Punxsutawney Phil won’t be the only trail animal out of hibernation on Groundhog Day. Come run with all your Trail Animal Running Club friends in the latest version of the TARC 100, The TARCtic Frozen Yeti Trail Races.
RACES: There will be two categories to chose from, Ultra (STARTS SATURDAY) or 15 Mile (STARTS SUNDAY MORNING AT 8:00). In the Ultra category, starting very early Saturday morning, you will have 30 hours to run the 15mile course as many times as you want, 30 to 100+miles. Minimum distance for the Ultra category is 30M, but any amount of 15Ms beyond that counts for your finish distance, so 30,45,60,etc.
And for those who want to join in the fun for a single time around the course, we’re offering a 15mile race starting SUNDAY MORNING (please note this. 15mile race starts on SUNDAY!!!).
COURSE: The course was created by our very own Josh Katzman and is a tri-loop design with a heated lodge at the center (think of a cloverleaf). With each leaf of the clover being about 4-5 miles, you will never be more than 2-2.5 miles from a heated Lodge as you explore the varied terrain and scenery of Hale reservation. Josh has had a ton of fun incorporating trails never before used in TARC races, so you can look forward to a whole new experience at Hale!
AID STATION: There will be ONE centrally located Aid Station (the heated Lodge) with food, water, and your Drop Bag.
PACERS: Are allowed beyond 60 Miles and encouraged for anyone going through the night.
SAFETY: February weather in New England can be anywhere from cold to deadly. Every runner is ultimately 100% responsible for themselves out on the course and must know their own cold weather running needs and limitations. That being said, we are taking safety VERY seriously as you will be in below freezing temperatures for extended periods of time and an injury can quickly turn into a life or death situation without the proper supplies. There WILL be required gear every runner MUST carry at ALL times during the event. You can expect this list to contain logical items that most of us would carry on a long, long run alone on trails.
A required gear list will be finalized as we get closer to race date but will most likely include common basic cold weather race requirements like: glovesx 2, hat x2, midweight warm layer, waterproof shell, hand & foot heaters, emergency blanketx2, whistle, headlamp, front & rear red blinking lights etc. In the event of extremely cold weather predictions, the decision to implement an “Extreme Cold Weather Required Gear List” will be announced within 36 hours of the event, which might include: full change of clothes ( pants/long sleeve insulated top/socks), emergency bivy, sleeping bag rated 15F or below, etc.
REQUIRED READING: We will periodically post links, on the TARC100 Facebook page, to useful articles regarding cold weather training and racing to help you prepare for your successful race.
SWAG: Every runner that preregisters by December 2nd will receive a logo printed Emergency Whistle and a Race Logo Printed Buff. Every finisher of every distance will receive a yummy edible finishers item. There will probably be baby Yetis for Top 3 Male and Female in the 15 Mile category. Ultra distance finishers will receive a surprise super cool , everyday useful “Finishers” item with the race logo on it. 100 Mile finishers will also receive a TARC100 buckle!
HOODIES & T-SHIRTS: Available for prepurchase , until Dec 2nd, while you are registering. Unisex Pullover Hoodie and Gender Specific long sleeve t-shirt . These items are only available for prepurchase during registration , before Dec 2nd, and pick up on race day. These will not be mailed. We will not be purchasing any extra to sell on race day so order yours during registration.
Sign up today and come Run Like A FROZEN Trail Animal with all your TARC friends!
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