Dec 10-11, 2016 The Hitchcock Experience 13.1, 50 and 100 Mile Endurance Runs Greater Omaha Area Trail Runners (G.O.A.T.z) Web Facebook Twitter Instagram
2016 Hitchcock Experience 13.1, 50 and 100 Mile Endurance Runs Race Date: Saturday, December 10-11, 2015 Race Start: Hitchcock Nature Center, 27792 Ski Hill Loop, Honey Creek, IA 51542 Start Time: 13.1 and 100 Milers - 5:00 a.m. / 50 Milers 9 p.m. The Hitchcock Experience: The Hitchcock Experience 13.1, 50 and 100 Mile Endurance Runs are created by the Greater Omaha Area Trail Runners (G.O.A.T.z) with the support of our generous sponsors and most graciously, that of the Hitchcock Nature Center and Pottawatamie County Conservation Board. We aim to be strong and proud supporters of the natural resources our area has to offer while providing events such as the Hitchcock Experience which help to support our mission. The Hitchcock Experience extends our reach within the Greater Omaha Area to the other side of the river. Hitchcock Nature Center in the Loess Hills overlooking the Missouri River valley is the venue for the Hitchcock Experience. The trails at Hitchcock will provide a stern challenge to even the most prepared runner. All three races take place entirely within the nature center and adjoining private property. About Hitchcock Nature Center: Travel: The Hitchcock Nature Center exists to develop and foster appreciation and understanding of the Loess Hills as a globally significant landform through land management, environmental education and lowimpact recreation. Acquired by Pottawattamie County in 1991, Hitchcock Nature Center (HNC) currently consists of 1,268 acres located in the heart of the globally significant Loess Hills. The drive to Hitchcock Nature Center from anywhere in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro area is no more than 45 minutes. The drive from downtown Omaha is approximately 30 minutes and 20 minutes from Council Bluffs, IA. Lodging: We have not contracted with a host hotel, however, there are a number of lodging options in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area within reasonable driving distance of the nature center. See http://travelcouncilbluffs.com/ or http://www.visitomaha.com/ for lodging options and other activities to do while in town. Limited tent camping and RV pads are available at Hitchcock. Contact us at hitchcockhundred@irunwithgoats.org if you are interested in camping on race weekend. Packet Pickup: Friday, December 9 from 2 p.m. 6 p.m. Canfield s Sporting Goods (800) 333-2263 8457 W Center Rd, Omaha, NE 68124
Course: Half Marathon and 100 Milers (1 st Loop): The addition of the half marathon brings a minor course change for 100 milers. ALL half marathoners and 100 milers will run their first loop together. The loop is approximately 13.4 miles long and includes the addition of private pasture land on the southeastern edge of the park. Half marathoners, your race is complete when you reach when you reach the finish line at the base of the tower at the Loess Hills Lodge. 100 milers (Loops 2 8): refuel at the lodge before heading back to the course for loops 2-8. Your remaining loops will be on an abbreviated 12.4 mile course. 50 milers (All Loops): Your race consists of 4 loops of the abbreviated 12.4 mile course for a total of 49.6 miles. Elevation change for the half marathon is just under 6,000 feet. Elevation change for the abbreviated 12.4 mile loops is just under 5,000 feet per loop for a grand total of 19,712 feet for your 50 miles and over 39,400 feet for the 100. To put it mildly, you WILL get a workout. There are no exceptionally long climbs, however, there are many, and most offer short, steep climbs and descents. Don t fret though, it s not all climbing and descending, there are several optimally placed, relatively flat stretches. Course maps for both versions are available online at two locations. Google My Maps and Elevate My Race. Elevate provides an interactive maps with elevation chart and change. Google My Maps Elevate My Race Half Marathon and 100 Mile (1st loop) Half Marathon and 100 Mile (1st Loop) 50 Mile (all loops) and 100 Mile (loops 2-8) 50 Mile (all loops) and 100 Mile (loops 2-8) Race start times: 13.1 And 100 Miles: 5:00 a.m. 50 Miles: 9 p.m. You read that right. P.M. is not a misprint. The time was selected deliberately and with the intention that 50 milers will have the benefit of the shorter distance with the experience of the 100 milers. *** Headlamps required It s not technically winter yet, but it s close enough, which means the days are short and nights are long. Sunrise is 7:30 a.m. and sunset is 5:00 p.m. All races start in the dark. Most 100 mile racers will see two sunrises, and many 50 milers will see the sunrise on the 11 th. This means you will not only need a headlamp or other light source, we require it. Parking and Driving Within Park: Parking is limited. Please heed the instructions of our parking volunteers when arriving at the park. We will do our best to keep you as close to your vehicle as possible, however, most runners will have a short walk of up to a 1/3 mile to the start/finish.
