2015 Rocky Mountain Half Race Guide

RACE GUIDE

August 1 2015 ,

Rocky Mountain

HALF MARATHON WEEKEND WELCOME TO THE ROCKIES AREA LOCATION OVERVIEW MAP . . . . . . . . . . . 4 EVENT SCHEDULE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Expo Info

Race Day Schedule

RACE INFORMATION

The Course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Parking & Finish Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Spectator Info . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Race Check List

Bib Info

Cup-Free Info . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Timing Specifics

Post Race Info . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

10

Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Race Demographics . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14

AREA INFO

Estes Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15

Rocky Mountain National Park . . . . . . . . . 16

Rocky Mountain Trifecta . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Chasm Lake Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Continental Divide Club . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

20

CONNECT ONLINE (SOCIAL MEDIA) . . . . . . . . . 22 EVENT SPONSORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

26

Welcome To

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK! We’re so excited to see you all here for our third annual Rocky Mountain Half Marathon. If this is your first time running with us, welcome! This weekend we’re celebrating 100 years since the park’s establishment.

How gorgeous is it up here? It’s clear and green and beautiful way up above the city and the freeways. I know many of you may be nervous about how high up we are- elevation can make for a tricky run. But there’s also a sense of peace and clarity up here.

Sitting on Trail Ridge Road, looking over the wide expansion of mountains and valleys, it’s humbling to think about those who visited in 1915, when the park first opened. I’m filled with gratitude for the service that preserved and protected this land for 100 years. How amazing that we have the privilege to run, hike, and explore here. Here’s to 100 more years.

Happy trails!

Salem, Dehn, Lyle, Cherie, Megan S, Robin, Megan W

3

1R ACE EXPO Stanley Hotel Ballroom 333 E Wonderview Ave 2R ACE PARKING (FAIRGROUNDS) 1209 Manford Avenue

4

3R ACE DROP-OFF behind the Aquatic Center 4 R ACE COURSE 5S MOKIN’ DAVE’S BBQ 820 Morain Avenue 6T HE EGG AND I 393 E Elkhorn Avenue 7W ATERFRONT GRILLE The Estes Park Resort 1700 Big Thompson Avenue

1 7

6 2

5 ROCKY MOUNTAIN PARK ENTRANCE

4

3

EVENT SCHEDULE July 31 - August 1, 2015

FRIDAY 11 am

6 pm RACE EXPO & PACKET PICKUP

7 pm

Race Expo Packet pickup ENDS CLOSES*

RACE EXPO The expo will be held at the Stanley Hotel Ballroom (333 E Wonderview Ave, Estes Park, CO). The expo will be small, but we will have some fun events like park ranger and other representatives helping us celebrate Rocky Mountain National Park’s 100th birthday! You can pick up your bib and gear, but plan to stay and check out our awesome vendors!

The expo will close and vendors will leave at 6:00pm but bibs will be available until 7:00 PM. Though we don’t encourage it, we do allow bib pickup Saturday morning before the race. You can get your bib at the start line as early as 4:15am, and no later than 5:30 am.

When you pick up your packet at the expo this year, we’re encouraging you to Bring Your Own Bag! To keep in line with our tradition of waste elimination and conservation of the land, we’re going completely bag-less at the expo this year! If you would like to purchase a reusable, foldable bag, we’ll have them available at our merch store.

PARKING

There will be plenty of parking at the fair grounds and the area near the start line, but please get there early. Anticipate significant traffic delays. There will be a drop-off zone near the fairgrounds as well.

SEE PAGE 8 FOR PARKING MAP

SATURDAY AM 4 5 4:15 Parking lot opens 4:30 First prize raffle (every 5 minutes)

6 5:15 Last prize raffle

6:00 RACE STARTS for all divisions

5:30 Last call for bib pickup 5:45 Runners line up / Last call for gear check 5:55 National Anthem

5

9

6:01 AM SUNRISE

8:45 Awards Ceremony

RACE INFORMATION

The Course

©mapmyrun.com

ELEVATION 7987 7824 7661 7498 7335

FT

0

MILES

2.62

START ELEV

7578 ft

MAX ELEV

7929 ft

5.24

GAIN

492 ft

7.85 6

10.47

13.09

COURSE This race is an open course. There will be cars on the road as well as runners.

