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| Design by Jason Crosby http://jasoncrosbyillustration.com |
The 3rd annual
Vasque Free State Trail Runs
100-Kilometer & 40-Mile Trail Ultras
And 26.2-mile Trail Marathon
(and also a 100K relay option)
Saturday,
April 25, 2009
| Photo by Rachel Seymour, Lawrence Journal World |
|
| Kyle Amos, 100-Km Course Winner in 2007 |
Results and Other Musings
Well, what can we say? Weather-related issues can
be an "issue" in Kansas. Luckily, the marathon was completely finished prior to the 5 sets of tornado sirens going off.
Results are below. I'm sorry they took so long to get up.
The 40-mile and 100K Ultra Race results were problematic,
due to the sirens, high-winds, heavy rain and confusion that started at about 10 hours and 30 minutes into the race.
If you have any additions, submissions, confessions, questions or problems with them, please email me. Thanks.
Thanks for your understanding with the closure of the race
prior to the stated time limit. There were impassible streams on the trail due to rains / flooding, and there were also
high winds, lightning, and certain Park officials that told us to shutdown the race and hunker-down in shelters.
One person (not in the race) was hit by lightning, just a short distance from the course.
We have the best volunteers in the world, and they worked
extremely hard to make sure that everybody who could get off of the trails, safely did so. A special thanks goes
to Phil Sheridan, for risking life & limb to sweep 10 miles of the course during the storm.
Thanks again for a great Free State Trail Run.
Happy trails,
Ben & Sophia
Photos:
2009 Race Reports:
Yes, the Trail Nerds are a GeNerdous bunch!
The Trail Nerds give back more than labor to the trails. We also
give our $$$. So far in 2009, we have given $1500 to trail advocacy groups. One thousand dollars of funding
alone went back into the North Shore Trails in Lawrence (through an ear-marked donation to the Kansas Trails Council), up from $528 that we gave the year prior, and $383 that we gave in 2007.
Many of the improvements that you see out there were funded by the Trail Nerds Association. In addition, we have given
$500 to ERTA (so far in 2009), toward their trail maintenance and trail building concerns.
View the letters.
Race Details
Location: Clinton Lake State Park, in Lawrence, Kansas
40-miler & 100Km start: 7:00 AM, Marathon start: 8:00 AM
Loop course on rocky & hilly single-track trails.
Amenities: Food, gels, water and sports drink at the manned aid stations. Post race
meal, regular and vegan. Post-race showers will be available right next to the race finish area, this year. Nicely-designed,
technical event shirts & unique finisher's "hardware." The marathon and 40-mile finishers get
custom medals, and the 100-Km finishers get a custom-made pewter belt buckle. Camping and showers are available within the State Park.
Prizes for age group winners.
Race Director: Ben Holmes 816-810-0440
| Photo by Rachel Seymour, Lawrence Journal World |
|
Register Early, Next Time
All races are full and Registration is now closed.
We cannot have a total field of runners higher than 200 participants, due to an agreement with the Trail Steward.
We completely agree with this policy and will abide by it. Thank you for your understanding. Every Trail
Nerd event this year has filled-up prior to race day, so register early.
23 states are represented in the entrants' tally:
AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NJ, NY, OK, PA, TX, WA, WI.
2 Packet Pickups Prior to the Race. One in the KC area, one
in Lawrence:
Thursday in KC: Packet pickup will be
at Dynamic Earth (store) on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at Noon to 6:00pm. Address: at NW corner of 135th St & Metcalf, Overland Park,
Kansas. (913) 851-2244
Web
Friday in Lawrence: Packet pickup will
be at Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop on Friday, April 24, 2009 at 11am-5:30pm. Address: 802 Massachusetts St, Lawrence,
KS. (785) 843-5000 Web.
There will also be a packet pickup on day of race at the start/finish area. Just show up
45 minutes early.
