2014 Rocky Mountain Half Race Guide

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HALF

RACE GUIDEAugust 2, 2014

EVENTSCHEDULEAUGUST 1-2,2014

RACE EXPO - The expo will be held at the Estes Park Conference Center (201 S St Vrain Ave, Estes Park, CO). 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 all morning starting at 4:30 am. They will leave every 7-10 min until 5:45am and then every 15 min until 11:30. Runners will have first priority. Runners must be on the shuttle by 5:30am. Shuttles will run back and forth until 11:30.

PARKING - There will be plenty of parking at the fair grounds, but please get there early. Antic-ipate significant traffic delays. There will be a drop-off zone in the Safeway parking lot. Buses will continue to shuttle spectators to the finish line throughout the race.*

*see page 6 for parking map

Friday Saturday11:00 AM

6:00 PM

7:00 PM

4:15 AM

4:30 AM

4:45 AM

5:15 AM

5:30 AM

5:45 AM

5:48 AM

5:50 AM

6:00 AM

6:01 AM

6:10 AM

8:45 AM

Packet pickup and Race Expo start.

Race Expo ends.

Packet pickup closes.

Parking lot opens

First shuttle leaves from parking lot to start line

First prize raffle (every 5 minutes)

Last prize raffle.

Runners should be on shuttle/Last call for bib pickup

National Anthem

Pacers line up

Runners line up /Last call for gear check.

Race starts!

Sunrise

Start line closes

Awards Ceremony

1 THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN HALF MARATHON

before there is any movement. This is to space everyone out and to avoid a rush. Your time does not officially start until you cross the starting line, so please be courteous to others as we start the race.

PACERS - Pacers will line up at the start line around 5:48 am. There will be a pacer pacing the race in 5 minute intervals starting at a 1h40m pace up to 2h30m. We will also have a 2h45m and 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. Mile 5-9 will feel ong, but downhill courses are for wimps, right? It’ll all be worth it to see the view once you’re coming down Devil’s Gulch.

THECOURSE

RACE GUIDE AUGUST 2, 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.

CHOKE START - The start will be “choked”. If you are standing towards the back, after the gun goes off you may be standing for a few moments

RACE GUIDE >>THE COURSE

SPECTATOR INFO - Because of the significant amount of road control, spectators are not allowed to stop along the highway at any point along the race. Spectators are welcome at the starting line, but the starting line will be closed to vehicles.

Spectators are encouraged to be at the finish line to cheer on all our runners. All spectators should park in the fairground parking lot. Shuttles will be running back and forth all morning to get spectators to and from the finish line.

Aside from the start and finish, the best place to see your runner would be where Big Thompson meets Dry Gulch. Runners will run pas there near mile 3 and again near mile 6.

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.


“A man on foot will see more,

feel more, enjoy more in one mile than the motorized

tourists can in a hundred

miles.”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.

= + +

1 RUNNER 1 BOX 1 BANANA 1 MILK

COURSE RECORD - Our course record holders receive a FREE RACE ENTRY every year that their time remains the course record! Our course record was set at our inaugural race in 2013. Ron Thomasson holds the record for the men and Tanja Cutting holds the record for the women.

Male Female2:08:15 2:21:40

Male Female2:05:00 2:25:00

2013 AVERAGE COURSE TIME:

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

RON THOMASSONLongmont, CO

1:25:32TANJA CUTTING Rapid City, SD

1:37:02


“From beginning to end, registration to finish

line, this race was a great experience.”

RACE EXPO 201 S St Vrain AveEstes Park, CO

PENELOPE’S BURGERS & FRIES 229 W Elkhorn AveEstes Park, CO

SMOKIN’ DAVE’S BBQ 820 Morain AveEstes Park, CO

RACE PARKING (FAIRGROUNDS) 1209 Manford AveEstes Park, CO

CHEESY LEE’S PIZZA 600 W Elkhorn AveEstes Park, CO

RACE DROP-OFF (SAFEWAY) 451 E Wonderview AveEstes Park, CO

TWIN OWLS STEAKHOUSE 800 MacGregor AveEstes Park, CO

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PARK ENTRANCE RACE COURSE

1 6

5

2 7

3 8

94

5

9

7 6

3

21

4

8

RACE GUIDE >>TRAVEL

ESTESPARK


RACE GUIDE >>TRAVEL

DINNERHOSTWe have four pre-race dinner hosts this year, each offering a special discount for our runners. All runners need to do is show their bib to get the discount (only good for runners and does not include drinks). These are some of the best spots to eat while you’re in Estes Park. 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.