There are sections on main roads like Big Thompson where traffic is heavy and McGregor where the road is a little narrow. These spots on the course especially could get a little crowded. The course will be well marked but it is your responsibility to stay to the left when running into oncoming traffic and being courteous and mindful of cars and other runners.

DO NOT step off the course into traffic, you will be disqualified. Be courteous.

ELEVATION You can see the elevation map on the previous page. It looks a little scary, but downhill courses are for wimps, right?

Mile 5-9 will feel long as it is a steady climb.

If you aren’t used to the altitude be sure to stay hydrated. Drink lots of water the days leading up to the race to help. It’ll all be worth it to see the view once you’re coming down Devil’s Gulch.

CLOTHING ON COURSE We will have a clothing bin to dump items in at mile 3.

Anything else found along the course will be treated as trash.

Clothing dropped off at mile 3 won’t be picked up until the last runner has passed mile 3 - so you may have to wait for your clothing.

ABSOLUTELY NO LITTERING

TIMING All masters and overall awards will be based on GUN TIME. If you plan to compete for these top spots you will need to line up at the front of the line. All age divisions and team awards will be based on CHIP TIME. If you are standing towards the back, it may be a few minutes before you cross the start line. Your time does not officially start until you cross the starting line (unless you are competing for an overall top finisher spot), so please be courteous to others as we start the race.

AID STATIONS We will have aid stations near miles 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 12. All aid stations will have bath-rooms, water + Nuun, and Honey Stinger energy gels. Mile 7 and 11 will also have oranges and bananas.

There will be basic first aid needs at each aid station, but the EMT will be at Mile 7.

TIME LIMIT All runners will have 4 hours to finish the race. That is a 18.5 minute mile - plenty of time for walkers! If at anytime we deem it unsafe and need to pull a runner off the course we would hope for understanding and immediate cooperation. Failure to comply will result in being banned from future events.

If you will be walking, please start towards the back to avoid congestion at the start.

PACERS Pacers will line up at the start line around 5:30 am. There will be a pacer pacing the race in 10 minute intervals starting at a 1h40m pace up to 2h30m. We will also have a 2h45m, 3h, and 3h30m pacer. Please seat yourself near the time you expect to finish.

RECOVERY BOX At the finish line we will have a Recovery Box (full of recovery snacks), bananas, and chocolate milk, as well as water and Nuun hydration. Please help yourself to one box, chocolate milk, and banana per runner.

GEAR CHECK You will be given a Gear Check bag at the starting line if you wish. It will be a white garbage bag that you can fill with anything you want transported to the finish line. There will be permanent markers you can use to write your name and bib number.

In an attempt to reduce waste, we will provide a place to trade/leave any unwanted snack items.

=

Avoid putting valuables in your bag.

1 RUNNER

Gear check bags will be available at the finish line as soon as the first person finishes.

7

+ 1 BOX

+ 1 BANANA

1 MILK

PARKING DIRECTIONS We will have plenty of parking to accommodate all of our runners. There are four designated parking spots near the fair grounds that are a short walk to both the start line and the finish line. Volunteers will be directing traffic and showing runners and spectators where to park.

We will fill up the parking lots in order.

You will come down Highway 7 and turn onto Manford towards the fair grounds and be directed from there.

Maps Provided by ŠGoogle

PARKING AREAS ENTRANCE ROUTE DROP-OFF AREA

FINISH LINE STAGING

If you weren’t able to make it to the expo we will be selling merchandise at the finish line! We will have our merchandise as well as some awesome shirts from Meridian Line!

8

You will need to return your timing chip at the end of the race. We will have buckets and clippers all over the finish area so you can remove them and drop them in the bucket when you are ready.

RACE DAY CHECK LIST PRE-RACE TRAIN

RACE DAY Bib and timing chip

Directions to hotel/campsite Directions to race expo

Cup Free Hydration (Hydrapouch, hand held, water bottle, pack, etc.)

Photo ID

Socks

Directions to race start/finish

Running Shoes

Valid Military ID (if you registered with a Military Discount)

Sunglasses Hat/Visor

Study the race course

Recovery plan

Enjoy the park!

BIB DETAILS Indicates if you are a Continental Divide or Chasm Lake Club Member

Indicates if you are Military

Your bib number

Team name (if applicable)

Your race shirt size

Indicates if you requested a Hydrapouch when registering.

