2014 Great Smoky Mountains Half Race Guide

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS HALF

RACE GUIDESeptember 20, 2014

EVENTSCHEDULESEPTEMBER 19-20,2014

RACE EXPO - The expo will be held at Heritage Park (125 Townsend Park Road in Townsend, TN). You can pick up your bib and gear as well as check out our awesome vendors. The expo will be small, but plan to stay a little while.

SHUTTLES - We will have shuttles running from the finish line to the start line. All shuttles will leave the Visitor’s Center in Townsend (7906 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy) at 5:45 am sharp! We will not have shuttles returning to the start line. Shuttles are for runners only.

PARKING - There will be plenty of parking at the Visitor’s Center (finish line) with shuttles running to the start line. There will also be parking at Heritage High School (start line).*

*see page 6 for parking map and shuttle info

Friday Saturday1:00 PM

3:00 PM

6:00 PM

7:00 PM

5:15 AM

5:45 AM

6:00 AM

6:15 AM

7:00 AM

7:15 AM

7:18 AM

7:20 AM

7:21 AM

7:30 AM

7:40 AM

10:15 AM

Bib pickup and Race Expo start.

Jeff Galloway running school starts.

Race Expo ends.

Bib pickup closes.

Shuttle parking lot opens

All shuttles leave from parking lot to start line

School parking lot opens

First prize raffle (every 5 minutes)

Last call for bib pickup/raffle ends

National Anthem

Pacers line up

Runners line up /Last call for gear check.

Sunrise

Race starts!

Start line closes

Awards Ceremony

1 THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS HALF MARATHON

PACERS - Pacers will line up at the start line around 7:18 am. There will be a pacer pacing the race in 10 minute intervals starting at a 1h40m pace up to 2h30m. We will also have a 3h pacer. Feel free to lineup at the start near the pacer that is pacing the time that is right for you.

GEAR CHECK - You will be given a Gear Check bag at the starting line if you wish. It will be a white gar-bage bag that you can fill with anything you want transported to the finish line. There will be perma-nent markers you can use to write your name and bib number. Avoid putting valuables in your bag.

CLOTHING ON COURSE - We will have a clothing bin to dump items in at mile 3. Anything else found along the course will be treated as trash.

ELEVATION (ft) - You can see the elevation map below. It looks a little scary, but pay attention to the real elevation gain. It’s very gradual and consistent.

THECOURSE

RACE GUIDE SEPTEMBER 20, 2014 2

OPEN COURSE - This race is an open course. There will be cars on the road as well as runners. DO NOT step off the course into traffic, you will be disqualified. We want you to stay safe.

TIMING - No need to push at the start!Your timing chip is on the back of your bib andyour official time won’t start until you cross the start line.

RACE GUIDE >>THE COURSE

SPECTATOR INFO - Spectators are welcome at the starting line and finish line. There are several spots along the course you may be able to watch and cheer for your runners. Spectators are NOT ALLOWED on Old Walland Highway.

Spectators are encouraged to be at the finish line to cheer on all our runners. All spectators should park in the Visitor’s Center parking lot.

Aside from the start and finish, we have a few recommendations where to cheer. The course runs along one side of the “little river” and the highway runs on the other side. Anywhere there is a bridge you can pull off and walk to you can see your runners.

Some of the main bridges can be found at:

1) Melrose Station Road and Old Walland hwy (near Mile 2) 2) E. Millers Cove Road and Old Walland hwy (near Mile 3) 3) Cameron road and Old Walland hwy (near Mile 8)

OTHER COURSE INFO - Please do not litter on our course! Any kind of road markings with paint or even chalk will not be allowed. Please help us keep the area pristine for those who come after us.

EMERGENCY CONTACT - If we have urgent and important information to relay to runners we will be texting it to those that gave us their phone number when they registered.


“A man on foot will see more,

feel more, enjoy more in one mile than the motorized

tourists can in a hundred

miles.”

Male Female2:05:00 2:25:00

2014 AVERAGE “EXPECTED” TIME:(based on answers to registration questions)


“Don’t let Smoky mountain smoke get in your eyes, if you do, I’m telling you, you’ll want

to live there the rest of your life. If Smoky

mountain smoke gets in your eyes.”

