We'd like to see everyone who attends this event participate in some way. Since this is as much about the party and the entertainment as it is the run, non-runners are most welcome. Depending on your running experience, fitness level and inclination, there are 3 categories you can choose to participate in:
1) Coureur de Bois - Recreational - Group
- appropriate for anyone who can comfortably run 90 minutes, first time night runners, runners who want to make it home in one piece, anyone who is scared of the dark, bears and things that go bump in the night, anyone who prefers the company of someone who allegedly knows the route
- a group run on moderately challenging trails at a fairly slow pace. If you can do the Grouse Grind, you will most probably live through this and make it to the buffet
- print out a description of the recreational/group route and bring it and a plastic baggie to protect it with you on the evening of the night run. Better yet, train on the course during the day and bring the directions with you on Event night!
- We really don't want you to get lost. If you opt for the Group run, please stay with the group. There will be a sweeper running the course in about 1:40min. If you intend to go faster, please form your own group and stick together. Don't leave anybody alone in the dark!
- if you have a FRS radio (or two) bring them along
2) Coureur de Bois - Competitive - Individual
- appropriate for anyone who can run 90 minutes with their eyes closed, fearless runners with a death wish, anyone who has their will in place, has notified next of kin and is not apprehensive about spending the last hours of their miserable existence alone, cold and and in a world of hurt on an obscure trail in the woods
- run as fast as you want on nasty trails on a longer route purposely designed to be difficult to follow and next to impossible to complete within 90 minutes by anyone who has not run the course multiple times during the day as part of their training for a national marathon, ultramarathon or adventure racing team
- print out a description of the competitive route and bring it and a plastic baggie to protect it with you on the evening of the night run. Better yet, train on the course during the day and bring the directions with you on Event night!
- if you have a FRS radio (or two) bring them along
3) Crew
- appropriate for anyone who has a friend or significant other in a Coureur des Bois category, injured runners, trail runners who have lost their mojo or otherwise fear running in the night but don't want to miss the party, journalists, running groupies and other members of your entourage not identified above
- help with logistics, serve food/drinks to runners during the run, take photos, help organize the potluck, keep track of runner' s finish times, provide moral support and first aid, as required
- pick your role from the list of suggested tasks or invent one