SPECTATOR INFO

• Because of the significant amount of road

Turn this in at the start line race morning. We will have a raffle from 4:30-5:15 am.

• Aside from the start and finish, the best

control, spectators are not allowed to stop along the highway at any point along the race.

place to see your runner would be where Big Thompson meets Dry Gulch. Runners will run past there near mile 2 and again near mile 4.5.

• Spectators and runners are welcome

• We want you to be there to cheer on your

around the finish line to cheer on runners.

Starting line will be closed to vehicles.

runner, but please recognize that the runner area is for runners only! Please do not enter the runner area or partake of runner’s food and recovery supplies.

• Please park in designate parking in and around the fair grounds.

9

CUP-FREE RACING Having our races so close to the National Parks, unnecessary waste and trash is something we are strongly against. We are dedicated to maintaining a clean race and preserving the beauty of the area we run in.

There is nothing that will ruin a view more than seeing a piece a trash in plain view from a breathtaking landscape.

One of the most important things in a half marathon is ensuring that aid stations are plentiful and efficient. Hydration will make or break a race. What we do is offer a Hydrapouch for every runner that indicated they wanted one as part of their registration.

Other options include running with a water bottle, fuel belt, camelbak or other hydration backpack, etc. Every runner prefers something different. Just make sure you have some way to stay hydrated!

There will be water at the finish line but no cups!

At some places, the water will be hooked up to a system like the one pictured on the left.

Each of these pipes will provide water from the several speed valves we have attached.

Feel free to practice at the expo!

The aid station will have a few cups in case of an emergency, do not plan on using them.

Also, under no circumstances should you put your head under the valve to get a drink.

Not only does this waste water, it is pretty inconsiderate of other runners.

Although we don’t have cups on the course, we have plenty of aid stations with water and Nuun! At all aid stations we will have BLUE COOLERS WITH WATER and RED COOLERS WITH NUUN (ELECTROLYTE DRINK). Both will have the same speed valves attached. So at each aid station you will have your choice of water or Nuun.

TIMING SPECIFICS

There will be water at the finish line, but no cups. Please use your Hydrapouch or water bottle to fill up at the finish line.

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR SHOE CHIP

BEFORE THE RACE

• Please remove the chip from your shoe and drop it in one of the buckets. This will be self-serve.

Please do it as soon as you’ve got your legs and feel comfortable to do so (but before you leave the race and go back to your hotel!).

• You will receive your shoe chip with your bib.

• Follow the image by image instructions above and zip-tie the timing chip to your shoe on race morning.

• NO CHIP = NO TIME!

• All masters and overall awards will be based on gun time. If you plan to compete for these top spots you will need to line up at the front of the line. All age divisions and team awards will be based on chip time. If you are standing towards the back, it may be a few minutes before you cross the start line. Your time does not officially start until you cross the starting line (unless you are competing for an overall top finisher spot), so please be courteous to others as we start the race.

AFTER THE RACE

• All timing chips must be returned after the race.

• We will have buckets along with clippers to remove the timing chip from your shoe all over the finish area (near the food, before you leave the runners area, before you enter the parking lot, etc.)

10

POST RACE INFO LOST & FOUND • There is no official lost & found. If we find lost items we will hold onto them and you can contact us at info@vacationraces.com • There will be gear check at the start line.

• There will be a bin to dump extra clothing at mile 3. Anything found littered on the course elsewhere will be considered trash and either thrown away or donated.

MEDICAL TENT The medical tent at the finish line is for athletes only; family members are not The awards ceremony will take place at the stage just past the finish line towards the lake allowed. Overcrowding in the medical tent and will begin at 8:45 AM. See map on page 8. prevents medical staff from doing their job.

For information on an athlete receiving medical attention please wait outside the tent RACE RESULTS for updates.

Results will be available later the morning of the race. We will post them on Facebook and also send them in a post-race email the day or POST-RACE SURVEY two after the race. They will also be available Within a week of race day we will be sending on our website. out a post-race survey. We would really appreciate it if you took the 5-10 minutes to complete the survey for us. The survey MEDALS All runners will receive a finisher medal. Place provides us with information that allows us to better work with the local community medals will be given to the top 5 male and and gain more support for future races, but female runners overall as well as the Masters 40+ group. Additionally, the top 5 in each age more importantly it provides us with valuable insight into what we are doing well and what group and the top 3 teams will also receive a we need to improve. We love our runners and place medal. couldn’t improve our race series without your feedback. Please watch for the email.

