Thank you for signing up for the Hairy Gorilla Half Marathon and Squirrelly Six Mile!

We can't wait to see you this Sunday! To maximize the fun, please read this email fully.

NINE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

  1. The event is on Sun, 10/27 staged from Horseshoe II Pavilion at Thacher Park.
    8:55am - Costume Contest & Gorilla Imperation Contest at the Start Line
    ~9am- Kids Race 
    9:30am - Start of 6M / 13.1M
    11am - 6M Awards
    12pm - 13.1M Awards
  2. You will drive to/park at this location.
  3. Water Stop Info - Use of your own water carrying containers (ie. bottles/hydration packs) is encouraged to reduce waste/litter (but yes, there will be cups if needed).
  4. We're having a BBQ/Pot Luck! We'll provide the burgers/dogs/veggie versions - you provide the rest! (We welcome your consideration of contributing with any food/beverage you'd like to share.)
  5. The Costume Contest and Gorilla Impersonation Contest will be a hoot! Be sure to join us to either participate or watch.We encourage you to dress up for the race! And we have AMAZING PIES for the winner of each contest!
  6. Awards: Top 3 M/F Overall (super cute gorilla and squirrelly trophies) and Top 3 M/F in the age group awards (delicious homemade cookies) [14-u,15-19, 10 yr groups to 70+]
  7. Packet Pick-up: is exclusively available on race morning starting at 8am in Horseshoe II Pavilion. Have friends who want to sign-up? Race Day registrations are also being accepted. ($5 for the kids race, $45 for the 6M, $60 for the 13.1M)
  8. Giveaway/Merchandise: As indicated on the reg page, there is not an included merchandise item with your registration. There will be event-branded items for sale on-site.
  9. Fun: Be prepared to have it! :)

 

GENERAL EVENT SCHEMATIC

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PLEASE ALSO NOTE

  1. Plan to arrive between 7:45am and 8:45am on race day. The parking lot is about 200 meters from the pavilion.
  2. 35 are in the kids race! We encourage you to cheer for them (9AM start)!
  3. The six mile and half marathon share the same first 5.75m before splitting. If you signed up for the 13.1M but decide to do the 6M instead literally during the race, please tell our timer at the finish line when you finish.
  4. Race Day Forecast: Clear skies, starting in the upper 30s and rising to the upper 40s.
    Be sure to bring warm clothes (especially for after you finish and are hanging out), extra shoes, and anything else you might desire.
  5. The park charges a $6 parking fee (per car).
    If you pre-purchased your parking pass, you will receive a separate email that you will show on your phone (or print/show) when you arrive. 
    If not pre-purchased, you will have to purchase it upon entry.

 

THE COURSE, ITSELF | See the Course Map 

This is a trail race at a park that sits nearly 1,000 feet above the city of Albany. It is beautiful! There are also treacherous sections. Please be mindful of leaves covering roots and rocks, etc.

If you have never run on trails before, welcome to trail running. :) You will be running mainly on dirt and rock, with some grass sections as well. Repeated: this is a trail race. 

Will my feet get wet?
Not really. The course is super dry right now. (Some years it's been really wet - not this year.)
 

STAY LEFT
There is one section (from 3.2m until 3.9m) that is an out/back with two-way traffic. Please stay to your LEFT. It is definitely wide for 1 or 2 people in each direction; just please keep your eyes open and up.

Also note about the course:

  • The course is marked with orange and pink flags in the ground.
  • At some locations, pink flagging tape is attached to these flags. Always follow the flags! Go where they go!
  • Do NOT trust the person in front of you - what if they are just wandering through the woods? Make sure you can see the markings too - especially important after Mile 8 when people are spread out and there are many intersections. The course is well marked - be alert/pay attention at all intersections.

The views are amazing! Here's many pictures from the course.

 

COURSE CUT-OFF

  1. All participants must be faster than 17:00 per mile to progress on the course.
  2. At 1:17:30 (~10:48am / 13:30 pace) - Half Marathon participants not past 5.75 miles will be re-directed to finish the 6m (and be considered an official 6M finisher). 
  3. At 3:15:00 (~12:45pm / 15:00 pace) - Entire course cut-off (all event operations cease).

 

VOLUNTEERS

An event like this relies considerably on volunteers. We will have upwards of 20+ on the course, not to mention many others assisting in various roles. Be sure to thank them. We could also use a few more course marshals in the final few miles of the 13.1 - if you know of anyone who can help, have them sign-up here.

 

LASTLY

This event is brought to you by the Albany Running Exchange, a Capital Region based running club, and ARE Event Productions, the company that produces races for ARE and assists countless others. In short, we LOVE our running community, and whether you're a regular or brand new to our events, we can't wait to see you. Let's have some fun. :)

Josh Merlis and the ARE Event Productions Team

 

Unanswered questions? Refer to the event website for additional information. If you have a question, please leave a note on the AREEP Facebook Page (if an option for you) so the answer is publicly available. Otherwise, reply to this email.