 |
 |
 |
 |
||
|
|
|||||||
|
||||||||
|
|
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
My question has to do with the pace of the Discovery Series. Are there faster and slower runners that do it? I'm a slower runner so I don't want to be left in the dust....but I don't want to hold anyone back. Please let me know if there is room for a slow one in the pack. Where are the ultra aid stations located, and what will be provided? Do I need to be a serious runner or logging a lot of miles to participate in the relay? Not at all. The relay event of the mOUnTaiNBACK is designed to accommodate a wide range of training levels. The more people you have on your team, the lower will be the mileage per person. (See the team rotation and mileage tables.) On a team of 8, for example, since the course has 12 legs, four of the runners will each run just one leg of the course. Runners 5 and 8 will run one leg of 3.4 and 2.8 miles, respectively, and in terms of level of difficulty both of these legs are classified as "easy." Conversely, runners on smaller teams can expect to take on a greater challenge. I'd like to know if it is allowed to have someone keep me company (not to pace, I plan on being near the back of the pack) for a few miles. Pacers, buddies, company of any kind are strictly prohibited on the course for safety and liability reasons. Runners who want frequent company should plan to have a support vehicle whose occupants they can see AT AID STATIONS/TRANSITION ZONES ONLY. This applies to relay runners as well. Are there any trails on the course? No. There are a number of trails through the Rothrock State Forest, but the mOUnTaiNBACK course is run 100% on the forest roads. (There is one section of about 0.4 miles on Leg 11 that resembles a trail terrain.) There are directional arrows on the course that prominently point the way. However, be forewarned that there is always a chance that some unscrupulous person could turn directional arrows in the wrong direction or toward a trail head, so we're underscoring this point. Stay on the roads. Know the course. No trails! I'm part of a relay team. Can I run my two legs consecutively, or are we required to follow the rotation order? The rotation order is an absolute requirement: Each team must determine a sequential rotation order for the runners and provide that sequence along with the team's application forms. The order must be followed to the end and then be repeated in the same order through the 12 legs of the course. (For example, in a team of 6, after the first six legs of the course, the rotation returns to the runner who ran the first leg, who now runs leg 7, the second runner runs leg 8, and so on.) This is an aspect where team planning can be very useful. Since the legs vary in length and level of difficulty, your team may wish to chart out the legs and decide which person will run which leg(s). The number of people on the team will determine which and how many legs each runner will run. (See the examples on the last page.) The team rotation and mileage tables below present a breakout for each team size. At each transition zone (between legs of the course) an event official will verify the runner who is completing a leg and the runner who is starting the next leg. I'd like to run in the relay, but I don't have a team. How can I find a team to run with? OR We have a relay team forming, but need another runner. Do you know of any runners looking for a team? The event organizers help to match teams with runners whenever possible. Teams who need additional runners, and interested runners who would like to join a team, are encouraged to go to the Online Discussion Forum on our website or at www.nvrun.com or contact us directly and we will do our best to help get you matched up. Relay team categories and divisions are described on the event application. Send e-mail to info@tusseymountainback.com or call 814-238-5918. Will there be water on the course? Water and Gatorade (50-50) will be available to ultrarunners at 11 Ultra Feed Zones on the course. Bottled water for relay runners is provided at three transition zone locations on the course: Whipple Dam State Park (TZ 3), Alan Seeger Natural Area (TZ 5) and Colyer Lake (TZ 9). It is not logistically feasible to provide frequent water stations on a course of this length, and teams are reminded that runner hydration is a critical component of performance and safety for distance events. Teams are encouraged to bring additional water and any food or other support items with them in their support vehicle. Are there any rules for support vehicles? Yes. Specific rules for support vehicles are provided in the Race Rules and Regulations. Teams are limited to one vehicle only (no exceptions), so larger teams should plan ahead to have a van, pickup truck or other vehicle that can transport the full team and supplies. Support vehicles must travel ahead of their runner to the next transition zone and wait for their runner to arrive. This is a critical safety consideration and allows the team's next runner to be prepared to run the next leg. I don't know anyone with a van. Any suggestions? Many teams rent out vans for the event. There are several sources for dependable and affordable rental of vans in State College. We strongly recommend that you reserve your vehicle as early as possible. I'm going to run the ultra. Am I allowed to have a support vehicle? Yes. Each ultra participant may have a support vehicle. Due to traffic and safety considerations, support vehicles must park in the transition zones whenever possible, rather than trailing or leading runners along the course. Specific rules for support vehicles are