Final
Race Instructions
Race Day Start Times
40-miler & 100Km start:
7:00 AM, Marathon start: 8:00 AM
Show up on race day about
1-hour prior to your race’s start time. Please check-in at the registration
table.
Race
Bibs
We
print our own Tyvek race bibs. Please pin them to the FRONT of you somewhere,
so that they are VISIBLE. This race is not chip-timed, so we will need to see
your bib number, to have an accounting of you in the results.
Cut-off
Time
In the interest of your safety, there will be a 10 p.m. cut-off time for the Army Corp of Engineer's Aid Station.
That last 10 miles is a real bugger, and completing it will take you longer than a 5 MPH pace, at that point
in the race. We will drive you back to the start/finish area, if you are past the cut-off time.
No
Cups! A Hydration Device is Required Equipment
There will be plenty of aid along the course, but we must insist
(for your own safety) that you carry a water bottle or hydration system with you. You will
be disqualified for not carrying such.
There will be no cups at the aid stations (other than for
hot soup or hot drinks), so you will need to have something (other than your hands or mouth) to put the water into.
Sustainabilty issues are a part of our mission statement.
We are dedicated to reducing waste and recycling as much as is currently possible.
Aid Stations:
There will be 3 staffed aid stations along
the course. There will also be at least three un-staffed aid stations. You will travel no more than 3-1/2 miles
between aid stations. But keep in mind, that distance on the trail can take much
longer than on pavement.
The
aid station volunteers are very experienced ultra-runners, and are there to help you. If you are having a problem of some
kind, just ask an aid station volunteer for a potential solution. They may be able to help you. Make sure you are checked
in at each aid station (have your number visible on your front side), for they will record your number and time into the station.
Limited first aid will be available at the stations as well as bug repellent, Vaseline, and sunscreen.
The staffed stations will have the following food and drink:
Water
SUCCEED
Ultra (orange flavored)
Coke, Mt. Dew
Pretzels, Crackers, Cookies, Chips
Fruit, such as bananas, watermelon, canteloupe
Electrolytes:
SUCCEED!
They may also have coffee, potatoes, sandwiches, candy, soup and other assorted food for runners
and pacers. Remember: If you carry a cup or bowl out of an aid station please carry it to the next station. Ice will be typically
be available at staffed aid stations.
Drop bags:
Drop bags are only allowed for the
40-Mile and 100-K races. At the morning check-in you will be given the opportunity to leave 2 drop bags, one for the start/finish
area and one which will be transported to the Army Corp of Engineer’s (KUS) aid station out on the course. Write your
name, and bib number onto each bag. These two locations will give you access to your bags at ten mile intervals, which should
be about perfect. You should have a flashlight or headlamp stashed in both locations, for your personal safety when dusk falls. You will have to pick-up your drop bag from the Army Corp of Engineer’s (KUS)
aid station yourself, after the race.
Please keep these bags down to a reasonable size,
and secure or pad any "breakable" items. No ice chests larger than 6-pack size. Absolutely no styrofoam coolers. Rule of thumb:
A large drop bag should be no larger than a large shoe box, and weigh no more than 6 lbs. Any bags left at the race
will be discarded, or the items contained within will be given to charity.
Trail Markings:
The course is marked with
yellow signs that will tell you "right turn," "left turn," "straight ahead," and "wrong way." We will mark the course with
ground flags and or ribbons at important intersections or turns. Care must be taken when crossing roadways!
Flashlights or headlamps WILL BE REQUIRED to navigate the trails at night. Each runner/pacer should plan accordingly. Backup batteries or flashlights
are important.
Pacers:
Pacers are allowed on the course for the last 20 miles of the 40-Mile race, and the last
40 miles of the 100-kilometer race. Pacers are not allowed to be a "pack mule" for their runner, and should be fairly self-sufficient.
Pacers need not pay, but must sign the waiver and be issued a numbered pacer race bib. Pacers can enjoy all of the food/hydration/service
of the aid stations, but must not be an "overbearing burden" upon the race organization (or their assigned runner). We reserve
the right to pull any pacer who we deem as "burdensome" either to us or to their
runner.
