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HERE IT IS!!!
Please review the following-The race website will also be a great resource!
PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW AND ANSWER A FEW QUESTIONS TO HELP OUR ANNOUNCER IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY DONE SO!! DEADLINE TO COMPLETE THIS SURVEY IS MONDAY AT 6PM. SURVEY LINK: CLICK HERE
CURRENT COURSE CONDITIONS:
**Beautiful Flowers... Creeks just above the knee... and not much snow!
PRE-RACE NOTES TO BE AWARE OF:
RACE WEEK COMMUNICATION: We will be extremely busy on the week-of the race, with limited email/phone service. Don't expect replies to emails!
QUESTIONS FROM CREW/PACERS will be directed back to racers.
RACE PHOTOS: CHADWICK photography will be back with super-high quality photos-- Free to download!
WILD ANIMALS, NETTLE, etc... Check out this PUTS 'safety video' to learn about all the possible dangers you could encounter during the race! Link: https://youtu.be/GeEDoN13_FI
DNFs: You are responsible to make smart decisions about whether or not you should continue-Please perform frequent ‘self-checks’ and make good decisions!
HEADLAMPS: 50 milers will need one to start the race! All 100-mile runners will be required to have a head-lamp after leaving North Indian Creek aid station heading to Big Elk Cr.
Dry Canyon aid station: Runners are NOT required to stop at Dry Canyon when you have only 3 miles left on the course. You may stop for water or to grab a snack-But do not take food that you will not need to get you to the finish line!
Pre Race:
**This info serves as the 'pre-race meeting' for 13.1 & 50k runners- 50/100 milers MUST attend a pre-race meeting!
Pre Race Details:
100 mile packet pickup begins at 6pm on Thursday, followed by 7pm pre-race meeting.
Friday packet pickup for 50 milers/50k/ 13.1 milers begins at 5pm (50 mile pre-race meeting at 7pm)
** The shirt size you ordered is the size you will get. If we have extras after you finish, you are welcome to swap your clean unused shirt
On Saturday morning: Packet pickup starts at 5:00am for the 50k and 6:01am for the ½ marathon.
** 100 milers please do not arrive before 1pm on Thursday– Everyone else do not arrive to set up camp until after 1pm on Friday. We LOVE our runners, however, we cannot effectively manage this event without sticking to this schedule!
Race Day:
All racers must check-in on race morning 30 minutes prior to your race so that we know you have started the race. If you do not check-in on race-morning, you will be marked as a DNS (Did not start).
Race-morning Packet-Pickup: Plan to arrive at least 1 hour early to pick-up your packet
100 Mile Start: 6am
50 Mile Start: 2am
50k Start: 6am
13.1 Start: 7am
DIRECTIONS TO BIG ELK YMCA CAMP/NORTH INDIAN CREEK
From Apine, WY: Head west on US-26 W, with the Palisades Reservoir on your left. Travel roughly 13 miles from Alpine, YW… The Big Elk Creek YMCA Camp is a couple miles down a dirt-road on on your RIGHT (North) side of the highway. WATCH FOR THE BRIGHT ORANGE & WHITE FLAGGING ALONG THE HIGHWAY!!
From Swan Valley/Idaho Falls: Head EAST on US-26, (the palisades reservoir will be on your right). Big Elk Creek YMCA Camp is a few miles past the Palisades Reservoir dam, on the LEFT (North) side of the highway.
North Indian Creek: This aid station is located about 7 miles EAST from the Big Elk Creek YMCA camp. Its on the North side of the reservoir, down a dirt road. Follow clearly posted PUTS signs and the GIANT ORANGE/WHITE FLAGGING ALONG THE HIGHWAY!!
PARKING
NOBODY may park at the Big Elk Trailhead. That includes racers, pacers, and PUTS spectators.
***The 2-mile dirt road to the start/finish is narrow, windy, and borders a steep drop-off. Please drive under 15 mph and be aware of other drivers.
***All runners will park south of the YMCA start/finish line
*** 50k/13.1 mile RACERS arriving on SATURDAY: A traffic attendant will direct you to park at the start/finish line. PLEASE ALLOW FOR A FEW EXTRA MINUTES IF YOU ARE ARRIVING ON SATURDAY MORNING… CARPOOL if at all possible!!!