All race parking will be at the fairgrounds. Shuttles will take runners AND specta-tors to the start/finish line. Shuttles will start at 4:45am (every 7-10 min until 5:45 and then every 15 min until 11:30). Shuttles will run back and forth all morning. *Runners need to be on the shuttle no later than 5:30am.

If you would like to drop-off your runner in the morning you can do so at the Safeway parking lot.

Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ - Fantastic barbecue, a full bar, and live entertainment. Smokin’ Dave’s is a family friendly restaurant with a full menu. Dinner here might be a little heavy for a pre-race meal, but you should definitely stop in while in town. 15% OFF

820 Moraine Ave, Estes Park, CO(970) 577-7427 · www.smokindavesq.com

Twin Owls Steakhouse - The Twin Owls Steakhouse is housed in a beautiful 1920’s charming log cabin. They offer casual fine dining so you can have a nice evening out or bring the kids. The discount is good for dinner only, NO DRINKS. 10% OFF

800 MacGregor Ave, Estes Park, CO(970) 586-9344 · www.twinowls.net

Cheesy Lee’s - Voted best pizza in Estes Park three years in a row. Cheesy Lee’s has pizza, wings, salads, beer, and more! They are open late and offer free delivery. Their restaurant also has a designated kid play area. 10% OFF

600 W Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, CO(970) 586-5050 · www.cheesylees.com

Penelope’s Burgers & Fries - Fresh burgers cooked to order, hand-cut French Fries, real shakes & malts, sandwiches. The cooked to order nature of the food may cause for a little wait, but these are the best burgers in town! 15% OFF

229 W Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, CO(970) 586-2277

PARKINGDROP-OFF



CHASM LAKE

BEAR LAKE

HALLETT PEAK

TRAIL RIDGE ROAD

ALBERTA FALLS

PARKINFOROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

PARK SHUTTLES

All visitors are required to purchase a pass in order to enter Rocky Mountain National Park. Park shuttles will be running.

Seniors over 62 can purchase a lifetime pass for just $10. Active members of the U.S. Military are eligible for a free pass as well as

U.S. citizens with permanent disabilities.

$20 (valid for 7 days)

$10 (valid for 7 days)

$80 (grants entrance to every National Park in the country)

Private Vehicle:

Per Person:

Annual Pass:

MORAINE PARK ROUTE• Runs between Park & Ride and Fern Lake Bus Stop.• Leaves Park & Ride every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.• Makes stops at Park & Ride, Hollow-ell Park, Tuxedo Park, Moraine Park Visitor Center, Moraine Park Campground (C-Loop), Cub Lake Trailhead and Fern Lake Bus Stop.

BEAR LAKE ROUTE• Runs between Park & Ride and Bear Lake.• Leaves Park & Ride every 10-15 min-utes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.• Makes stops at the Bierstadt lake Trail-head and the Glacier Gorge Trailhead.Lake Bus Stop.

HIKER SHUTTLE EXPRES ROUTE• Makes stops at the Estes Park Visitor Center, the Beaver Meadows Visitor Cen-ter, and Park & Ride.• First bus leaves the Estes Park Visitor Center at 6:30 a.m. and last bus leaves Park & Ride at 7:30 p.m.• Hiker Shuttle runs on an hourly sched-ule early and late in the day, switching to a half-hour schedule from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.




CHASM LAKE CLUBCONTINENTAL DIVIDE CLUB

ROCKY MOUNTAIN TRIFECTA


CHASMLAKECLUB

CONTINENTALDIVIDECLUB

Our club hikes are a salute to the hardcore among us. We want to reward anyone who completes a designated club hike after the race. To join the Chasm Lake Club, submit a picture of yourself at the lake 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

Chasm Lake - Chasm Lake is located 4.2 miles from the Longs Peak Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park. It fills a deep cirque carved from the base of Mt Meeker (13,911’), Longs Peak (14,259’) and Mount Lady Wash-ington (13,281’).

The trail climbs steadily from the Longs Peak Ranger Station through lodgepole, spruce and fir. Snow cover is possible year round, but large cairns ensure you stay on

Hallett Peak - Hallett Peak stands prominently along the Continental Divide over Chaos Canyon (south), and Tyndall Glacier (north). The hike to Hallett Peak begins from the Bear Lake Trailhead located at the end of Bear Lake Road, 9 miles from the turn-off at Highway 36. Due to the extreme popularity of the area you may want to consider using the free park shuttle to access the trailhead during the peak tourist season. From the trailhead hikers will immediately make a right turn onto the Bear Lake Loop Trail. After a short walk along the eastern shore of Bear Lake you’ll make another right turn onto the trail that leads to Flattop Mountain.

course. Large boulders and uneven talus ring the lake, requiring some minor scrambling to the best viewpoints. To avoid crowds and afternoon thunderstorms, we encourage you to start your hike early in the morning.

