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31st Annual TD Bank Craftsbury Marathon Instructions
X-C SKI RACES
25 & 50 KM CLASSICAL TECHNIQUE RACE AND VT HIGH SCHOOL GO THE DISTANCE 11.5
KM TOUR
January 28, 2012
Note: Marathon has been relocated to the Outdoor Center due to low snow conditions.
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: Please do not block roads near Craftsbury Academy. Parking in front of the Academy is reserved for busses. Parking is plentiful at the Dustan Fields lot to the north of the Common.
Friday Night:
6-8 PM in Church on Common basement: Marathon bib and packet pickup, Toko
and Skigo waxing clinic.
6-8 PM in Church on Common basement Pasta feed. Walk ins for pasta feed
welcome if you did not sign up with entry form. Cost: $15 to benefit
Craftsbury Nordic Ski Club Travel Scholarship Fund.
Race day bib and packet pickup at Craftsbury Academy on the Common: Opens at 7:00 AM at Craftsbury Academy Gymnasium on Craftsbury Common. Racers must pick up their packets by 8:30 AM Skiers must confirm information including name, address, sex, age class, start time, club name, NENSA number and distance as posted on the Alfa list and on your bib label. On line registration closed January 22. Registration will available on day of race in person with a $20 surcharge fee if the limit of 1000 participants has not been exceeded. You may change distance or class at registration for a $10 fee. You may not switch bibs or give your bib to someone else. An adult should accompany children under the age of 14. You should pick up a lunch ticket, course map, Racers will be issued a paper souvenir bib which you may keep. It must be visible throughout the race. All racers will be given a "goodie bag with gifts from our sponsors. Additional catalogues and free x-c ski magazines from our sponsors are placed next to our registration table. Help yourself. Please recycle paper in the appropriate containers. If you purchased a tshirt when entering the marathon you should pick that up also.
Toilets: Portable toilets in front of Craftsbury Academy and at the Center (none available inside).
Buses: Free busses will shuttle skiers and volunteers, between Craftsbury Common and the Craftsbury Outdoor Center, about a 10-minute drive. The shuttle will run between 7:00 AM and 3:30 PM. There are warm indoor spaces, an indoor waxing area, and portable toilets at the Craftsbury Center.
Breakfast Food Table: Breakfast Food Table in heated tent in upper soccer field serving hot coffee, tea, cocoa, pastries, fruits before the start.
Race Seeding: In order to reduce congestion on the trail, especially during the start, we ask all racers to self-seed within your designated start wave. This will minimize the amount of unnecessary passing during the first few kilometers and make a safer and more enjoyable event for everyone.
Race Wave Starts: Course marshals will check your bib number and wave number as you enter. It is very important that you start in the correct wave number. Once you have entered the coral you must stay in until your wave starts with the ringing of a bell. NO PARTICIPANTS ARE ALLOWED TO START AFTER 9:15 AM WITH A RACE BIB ATTACHED. THIS WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED. All participants please start off carefully and conservatively so you don't cause a pile up.
Wave 1 9:00 Men Racing
Wave 2 9:05 Women Racing
Wave 3 9:10 Vermont High School Go The Distance
Wave 4 9:15 Recreational Class
Course Checkers: Course checkers will keep track of your progress throughout the race for your safety. They will also enforce the cut off times. You must have your bib number visible at all times on the outside and front of your racing suit.
Technique: This is a Classical technique race. Skating is not permitted. Using skating technique will ruin the machine set classical tracks for everyone behind you. We have a number of course checkers stationed along the trail to enforce these provisions.
Courses: 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 feed locations, shuttle stops, first aid stations, checker stations, and course profile. Note that this year the course is a 11.5 km loop. Classes will race the following number of laps on the 11.5 km loop: full marathon distance is 4 laps, half marathon distance is 2 laps, and Vermont Go the Distance High School Race will do 1 Lap.
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.
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:
No ski racers will be permitted to start a lap of the course after 1:00 PM. We will have a sweeper with a 2 way radio starting around the course at the beginning of the course at 1:00PM. This person will follow the last skier around the course and report to the station chiefs that they can close aid stations and timing.
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 checker at an 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. 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.
Feed Stations: Feed stations will be located at 4 to 6 kilometer intervals along the course serving energy drink, water, granola bars, and Hammer Gel packets for the duration of the race for all participants.
Split and Finish Timing: We may have split timing at each of the laps and of course at the finish. Do not cross the finish line unless you have completed the distance you are registered for. Please inform the timers if you have dropped out or have not completed the entire course you were signed up to race. You may keep your bib as a souvenir of the marathon. If you are signed up for the 50 km race and cross the line after only doing the 25 km you will probably be listed as winning the 50 km and put yourself and the race officials in an embarrassing situation.
Post Race Meal: The last feed station will be at the Common. A hearty lunch of chili, cornbread, salad, and chocolate chip cookies and drinks will be served from 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM at Sterling College 200 meters south on the main street. You must present a meal ticket or purchase one for $6.
West Hill Ski Shop $1200 Cash Purse: Awards to overall top 3 men and women in the 50k at 3 pm in the Craftsbury Academy Gym.
Racer awards and drawing among racers: Awards will be presented in the gym. Again this year, we will be awarding locally hand-crafted pottery bowls to the top three in each 10 year combined racing and recreation class. At 1:00 PM Skiers in the Vermont High School Class will be awarded hand crafted pottery bowls to top three in each grade/gender class. Special "25% club" pins will be awarded to each racer who finishes within 25% of the age/gender class winner. At 2:00 PM prizes will be awarded for the 25 km race to the overall male and female and top three ten-year age/gender class winners followed by a drawing for merchandise prizes among all 25 km racers. At 3:00 PM prizes will be awarded for the 50 km overall male and female and top three ten-year age/gender class winners. A drawing will be held for all volunteers at the end of the season. At 4:30 PM age class awards will be presented to late finishing racers. You must be present to pick up your prize or drawing. Note the recreation class will be timed and scored with the racing classes.
Results and evaluation form: Complete race results will be posted on our web site at www.craftsbury.com and the New England Nordic Ski Association at www.NENSA.net. We encourage all racers to fill out the event evaluation form on our web site so we can improve the event next year.
Delayed start/course shortening: 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 shortened or delayed as late as the morning of the event. In the event of lack of snow or forecast severe weather conditions the marathon may be cancelled. If these conditions prevail check the Craftsbury web site for the latest information on the start/delay/cancellation.
Next years date: Annual TD Bank Craftsbury Marathon will be a 25 and 50-kilometer event held on Saturday, February 2, 2013. REGISTER EARLY AND ON LINE!!! We will be accepting registrations for the 32nd Annual Marathon starting on November 1, 2012.
New England Nordic Ski Association sponsors a four event Marathon Series: NENSA membership is encouraged in order to be included in the interclub competition scoring. For more information go to www.NENSA.net. NENSA does a special recognition of skiers who do all 4 Marathons in the series.
