective of the run is to make it to the potluck party. You can always start there.
Q: What kind of weather can I expect?
A: it has been as cold as -20C in recent years and as warm as 5C with no snow on the ground. Bank on a little snow here and there and it being within 5C of the freezing mark. Better still, check the weather report in the morning
Q: If I decide to run, what should I bring?
A: Whatever you'd normally wear for a long run given the conditions of the day. Don't forget to print out the run route directions, directions to the start and to bring a cell phone and cab/bus fare if you bonk.
Q: Are there aid stations? Can I have a beer en route?
A: We recommend you come prepared to run without external aid. There may be aid stations, but only if your family and friends step forward and offer to organize them. If you get a drop bag to us by 07:00 SHARP, we will do our best to have it waiting for you at the turnaround (12.5K / 37.5K)

Since this is an 'unofficial' event and you are a person who accepts responsibility for your own actions, there are no rules as to what you may or may not eat or drink en route. Best to put 'special needs' in a plastic bag with your name on and check in by 7:00 =;-)
Q: What if I get caught up in the party spirit and can't drive home?
A: You will die a slow and miserable death by frostbite and exposure in our back alley.
Q: What can I win?
A: Nothin. Fastest man and woman TO FINISH THE COURSE get bragging rights. All participants and times go up on the web for posterity sake.
Q: I've never done a 50K run before. Is this a good place to start?
A: It depends. Have you run a marathon? Can you follow directions? If not, you might want to consider doing the 25K 'sprint' course or rethinking your New Years resolutions.
Q: How tough is the course?
A: Tough question to answer! How fast are you running? How far? How well are you trained? What are you used to? Feedback from the BC boys runs something along the lines of, "This is a course for wimps and whiners. No mountains to climb. No raging rivers to ford. No rocky creek beds to break a leg in." By southern Ontario standards, it's somewhere between easy and average in difficulty.
Q: Do I really need to print off the course instructions and bring them with me?
A: No, but don't whine to Jenn or me if you get lost. While on the subject, don't bother whining if you *do* get lost, either. If you are the type of person who gets lost easily, then we recommend you run the course in training because it's up there on the web and it's not going anywhere between now and event day. We don't want you to get lost. We want you to be happy.
Q: This event is free, but for Club Fat Ass members only. How do I get into the club?
A: There is no hazing ceremony like the Hash House Harriers! Runners, walkers, hikers, triathletes, adventure racers, mountain bikers and anyone else interested in having fun in the great outdoors is welcome and can register online for a nominal fee.
Q: Can I wait until the last minute and join at the start?
A: Yes, but we prefer you don't. Last minute registration makes it very difficult to organize and coordinate the event. Also, we only accept the $15 Day of Event Club Fat Ass membership on event day, so you have to pay another $35 if you want the cool Club Fat Ass t-shirt and free access to other events.
Q: It's a free world. What's to stop me from just running the course.
A: Nothing...in fact, we encourage you to run the course often in training so you don't end up getting lost on event day, you don't whine and complain to your hosts about course marking and you put all of your energy into inventing other kinds of excuses!

We prefer that you do not 'bandit' the course on event day, however. If you insist, please don't take any of the aid intended for members. You will not get recognition in the results or be eligible for any draw prizes and you'll have to wear a black patch over one eye at the potluck... that is, assuming you can deal with the shame. Furthermore, you won't be allowed into future events until you come clean with past membership dues.
Q: What if I get lost?
A: You shouldn't get lost, but bring a cell phone and cab/bus fare, just in case. Don't forget to tell a loved one where you are going and make sure your will is current.
Q: Do I get credit for any time I spend off-course?
A: Are you kidding? If you do find an obvious mistake in the course directions, point it out to Jenn or me at the potluck party for a free beer!
Q: Couldn't you mark the course like just about every other running race I've ever been in? It's a pain to pause and read instructions.
A: Club Fat Ass events are different than every other running event you've ever been in! They don't want us to put chalk/flour on the ground, hang surveyor tape in the trees, paint rocks, put up signs or glow sticks or do anything that might leave a trace of the race. Besides, it slows down the faster runners.
Q: What is the 'Rule of the Trail'?
A: If you pack it in, you can pack it out. (That means don't you dare litter!) Leave nothing but your footprints on the course. We strongly encourage you to pick up any trash you find along the trail and to present it to Ryne or Jenn at the potluck. There may be a recognition award for the person who packs out more than they packed in.
Q: What if I have to heed the call of nature.
A: There are washrooms at the YMCA.
Q: What should I bring on run morning?
A: Whatever you figure you will need given the weather, your physical fitness on the day and your plans for after the run. Some thoughts are on the event agenda.
Q: I am supposed to be self-sufficient because there is no aid provided. Can I get a friend to come out and give me food and drink along the route?
A: Absolutely! In fact, it would be nice if your friend were to help everyone by volunteering as event crew. Please have your friends and family members contact us and we will do all we can to insure that they have fun, as well.
Q: Can I bring my friends and family to the finisher party even if they didn't run or volunteer? Do they have to be Club Fat Ass members?
A: Friends and family are absolutely welcome and no, they do not have to be Club Fat Ass members. (They should consider joining for the provocative t-shirt, though, even if they are couch potatoes.) Please be sure to specify how many guests you will bring with you on your registration form.
Q: Are there any trophies, prizes or other hardware or freebies?
A: If you assume there's no aid, no course marking, no t-shirt, no enthusiastic spectators and no prizes or freebies of any sort, you might be pleasantly surprised. Best you plan to show up at the party!
Q: How accurate is the course marking?
A: There is no course marking. We've measured the course twice with a Nike Triax pedometer, so we feel the distance is quite accurately measured.
Q: When will the 'official' results be available?
A: We hope to have the results up on the website within 48 hours of the finisher party. We will also distribute the results to major local and national ultrarunning communities.