Red Feather Runners,
We are looking forward to hosting you at the third running of the Red Feather Trail Jamboree this coming weekend, September 20-22. Before we send you on your way, we’d like to draw your attention to some important details for race weekend.
Pearl Fire
The Pearl Fire ignited this morning in the area of Crystal Lakes, approximately 11 miles northwest of the race start (as the crow flies). As of 4pm this afternoon, the fire was estimated at 138 acres with 0% containment. A number of areas around the fire are under mandatory evacuation orders.
We have been in communication with staff from our permitting agency, the Canyon Lakes Ranger District (NFS). As it currently stands, we are planning to move forward with the event with the understanding that areas of the course are subject to closure. This is particularly relevant to the 50 mile course.
We have a contingency route for Friday’s 50 mile race should closures on the northwest section of the course require it. A decision on that front will be made and communicated on Wednesday morning.
Currently, the fire is less of a threat to the 50km and half marathon race routes. While we hope that remains the case and that the fire is brought under control quickly, the unpredictable nature of wildfires, as well as concerns for air quality and demands on emergency services, means that there is a possibility that the race weekend could be cancelled.
The decision to go ahead as planned, reroute or cancel will be made in conjunction with our permitting agencies based on their best advice and/or orders. We will communicate any updates as soon as we have them.
Packet Pickup
We have three days of racing on tap for race weekend. For all 3 races, packets will be available:
- The day before your race between 4:00p-7:00p from the tents in front of the Coral Rock Dining Hall.
- Race morning from the tents in front of the Coral Rock Dining Hall:
- Friday (50m): 5:00a – 5:45a
- Saturday (50km): 5:30a – 6:45a
- Sunday (HM): 7:00a – 8:15a
The full weekend schedule is available here.
Race Start & Parking
- The 50 mile race will start at 6:00am on Friday morning.
- The 50km race will start at 7:00am on Saturday morning.
- The Half Marathon will start at 8:30am on Sunday morning.
Race morning parking will be available in the grass parking area 3/4 mile down the main Ranch road after you enter the property. For those camping the night before, parking is available near the campsite in close proximity to the start.
Those arriving on Thursday may encounter some utility work on the camp property as you enter. There will be a lane around – just go slow & follow the work crew’s directions.
- Facility Map of the Ben Delatour Scout Ranch
- Camping Map
- Trail Map of the Ben Delatour Scout Ranch
- Driving Directions
Bib Numbers
Bib numbers will be assigned by Tuesday night. You will be able to check your bib number on the Ultrasignup entrant lists:
If you need to drop out of the race for any reason during the race, you must check out with the staff at the nearest aid station.
Course Marking
The course will be well marked with pink tape, pink pin flags, signs, and ground flour. Check out the course resources on our website for printable maps, elevation profiles and GPX tracks.
Gear Bags
50 Mile runners may send drop bags to the Deadman (mile 21.4) and Granite Ridge (mile 32.4) aid stations.
Bags may be dropped off at packet pickup on Thursday evening or Friday morning – there will be labelled tarps behind the dining hall. Please label bags with 1) Your Bib Number, 2) Your Last Name & 3) The station it is going to.
All runners may leave gear bags at the race start/finish each day. It is roughly a half mile walk from either the camping area or main parking lot to the start/finish.
Crewing
Family and friends can meet their runners at the Elkhorn and Lady Moon Trailheads in the half marathon and 50km races and at the Elkhorn, Granite Ridge, and Deadman (North Lone Pine TH) aid stations in the 50 mile race.
All aid stations will have a wide selection of sweet & salty snacks, fresh fruit, soda, sandwiches & more. For performance nutrition, we will be serving Gnarly Fuel2O sports drink & Hammer gels.
Post-Race
All races will be followed by hot homemade food:
Thursday: Pasta, Garlic Bread, Salad & Cookies
Friday: Veggie Curry (side of Chicken), Rice, Naan, Brownies
Saturday: BBQ Pulled Pork, Corn on the Cob, Cole Slaw, Cookies
Sunday: Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Hash Browns
All meals will have vegan and gluten free options. Race entries include a meal the day of the race. Camping & cabin reservations include meal(s) for the evenings of your stay.