FOOD RECOVERY BOX - At the finish line we will have a Food Recovery Box (full of recovery snacks), bananas, and chocolate milk (as well as water and Nuun hydration). Please help yourself to one box, chocolate milk, and banana per runner.

In an attempt to reduce waste, we will provide a place to trade/leave any unwanted snack items.

COURSE RECORD - Since this is an inaugural race we currently do not have a course record. The runners that set the course record for men and women will receive a FREE RACE ENTRY every year that their time remains the course record!

= + +

1 RUNNER 1 BOX 1 BANANA 1 MILK

RACE EXPO 125 Townsend Park RdTownsend, TN

RACE COURSE

RACE PARKING & FINISH LINE (VISITOR’S CENTER) 7906 E Lamar Alexander PkwyTownsend, TN

MISS LILY’S CAFE 7765 River RdTownsend, TN

CHOCOLATE B’AR7807 E Lamar Alexander PkwyTownsend, TNRACE PARKING & START LINE

(HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL) 3741 E Lamar Alexander PkwyMaryville, TN

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINSPARK ENTRANCE

1 2

3

1 4

2

5

6

3

7

RACE GUIDE >>TRAVEL

LANDMARKS


4

6 5

7

RACE GUIDE >>TRAVEL

HOSTRESTAURANTSWe have two restaurants in Townsend offering a special discount for our runners and their party. All runners need to do is show their bib to get the discount. We appreciate their support and hope you’ll enjoy their food and hospitality while in Townsend. Expect these places to be busy, so try to plan accordingly (call ahead and check availability and wait times) and maybe have a backup plan in case they’re full.

(A) PARKING AT THE VISITOR’S CENTER (FINISH)Visitor’s Center: 7906 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy

(B) PARKING AND DROP OFF AT HIGH SCHOOL (START)Heritage High School: 3741 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy

There is parking at the finish line and at the start line. Shuttles will take runners from the finish line parking (A) to the start line before the race. There WILL NOT be shuttle service after the race. *All shuttles leave at 5:45am.

There is also parking near the start line (B) at Heritage High School. Runners can also be dropped off here. Re-member that there will be no shuttle service back to the start line after the race so if you park here in the morning you will need to arrange a ride back to your car from the finish line.

Miss Lily’s Cafe - A great little restaurant in Townsend that serves some classic southern dishes as well as sandwiches, burgers, pasta, etc. There is something for everyone at Miss Lily’s Cafe. 10% OFF

7765 River Rd, Townsend, TN 37882(865) 448-1924 · www.misslilyscafe.com

The Chocolate B’ar - They serve delicious chocolates, home made pastries and gour-met treats, coffee and chocolate drinks. Just sit and relax with friends, gather to chat or play a game of dominoes or checkers after that strenuous bike ride or discuss and plan your next favorite hike while enjoying cheesecake and truffles! 10% OFF

7807 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN(865) 448-9433 · www.thechocolatebaroftownsend.com

PARKINGDROP-OFF


www.misslilyscafe.com

www.thechocolatebaroftownsend.com

PARKINFOGREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARKThe park is one of the few national parks where no entrance fees are charged.Fees are charged for activities such as overnight camping ($14-23 per night) and pavil-ion rental at picnic areas.

CADES COVE

CLINGMANS DOME

CHIMNEY TOPS TRAIL

LAUREL FALLS

CHIMNEY CLUB &GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS TRIFECTA



CHIMNEY CLUB &GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS TRIFECTA


CHIMNEYCLUB

SUBMISSIONFORM

Our club hikes are a salute to the hardcore among us. We want to reward anyone who completes a des-ignated club hike after the race. To join the Chimney Club, submit a picture of yourself at the summit of Chimney Tops Trail within 72 hours of the end of the race which includes:

1) A clear view of your face

2) Your bib with bib numbers clearly visible

3) Your finisher medal in plain view

Chimney Tops Trail - Chimney Tops Trail is one of the most popular hikes along Newfound Gap Road. The trail owes much of its popularity to its relatively short length, and its outstanding panoramic views from the pinnacles. Its length, less than 2 miles, however, makes for a very steep hike - so much so that many hikers don’t even reach the top. The first half of the trail is relatively tame. However, to reach the summit, hikers have to climb more than 960 feet over the course of the last mile! The trail passes sever-al beautiful cascading streams. After the 2 mile hike, the last scramble to the summit can be a little challenging. Be careful and don’t attempt to hike in wet conditions,

the rocks can become very slippery. Please note the trail is CLOSED MONDAY-THURSDAY.

