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Chances are you're not the only one wondering.
1. Why do you only let in 650 runners
I know ... 650 sounds like a weird number. Keep in mind our Wave Start. We start our fastest
runners first & our slowest runners last, in heats of 25 (a multiple of 650) every 30 seconds. The
first 1.25 miles of our course doubles as the last 1.25 miles of the race. We have scientifically
calculated that the slowest runner passes the double-back point less than 10 minutes before the
fastest runners start coming through. If we let more than 650 runners enter, we run the risk of
2-way traffic on the trails, a potentially unsafe condition for everyone involved.
2. How much of the run is actually run on trails?
About 99.9% ... You start & finish in the Park parking lot. There are also 2 road crossings.
So out of 7.5 miles, you've got 100 yards (total) of pavement.
3. Can I get lost on the trails during the race?
You'd have to really TRY to get lost during the race. There are so many people running, there
should always be someone within sight. Additionally, we've got the course teaming with volunteers.
As a fail-safe procedure, the last person in the event is a club member, running as a "sweep"
making sure there is no trouble on the course. The "sweep" stays with the slowest runner & tells
the Ham Operators at each water station that the course behind them is clear.
4. What's a Wave Start & why do you have one?
We start runners in waves of 25 runners ... every 30 seconds. This is to cut down on
trail-overcrowding. Without the wave start, there would be a major bottle-neck at the trail head.
Our Timing Crew takes the time offsets into account when calculating your overall time and who
among you are award winners.
5. How do I know what wave I'm in?
On your race number are two (2) sets of numbers. One is your race number (the larger number),
the other is your wave number (the smaller number). The first wave to start is wave number zero
(0), followed by wave #1, #2, #3, & so on. There are 30 seconds intervals between waves.
6. My friend is starting in a wave ahead of mine. Can I run (start) with them?
Email
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between Nov.1 and Nov. 30 stating what buddies you would like to run with. We will attempt to put you in the same starting wave.
7. Where are the Water Stops?
Water stations are at approximately the 1.5, 3.5, and 5.5 mile marks. Note this is also where you'll find the Lewis & Clark Ham Radio Club operators in case of trouble.
8. Is there food on the course?
In 2001 we started having snacks at water station #3 and they were a BIG hit. Expect something
special there.
9. What do I do if I, or someone else gets injured?
We always have the Lewis & Clark Ham Radio Club for race communications. You'll find a
Ham Operator at every water stop, and a Base Station at the Finish, next to our Ambulance. If
someone gets hurt, please make a mental note of where they got hurt, and at the next (or nearest)
water station tell the Ham Operator & relate the approximate distance back up the trail.
If they're badly injured, please have someone stay with them & send someone ahead, or behind, to the nearest Ham Operator. We'll make sure everyone involved gets free race entries for the next few years as a "Thank You".
10. What do I do when I arrive race day morning?
On your way to the Lodge you will pass several easels, on which are posted Names & Race
Numbers. Retrieve your Race Number from these lists & then make your way to the Packet
Pick-up table. There you will receive your Race Number & safety pins. Then make your way
to the Shirt table & retrieve your race shirt.
Remember: Race numbers go on the front!!! Please have numbers visible at the Start and Finish.
11. I can't make the run. Can I transfer my number to someone else?Yes, we'll tell you how later.
12. Can I show up race-day & buy a number of a no-show runner?
No ... don't ask.
13. I sent in my entry but did not get any confirmation in the mail.
What's up?
Our new "On-Line Only" entry should solve any confusion. If you enter on-line ... you're in ... period. You can verify ... we can verify ... there should be no question about it. If in the unlikely event you have a problem contact the race director immediately. Do not wait till race day morning.
Two weeks before the race we'll post a master list to this web site.
14. Registration closed before I could enter. Can I run as a Bandit?
or
I want to run but I don't have a number. Can I run anyway?
Do not ... I repeat ... DO NOT run as a Bandit!!!
Bandit's are unregistered runners who, for some reason have failed to register. Or are racing using someone else's Race Number.
Bandits cause us problems by ...
- Taking Resources away from registered runners
- Creating potential insurance liabilities
If we can't get insurance ... guess what ...
No more Pere Marquette Endurance Trail Run ... PERIOD!
- Causing Trail overcrowding
- Causing Race-Timing difficulties by crossing the finish line.
- Creating hazards at the Start/Finish by entering or exiting the race course erratically.
Bandits will be disqualified and BANNED from all future Pere Marquette Trail Run's.
Feel free to run the trails the other 364 days of the year, but please run somewhere else
race day morning.
15. Registration closed before I could enter.
How does registration "Automatically Close"?
We let Active.com handle our registration. Registration is done on-line, and Active.com can set a limit on the number of entrants allowed to enter. They set the number we tell them (625) before registration opens, when we hit that number registration automatically closes. Registration begins every year at midnight on September 1st.
Every year we get a number of people complaining about being "caught off guard" with respect to the early closing of the entries. All we could say then (and now) is sorry! Everybody has the same warning (if you pay attention to our web site, and our e-mailings (if we have your email)), and the same opportunity to enter. Begging will do you no good, although we think the excuses people come up with are very funny. Who knows? Make us laugh hard enough (we'll be the judge) and it's possible we'll let you in ... but don't count on it.
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