Saturday’s 50km finish line will also feature live music from a bluegrass trio led by Erin Youngberg.
Post-race showers are available at the community shower house, located between the campground and dining hall.
Please Sign Boy Scout Waiver
Our hosts have asked us to send you one important piece of legalese. If you haven’t done so already, please sign this waiver before coming to the race.
Cupless
All runners should carry a 16oz minimum water bottle or bladder that can be refilled at aid stations.
Camp Property
The scout camp is private property, and we are grateful guests. Respect the 15MPH speed limit on camp roads, keep showers reasonable, and ensure taps/toilets are not running.
Wear Orange
This is especially for the 50 mile runners if we do the traditional course. It is bow hunting season for deer & elk currently in Colorado, and we have seen a few hunting parties out as we’ve marked the course. As usual, we’ve posted signs at all trailheads entering the area, but additionally recommend that you work a splash of orange into your race day gear if possible. While the risks are extremely low, this will give us all that extra margin of safety. And of course we appreciate you all being friendly ambassadors for the trail running world for hunters (or anyone) you encounter on course.
If you have any questions that are not covered here or on the race website, please email us.
Thanks, and once again, we look forward to seeing you all this weekend.
Nick Clark & Brad Bishop
Gnar Runners
Added 9/18/24:
With good progress having been made on the Pearl Fire over the last two days and with clear air all day yesterday, we are comfortable saying at this point that the weekend of trail racing will go ahead as planned. The 50K and Half Marathon are proceeding on their regular course and schedule. We are, however, re-routing the 50 mile course to avoid areas that are currently in closure zones.
While we hope those zones are lifted soon, we are at the point where we need to finalize the plan, mark the course and organize volunteers and supplies. Therefore we have to proceed with the 50 mile race on an altered course, using the trails that we have available to us.
This means you will be spending a lot of miles on the Elkhorn, Lady Moon and Mount Margaret Trails.
Course Details
The new course details are live on the website
Drop bags will be available for Lady Moon and Elkhorn
We expect this course to run considerably faster than the originally planned course with significantly less vertical gain (6,800′) and less technical trails overall.
Please pay close attention to directions from course marshals and aid station volunteers each time you pass through an aid station. We will also have marshals at the Lady Moon/Molly Moon trail intersection just south of the Lady Moon aid station making sure you make the correct turns.
Please take some time to look at the maps to familiarize yourself with the new course and the directions of travel. We will be happy to respond to questions at packet pickup. We will do our best to respond to questions via email.
In brief, you will do 2.5 loops of the Elkhorn, Lady Moon and Mount Margaret trail networks before finishing on the Boy Scout trails.
You will visit the Elkhorn aid station 3 times and the Lady Moon aid station 4 times. There will be a final aid station at High Adventure as initially planned.
Lady Moon Aid & Mount Margaret Loop
North of the Lady Moon Aid Station, the two loops of the Mount Margaret Trails will repeat in the same direction on both passes.
On Pass 1, you will enter the Lady Moon aid station from the south and leave to the north (through the gate and across Red Feather Lakes Rd to the Mount Margaret Trailhead). You will complete the Mount Margaret Loop and then re-enter the Lady Moon Aid Station for Pass 2. You will leave to the south (exact opposite of Pass 1).
Pass 3 & 4 of the aid station will repeat in exactly the same manner as Pass 1 & 2.
Molly Moon/Lady Moon Intersection
Just south of the Lady Moon Aid Station, there is a key trail intersection that will be staffed by two course marshals. Please follow their directions, but also note the following:
Arriving from the southwest on the Molly Moon Trail on Pass 1 & 3, you will turn left (north) up to the Lady Moon aid station both times.
Arriving from the north on Pass 2 & 4, you will continue straight on the Lady Moon Trail on Pass 2. On pass 4 you will turn right onto the Molly Moon Trail.
Elkhorn Aid
You will pass through 3 times. The first two passages you will leave to the northwest on the Elkhorn Creek Trail, and the final passage you will leave to the north on the Lady Moon Trail.
The course will be well marked and well marshaled, but please do take some time to look at the updated maps and aid station charts to familiarize yourself with the course, aid stations and critical turns.