If you qualify for a place medal but are not present at the awards ceremony to receive it we will happily ship it to you. Go to our website and request your medal and pay the cost of shipping (about $8).

“A man on foot will see more, feel more, enjoy more in one mile than the motorized tourists can in a hundred miles”

11

RACE PHOTOGRAPHY FROM LUCID IMAGES

FREE PHOTO

Lucid Images will be taking photos at the start line, on the course, and at the finish line. They will be at the expo so be sure to stop by and say hello!

I n addition to photos of runners on the course and crossing the finish line, Lucid Images will have a designated area near the awards ceremony stage where runners can pose for a finisher photo. This photo will be made available FOR FREE to runners!

To be sure you can find your picture later, wear your bib with the numbers clearly visible at all times. If the photographers cannot identify you by your bib then your photo will end up in an “unidentified runner� folder on their website.

PHOTOS ON COURSE

Photos are usually available on Lucid Images website the Wednesday or Thursday following the race. We will send out an email to notify all runners and post it on Facebook

As a heads up to runners, there will be signs on the course to let runners know they are coming up on photographers. Ya know, just in case you wanted to freshen up your makeup or pick up the pace or otherwise pose for the photo :)

12

RUNNER DEMOGRAPHICS Whos Coming?

46 5 COUNTRIES

STATES

USA | CANADA | COSTA RICA GERMANY | SCOTLAND

27

TEAMS

1/2 as Long, 2x As Good Looking | Chesapeake Bada$$es Run Colorado (CBRC) | Colorado Obstacle Racers | fast-forward | Flailing Floridians | highdesertrunners | Just Dou IT! | kickin the bucket-list | Larimer Runners | Mason Mountain Runners | No Scrubs | Oklahoma SadKnees | Road Warriors | Rocky Mountain Husker Runners | Run for Fun | Run then Rum | Running Away | Runs With Scissors | s’more runners | Soft Surroundings | Team LEAK | Team RWB | The Stalwart Runners | The Tenacious Tens | Them Running Shoes | Tooele Running Club | WTF! Where’s The Finish?

AGE DIVISIONS MALE <11 -

12-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75< 2 9 19 56 77 77 62 81 50 42 22 12 3 1

<11 1

12-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75< 3 8 54 159 162 183 163 118 86 67 27 8 5 -

FEMALE

COURSE RECORDS Our course record holders receive a FREE RACE ENTRY every year that their time remains the course record! Our course records were set at our inaugural race in 2013 and then broken last year by Walter Brown and Hanka Randakova (men and women respectively).

Walter Brown SOUTH JORDAN, UT

1:22:11 Hanka Randakova PRAGUE, CZ

1:32:03 14

AREA INFORMATION

Estes Park

RESTAURANT RECOMMANDATIONS These are some of the best spots to eat while you’re in Estes Park. Expect these places to be busy, so try to plan accordingly (call ahead and check availability and wait times) and Sandwiches & Combos Soupsaandbackup Starters plan in case they’re full. maybe have

Traditional French Onion Soup Corn and Bell Pepper Chowder Soup Du Jour

Cup Cup Cup

4 4 4

Bowl Bowl Bowl

Crab and Avocado Egg Roll, Cilantro Lemongrass Dressing White Cheddar Spinach and Artichoke Dip, served with House Made Corn Tortilla Chips Black Fig Flatbread, Caramelized Onions and Gorgonzola Calamari, lightly breaded, fried and served with Basil Pesto Aioli and cocktail sauce

All Sandwiches served with choice of Hand-Cut Sea Salt Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Fresh Fruit, or Kettle Chips Rustic Herb Chicken Smoked Bacon, Avocado, White Cheddar and Mayonnaise on Foccacia

6 6 6

10 8 8 11

SMOKIN’ DAVE’S BBQ

12

Grilled Cheese Sharp Cheddar and Tomato on Sourdough Bread, Bacon

10

Classic Reuben Corned Beef, Sauerkraut, 1000 Island Dressing, and Swiss Cheese on Marbled Rye

12

Salads Fantastic barbecue, a full bar,Mediterranean and live is a B.L.T. entertainment. Smokin’ Dave’s 10

family friendly restaurant with a full* menu. Dinner here might be a little heavy for a pre-race meal, but you should definitely stop in while in town.