Driving within the park - SLOW is the word of the day when driving within the park or for crew traffic between the start/finish (main lodge) and Ralph s Canteen (campground); the only two crew accessible locations at Hitchcock, on race weekend. Be aware that the roadway within the park is very narrow and does not allow for two way vehicle traffic in all places. The distance between the start/finish (main lodge) and Ralph s canteen (campground) is a mere 1 mile drive or walk. Vehicle traffic will be going back and for between the two locations all weekend long. Please remind crew members, family, or friends who may come out to see you of this and request their cooperation throughout the days Aid Stations: Each loop contains three fully stocked and manned aid stations. A fourth minimally staffed aid station will be located near mile 9.5 of each loop. The Lodge aka Beacon of Hope/Despair (start/finish). Drop bags, crew access, pacer pickup Ralph s (the campground) at approximately 3.65 miles. Named in honor of Ralph Hohneke, who has so graciously allowed us to run on his property on race weekend. Crew access and pacer pickup is available here. The Oasis at approximately 6.75 miles. The Oasis located at the end of short out and back on the west edge of the nature center. Note: there is absolutely no crew access at the Oasis. Loess Hills Nordic Ski Patrol (9.5 miles). This aid station will be minimally staffed by volunteers of the Loess Hills Nordic Ski Patrol. We will have limited hydration here to include water and Tailwind. Plan according at the Oasis and DO NOT expect food or other calories here. Our aid stations will make every effort to limit waste. Cups will be limited to soft drinks and hot soups or drinks. Because of this all runners must carry a bottle or hydration pack. This is not optional. 100 milers will receive an insulated 23 ounce Orange Mud Purist valued at $20. Aid Station Preference: In addition to average ordinary ultra race staples, our Aid Station captains are given free rein to make the aid station theirs. You will find a variety of other food choices throughout the race, which may include grilled cheese, other soups, pancakes, bacon, etc. Note: we will do our best to provide you with a variety of food options throughout your race, however, all items listed here may be not available each trip through. Please understand and adjust to what is available at the time you visit. We cannot accommodate special dietary needs for each of our runners. If you have a special requirement, please be sure to keep it in your drop bag or with a crew member.
Remember, our aid station workers are volunteers. Many of them have agreed to spend most if not all of their weekend to serve you. Please thank them for their time and service, over, and over again.
