| Q: | I've never done a trail run before. Is this a good place to start? |
| A: | Yes, it is very scenic, well maintained and safe. |
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| Q: | Can I run less than 25K or more than 50K? |
| A | Absolutely! Some thoughts:
You can run the first leg out to Caleb pike for 13K, the Half Monty 25K or back to the Pike from the bridge for 37K. The Full Monty would bring you right back where you started from.
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| Q: | How tough is the course? |
| A: | Tough question to answer! How far are you running? How fast? How well are you trained? |
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| Q: | Do I really need to print off the course instructions and bring them with me? |
| A: | Not really, if you are prepared to run with a local! If you want to lead I would suggest you do. |
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| 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 interested in having fun in the great outdoors are welcome to join online for a nominal fee. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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 or a quarter, just to be sure. |
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| 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 at the finisher party for a free beer! |
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| 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 race you've ever been in. 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 race. Besides, having to read written course directions tends to slow down the faster runners. |
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| 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 at the finisher party. There may be a recognition award for the person who packs out more than they packed in. |
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| Q: | What if I have to heed the call of nature. |
| A: | There are washrooms at Caleb Pike parking lot, no running water though, I will try and set up a lemonade stand with water at the Pike. |
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| 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. |
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| Weather. Click here for a local forecast. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. Click on crew tasks and aid station ideas for some thoughts on what some of the options are. Please have your friends and family members contact us and we will do all we can to insure that they have fun, as well. |
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| Q: | Can I bring my friends and family to the finisher party even if they didn't run or volunteer? |
| A: | Absolutely! |
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| 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 finisher party! |
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| Q: | When will the 'official' results be available? |
| A: | We hope to have the results results up on the website within 24 hours of the finisher banquet. We will also distribute the results to major local and national ultrarunning communities.
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