**A detailed map of the parking/campsites/finish and starting areas is available on our website on the Schedule & Policies page. https://www.palisadesultra.com/schedule-rules-refunds-etc
LODGING:
All participants have free tent-camping at the start/finish. w/ bathrooms, washing stations, etc. No noisy generators or partying- Quiet hours begin at 9pm Friday.
Giant RVs not allowed, but there is dispersed camping and RV parks within 5-10 miles.
We have a limited number of bunks still available--You supply bedding, but these cabins are a great option for those wanting to get off the ground and have a little privacy away from ‘tent city.’ Reserve your bunkhouse spot for $10 on ultrasignup.
Racer Information:
DROP BAGS for 100/50 milers
All drop bags must be clearly marked with runner name and bib number. Drop bags will only be used at North Indian Creek, except 100 milers can also leave a drop bag at the Big Elk Aid Station located at the start/finish
**No drop bags for 50k runners
50 mile drop bags location: Mile 9, 29
100 mile drop bags location : Mile 21, 41, 50, 59, 79
**Drop bags will be returned to the finish line by 3pm Saturday-- Runners who need their bag earlier can go pick it up at Indian Creek
Course Information:
CUTOFFS
You need to be aware of your limitations! The following cutoffs are very generous and are strictly enforced.
½ marathon: Your cut-off to finish is 1:00pm (6 hours)
50k, 50 mile, 100 mile: Finish-line cutoff is 6:00pm
North Indian Creek Cutoff is 11am on Saturday for the following mileage points:
50k (mile 9), 50 mile (mile 29), 100 mile (mile 79)
**100 milers also have a 11pm Friday cutoff at N. Indian at mile 41 and a half-way cutoff of 2am on Saturday at Big Elk (mile 50)
**New in 2023: The Dry Canyon cut-off (for heading up to the Cabin Creek turn-around point) is 3pm on Saturday. To be clear: If you leave the Dry Canyon AS at 3:01pm, you will go DIRECTLY to the finish *(DNF)
REQUIRED RACE GEAR
All racers will be expected to take care of themselves and also to help other racers in need. Carry adequate water and food and a personal first-aid kit. 50/100 milers are highly encouraged to carry a hand-held water filtration system to use on Paradise Loop. GPX map files are available on our website and we HIGHLY RECOMMEND that all racers download their race course onto a GPS watch or a phone. Weather can change quickly-- Carry proper clothing for all conditions.
ADDITIONAL RACE RULES
All runners must check in and out of every aid station. Runners may not accept aid outside of aid stations (crew may help at North Indian Creek Aid Station and at Big Elk mile 50). Runners must stay on marked trails at all times, following our highly reflective trail markers and posted directional signs. The only bathroom facilities are located at Big Elk and North Indian Creek Aid Stations-- All other potty stops should be dispersed OFF-TRAIL (not at wilderness aid stations). DOGS: We love dogs! But no dogs allowed at the race. Leashed pups at the campground are fine (but not at the finish area)
MEDICAL/EMERGENCY INFO
Aid Stations will be equipped with basic medical supplies and emergency personnel. Anybody in need of an IV will receive a DNF. Also, our aid stations are not equipped to give fluids so please BE WISE!! Be nice to all medical personnel and help them do their job by staying hydrated and staying within your capabilities at all times!
AID STATIONS
A variety of food and drink items including medical supplies and miscellaneous items like bug spray, etc, will be available at all aid stations. Honey Stinger Gels and Tailwind are available at every aid station. Standard race fare such as ginger ale, chips, candy, and additional, more substantial foods will also be available. Aid stations are run by VOLUNTEERS who are doing their best to help you finish your race. Please be gracious and supportive of all volunteers-- Any complaints can be made to the race-board at any time, but volunteers are off-limits for complaints! The backcountry aid stations filter water from nearby creeks and especially for the 50k’ers, may momentarily run out of water due to high demand so ALL runners MUST fill up all water (prefer 2L per runner) at N. Indian Cr, and then plan to TOP OFF at Garden Gnome AS. Planning to fill up empty containers at Garden Gnome may cause you to wait in line at Garden Gnome AS, especially during the 50k.