provided in the Race Rules and Regulations. What cause does the mOUnTaiNBACK benefit? Proceeds of the 2007 Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK 50 Mile Relay and Ultramarathon support the Gerald F. Russell Scholarship Fund, contributing to the education of children of Centre County veterans who have been killed or significantly wounded in military engagements since September 1, 2001. Donations may be made directly via this website or via Active.com, and teams and runners are encouraged to invite donations to the cause. For more information, contact Greg Johnson at 865-8207 or gjj1@psu.edu or gjj26@comcast.net or Glenn Moyer at 383-4721 or gmmoyer@gotmc.net. I am planning to run the ultra but am not sure I can finish in under 12 hours. Can I still run the mOUnTaiNBACK? The mOUnTaiNBACK is not an easy ultra course. This is why ultra participants are required to provide information on successfully completed marathons or ultras, and relay teams of two are required to provide information on successfully completed half-marathons or marathons. For safety reasons, the course start and closing times were designed to utilize the best daylight running hours at this time of year. Those who think they may need longer than 12 hours to complete the course should carefully consider whether they are prepared to tackle the mOUnTaiNBACK. We cannot be responsible for runners who are on the course after the course closing time. I am running my first ultra. Are ultra "virgins" prohibited from running? Runners contemplating their first ultra at the mOUnTaiNBACK are not prohibited from participating but will need to provide evidence of significant distance running experience, including marathons. First-time ultrarunners may be required to sign an additional waiver prior to the event. I am traveling in from outside the state. Are there any arrangements for accommodations? It is strongly recommended that you reserve your rooms early! Information on area hotels is provided on the Accommodations page. Do you have any tips for training for the mOUnTaiNBACK? Training for the ultra or the relay are very different things. Know that the Mountainback has tough hills either way. Getting up to a comfortable level of conditioning is probably the most important preparation. Hill running once a week can be a big help for this kind of course. More serious runners doing the relay may elect to do some two-a-days, or double sessions. Many runners enjoy running parts of the course for training. An 8-week "staged" training series covering the entire course takes place on Thursday evenings in August and September. (See the Discovery Series page for details.) I have heard the mOUnTaiNBACK has an event booklet with descriptions of each leg and course photos. How or when are booklets available? Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK event booklets are provided to each team and ultra participant after the registration deadline. Booklets include event rules and guidelines, a full-size course map, course leg and transition zone descriptions with photos, and team rotation/mileage tables. What is the age requirement for masters teams? All members of teams competing in the masters category must be age 40 or above on race day. All masters team members must provide a copy of a driver license or other photo ID prior to race day. Can I register my team before I know who all the members are? Yes. If you register via Active.com, you will need to enter your information but can enter your team members' information later. You can also register by mail (send team captain's completed application form and full team fee to register your team). If you register by mail, you must provide any remaining team member forms, IDs (for masters teams), and runner rotation order by the deadline. Do I have to know who all my team's runners are before I register my team? No. If you register via Active.com, you will need to enter your information but can enter your team members' information later. You can also register by mail (send team captain's completed application form and full team fee to register your team). If you register by mail, you must provide any remaining team member forms, IDs (for masters teams), and runner rotation order by the deadline. Are bicycles allowed on the course? My friend would like to be my support crew by bicycle. Bicycles are not permitted on the course for any purpose. Due to the nature of the course and the event, the presence of bicycles could pose a safety hazard to both support vehicles and runners. Sorry. I am running the 50 miler and I was wondering if MP3 players are allowed while running? To ensure runner safety, MP3 and other ear-worn devices are strictly prohibited, as the roads are narrow and runner support vehicles (plus other light forest traffic) will be traveling by runners throughout the day. Full awareness of your surroundings throughout the event is essential. I have registered a relay team but am not sure all of my runners will make it to the race. What should I do? One of our past team captains came up with a great suggestion. Tell your teammates up front - before there's a drop out - that they need to treat this like it's their wedding: plan to be there no matter what; don't get sick or injured, and don't have emergencies! It of course sounds absurd to say "don't have emergencies," but think about it - the number of brides and grooms who don't make it to the church is infinitesimally low.
|
Home of the 2008 USA 50 Mile Championships |
 |
Need
More Info, Contact: Mike
Casper 814.238.5918 ©2003-2006 Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK 50 Mile Relay & Ultramarathon Version 5.1 |