Dogs as Pacers:
We are a dog-friendly bunch, within reason. You can run with your (well-mannered) dog, but
it must be on a leash, and you must not let it get entangled with another runner. Your dog will be issued a bib number that needs to be attached (with your name and cell #
written on it with a sharpie). Your dog will be included in the official results, if you sign it in at the starting
line. There is no additional cost to you. Please keep in mind that we won't allow any
cruelty to animals, so you must attest to your dog's "trail conditioning." If it appears that your dog is heat-stressed
or otherwise physically stressed or injured, we will ask you to pull out of the race and seek out veterinary help. Please
provide water and food for your dog. You can refill your dog's water at the aid stations.
No Littering!
Littering on
the course will not be tolerated and will result in removal from the race and the results.
Post-Race
Meal
Upon completion of the race, participants (and one guest or crew member) can enjoy post-race food near the
start/finish area. We will have burgers, black bean burgers, or chili available. If you bring more than one guest
or crew member, they are welcome to enjoy post-race food for a $5 donation per person. The aid station table food
is for PARTICIPANTS, ONLY.
Results
Since this is an event with an 17-hour time limit (that is over at midnight), please do not expect results to be posted online on the day of the race! Results will be available on the Free State
web page, sometime on Sunday, April 26.
Important
Phone Numbers
If you have a question DURING THE RACE, please call these numbers, instead of the race director’s number:
Volunteer
Coordinator & Logistics Director (Sophia Wharton): 816-808-7758
Logistics,
Transport, and Jack of All Trades: (Matt Holmes): 816-810-0442
Note: A large portion
of the 2009 race’s net proceeds will go to the Kansas Trails Council exclusively for the Clinton North Shore Trails
"Friends of the Trail" Fund. So the actual trail that you will be
running on, will receive the funds from the race!
Printed Version of Race Day Instructions
Brief Description:Loop
course on rocky, rooty, and hilly trails. 100%single-track trails. Time limit: 18 hours for 100K, 17 hours for 40-Mile. Estimated
Participants: 200. 3rd Annual. Amenities: Hot showers nearby and post-race food.
Entry Fees:100-Kilometer
(3 Loops) - $60 until Apr 1, $80 until Apr 12, $100 until April 20.
40-Mile (2 Loops) - $50 until
Mar 1, $60 until Apr 1, $80 until Apr 20.
Trail Marathon - $50 until Mar 1, $60 until Apr 1,
$80 until Apr 20.
Finisher's
The marathon and 40-mile finishers will get a custom medal, and the 100-Km finishers will get a custom-made pewter belt buckle. The 100K Relay finishers will get a special group finisher's award.
T-shirtsAll participants
will receive a nicely-designed "technical" Mizuno Dry-Fit t-shirt.
Course(s)The marathon
is one very-large 26.2-mile loop. The 40-mile course consists of two 20+ mile loops. The 100-Km course is three 20+ mile loops.
Map of Courses.
TrailsThe course
is held on 100% single-track trails. There is no pavement. More.
Nearest AirportKansas
City International Airport, Missouri (MCI) is a short 1-hour drive away. Map and directions.
Additional InformationCourses
are on unpaved, 100% single-track trails, with rocks, exposed roots and beautiful woods; mostly shaded. Note: A large portion
of the 2009 race’s net proceeds will go to the Kansas Trails Council exclusively for the Clinton North Shore Trails
"Friends of the Trail" Fund. If you would like to donate more to the fund, please write a check for race day to "Friends of
the Trail Fund."
100-Kilomter Team Relay
If you want to put together a relay team, you can have up to 7 members (total)
for our 100-Kilometer event.
Simple rules: only one team member on the course
at a time, and you can have each member run any distance, as long as your team members are wearing their (provided) team bib
number. You can find your own exit/exit point from a number of locations on the course.