Drop Bags: The lodge is the only drop bag location. We will not transport bags to any other aid station location. Crew may meet you at Ralph s aid station if necessary. Crew access is NOT allowed at the Oasis Pacers: Allowed after 50 miles for 100 mile runners only. Required to wear a pacer bib while on course with their runner. Bibs may be picked up at the courtesy desk near the start/finish Pacers may eat and drink at the aid stations. Pacers may join their runner at either the start/finish (at main lodge) or at Ralph s Canteen (campground). Please do not attempt to join your runner at any other course location. Muling is not allowed. Runners must continue carrying their own supplies even after you have joined them. Crew access: As noted above, crew access is available at the start/finish (at main lodge) and at Ralph s (campground) only. DO NOT attempt to meet your runner at the Oasis aid station. Course marking: Course markings will consist of 36" stakes consisting of reflective PVC, and bright orange ribbons, green, pink, or yellow signs with black arrows, and flour arrows for ground markings (weather permissible). The stakes will be placed close enough that you should always be able to see the next trail marker. You should never have long stretches of wondering if you re going in the right direction. Intersections and turns will be marked with signs, arrows, caution tape, and pennant flags. Lastly, areas which require two way traffic will be marked with signs labeled "two way traffic begins" upon entering and "two way traffic ends" upon exiting. Bibs: Each runner will receive two bibs with their packets. One with your racer number, and another reflective cloth bib with the Hitchcock Experience logo and elevation chart. Aid station volunteers will check you in every time you arrive at each aid station. For this reason, it is imperative that the bib with your number is worn on your front and visible at all times. The secondary bib is yours to keep as a souvenir of the race or place on your back as a reflective reference point for other runners to use when approaching you from behind. Timing: The 2016 races will be chip timed. Runners will be equipped with one chip which must be attached to a shoe or hip, and one chip which will be affixed to your bib. As a backup, we will collect your arrival times at each aid station and upon exiting the start finish. You must ensure we have checked you in every time. Racer times will be updated online throughout the race as our internet connection permits at: https://www.facebook.com/hitchcockhundred DNF / Drops: 100 milers who wish to drop after 50 miles will be shown as dropped to 50, credited with a 50 mile finish and their 50 mile time entered into the results. There is NO dropdown option for 50 or 100 milers to the Half Marathon. Drops are NOT eligible for awards.
Weather: Weather in December in the Midwest can be unpredictable. Average temps are highs in the mid to upper 30 s and lows in the mid to upper 20 s, however, you should come prepared for any temperature range and any weather condition. Required Items: Headlamp or illumination device Water bottle or Hydration Pack Recommended Items: Extra shoes (screws highly recommended - http://skyrunner.com/screwshoe.htm) Clothing (multiple layers) Wet and cold weather gear Special dietary needs Course Cutting: Don t Do It! We expect integrity at all times. Cheating affects your fellow runners and diminishes your accomplishment. Runners caught cutting the course are subject to the decisions of race directors and may find themselves disqualified. If you come across an area that you feel is not clearly marked, please let the nearest aid station know. The will relay the info to race management and we will correct it ASAP. Awards: 100 Milers: ALL 100 milers who finish within the 34 hour time limit will receive a custom finishers buckle and 100 mile medal. 100 milers who finish after the time limit will still receive the medal. 50 Milers: ALL 50 milers or Dropped to 50 receive a custom 50 mile medal. 100 Milers who drop to 50 are not eligible for any other award Half Marathoners: ALL half marathon finishers receive a custom medal 1 st Place Overall Male and Females in each race will receive a custom, hand-crafted award Lost and Found: We understand drop bags and other items are forgotten after your race, however, we will not ship any items left behind. They will be donated to a local charity. Littering: Pack it in, pack it out. Hang on to trash it until you reach the nearest aid station. Littering reflects poorly on us and you. Attitude: We have thoroughly enjoyed organizing the Hitchcock Experience. Our volunteers will bring their A games and usual positive attitudes and see to it that you have every opportunity to leave Hitchcock successful. We hope your run the first weekend of December are challenging, memorable, and enjoyable. Feedback: We welcome your feedback and take the input of our runners seriously. Please let us know how your race was by sending race reports or comments to: hitchcockhundred@irunwithgoats.org
Thank You Sponsors: Canfield s Sporting Goods, Patagonia, A Cup of Content, Handyman Joe s, Red Dirt Running Company, Nebraska Orthopaedic Hospital, Mama s Pizza, Intellegen Technology, C.O.R.E. Sports Performance and Physical Therapy, Palmer Massage Therapy, Orange Mud Special thanks to the staff at Hitchcock Nature Center and to the Pottawatamie County Conservation Board for their cooperation and willingness to work with us and allowing us, and you to take over the park for a weekend. And to our volunteers, it can never be said enough how valuable they are to a successful G.O.A.T.z event. We ve said it before and we ll say it again, there are none better.