Our 27th running is hours away! So exciting! There are a lot of details in this post and the photos take up some room. Please scroll through for our latest information.

TRAIL CONDITIONS (photos included)

The trails are improving, considering they were covered in snow no more than a week ago, but are still more wintry than usual. Race friend Gretchen Walla and RD Krissy Moehl spent time on different parts of the course Wednesday evaluating conditions. Our fearless founder Doug McKeever spent Thursday marking the course with ribbons and his Doug-style race signs. The trail condition varies from good, to muddy, to snowy and patchy ice areas. It will be slow going in sections and my biggest concern is that people feel safe out there. Please be considerate of runners in front of and behind you. Make room for people more comfortable and moving faster to get by when it feels safe. And if you need to pass, let the person in front of you know AND be patient for them to find a spot they feel safe to move aside. This is a race AND trail runners take care of each other.

You will start to see snow on Cleator Road.

There are some icy spots on the way up Fragrance. This is at the trail split just before the Lake. Runners stay Right this year.

The Ridge Trail is snowy & icy in patches, especially the first mile.

Once you get past the connector to Lower Ridge Trail, the North end of the Ridge starts to clear up.

WEATHER FORECAST - area link

We are expecting partially cloudy, warmer than we’ve had weather conditions all day Saturday. Be sure to come prepared and dress adequately.

MANDATORY GEAR

We recommend that each runner have a jacket, gloves and beanie. Traction is also advised, but with the patchy conditions, I acknowledge it will be frustrating to put on an off. I recommend screwing your shoes. Poles are allowed. A handheld or hydration pack and a UD Re-Cup are also recommended. We do not provide cups on course. We are not going to REQUIRE any specific gear. These items are highly recommended and if you are thinking “nothing is going to happen to me” then you are probably the one that should pack gear.

AID STATION LOCATIONS

With the amount of snow on the ridge we likely will not be able to haul supplies up Cleator Road to the top of the Ridge. Our back up plan is to send the Ridge Aid Station to where Doug has held Aid 3.5 for many years now. You will need to better supply at Aid Station #2 as you will now climb Cleator Road AND traverse the entire Ridge until you get aid where the Ridge meets North Lost Lake Trail ~6 miles (instead of 3 miles). This move still has to be approved by the Park.

This is where we typically host Aid Station 3. The snow on Cleator is even deeper, so we will not be able to drive vehicles up there to transport supplies and equipment.

This is what the whole of North Lost Lake and most of South Lost Lake looked like on Wednesday. With the warmer temps be prepared for smooshy, sloshy snow.

CUTOFFS

This year we have offered an early start at 7am to give runners an extra hour on the course. In light of the slower conditions we are also going to extend the cutoff to 5pm for an official finish.

POST RACE

There will be a warm shelter and open-sided tents in Fairhaven Park for runners to rest, clean up/change, relax, eat, drink and socialize after finishing the race. Each runner is able to leave one small (12”x12”x9”) bag with dry clothes and other post-race necessities (a towel would be nice!) properly labeled with a bib number in the shelter near the finish line - your race bib has a tag you can attach to your bag. Note that we cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items (this has never happened, but we have to say it anyway!) Please stay for the many post-race festivities and Awards Ceremony and GOTR Prize Draw - details on the activities and celebrations are outlined on our Race Weekend Details page.

CREW DIRECTIONS

Please see the link to our Crew Directions under the RACE INFORMATION menu tab for information about race day crewing. We welcome crews at Aid Stations #1 & #5. Crews need to be ready to travel on foot to Aid 5.

See you soon!

2019 TRAIL CONDITIONS, WEATHER FORECAST, MANDATORY GEAR & CREW DIRECTIONS