Use the mail in entry form (below), and send in only ONE CHECK per team. We
will limit the number of teams to 10. Thanks.
No Cups!
There will be plenty of aid along the course, but
we must insist (for your safety) that you carry a water bottle or hydration system with you. You will
be disqualified for not carrying such.
There will be no cups at the aid stations (other than
for hot soup or hot drinks), so you will need to have something (other than your hands or mouth) to put the water into.
Sustainabilty issues are a part of our mission statement.
We are dedicated to reducing waste
and recycling as much as is currently possible.
| MCI (KC International) |
|
| MCI (KC International) |
Nearest Airport: Kansas City International Airport is a short 1-hour drive away. Map and directions.
Map to Start / Finish area below:
View Larger Map
| Hotels & Accommodations |
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| Hotels & Accommodations |
| Photo by Dick Ross, www.seekcrun.com |
|
You can count on S!Caps and ULTRA Sportsdrink being at all of our staffed aid stations.
| Jason Crosby Illustration |
|
| Jason Crosby Illustration |
| Dr Jesse Walden, DC (Active Release Techniques) |
|
| Dr Jesse Walden, DC (Active Release Techniques) |
The Trail Marathon:
Running a marathon on a trail is a wonderful experience. It is much different than running
a marathon on the road, though. Your overall time will be slower, so don't count on a hyper-fast Boston Qualifier.
The "perceived" time will fly by faster though, because there is so much beauty to take in, and you will be busy "picking
your best line" on the trails. If you are a first-time trail marathoner, we have some information for you about
trailrunning available here.
The marathon starts at 8:00 am, an hour later than the
Ultra-distance events. The marathon course has some additional features, (in addition to using the "Ultra-loop" course).
For instance, you will go up Beacon Hill and have the best view of the lake and surrounding landscape. This truly is
a beautiful course!
No
Cups!
There will be plenty of aid along the course, but we must insist
(for your safety) that you carry a water bottle or hydration system with you. You will be disqualified for
not carrying such.
There will be no cups at the aid stations (other than for
hot soup or hot drinks), so you will need to have something (other than your hands or mouth) to put the water into.
Sustainabilty issues are a part of our mission statement.
We are dedicated to reducing waste and recycling
as much as is currently possible.
The Ultra-Distance events: Why
a 40-miler or a 100-Kilometer distance Ultra? Why not?
Many aspiring ultra-distance runners
would like to move up in distance from a 50K to a 50-miler, but want to run an "in-between distance" first. The same
goes for runners who have finished a 50-mile run, but would like to move up to the 100-mile distance. There just aren't
enough in-between distance ultras to run "out there," especially ultras that are on 100% technical single-track trails. It
would also be nice if these in-between ultras were positioned in the Spring, prior to some of the popular 50 and 100-mile
races. It would also be nice if these races were close to a major airport, thus eliminating the need for long drives
in rental cars for out-of-towners. Hence, the idea for the Free State Trail Ultras was hatched and implemented.
Kyle Amos, a talented local trail and ultrarunner veteran came up with the idea, and we discussed it
on a Thursday night trail run. One week later, we gathered our forces and put together the pieces to the race in earnest.
We already knew where and on what trails...the North Shore Trails of Clinton Lake, Kansas. We've had a plan on
the back-burner to do an ultra event there (for years), but we needed an event that was worthy of the North Shore Trails.
This is it!
It also helps that the race
is in Lawrence, Kansas. Lawrence, home of the University of Kansas, is the most cosmopolitan small town in this part
of the Midwest. It's just a short 50-minute drive from Kansas City International Airport (MCI). Some major U.S.
poets, authors, and artists have lived, retired, and died here in Lawrence. There are entertainment options galore. There are fine hotels, B & B's, restaurants, bakeries, and brewpubs. You can even camp near the race start/finish area, with showers available, after
the race. What more could a runner want? How about decent aid stations, with freshly-made food items, and staffed
by experienced ultrarunners? We've got it!