PACERS
100 milers can have 1 pacer at a time, and pacers must wear a ‘pacer’ bib that will be picked up at packet pickup.. Pacers can start anytime after mile 41 at North Indian Creek and can be switched at mile 50, 59, or 79.
SPECTATOR/CREW REGULATIONS:
Racers are responsible for their crew and/or spectators. Please share the following race rules and info with all crew and family/spectators:
Parking at the start/finish: Spectators/Crew are asked to carpool and DRIVE CAREFULLY!
Parking at North Indian Creek Aid Station: Crew for 50k, 50 milers, and 100 milers. Parking on the road is just fine once the aid station parking lot is full. Please do not ‘camp-out’ at the station hours and hours in advance of your runner’s arrival. And once your runner is gone, please exit the station quickly and safely.
THERE IS NO CAMPING AT THE N. INDIAN CR. TRAILHEAD PARKING LOT- Crew/family who attempt to set up tents, RVs, hammocks, etc at this station will risk a DQ for their runner
Hiking: Due to the high number of runners on the trail, non-racers/pacers do not hike into remote aid stations.
FINISH LINE: Crew/family are always eager to wait at the top of the steps for their runner-- And while we love and encourage those special moments, we do ask that family/crew do not gather and wait at the top of the final steps until until their runner's name is called by the announcer (giving crew 2-3 minutes to gather up) and then after the finish line is crossed, finishers and their crew/family are asked to move 'quickly' to the designated spectator's area to allow more spaces at the finish line. Remember that dogs are not allowed in the finish-line area.
AWARDS
All locally designed and crafted... Overall top-3 awards, age group winners, and all finishers receive a unique award!
RACE SPONSORS
Please show your gratitude to our sponsors, and be sure to tell them THANKS for supporting the Palisades Ultra! Sponsors List: Squirrel Nut Butter, UltrAspire, PickPT, Tailwind, and Pulse Running.
TRAIL MARKERS:
**Remember:
NEVER leave a perfectly good trail (unless our markers/signs indicate that you should!)
Take your TIME at intersections!
If you have to step off trail for a potty break, and you are a back-of-the-pack runner… Be sure to leave a backpack or something on the trail so the sweepers don’t pass you by!
SOME SECTIONS might not have a race markers for 1/2 a mile or more--Don't worry, all turns are WELL MARKED and there will be plenty of confidence markers as well!
Pictures and details on markings: https://www.palisadesultra.com/course-markings
WEATHER-REPORT (1 week out):
Highs around 87 degrees and sunny. Things can be cooler up high, especially at night and at the start.
POST-RACE FOOD:
All runners receive a ticket for 1 post-race meal. Family and friends are asked to ‘donate’ a minimum of $10 per person to eat at the finish line. Please pre-pay for tickets on UltraSignup if possible, we prefer cash but should be able to take a card.
PURCHASE MEAL VOUCHERS by Wednesday of race week on ULTRASIGNUP:
The finish-line meal is professionally cooked and prepared... ALL meals will be served in a clamshell bowl, so you can grab your food and eat right there, or take your meal anywhere else to eat.
RACE MERCHANDISE NEW IN 2023:
WE SHOULD HAVE A WORKING INTERNET CONNECTION TO ALLOW FOR CREDIT CARD SALES OF PREVIOUS-YEAR SHIRTS, CUSTOM BOCO HATS AND VISORS, CUSTOM VACCUM BOTTLES, AND MORE! CHECK OUT THE SALES BOOTH AT THE MAIN LODGE AT REGISTRATION OR AFTER YOUR RACE TO SCORE SOME SWEET SWAG!
Pricing will be cheaper for some items as these on the website include shipping:
LAST MINUTE CANCELLATIONS/ DROP-DOWN IN DISTANCE:
We will not be able to change your distance since all but the 100 are full. If something comes up this week that will prevent you from running, we would appreciate an email letting us know but any runners that didn't cancel after 11:59pm on Sunday will receive a DNS.
SINCERELY,
YOURS IN BLOOD, SWEAT, AND STINGING NETTLE,
THE PALISADES ULTRA RACE BOARD