Wednesday, October 3, 2012

10.3 email to runners

Aloha Gunstock Runners! Race Day is quickly approaching, just 10 days away! We hope all of your training has gone well and been enjoyable and that you are ready to meet your goals! Here are a few items we wanted to make you aware of: Packet Pick up: On Friday October 12 there will be a packet pick up at the Running Room in Honolulu from 3-7 p.m. 819 Kapahula Avenue. You may also pick up your packet on race morning at the Gunstock Ranch between 5:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. Please do not come after 6:30 to get your packet, we WILL start the race on time at 7:00 a.m. Please Note: Whether you pick up your number on Friday night or Saturday morning, you will still need to get your timing chip on Saturday morning! Please arrive early. WE WANT TO START ON TIME and we anticipate about 400 runners. Directions and Parking: Gunstock Ranch is about 1 mile north of Laie on Kamehameha Highway. Coming from Honolulu head past Kaneohe north on Kam Hwy past Laie, and turn left at the Gunstock Ranch sign. Coming from Haliewa, head south on Kam Highway. Go through Kahuku and then after about a mile look for the Gunstock Ranch Sign on the right side of the road. Once you turn off Kam Hwy at the Gunstock Ranch, follow the signs to the parking area which is near the corral. Gunstock Ranch 56-250 Kam Hwy Laie, Hi 96762 Registration: Let your unregistered friends know that online registration closes this Sunday night, the 7th at midnight Hawaii time! They can also register at either of the packet pick ups. On-site registration prices will be $45 for the half marathon and $30 for the 5k. Prizes: This year prizes will be awarded to the overall 1st, 2nd, and 3rd male and female in the half marathon and 5k. There will also be a prize given for first place in each age group. The age groups are male and female, under 9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24………..60-64, and 65 & up! We have some great prizes this year so run fast…but safe! The 5k awards ceremony will be at 8:00 a.m. and the half marathon awards ceremony will take place at 9:15 a.m. If you are not present to receive your prize...we will give it somene else! So please check the standings before you leave :) We have two free entries to the Xterra Trail Running Championship at the Kualoa Ranch on December 2nd. All half marathon runners will be placed in a drawing and we will chose one male and one female finisher to win these entries. The drawing will take place following the half marathon awards ceremony. You must be present to win! All runners will receive a t-shirt, finishers medallion, and a goodie bag! (those who sign up at packet pickups are not guaranteed t-shirts, finishers prizes, or goodie bags) Half Marathon Grand Prize: Turtle Bay is sponsoring our grand prize again and our overall first place male and female winners in the half marathon will receive an overnight stay at the resort. Aid Stations: 5K will have one aid station with water at mile 1.5 Half Marathon: Water at mile 1.5 Water and Accel Gel’s at mile 4.5 Accel electrolyte drink and water at mile 5.5 Water and Accel Gel’s at mile 8 (turnaround) Accel electrolyte drink and water at mile 10 For information on Accel gel’s and electrolytes please visit: http://www.pacifichealthlabs.com/ Why do you run: One of the things we love most about running, is that every runner has a different story, a different reason they get out there and push, a different WHY!! These “why’s” inspire us and we believe sharing them can inspire everyone else. Please email us your why to gunstockhalfmarathon@gmail.com Trail Running: Some of you are trail running pros and some of you have expressed concern about transitioning from the road to the trail. Either way, here is a link to an article from Men’s Health Magazine with tips for trail running: http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/trail-running-tips Lastly, we are extremely excited about this years event and want it to be a fun and memorable experience for you. Running is about having fun! Remember to enjoy it and encourage each other along the way! And…because we are on a ranch, crossing the finish line Gangnam style is not only appropriate, it could possibly be rewarded!! We may even forego the Xterra drawing if someone is Gangnam enough ;-) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0 Your Gunstock Race Crew: Natalie, Angel, Kevin, Christine and Greg

1 comment:

  1. I have been doing road races all over the United States for the last 40 years. This Gunstock Ranch 5k is BY FAR THE WORST MARKED race I have ever participated in. There were 1/2 marathoners and 5k runners getting lost all over the course. It was a trail/hilly course with lots of vegetation around. Overall I was in about 10-12th place at the 2.9-mile mark. I could only see two young runners in front of me (they must have been 1/2 marathoners, which I did not know then). As I followed them, I apparently made the wrong turn. Within 10 yards or so there was a young man guiding the runners on the course and I asked him "5K route?" He did not respond so I assumed I was on course. When my GPS watch said 3.25 miles, I knew I was lost. I then tried to find my way back and got lost a second time and ended up running 4.37 miles to get to the finish line. I later learned that the individual who was leading the 5k also took a wrong turn at about the 2.9-mile mark, but realized the mistake shortly thereafter, and ended up in third overall for the 5k. At least two half-marathoners ended up running the 5k course only to have to turn around and backtrack to get back into the race. There were other runners who got lost as well. It is a shame when one trains hard for a race only to end up with such a big disappointment. This was the third year they have held this race and the organization lacked a LOT TO BE DESIRED.

    Werner Hoeger
    Boise, Idaho
    2012 USA T&F All-American

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