With just 4 days to go until the inaugural running of the Quad Rock 25/50, some final thoughts and instructions.
Packet pick up will be at Runners Roost on Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Roost is located at 2720 Council Tree Ave #112, just west of I-25 off the Harmony Rd exit. Pearl Izumi gear will be offered at 20% off during packet pick-up hours. If you can, we ask that you come by Friday to pick up your race gear to help smooth race day parking and sign in.
Bib numbers will be distributed race morning beginning at 4:00 a.m after Lory Park opens to race traffic. For those of you who can’t pick up packets Friday afternoon, EFS gel flasks will be distributed with your bibs in the morning.
Bob’s Coffee in Laporte will be open from 3:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. race day. Mention the race and they will take 15% off your order: 3522 County Road 54G, Laporte, CO 80535.
Parking passes will be distributed at packet pick up on Friday or by parking volunteers at the entrance to the park in the morning. Carpools will be given priority parking close to the start, all others will be directed down the main park road to loop left back towards the start on the Lodgepole Loop. Parking on Lodgepole will be on the side of the road. The earlier you get there, the closer to the start you’ll be parked.
The race will begin at 5:00 a.m. sharp, so we recommend you give yourself plenty of time to get your bib and do whatever it is you do to get ready to run 25/50 miles. Race packets, including T-shirts, will be available after you finish if you don’t pick up on Friday at The Roost.
Horsetooth drop bags must be dropped off by 4:45 a.m. There will be a short pre-race briefing five minutes before the start. Bib numbers have been assigned, if you want to pre-label your drop bag with name and race number.
Headlamps/flashlights will be necessary for the first 15-20 minutes of the race. There will be a drop box at the Arthurs East Valley Aid station at mile 2.2. Please label your light for post-race retrieval or keep it and drop it in your Horsetooth drop bag, if you prefer. Faster runners who might pass through Arthur’s before it is light enough to see can leave headlamps at the Towers aid, although we cannot guarantee that those will be back to the start/finish until that aid station packs up and returns later in the afternoon. We may try to make an arrangement for a drop at the Sawmill turn, but that is yet to be confirmed.
Aid station fare is detailed here.
Pateros Creek Brewery will be providing a special English Mild brew, ‘The 51st Mile,’ for the post-race BBQ. Please remember to bring an i.d. if you wish to partake. Runners will receive a meal ticket in their race packets. For those bringing family/friends who didn’t order extra meals when registering, food and brews will be available for $10 (cash). All proceeds will be donated to the Animal House Shelter along with race sponsorship funds from Countryside Vet. The race is also benefiting Larimer County Search and Rescue.
Lee Holiday and the Time Off will be playing at the post-race BBQ from 1:30 – 2:30 and 3:30 – 4:30.
In addition to the Pateros Creek recovery blend, First Endurance’s Ultragen recovery drink will be available post race, as will massage and PT help from Colorado Physical Therapists.
Trail conditions are currently stellar, if a little dry and dusty. Recent rain has helped firm things up. Weather for Saturday looks about as good as you could hope for – 60s and overcast, with just a slight chance of showers.
There will be an unmanned water drop at the intersection of Westridge and Timber between Arthurs aid and the Start/Finish.
Course markings will be pink ribbons, hung every 1/4 mile or so, with a run of three ribbons leading up to and beyond each turn. There will be glow sticks for the very early going in the dark.
Activities for family and friends:
Trails are open to everyone to enjoy all day; however, crewing outside of designated areas is not allowed. There is a BMX bike park right by the start/finish area, so bring a bike for the kids. Trails are also open to bikes. The reservoir is just a short walk down from the start/finish and there is a small cove ideal for paddling or submerging battered legs. There will be a half mile kids race (half (closed) road, half trail) beginning at 1:00 ish.
Crew access info is available here.
Early 25-mile finishers who want to shower before the post race can use the facilities at Horsetooth South Bay, located at the southern end of Horsetooth Reservoir off 38e by the Stout sign and shop. Showers are coin operated and cost $2. It is an approximately 15 minute drive to get there. Alternatively, a cold dunk in the reservoir is also available.
And, finally, if you have questions that can’t be answered here or on the race website, feel free to drop me a line and I’ll do my best to get back to you.
On behalf of Pete, myself and our outstanding battalion of volunteers, we look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.
Cheers!
Nick
