To: All Who are Registered for Run The Farm
Welcome to the first ever Run The Farm 5 mile Trail Race!
Race director Tony Godino, working closely with Rob Cummings, has been busy over the last few months testing the course, gathering and organizing volunteers, designing the t-shirt, getting a handle on the logistics, and spreading the word about this fantastic trail race.
Below are some important instructions regarding the race. The Muscoot Farm park staff, Westchester County police, and our volunteers will all be working to make it a great day and leave lasting memories for each of you. We are especially excited about the kids race and have over 200 kids registered for Kids Run The Farm! CHECK KIDS RACE LOGISTICS email sent previously (and also posted at website) if you have kids registered to race. They will help you on race morning!
Here are some tips that you can incorporate into your plan for the morning:
1) ARRIVE EARLY! Please plan to arrive at the park at least 30 minutes before your race (kids race is 8:30am, 5 miler is 9:15am). Car pool if you can. The main parking is on the east side of Route 100 across from the main park. It is in a grass field and there will be Westchester County Police Officers directing the traffic and making sure pedestrian traffic is safe when crossing the busy Route 100. DO NOT PARK BETWEEN THE ORANGE CONES ON EITHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. If the field parking fills up you will be allowed to park on the shoulder of the road beyond the cones. Bib pickup will be inside the white barn near the antique red tractor.
2) DRIVE SLOWLY and CAREFULLY in the Lot! Watch the volunteers who are directing the parking. PARK TIGHT! Plan ahead — consolidate 2 cars into one if you can.
3) LISTEN TO PRE-RACE ANNOUNCEMENTS! Race Director Tony Godino will have important information about the course and safety. Danny Martin will recite a brief poem to set the tone. The official race starter will be introduced, and you will be off into the woods before you know it.
4) LISTEN FOR THE START! Something you have most likely never heard before will usher runners on their way…
5) IF YOU NEED TO STOP ON THE COURSE, pull off to the side! Especially at the beginning of the race which will be crowded. The start of the course has 0.5 mile of dirt farm roads then 0.2 mile of meadow so there should be plenty of room to pass. After then it is mostly single track trails with a few meadows.
6) STAY ON COURSE IF YOU CAN’T CONTINUE! There will be a “sweep” running the course following the slower runners. If for any reason you can’t continue, wait for the sweep runner to get to you to assess your needs. If necessary, aid can come to you on the trail.
7) THERE IS NO SAME DAY REGISTRATION! We don’t know exactly how many runners the course can take but we are comfortable with the size of the registered field.
8) RESULTS: Printed lists of finishers with time and place will be available soon after the finish at the bib pickup area and shortly after that on the website. Check it out at http://www.runthefarm.org/results We will announce the winners of the kids and the 5 mile race after the 5 mile race is completed.
9) THANK A VOLUNTEER! A tremendous amount of volunteer effort has gone into creating this new event. If you see a volunteer please say hello. This event would not be possible without their help. We also would like to thank the Somers Volunteer Fire Department for having their dedicated EMS crew standing by in case they are needed. We are also grateful for the wonderful cooperation from Sue Moga and the Muscoot Farm staff and the County of Westchester Parks, Recreation and Conservation Dept.
10) SPEND YOUR FARM BUCKS! Every finisher of the 5 Mile race will be handed one $5 “Farm Bucks” bill. The Kids Run The Farm finishers will get a $2 Farm Buck bill. These Farm Bucks can be used like real dollars (on race day) at the Muscoot Farmers Market right near the finish area of the race. Our intent is to encourage runners to check out the market. We will reimburse the Farmers at the end of the market.
11) Please remember that because of the incompatibility with the farm animals there are NO DOGS ALLOWED at Muscoot.
Remember, leave only footprints, take only pictures…
See you this Sunday at the Farm!
Good luck and have fun,
Mike, Rob, Judy, Tony and Dave and all of the dedicated volunteers
PS: Click here for Map and Directions to the Farm:
http://runthefarm.org/directions/
and here for a map of the course:
http://runthefarm.org/course-map/
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