ATHLETE GUIDE Race start time: 11am Race venue: Aqua Blue Hotel & Conference Center (formerly Village Inn) 1 Beach Street, Narragansett, RI
FROM THE RACE COMMITTEE Last year s inaugural Gansett Half Marathon was one for the books, not only because the weather was about as bad as it possibly could have been, but because of the tremendous response the race received, with 500 runners coming out to run with us (in a Nor Easter), far exceeding our first-year expectations. This year s weather is looking to be much more favorable, but what will not change is the attention to detail and organization that are the hallmarks of Narragansett Running Assocation events. As avid, long-time runners and racers ourselves, we know what separates the good races from the bad races, and we do everything we can to make sure that your experience running Gansett is a great one. We conceived this event as a race put on by runners for runners, and that is our guiding principle as we make all of our race planning decisions. We are so fortunate that we get to run here year-round, and we love being able to share these roads with you on race day. We designed the course to highlight some of the most beautiful, scenic spots that our town has to offer, and we hope that you enjoy both the run and the scenery. This guide should answer any and all questions you may have about race weekend, so please read through it carefully. We look forward to hosting you for the 2 nd annual Gansett Half, and we re certain it s going to be another amazing day to run Gansett! Aliquam - Narragansett Running Association Race Committee 2
RACE WEEKEND SCHEDULE Saturday, October 24 Packet Pickup & Preregistration Noon 5pm Camire s Athletic Soles 20B Main St., Wakefield, RI Camire s is a full-service running store, and will have any items you might need at the last minute (the store is having a clearance sale on race weekend, and your swag bag includes a coupon, as well). Sunday, October 25 Race Day Registration, Team Signup, and Packet Pickup 9 10:30am Village Inn Hotel (name changed to Aqua Blue Hotel & Conference Center) 1 Beach Street, Narragansett, RI 10:15am Pace Group meetups at Gazebo (across the street from the hotel) 11am Race start across the street from the hotel We will be collecting donations of nonperishable food items for the local food bank at packet pickup on both Saturday and Sunday. These donations will be a great help to the food bank as they head into the holiday season. Photo credit: Glenn Anderson 3
RACE DAY INFORMATION Parking Free parking is located in the South or North Lot of Narragansett Town Beach, located at 39 Boston Neck Road, Narragansett, RI, less than ½ mile from the start/finish. Gear Check Participants are welcome to leave bags in the hotel banquet room, but be advised that the room will not be secured, and there is no official bag check. Restrooms/Portable Toilets Runners can use the restrooms in the hotel, or the Comfort Station outside the nearby Public Library. There will be portable toilets at the start/finish area and on the course, at approximately miles 4 and 10. Pace Groups Pace groups will meet at the Gazebo at 10:15 on race morning. Pacers will carry signs for the meetup, and during the race will wear bibs on which their pace-group finishing time is printed. Aid Stations You will pass aid stations with water and PowerBar Perform drink at approximately 2.5, 4.3, 6.2, 8.6, and 10.3 miles. PowerBar Gels and water will be at approximately 7.3 miles (at the lighthouse turnaround). Race Timing Information The race will be chip timed by The Last Mile Racing, with mats at the start and finish. Instant results will be available at ipad kiosks immediately following the race, and results will also be posted at coolrunning.com and thelastmileracing.com 4
RACE DAY INFORMATION (CONT.) Spectator Info The Gansett Half course contains many great spots for spectating, first and foremost the start/finish area - a large grassy area overlooking the ocean, which provides opportunities for great photos with a stunning backdrop. Out on the course, runners will pass the following two viewing points twice - once on their way out and once on their way back: First - Scarborough State Beach, which runners will pass on their way out to the lighthouse at approximately mile 5.2, and again on their way back at approximately mile 9.4. Second Aunt Carrie s (intersection of Ocean Road and Pt. Judith Road), where runners will pass at approximately mile 6.4 and 8.2). One final note for spectators please do not attempt to drive out to and/or park at the turnaround at the Lighthouse, so as to keep that road as clear as possible for the runners. A detailed Spectator Guide is also available at www.gansetthalfmarathon.com/spectatorguide.html Photographs Local photographer Paul L Etoile will be taking race photos, and they will be available to download for free shortly after the race. A link to the photos will posted to the Gansett Half Facebook page and website. Clothing Drop Bins will be placed at the start and at the 4.3- and 10.3-mile water stops for layers that runners may wish to shed as they warm up, and the bins will be brought to the hotel banquet room post-race so you can collect your clothing. Please note that the bins will not be secured at any time, and items are left at your own risk. Items not claimed will be donated. 5
COURSE MAP AND ELEVATION PROFILE Mile-by-mile course description and video preview available at www.gansetthalfmarathon.com 6