You can read a detailed hike description here and here.

No maintained trail reaches Hallett Peak, however a well-established cross-country route leads south from Flattop Mountain to its base, where a steep scramble continues up to the summit.

You can read a detailed hike description here and here.

*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. Wear layers. Do not attempt hike if bad weather or storms are imminent.”

RACE GUIDE >>CLUB & TRIFECTA

http://www.protrails.com/trail/61/rocky-mountain-national-park-chasm-lake

http://www.rockymountainhikingtrails.com/chasm-lake.htm

http://www.protrails.com/trail/44/rocky-mountain-national-park-hallett-peak

http://www.rockymountainhikingtrails.com/hallett-peak.htm

RACE GUIDE JUNE 14, 2014 10

SUBMISSIONFORM

CHASM LAKE

Difficulty: ModerateTotal Mileage: 8.4 mi round-tripType of Hike: Out and backElevation Gain: 2,456 ft. Trailhead Elevation = 9,405 ft.Lake Elevation = 11,803 ft.

Parking Lot CoordinatesLatitude: 40.27246Longitude: -105.55725

HALLETT PEAK

Difficulty: DifficultTotal Mileage: 10 mi round-tripType of Hike: Out and backElevation Gain: 3,324 ft. Trailhead Elevation = 9,475 ft.Peak Elevation = 12,713 ft.

Parking Lot CoordinatesLatitude: 40.31196Longitude: -105.64581

All runners that join EITHER Club (Chasm Lake OR Hallett Peak) will receive 50% OFF next year’s race entry AND a free water bottle from Ultra-Spire!

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 Clubs AND the Trifecta).

CLUB SUBMISSION FORMwww.therockymountainhalf.com/club

RM TRIFECTA SUBMISSION FORMwww.therockymountainhalf.com/trifecta



ROCKYMOUNTAINTRIFECTA

1 Hike around Bear Lake - Bear Lake is beautiful, and incredibly easy to get to. You drive to the Bear Lake parking lot and it is a 1/4 mile to a beautiful view of the lake and Hallett Peak. The hike around the lake is beautiful and easily can be done with chil-dren. Those attempting the Hallett Peak hike will start at Bear Lake.

3 Trail Ridge Road - Trail Ridge Rd is an incredible byway that goes from Estes Park to Grand Lake, crosses the continental divide, climbs above the tree line, and offers incredible views. Our challenge to you is to drive to the top of Trail Ridge Rd and to make the short hike to the tallest peak. This road is only open 3 months out of the year!

2 Alberta Falls - The hike to Alberta Falls be-gins from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead on Bear Lake Road, located almost 8 miles from the turn-off at Highway 36. Due to the extreme popularity of the Bear Lake Road area, you may want to consider using the free park shuttle to reach the trailhead during the peak tourist season.

It is 1.7 miles round-trip.

The Rocky Mountain 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 experi-enced, but are doable with children. The 3 activities that makeup the Trifecta are:


RACE GUIDE >>SOCIAL MEDIA

RACE GUIDE MARCH 22, 2014 12

CONNECTONLINE

@VacationRaces#rmhalf

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

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

36STATES6COUNTRIESUNITED STATES | UK | SCOTLAND | AUSTRALIA | DENMARK | CZECH REPUBLIC

6 TEAMS

Who is coming?

Age DivisionsBOYS/MEN

GIRLS/WOMEN

<11

-

<11

-

15-19

4

15-19

10

25-29

34

25-29

109

35-39

46

30-34

96

45-49

30

45-49

53

55-59

10

55-59

17

12-14

1

12-14

-

20-24

10

20-24

34

40-44

54

35-39

120

30-34

42

40-44

83

50-54

22

50-54

28

60-64

6

60-64

5

65-69

1

65-69

4

70-74

-

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).

#LAFPRUNS | HOW THE WEST WAS RUN | JUDY’S BAMRS | KICKING ASPHALT! | SANDOZ | TEAM RWB

RACE GUIDE >>RUNNER INFO


RACE GUIDE MARCH 22, 2014 14

NEXT RACE:NPS BIRTHDAY RUNAUGUST 25, 2014

REGISTERNOW

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


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

“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

Photo by Ben Jackson Photography

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

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

AND RUN INAND RUN IN

-John Muir-John Muir

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HALF MARATHONAUGUST 2, 2014

www.therockymountainhalf.com#rmhalf

Documents

2014 Rocky Mountain Half Race Guide