[ctxcrossx]

Hello,<br><br>
I'm posting this on all of the ultrarunning boards that I frequent because it seems like useful information. I emailed the race organizer ([email protected]) to find out more about packet pick up for the race. Here was the information I received (summarized):<br><br>
Information is still being finalized, but they are planning on two options:
<ul><li>Pick up your packet at The North Face store in Manhattan (I’m guessing this would have to be the Friday before)</li>
<li>Have it mailed to you via active.com. You will have to pay the S&H</li>
</ul>
They said that this info would be posted on the website next week.<br><br>
Now for the opinion part of the post: Personally, I think this is a horrible decision for them to do. I took a look at the distance and it looks like the north face store is about an hour away from the venue, and that’s ignoring the obvious traffic issues of NYC on a Friday afternoon/evening. I did email them and asked why they couldn’t just have the packets at the venue the day before, but have yet to receive a response. I’m guessing they’re doing this just so they get people to go to the sponsor store. I don’t think people should have to pay an additional fee just to get their actual race materials (plus the active.com fee). If these are the only two options that they stick with, I will not participate in this race and will consider not racing in any event of theirs in the future. If you don’t like these options either, I suggest that you send an email to the link above to let them know how you feel.<br><br>
I normally don’t do this, and I hate ranting on about something, but it feels they aren’t thinking of the participants at all. I also want people to have all the information available before they sign up.<br><br>
Thank you.<br><br>
Chris

 

[Rockhopper]

That IS ridiculous. Did the director say why you can't just pick up your packet when you show up the morning of the race?

 

[ctxcrossx]

I did ask but didn't get a reply yet. I was tempted to wait before I posted, but I didn't want people to sign up without this information. Honestly, I hope the race is a huge success, but this is information that people need to be aware of. The person who responded to me had a signature line that was from Texas, so I don't think it was even the RD, more like one of the organizers of the whole endurance challenge? I will definitely do a follow up post if/when I get more info.<br><br>
Chris

 

[AnthonyP]

I actually didn't think about packet pick up when signing up. I suppose I figured they'd have it at the site prior to the race on race day.<br><br>
But, here's what I really don't understand.....<br><br>
The website says "You must pick up your black loaner chip along with your bib number at designated Chip Timing table Saturday morning. You may also use your own ChampionChip as long as you include the code on your registration application. You must, however, bring your personalized yellow chip to packet pickup to be scanned along with your bib number. "<br><br>
Well, for me, that seems to suggest that I have to pick up my chip and bib number for the 50M between 4:00 and 4:45 AM on race day. So, does the RD's email mean I have to pick up my chip and bib number on race day, but the rest of whatever the heck they are giving out in NYC on Friday ?<br><br>
Huh ? Am I missing something here ? They have a so-called "check-in schedule" listed on the site :<br><br>
Please see below for runner check-in schedule at the ChampionChip booth:<br>
4:00-4:45 a.m. 50 Mile<br>
5:30-6:45 a.m. Accelerade 50K<br>
7:00-8:45 a.m. Half Marathon<br>
7:00-9:00 a.m. 10K<br><br>
I don't get it....but I'm a little slow when it gets cold out.

 

[merigayle]

For TNF race i did last year you had to pick up your packet at the North Face store with ID, like they actually really checked and you had to sign a paper. It was very organzied (probably with prize money and what not). Then on race morning, you had to get your chip and then you attached it to your shoe, which annoyed me because i am NEUROTIC about doing all that stuff the night before the race <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
ps. everything in the North Face store was really expensive <img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif">

 

[Rockhopper]

So if I sign up I just have to swing by Manhattan the day before the race. Very convenient, but could someone save me a parking spot? Makes sense--it's probably too dark to see ID's on race morning. <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif"><br><br>
Or it sounds like I might have the option of paying Active.com yet another fee to have them ship a packet full of stuff I probably don't need. How will they check my ID then? Hmm... maybe they don't really need to see my ID.