You can read a detailed hike description here.

All runners that join the Chimney Club will receive 50% OFF next year’s race entry AND a free water bottle from UltraSpire!

After the race there will be a submission form on-line where you can upload your photo(s) and send them to us. We have a hard cutoff of 72 hours! If you don’t get it to us before Tuesday at 11 AM (MDT) then we will only give you a virtual hi-five.

This picture is from our Angels Club from the Zion Half and is an example of what yours should look like (for both the Club AND the Trifecta).

CLUB SUBMISSION FORMwww.thegreatsmokymountainshalf.com/club

GSM TRIFECTA SUBMISSION FORMwww.thegreatsmokymountainshalf.com/trifecta

*These hikes are challenging and can be dangerous. Please take the hike seriously, and do not act irresponsibly if you decide to attempt the hike. It is not intended to be accessible to everyone. Bring lots of water and make necessary preparations. Weather can be unpredictable.”

RACE GUIDE >>CLUB & TRIFECTA

You didn’t come all this way...

http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/chimney.htm

www.thegreatsmokymountainshalf.com/club

www.thegreatsmokymountainshalf.com/trifecta


CHIMNEY TOPS TRAIL

Difficulty: ModerateTotal Mileage: 3.8 mi round-tripType of Hike: Out and backElevation Gain: 1,487 ft. Trailhead Elevation = 3,475 ft.Lake Elevation = 4,814 ft.

Parking Lot CoordinatesLatitude: N35 38.125 Longitude: -W83 28.189


You didn’t come all this way...

...JUST to run a race, did you?


GREATSMOKYMOUNTAINSTRIFECTA

1 Cades Cove - Cades Cove is a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies. It offers some of the best op-portunities for wildlife viewing in the park. An 11-mile, one-way loop road circles the cove, offering motorists the opportunity to sightsee at a leisurely pace. Allow at least two to four hours to tour Cades Cove, longer if you walk some of the area’s trails.

3 Clingman’s Dome - At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Moun-tains National Park. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi. Turn off Newfound Gap Road 0.1 mile south of Newfound Gap and follow the 7-mile-long Clingmans Dome Road to the large parking area at the end.

2 Laurel Falls - Laurel Falls is another popu-lar destination in the park and parking at the trailhead is limited. The area is especially busy on weekends. From Sugarlands Visitor Center, turn toward Cades Cove on Little Riv-er Road and drive 3.5 miles to the trailhead where there are parking areas on both sides of the road. The roundtrip distance to the waterfall is 2.6 miles and takes about 2 hours on a paved (but uneven) trail.

The Great Smoky Mountains Trifecta is comprised of 3 different activities. You must complete all 3 in order to complete the Trifecta. Same rules as the Club Hikes apply: take your picture at each of the 3 with your bib and finisher medal and send them to us 72 hours after finishing the race. The Trifecta is meant to be challenging, but less strenuous. These are iconic activities inside the park that should be experienced, but are doable with children. The 3 activities that makeup the Trifecta are:


RACE GUIDE >>SOCIAL MEDIA


CONNECTONLINE

@VacationRaces#gsmhalf

We will be making a slideshow video using all the pictures YOU post! Be sure to follow us and use the official race hashtag #gsmhalf

We will be giving out prizes from our store (t-shirts and other merchandise) to the best photos:

We will be looking for pictures of the course, race prep, race recovery, enjoying the park, etc.

PRIVACY SETTINGS - If your privacy settings restrict who can see your posts, then we will be unable to see them, even if you use the race hashtag. If we can’t see the posts then they will not be considered for prizes or included in post race celebrations. If your settings restrict who can see them, it is likely a deliberate choice and we completely understand and respect that. Just FYI.

