Entrant Instructions

29th Annual TD Banknorth Craftsbury Marathon Tour Entrant Instructions
X-C Ski TOUR
25 KM DISTANCE CLASSICAL TECHNIQUE
March 7, 2010

Get Ready for the 2010 Craftsbury Marathon: If you don't have at least an advanced intermediate skill level we highly recommend you follow the Three Month Training Plan prepared by our Head Ski Instructor, Pepa Miloucheva.

Car Pooling to Craftsbury Common: We encourage all participants to carpool to the marathon. Car-pooling to the marathon will reduce congestion and crowded parking. It will also help save our limited petroleum resources and reduce one of the causes of global warming. Global warming is very bad for cross-country skiing! We are recommending our clients use eRideShare.com for carpool information.

Travel Directions: From South take route 14 to South Craftsbury Road or from North take route 14 to North Craftsbury Road. Travel east on either one of these town roads about 3 miles up to Craftsbury Common.

Parking: Parking will be at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center

Race day bib and packet pickup at Craftsbury Outdoor Center at the Yurt: Opens at 7:00 AM Tourers must pick up their packets by 9:00 AM All skiers must confirm information including name, address, sex, age class, as posted on the Alfa list and on your race packet label. On line registration will close March 28. After that registration will available up to day of tour in person with a $20 surcharge fee. An adult should accompany children under the age of 14. You will be issued an info packet with lunch ticket, course map, and a bib. Marathon tourers will be issued paper souvenir bibs which you may keep and must be visible throughout the tour.

Toilets: Portable toilets at Craftsbury Outdoor Center parking lot and at Highland lodge parking lot

Buses: Free busses will shuttle between Craftsbury Center and the Highland Lodge, about a 20-minute drive. The shuttle will run between 8:00 and 9:30 AM. There are warm indoor spaces and food served at Highland Lodge area, and portable toilets at the Craftsbury Center. There will be only limited parking space at highland Lodge.

Waiting at the Start: There is no need to wait outside at the Start. You can depart after checking with the starter any time between 9:00 and 10:00 AM

Course Marshals: Marshals will enforce the cut off times. You must have your bib number visible at all times on the outside your parka.

Technique: This is a Classical technique tour. Skating is not permitted. Using skating technique will ruin the machine set classical tracks for everyone behind you.

25 km course: The course will be marked with black arrows on a yellow background and flagged its entire length. Be careful to follow the flagging at all intersections. The course will also be marked with kilometer signs. See the map for food station locations and menu, road crossings, first aid stations, marshal stations, You will finish at the Center after completing the 25 km point to point course. There is no 50 km tour. The course is open only to registered participants wearing a bib on marathon day.

Road Crossings: Road Crossings will not be covered with snow for the Tour. Take off your skis and walk across the road after carefully checking for approaching motor vehicles.

Danger Areas: There are several spots on the course where the trail makes very sharp turns on fast down hill sections. These will be marked with signs. Use extra caution; expect ruts, scraped icy areas, and fallen skiers ahead. Ski under control at all times.

Snowmobiles: There are several sections where the course crosses a snowmobile trail. Tracks may be obliterated. Please be cautious and polite in the vicinity of snowmobiles.

Cut off/aid station closure times: For safety reasons we will be strictly enforcing the following cut off times even in the event of a delayed start. This means Marathon participants will not be permitted to continue on the course after the cutoff time:

• Craftsbury Road 12 Noon
• Craftsbury Village 1:00 PM
• Craftsbury Center 2:00 PM
   

Drop out info: If you need to drop out, or if you miss a cut off time you must report your bib number to a race marshal at the aid station or at the finish. Please do not leave the race or tour without making sure a race official has accounted for you. We may be searching for you if you if you are reported missing.

First Aid: First aid will be available at the Outdoor Center and Craftsbury Common stations. If you notice someone in need of help on the course please report his or her bib number and location relative to the nearest kilometer sign at the next station.

Food Stations: Food stations will be located at approximately 5 kilometer intervals along the course serving "gourmet" items. You can expect delicacies such as pastries, home made muffins, hearty soups, hot bread, and other tasty treats served at the along the way. The first course will be at the Highland Lodge. The 2nd course will be courtesy of Claire's Restaurant on Craftsbury Road, the 3rd and 4th courses will be served in Craftsbury Village including at the Craftsbury Inn and at the newly reopened Craftsbury General Store. The final course will be at the Craftsbury outdoor Center

Distance Medals: All tourers completing the full 25-kilometer course will be awarded a specially designed enameled Craftsbury Marathon pin at the finish line.

Post Race Meal: The last "feed station" will be at the finish. A hearty lunch of Pasta, salad, cookies and drinks will be served from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM at the Craftsbury Dining Hall. You must present a meal ticket or purchase one for $5.

Results: The names of all tour finishers will be posted on our web site. We encourage all racers and tourers to fill out the event evaluation form on our web site so we can improve the event next year.

Delayed start/course shortening/back up course site/postponement: If the weather conditions require, the start may be delayed and/or the course shortened. In the unlikely case of an extreme thaw, icy conditions or severe wind chill, the tour and race may be relocated as late as the morning of the event. If the race is relocated you will ski on a 12.5 km loop, 2 laps. In the event of lack of snow or forecast severe weather conditions the marathon may be cancelled

Next years date: The 30th Annual TD Bank Craftsbury Marathon will be a 25 and 50-kilometer event held on Saturday, January 29th, 2011. REGISTER EARLY AND ON LINE!!! The marathon fills quickly. We will be accepting registrations for the 30th Annual Marathon starting on November 1, 2010.

New England Nordic Ski Association sponsors a four event Marathon Series, all with a touring division: For more information go to www.NENSA.net.