 

[beardobees]

At Chris' prompting on the ultralist, I contacted the outpost in Texas and voiced these concerns. I shouldn't have any problem picking up the packet after work; however, it seems absurd that participants who don't live or work in NYC would need to drive to Soho or the Uppper West Side to pick up a packet the day before the race. The race isn't being held in NYC; Bear Mountain is an hour away.<br><br>
It may make more sense to have packet pickup at TNF outlet store off of 17, as it's closer to the race site. But simply put, I hope enough people contact the organizers so an effort is made to have packet pickup on raceday.

 

[corrade]

Wow, TNF has some kind of corporate handicap here. I actualy thought about a fist 50K there. This is like a bureacratic nightmare you're describing, no way would I do a TNF event as my first if they require all that bologna <img alt="uhoh2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/uhoh2.gif">

 

[ChrisG]

If TNF is going to distribute the timing chips before the race, it seems like it would be minimal effort to include the race packet as well.<br><br>
I was considering the San Francisco Endurance Challenge this fall; however, as I will be visiting from out of town that will be a pain in the butt. Active.com already takes too much of my money. I don't need to give need to give them any more to ship the race packet to me.<br><br>
Maybe I'll be doing an East Coast fall 50 miler instead.

 

[Trail Monster]

Corrade,<br><br>
If you're looking for a first ultra this spring I would recommend the one that I direct, and I'm not just saying that because I direct it, I actually ran it last year and thought that my co-directors did an awesome job without me. So if you're interested in a good first ultra check out the <a href="http://www.mainetrackclub.com/pinelandfarms.html" target="_blank">Pineland Farms Trail Challenge</a> on May 25th in Maine. We put a 25k, 50k and 50 miler.<br><br>
I promise: packet pickup will be easy, the course will be well marked, the aid stations will have more food and drink than you will know what to do with, the post-race BBQ will be awesome, and you will get all the free beer you can stomach after running a 50k.<br><br>
Ian Parlin

 

[corrade]

If I have anything left at the end of May, I will wander up. My pre-reg fever just passed. That's the race with the big Tractor on its app, right? A Trailrunner / Sportiva series race, hmm

 

[Trail Monster]

The <a href="http://www.mainetrackclub.com/pinelandfarms.html" target="_blank">Pineland Farms Trail Challenge</a> is part of the TrailRunner/La Sportiva Trophy Series, but that doesn't mean much. This is a grassroots race by people who run these trails all the time.<br><br>
Ans yes, it is the race with the tractor.

 

[divaleh]

Trail Monster - I'll be there, but who will drive me to my hotel after all of that beer??<br><br>
RE: Bear Mtn - if they weren't so adamant about the ID thing, I'd offer to pick up everyone's packet for them in the city <img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif"> For me, the set up is practically perfect. I work in NYC and live in Rockland. But I do agree that it's terribly inconvenient for the majority of runners, and it will very likely hurt they're registration.

 

[corrade]

10% off a pair of shoes.... hmm <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[AnthonyP]

Another option to consider in the 50K relam in May is the <a href="http://www.newyorkultrarunning.org/" target="_blank">Long Island Greenbelt Trail 50K</a>. It too is part of the TrailRunner/La Sportiva Trophy Series.

 

[merigayle]

Fingerlake 50's over 4th of July weekend. One of my most favorite races!!!!!

 

[corrade]

I've taken all 50K's off the slate for running, but thanks for the links. I won't commit to running one but after these suggestions I will commit to volunteer somewhere. Suddenly realized thats the best way to AVOID running myself into the ground!

 

[divaleh]

Meri - I think I may shoot for the Fingerlake as my first 50M....I think I'll have enough time to train for it once tax season is over...if not I'll def run the 50k.<br><br>
I think I may run the LI Greenbelt 50k for my birthday....tho it's awfully close to the Pineland Trails Challenge. But what a great way to welcome in my 33rd <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
~I just want to point out that I somehow managed to begin THREE phrases with "I think". Lovely.~

 

[merigayle]

The Fingerlakes race is really good, because you can decide during the race to run the 50K or the 50M <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> I will, unfortunately miss it this year <img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif"> Other race obligations are getting in the way, boooooo.

 

[AnthonyP]

The Greenbelt course is fairly challenging. They also have a 25K option.