RACESTATS

40STATES2COUNTRIESUNITED STATES | CANADA

14 TEAMS

Who is coming?

Age DivisionsBOYS/MEN

GIRLS/WOMEN

<11

1

<11

1

15-19

2

15-19

4

25-29

28

25-29

75

35-39

40

35-39

100

45-49

36

45-49

58

55-59

18

55-59

25

12-14

2

12-14

3

20-24

14

20-24

18

30-34

48

30-34

107

40-44

42

40-44

70

50-54

24

50-54

47

60-64

10

60-64

10

65-69

2

65-69

5

70-74

1

70-74

-

75<

-

75<

-

All runners will receive a finisher medal. Place medals will be given to the top 5 male and female runners overall as well as the Masters 40+ group. Additionally, the top 5 in each age group and the top 5 teams will also receive a place medal.

*If you qualify for a place medal but are not present at the awards ceremony to receive it we will hap-pily ship it to you. Go to our website and request your medal and pay the cost of shipping (about $8).

Blackberry Fit | Cincy Wooden Leg | Dasville Chicks | Great Smoky Trail Ballzers | Paul & His Pavement Princesses | Sole Cyst’az | Sole Sisters | Team LEAK | Team Stupendous | The Coasters | Twisted Blisters | Wegs | WeRunCincy

RACE GUIDE >>RUNNER INFO


RACE GUIDE MARCH 22, 2014 14

LAST RACE:NPS BIRTHDAY RUNAUGUST 25, 2014

NEXT RACE:TURKEY TROT

NOVEMBER 27, 2014

RUN WHEN WHERE HOW YOU WANT

ENJOY THE FLEXIBILITY OF A VIRTUAL RACE. ALL THE BLING, MINUS THE COST AND THE HASSLE OF A BIG EVENT.

www.vacationraces.com/virtualraces

www.vacationraces.com/virtualraces

Training Camps, Running Vacations, Endurance

Coaching & Mental Training

Official Training Partner for Vacation Races!

www.activeataltitude.com / 303-304-9159

Come and be inspired, educated and empowered! We provide training camps, running vacations & mental training for athletes of all abilities in Estes Park, Colorado - home to the best training terrain you could wish for! Camps include accommodations, coaching, incredible group runs,

interactive workshops....2015 camp dates announced end of October 2014 Look out for our race preparation camps at every Vacation Race in 2015!

Women's Running Camps - May, July, & August / September Trail Running Camps - May & September Running Vacations - all year round! Contact Camp Director Terry Chiplin for details of special offers for Vacation Races runners! See you at the races, and happy running!

Details at Vacation Races Training Blog on our website - sign up for our free training programs

“To be able to meet women with my same interests and spend an entire week doing activities to make us better athletes physically, spiritually and mentally, was an experience of a lifetime.” Dena Jordan, NC

RACE DAY CHECK LIST

POST-RACEINFORMATION

Directions to hotel/campsite

Directions to race expo

Directions to race start/finish

Photo ID

Valid Military ID (if you registered with a Military Discount)

Study the race course

• Be courteous to other runners. Practice good etiquette.• Headphones are allowed on the course, though we encourage you to enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature and make friends with other runners. Do not play your music without headphones for all to hear.• Your bib will have a timing chip on the back. NO CHIP = NO TIME.

• Lucid Images will be taking photos at the start line, on the course, and at the finish line.• To be sure you can find your picture later, wear your bib with the numbers clearly visible at all times. If the photographers cannot identify you by your bib then your photo will end up in an “unidentified runner” folder on their website.• Photos are usually available on Lucid Images website the Wednesday or Thursday following the race. We will send out an email to notify all runners and post it on Facebook• Smile!

• Results will be available later the morning of the race. We will post them on Facebook and also send them in a post-race email the day or two after the race. They will also be available on our website.

• Within a week of race day we will be sending out a post-race survey. We would really appreci-ate it if you took the 5-10 minutes to complete the survey for us. The survey provides us with information that allows us to better work with the local community and gain more support for future races, but more importantly it provides us with valuable insight into what we are doing well and what we need to improve. We love our runners and couldn’t improve our race series without your feedback. Please watch for the email.