The Course:
The
Free State Ultra Trail Run is run on a 21-mile loop course in Clinton Lake State Park, Lawrence, Kansas. (The Marathon Course is run on the same course, but includes the
Sander's Mound and Bunker Hill trails with views of the Clinton Lake). The park is very close to the city of Lawrence. The course consists of two trails, the faster "Blue"
trail and the more technical "White" trail. (These trails are marked with blue and white blazes on the trees). These (heavily-wooded)
trails are 100% single-track trails, with all that that entails: rocks, roots, hills, and potential water crossings. The hills
are not too steep or tall, but after 39 or 59 miles, they may appear to have grown, somewhat.
Flashlights or headlamps WILL BE REQUIRED to navigate the trail at night. Remember
that with the shade of the wooded course, it is darker after dawn and darker before sunset than on an open course. Each runner/pacer
should plan accordingly. Backup batteries or flashlights are important. This is the only real safety rule of the race, other
than picking your feet up when you run, and not running into solid tree trunks.
The 40-Mile race
consists of two complete loops and the 100 Kilometer race is three-loops of the race course. The course time limit has been
set to correspond to the time limit given to both race's participants. This allows the volunteers to break down the aid stations
based on a single time for all runners. We will allow 17 hours to complete the 40-Mile race, and 18 hours to complete the
100 Kilometer race. This is ample time to finish both of these distances for a reasonably-fit runner who wants to take that
"step beyond" marathoning, 50-Km or 50-Mile runs. These race distances are the perfect stepping stones to your first 50-Mile
or 100-Mile trail runs.
It will be our official policy that any runner not making a cut-off time
with be pulled from the course for purposes of safety and course logistics. Race Management also reserves the right to pull
a runner for "other" reasons. We appreciate your help and understanding with this policy.
There
will be a "40-Mile dropout option" for runners that have "bit-off more than they can chew" with the 100-Km race. You will
receive a 40-Mile finisher's award, but your results will not count in the 40-Mile age group or positional awards. This eliminates
this as a 40-mile-Ninja-stealth-devious race strategy, for those so inclined...we're sure that you understand.
Race
Bibs
We
print our own Tyvek race bibs. Please pin them to the FRONT of you somewhere,
so that they are VISIBLE. This race is not chip-timed, so we will need to see
your bib number, to have an accounting of you in the results.
Cut-off
Time
In the interest of your safety, there will be a 10 p.m.
cut-off time for the Army Corp of Engineer's Aid Station. That last 10 miles is a real bugger, and completing it will
take you longer than a 5 MPH pace, at that point in the race. We will drive you back to the start/finish
area, if you are past the cut-off time.
No
Cups! A Hydration Device is Required Equipment
There will be plenty
of aid along the course, but we must insist (for your own safety) that you carry a water bottle or hydration system
with you. You will be disqualified for not carrying such.
There will be no cups at the aid stations (other than for hot soup or hot drinks),
so you will need to have something (other than your hands or mouth) to put the water into.
Sustainabilty issues are a part of our mission statement. We are dedicated
to reducing waste and recycling as much as is currently possible.
Aid Stations:
There will be 3 staffed aid stations along
the course. There will also be at least three un-staffed aid stations. You will travel no more than 3-1/2 miles
between aid stations. But keep in mind, that distance on the trail can take much
longer than on pavement.
The
aid station volunteers are there to help you. Make sure you are checked in at each aid station (have your number visible on
your front side), for they will record your number and time into the station. Limited first aid will be available at the stations
as well as bug repellent, Vaseline, and sunscreen.
The staffed stations
will have the following food and drink:
Water
SUCCEED Ultra (orange flavored)
Coke,
Mt. Dew
Pretzels, Crackers, Cookies, Chips
Fruit, such as bananas, watermelon, canteloupe
Electrolytes: SUCCEED!
