| Q: | I've never done a trail run before. Is this a good place to start? |
| A: | Yes and depends. The Buntzen Lake loop is a great place for a first trail run as it is only 11km and relatively flat. The Diez Vista and Dilly Daly Trails should only be attempted by experienced trail runners… but hey… who am I to tell you what you can and can’t do? |
| Q: | Can I run less than 11K or more than 35K? |
| A: | Heck yes you can! If you want to run more than 35K, you will get special recognition as a certified glutton for punishment. We strongly recommend you have a pacer for any distance over 50K and that you carry a cell phone so you can call someone to pick you up when you expire. |
| Q: | How tough is the course? |
| A: | The Extreme Punisher is “relatively” flat and is not tough for someone who has run trails. The other courses are very tough with technical trails and a lot of elevation gain/loss. Only the tough will survive the dreaded Fluffy Bunny Trail Run. Expect to take at least 6-7 hours on the full 35km route. |
| Q: | Do I really need to print off the course instructions and bring them with me? |
| A: | Yes. Without the detailed instructions or an intimate familiarity with the route, you will get lost. |
| Q: | What if I get lost? |
| A: | You shouldn't get lost if you refer to the course instructions where you are faced with a choice of direction. If you do feel you are lost, ask someone. If you always get lost, bring a cell phone just to be sure. If your cell phone doesn't work, go back the way you came until you know where you are. If that doesn't work, sit on a rock and wait for the bears... I mean SAR. |
| Q: | Do I get credit for any time I spend off-course? |
| A: | Are you kidding? Getting lost is a rite of passage for Club Fat Ass. Most of the time, you can blame yourself for not paying attention. If you do find an obvious mistake in the course directions, point it out to the Event Host and she will give you a free muffin or a donut! |
| Q: | Couldn't you mark the course like just about every other race I've ever been in? It's a pain to pause and read instructions. |
| A: | Club Fat Ass events are supposed to be different than every other run you've ever been on. As an Event Host, we have to commit to not putting chalk/flour on the ground, hanging surveyor tape in the trees, painting rocks with arrows, putting up signs or doing anything that might leave a trace of the event. Besides, having to read written course directions tends to slow down the faster runners. |
| Q: | How accurate are the course distances? |
| A: | Take the distances with a grain of salt. The distances are taken from the trailhead pamphlet. |
| 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. You have the option of signing up for the annual membership (includes a funky tech shirt) or a single-day membership (note: please sign-up online and in advance of the event for either membership) |
| Q: | Can I wait until the last minute and join at the start? |
| A: | Yes, but we prefer you don't. You will not be allowed to take out an annual Club Fat Ass membership on the day-of-event, so you won't get a cool t-shirt. Last minute registration makes it very difficult to organize and coordinate the event. Remember, if you are not yet a Club Fat Ass member, you will need to sign up for a membership first and then register for the free event. |
| 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! 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 party. Furthermore, you won't be allowed into future events until you come clean with past membership dues. |
| 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 the Event Host for bonus points. There may be a recognition award for the person who packs out more than they packed in. The punishment for littering is death….. or a disappointed head shake… whatever the situation warrents. |
| Q: | What if I have to heed the call of nature? |
| There are washrooms at the Start/Finish point of the race. If you need to heed the call of nature while on the trail, try to go 10 feet of the trail and at least 100 meters from a water source. Also try to bury it if you can. | |
| Q: | What should I bring on race day? |
| A: | Whatever you figure you will need given the weather, the distance you propose to run, your physical fitness on the day and your plans for after the run. Some thoughts are on the event agenda. Distance. Since you are an experienced endurance sports athlete, you should know what you need. Water and food is an issue, so we recommend you carry at least 2 large bottles of fluid and plenty of trail chow. Fitness. Since you are an experienced endurance sports athlete, you should know what you are capable of. If in doubt, take it easy and go a shorter distance. Après run. Bring a change of clothes. You may not get a chance to shower… don’t worry about it… we will all stink! |
| 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: | Yes but once you start on the trail accessing it from other places can be tough. Best you be ready to be self sufficient. |
| Q: | Can I bring my friends and family to the finisher party even if they didn't run or volunteer? |
| A: | Absolutely! |
| 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. |
| Q: | When will the 'official' results be available? |
| A: | We hope to have the results up on within 24 hours. We will also distribute the results to major local and national ultrarunning communities. |