• There is no official lost & found. If we find lost items we will hold onto them and you can contact us at [email protected]• There will be gear check at the start line.• There will be a bin to dump extra clothing at mile 3. Anything found littered on the course elsewhere will be considered trash and either thrown away or donated.

• The medical tent at the finish line is for athletes only; family members are not allowed. Overcrowding in the medical tent prevents medi-cal staff from doing their job. For information on an athlete receiving medical attention please wait outside the tent for updates.

Bib and timing chip

Cup Free Hydration (Hydrapouch, hand held, water bottle, pack, etc.)

Running Shoes

Socks

Sunglasses

Hat/Visor

Recovery plan

Enjoy the park!

PRE-RACE

COMPETITOR RESPONSIBILITIES RACE PHOTOGRAPHY

RACE RESULTS

POST-RACE SURVEY

LOST & FOUND

MEDICAL TENT

RACE DAY


mailto:[email protected]


BIBDETAILS

CUP-FREERACING

Your bib number.

Team name (if you’re on a team)Indicates if you are Military

Your race shirt size Indicates if you need a Hydrapouch

Turn this in at the start line race morning. We will have a raffle from 6:15-7:00

Having our races so close to the national parks, unnecessary waste and trash is something we are strongly against. We are dedicated to maintaining a clean race and preserving the beauty of the area we run in. There is nothing that will ruin a view more than seeing a piece a trash in plain view from a breathtaking landscape.

That being said, one of the most important things in a half marathon is ensuring that aid stations are plentiful, efficient and that they do not run out of water. Hydration will make or break a race. What we do is offer a Hydrapouch for every runner that indicated they wanted one as part of their registration. Other options include running with a water bottle, fuel belt, camelbak or other hydration backpack, etc. Every runner prefers something different. Just make sure you have some way to stay hydrated!

Although we don’t have cups on the course, we have plenty of aid stations with water and electrolyte drink! At this race, the water will be hooked up to a system like the one pictured on the left. Each of these pipes will provide water from the several speed valves we have attached.

Also at the aid stations we will have big coolers with the same speed valves attached. These coolers will have nuun (electrolyte drink) in them. So at each aid station you will have your choice of water or nuun.

The aid station will have a few cups in case of an emergency, do not plan on using them. Also, under no circumstances should you put your head under the valve to get a drink. Not only does this waste water, it is pretty inconsiderate of other runners.

JEFFGALLOWAYRunning SchoolFRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19th3:00pm - 6:00pm

We are thrilled that Jeff Galloway, “America’s Coach”, will be hold-ing a running school workshop as a part of race weekend on Friday, September 19th at 3:00pm.

Jeff Galloway is a US Olympian, Founder of the Run Walk Run method, author, coach, and Run-ner’s World monthly columnist! His running school is designed to help runners better prepare for races both physically and mentally. He will cover a variety of topics from nutrition to over-coming mental barriers. This is a great opportunity to meet one on one with Jeff and take your running journey wherever you want it to go.

“EVERYBODY NEEDS Beauty AS WELL AS BREAD,“EVERYBODY NEEDS Beauty AS WELL AS BREAD,

PLACES TO PLAY IN AND PRAY IN, WHERE NATURE MAY PLACES TO PLAY IN AND PRAY IN, WHERE NATURE MAY

HEAL AND GIVE STRENGTH TO BODY AND SOUL.”HEAL AND GIVE STRENGTH TO BODY AND SOUL.”

-John Muir-John Muir

“EVERYBODY NEEDS Beauty AS WELL AS BREAD,“EVERYBODY NEEDS Beauty AS WELL AS BREAD,

-John Muir-John Muir

PLACES TO PLAY IN AND PRAY INPLACES TO PLAY IN AND PRAY IN

AND RUN INAND RUN IN

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS HALF MARATHON

SEPTEMBER 20, 2014www.greatsmokymountainshalfmarathon.com

#gsmhalf

www.greatsmokymountainshalfmarathon.com

Documents

2014 Great Smoky Mountains Half Race Guide