 | Thank you for signing up for the upcoming Blankets Creek Trail Run on April 3rd. This race update goes over our race day and start procedures for the upcoming event. Knowing these procedures will help us ensure we have a safe and smooth event for everyone. We look forward to seeing everyone on April 3rd! KEY DETAILS YOU NEED TO KNOW/ACTION ITEMS: ▪ OPTIONAL early check-in Thursday April 1st from 4 to 7 pm Outdoors at OutSpokin' Bicycles, 3422 Sixes Rd, Suite 110, Canton, GA 30114. If you check in early, you can go straight to the start line on Saturday morning. (RECOMMENDED especially for Series folks getting Hoodies, but you can still pick up on Saturday morning 6:30 - 7:45 am)
▪ Waivers need to be printed at home, filled out ahead of time, and brought to the race check-in CLICK HERE FOR EVENT WAIVER
▪ No race day distance changes - if you want to change distance, please contact me via email now and I'll get you taken care of. No changes after 3/29.
▪ If you can no longer attend, you may sell your entry to someone else, but this needs to be done by 3/29. Payment is between buyer and seller..all I need is the new runner's name and email no later than 3/29. No late transfers, and no transfers to other events at this point.
▪ We will offer a small group start at 7:30 for those who want to run head-to-head with others. All other runners may start between 7:31 and 8 am in a time trial format. Simply head down to the start area and line up when you are ready to start. You must start by 8 am.
▪ There is a split just before mile 5 where the short course goes left/straight and the long course goes right. READ THE COURSE SIGNS THAT WILL DIRECT YOU. Do not rely soley on a course marshal as they are trying to direct multiple runners that will be coming from different directions.
| ▪ | OPTIONAL early check-in Thursday April 1st from 4 to 7 pm Outdoors at OutSpokin' Bicycles, 3422 Sixes Rd, Suite 110, Canton, GA 30114. If you check in early, you can go straight to the start line on Saturday morning. (RECOMMENDED especially for Series folks getting Hoodies, but you can still pick up on Saturday morning 6:30 - 7:45 am) | | ▪ | No race day distance changes - if you want to change distance, please contact me via email now and I'll get you taken care of. No changes after 3/29. | | ▪ | If you can no longer attend, you may sell your entry to someone else, but this needs to be done by 3/29. Payment is between buyer and seller..all I need is the new runner's name and email no later than 3/29. No late transfers, and no transfers to other events at this point. | | ▪ | We will offer a small group start at 7:30 for those who want to run head-to-head with others. All other runners may start between 7:31 and 8 am in a time trial format. Simply head down to the start area and line up when you are ready to start. You must start by 8 am. | | ▪ | There is a split just before mile 5 where the short course goes left/straight and the long course goes right. READ THE COURSE SIGNS THAT WILL DIRECT YOU. Do not rely soley on a course marshal as they are trying to direct multiple runners that will be coming from different directions. | | CHECK-IN ▪ Saturday Check-in hours are from 6:30 am to 7:45 am. When you arrive, parking helpers will direct you where to park - please park where directed. Overflow parking is at River Church on the side closest to Blankets Creek.
▪ Proceed to appropriate check-in line with waiver. Only one person/family group at each table at a time. If there is a line, please wait at a cone in front of your respective table and maintain 10' spacing between groups. Hand sanitizer will be available.
▪ We are asking all participants to please wear a face covering to pick up your race packet, however you are not required to wear a face covering while racing.
▪ Port-o-lets as well as permanent bathrooms with running water will be available at this venue.
| ▪ | Saturday Check-in hours are from 6:30 am to 7:45 am. When you arrive, parking helpers will direct you where to park - please park where directed. Overflow parking is at River Church on the side closest to Blankets Creek. | | ▪ | Proceed to appropriate check-in line with waiver. Only one person/family group at each table at a time. If there is a line, please wait at a cone in front of your respective table and maintain 10' spacing between groups. Hand sanitizer will be available. | | ▪ | We are asking all participants to please wear a face covering to pick up your race packet, however you are not required to wear a face covering while racing. | | ▪ | Port-o-lets as well as permanent bathrooms with running water will be available at this venue. | RACE PROCEDURES ▪ Make sure your number is pinned on your front - do not bend the foam timing chip. Number belts are fine, just make sure it is on your front as you pass over the timing mats. Your time starts when you cross over the timing mats.
▪ No pre-race group meeting - Consider this your pre-race meeting. Any last minute additions will be posted at check-in so you can photograph and read back at your car.
▪ No Aid Station on 5 mile course - short course riders must be self sufficient and carry their own water and nutrition. There will be a Hammer Gel and Fizz in all race packets.
▪ 8 mile runners will have a small aid station available at Mile 5 before entering the Gnarnia Trails. Aid station will have water, HEED, and Hammer gels. If you take anything from the aid station, you MUST place it in the trash - bottles and cups need to be fully emptied before being put in the trash. No throwing bottles, cups or trash on the ground. Hand sanitizer will be available at the aid station.
▪ Course will be well marked with pink ribbons and pink/black arrow signs at turns. Pink ribbons indicate the direction you want to head and are also used to designate that you are on-course if it has been a while in between turns. Course marshals will be positioned throughout the course for your safety.
▪ Give other folks not in your family/run group at least 6' spacing while at the race venue.
▪ ANNOUNCE if you are passing to runners ahead and say PASSING RIGHT or PASSING LEFT and give them a chance to move to the side. PLEASE BE PATIENT, WORK TOGETHER, BE NICE and give each other space out on the trails.