They may also have coffee, potatoes, sandwiches, candy, soup and
other assorted food for runners and pacers. Remember: If you carry a cup or bowl out of an aid station please carry it to
the next station. Ice will be typically be available at staffed aid stations.
Drop bags:
Drop bags are only allowed for the 40-Mile and
100-K races.
At the morning check-in you will be given the opportunity to leave 2 drop bags, one for the start/finish area and one
which will be transported to the Army Corp of Engineer’s (KUS) aid station out on the course. Write your name, and bib
number onto each bag. These two locations will give you access to your bags at ten mile intervals, which should be about perfect.
You should have a flashlight or headlamp stashed in both locations, for your personal safety when dusk falls. You will have to pick-up your drop bag from the Army Corp of Engineer’s (KUS) aid station yourself,
after the race.
Please keep these bags down
to a reasonable size, and secure or pad any "breakable" items. No ice chests larger than 6-pack size. Absolutely no styrofoam
coolers. Rule of thumb: A large drop bag should be no larger than a large shoe box, and weigh no more than 6 lbs. Any
bags left at the race will be discarded, or the items contained within will be given to charity.
Trail Markings:
The course is marked with yellow signs that will tell you
"right turn," "left turn," "straight ahead," and "wrong way." We will mark the course with ground flags and or ribbons at
important intersections or turns. Care must be taken when crossing roadways!
Flashlights or headlamps WILL
BE REQUIRED to navigate the trails at night. Each runner/pacer should plan accordingly. Backup batteries or flashlights are
important.
Pacers:
Pacers are allowed on the course for the last 20 miles of the 40-Mile race, and the last
40 miles of the 100-kilometer race. Pacers are not allowed to be a "pack mule" for their runner, and should be fairly self-sufficient.
Pacers need not pay, but must sign the waiver and be issued a numbered pacer race bib. Pacers can enjoy all of the food/hydration/service
of the aid stations, but must not be an "overbearing burden" upon the race organization (or their assigned runner). We reserve
the right to pull any pacer who we deem as "burdensome" either to us or to their
runner.
Dogs as Pacers:
We are a dog-friendly bunch, within reason. You can run with your (well-mannered) dog, but
it must be on a leash, and you must not let it get entangled with another runner. Your dog will be issued a bib number that needs to be attached (with your name and cell #
written on it with a sharpie). Your dog will be included in the official results, if you sign it in at the starting
line. There is no additional cost to you. Please keep in mind that we won't allow any
cruelty to animals, so you must attest to your dog's "trail conditioning." If it appears that your dog is heat-stressed
or otherwise physically stressed or injured, we will ask you to pull out of the race and seek out veterinary help. Please
provide water and food for your dog. You can refill your dog's water at the aid stations.
No
Littering!
Littering
on the course will not be tolerated and will result in removal from the race and the results.
Post-Race
Meal
Upon completion of the race, participants (and one guest or crew member) can enjoy post-race food near the
start/finish area. We will have burgers, black bean burgers, or chili available. If you bring more than one guest
or crew member, they are welcome to enjoy post-race food for a $5 donation per person. The aid station table food
is for PARTICIPANTS, ONLY.
Results
Since this is an event with an 18-hour time limit (that is over at midnight), please do not expect results to be posted online on the day of the race! Results will be available on the Free State
web page, sometime on Sunday, April 26.
Important
Phone Numbers
If you have a question DURING THE RACE, please call these numbers, instead of the race director’s number:
Volunteer
Coordinator & Logistics Director (Sophia Wharton): 816-808-7758
Logistics,
Transport, and Jack of All Trades: (Matt Holmes): 816-810-0442
Note: A large portion
of the 2009 race’s net proceeds will go to the Kansas Trails Council exclusively for the Clinton North Shore Trails
"Friends of the Trail" Fund. So the actual trail that you will be
running on, will receive the funds from the race!
Map to Event from Lawrence
Trail Description
Lawrence, Kansas Links
Map to Race Start / Finish Area
|