SPONSORS Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support of this year s race Maverick Software Be the Change Nutrition Lisa Garzilli Raymond Agency/OceanPoint Insurance Sullivan & Sullivan, P.C. South County Health Orthopedics Center Deb Lysik John A. Righi, CPA South County YMCA MARCS Foundation Sweenor s Chocolates Jim Cotter South County Orthopedic & Physical Therapy Inc Camire s Athletic Soles PowerBar Nature s Bakery CLIF Bar Justin s Nut Butter Balega International
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: Where is the parking area and where do we go from there? A: Park in the south or north parking lot of Narragansett Town Beach (39 Boston Neck Rd., Narragansett, RI, 02882). Race headquarters is the Aqua Blue Hotel & Conference Center (formerly Village Inn Hotel) banquet room (1 Beach St., Narragansett, RI, 02882), just a short walk from the parking lots. Q: Is it possible to register or pick up race packets the day before the race? A: Yes. Runners can register or pick up their packets on Saturday, October 24, between noon and 5:00pm at Camire s Athletic Soles (20B Main St., Wakefield, RI, 02879). Camire s is just a few miles from the Village Inn Hotel. Camire s is a fullservice running store and will have any items you might need at the last minute. Q: Can I pick up a race number for someone else? A: Yes, you may pick up another runner s packet for them. Q: Where is race-day registration and number pick up? A: Race day registration and number pick up happens in the Aqua Blue Hotel (formerly Village Inn) banquet room, from 9am to 10:30am. Q: Where do we hang around before the start? A: The spacious banquet room features a breathtaking, panoramic view of Narragansett Beach and the start/finish area. There are tables and chairs for runners and spectators as well as restrooms. The start/finish area is a one-minute walk from the banquet room. A professional DJ will provide music before, after, and during the race, as well as announce the finishers as they come in. Q: Is the Gansett Half Marathon course USATF certified? A: Yes, the course has been professionally measured and certified. On the course, both the mile and half-mile splits will be marked clearly with white sandwich boards with bold, black numbers. Q: What refreshments will be available after the race? A: A bag lunch will be available for runners in the hotel banquet room between 12:30pm and 2:30pm. The lunch is free for registered runners, and beer and wine will be available for purchase. 8
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (CONT.) Q: When is the awards ceremony? A: The awards will be given out at approximately 1:30pm in the hotel banquet room. Q: Is there a race photographer? A: Local runner and photographer Paul L Etoile will be taking race photos, and they will be available to download for free shortly after the race. A link to race photos will be posted to the race website and the Gansett Half Facebook page. Q: Where are the restrooms and portable toilets? A: Runners can use the restrooms in the hotel, or at the Comfort Station at the nearby public library. There will be portable toilets at the start/finish area as well as at the Clarke Ave./Ocean Rd. intersection, which runners will pass just after mile 4 and just after mile 10. Q: Is there chip timing? A: Yes, the race is chipped at both the start and the finish. Instant results will be available via ipad kiosks in the hotel banquet room on race day, and results will be posted at coolrunning.com, and thelastmileracing.com Q: Is there a finish line clock? A: Yes, there will be a finish line clock, but there will be no other clocks on the course. Q: How many aid stations are there, and what will be served? A: You will pass aid stations with water and PowerBar Perform drink at (approximately) the following distances along the course: 2.5, 4.3, 6.2, 8.6, and 10.3 miles. PowerGels will be available at approximately 7.3 miles (at the lighthouse turnaround). Just past the PowerGel tables you will pass a water-only station (no electrolyte drink). Q: Are strollers allowed? A: No. Our insurance strictly prohibits the pushing of a stroller by participants. 9
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (CONT.) Q: What about changing and showers? A: The Gansett Half Marathon, like most races, does not have showers available for runners. You may change in the restrooms before or after the race. For those who are YMCA members, the South County YMCA is just minutes away. Q: What is the best plan for spectators? A: The Gansett Half Marathon course is a gem from a spectator s perspective. There are numerous places to enjoy spectacular views while waiting for your runner. Please see page 5 of this guide for detailed spectator guidelines. Q: What s the weather going to be like? A: We can t be sure, of course, but in late October, the average high/low in Narragansett is 59F/36F (15C/2C). Q: How does the team competition work? A: There are three categories of team: male, female, and mixed gender teams sign up at the registration desk on race day. Teams must have at least three members. Scores are calculated by participants' finishing times (top three times determine the team score). For mixed gender teams, however, at least one runner of each gender must be a scoring runner. Awards will be given to the top team in three categories: male, female, and mixed. Q: Will there be finisher s medals? A: Yes. Every runner who finishes will receive a custom Gansett Half Marathon Finisher s medal. 10