▪ Once finished, please do not congregate near the finish line. Blankets Creek is a large venue, so please spread out and find your own safe space.
| ▪ | Make sure your number is pinned on your front - do not bend the foam timing chip. Number belts are fine, just make sure it is on your front as you pass over the timing mats. Your time starts when you cross over the timing mats. | | ▪ | No pre-race group meeting - Consider this your pre-race meeting. Any last minute additions will be posted at check-in so you can photograph and read back at your car. | | ▪ | No Aid Station on 5 mile course - short course riders must be self sufficient and carry their own water and nutrition. There will be a Hammer Gel and Fizz in all race packets. | | ▪ | 8 mile runners will have a small aid station available at Mile 5 before entering the Gnarnia Trails. Aid station will have water, HEED, and Hammer gels. If you take anything from the aid station, you MUST place it in the trash - bottles and cups need to be fully emptied before being put in the trash. No throwing bottles, cups or trash on the ground. Hand sanitizer will be available at the aid station. | | ▪ | Course will be well marked with pink ribbons and pink/black arrow signs at turns. Pink ribbons indicate the direction you want to head and are also used to designate that you are on-course if it has been a while in between turns. Course marshals will be positioned throughout the course for your safety. | | ▪ | Give other folks not in your family/run group at least 6' spacing while at the race venue. | | ▪ | ANNOUNCE if you are passing to runners ahead and say PASSING RIGHT or PASSING LEFT and give them a chance to move to the side. PLEASE BE PATIENT, WORK TOGETHER, BE NICE and give each other space out on the trails. | | ▪ | Once finished, please do not congregate near the finish line. Blankets Creek is a large venue, so please spread out and find your own safe space. | RESULTS/AWARDS ▪ Finish times wlll be uploaded to our results website, mgaresults.com , so you can view them on your mobile device from your car or elsewhere at the venue. Keep in mind that with staggered starts, someone who starts after you can still beat you, so your placing may change depending on when you look at it.
▪ Social Distanced 5 mile awards at approximately 9:15 am and 8 mile awards at 10 am in the Festival Lawn area where we can spread out. AWARDS WILL NOT BE MAILED - THEY MUST BE PICKED UP AT THE RACE
| ▪ | Finish times wlll be uploaded to our results website, mgaresults.com , so you can view them on your mobile device from your car or elsewhere at the venue. Keep in mind that with staggered starts, someone who starts after you can still beat you, so your placing may change depending on when you look at it. | | ▪ | Social Distanced 5 mile awards at approximately 9:15 am and 8 mile awards at 10 am in the Festival Lawn area where we can spread out. AWARDS WILL NOT BE MAILED - THEY MUST BE PICKED UP AT THE RACE | | Want to check out our other events? Our 2021 calendar is below - we focus on mountain bike races, trail runs, and off-road duathlons. April 3, 2021 - Blankets Creek Dirty 15/30 Mountain Bike Race - SOLD OUT! April 3, 2021 - Blankets Creek Trail Run May 15, 2021 - Rope Mill Trail Run June 5, 2021 - Assault on Garland Mountain 10k and 13.1 mile trail run June 19, 2021 - Blankets Creek 3/6 Hour Race September 11, 2021 - Fools Gold 38 and 60 Mile MTB Races TENTATIVE October 2, 2021 - Old Copper 30/Big Frog 65/Cohutta 100 MTB Races TENTATIVE October 3, 2021 - Big Frog 50k - 13.1 mile - 7 mile Trail Runs November 13, 2021 - Rope Mill Dirty Duathlon and 5k Trail Run | Hammer Nutrition endurance fuels will be on the course at the 2021 Mountain Goat Adventures Trail Run Series! Hammer’s been supplying athletes with natural products free of added sugars, artificial colors, flavors, chemicals, and preservatives for over 30 years. TRAIL RUN SERIES TIP #3: REPLENISH ELECTROLYTES WITH A BALANCED FORMULA (NOT JUST SALT!) IN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATE FOR CONDITIONS FACT: Salt (sodium chloride) cannot fulfill your entire requirements for electrolytes. The minerals calcium, magnesium, and potassium also must be replenished to ensure the proper functioning of key body systems. In addition, your daily dietary sodium intake, fitness level, acclimatization, and the environmental conditions (heat, humidity, etc.) all affect the number of electrolytes you will need to replenish during exercise. For a balanced, full-spectrum formula of electrolytes, replenish with Endurolytes. Choose regular Endurolytes, Endurolytes Extreme, or Endurolytes Fizz in doses appropriate for the conditions. Follow Hammer Nutrition to their website at Electrolytes to learn more HERE. | TRAIL RUN SERIES TIP #4: BEFORE WORKOUTS AND RACES, CONSUME 300-400 CALORIES. COMPLETE YOUR MEAL 3 HOURS BEFORE YOU START EXERCISE To perform and feel your best during races or workouts, consume no more than 300-400 calories. Choose easily digested, complex carbohydrates, along with a small amount of protein and a little healthy fat. Avoid fiber, simple sugar, and acidic foods. Finish your meal 3 hours before exercise. Eating within 3 hours can seriously hurt your performance by 1) reducing the conversion of fats to fuels, and 2) accelerating glycogen depletion. Tip: If your race is early, don't sacrifice sleep to eat! Instead, consume a small amount of supplemental fuel, such as one Hammer Gel, about 5 minutes before starting. Follow Hammer Nutrition to their website at Pre-Exercise Fueling to learn more HERE. | Thanks for all your support through the years and we hope to see you out on the trails! Chris and Lisa Randall | | |