Add: Chicken Breast - 4, Shrimp - 6, or Salmon - 6, to any salad* Grilled Spring Asparagus Salad with Roasted Garlic, Goat Cheese, and Pine Nuts

Fresh Mozzarella, Pesto Aioli, on Foccacia

Smoked Salmon Served with Green Leaf Lettuce, Tomato, Purple Onion on Whole Grain with Horseradish Crème Fraiche

10

Turkey577-7427 Club 820 Moraine Ave, Estes Park, CO Traditional • (970) • smokindavesq.com Smoked Bacon, Tomato, Green Leaf Lettuce, Avocado and Dijonnaise, on 9 Grain Bread

The Classic Wedge served with crisp applewood bacon, grape tomatoes, and Bleu Cheese Crumbles

16

Asian Pear Salad Petite Whole Lettuce Leafs, Candied Walnuts, Gorgonzola Crème Fraiche

16

Classic Romaine Caesar with Croutons, Shaved Parmesan, and Caesar dressing

14

14

11

French Ham & Gruyere Croque Monsieur Grilled Ham & Cheese with a Fontina Cheese Sauce Fish & Chips Beer Battered Icelandic Cod and Hand Cut Fries, Served with House Made Tartar Sauce

EGG AND I Design Your OwnTHE Grille Classic

“Choose Your Bread” Brioche Bun Foccacia Pretzel Bun

13

14

La Carte Family-friendly diner-style servingBeverages home-style AmericanAbreakfast & lunch “Choice of Cheese” Hand-Cut Sea Salt Fries 4 Cheddar standards.Sharp If Cheese you’re looking for the perfect place to Sweet have a great cup of coffee Bleu Potato Fries 4 Swiss Smokedor Provolone with friends a hearty lunch made just the way you Freshwant Cut Fruit it, our friendly 5 American Cottage Cheese 5 associates will make you feel welcome.

“Select Your Burger” Angus Beef* North American Bison* Herb Marinated Chicken Breast White Meat Turkey Patty Veggie Patty

“Add Your Toppings” 2 included, additional at $1 per topping Smoked Bacon Caramelized Onions Cremini Mushrooms Egg, any style* Avocado Jalapeno

French Roast Organic Coffee

“Accompanied By” Hand-Cut Sea Salt Fries Sweet Potato Fries Fresh Cut Fruit Kettle Chips

3

Hot, Iced , or Sweet Tea

3

Premium Orange Juice

4

Apple or Cranberry Juice

3

Hot Apple Cider or Hot Chocolate

3

Kettle Chips

393 E Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, CO Sodas80517 • theeggandirestaurants.com 3 (Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Diet Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist, Dr. Pepper, Mug Root Beer)

3

* Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness

WATERFRONT GRILLE Thank You For Choosing to Dine With Us Today LUNCH A local favorite with casual fine dining and stunning views of the lake and Rocky Mountains. The menu offers selections ranging from soups and salads to a variety of entrees, emphasizing seafood and grilled favorites.

“In order to provide outstanding service to all our diners, parties of 8 or more, no split checks please.”

Waterfront

Grille

Join us for Sunday Brunch every Sunday • Our facilities are also available for your next Special Event or Meeting

1700 Big Thompson Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517 • theestesparkresort.com/waterfront

15

SEE PAGE 4 FOR MAP

PARK INFORMATION

Rocky Mountain National Park All visitors are required to purchase a pass in order to enter Rocky Mountain National Park.

Park shuttles will be running.

NATIONAL PARK PASS FEE Private Vehicle: $20 (valid for 7 days) Per Person: $10 (valid for 7 days) Annual Pass: $80 (grants entrance to every National Park in the country) Seniors over 62 can purchase a lifetime pass for just $10. Active members of the U.S. Military are eligible for a free pass as well as U.S. citizens with permanent disabilities.

PARK SHUTTLES

HIKER SHUTTLE EXPRESS ROUTE

Makes stops at the Estes Park Visitor Center, the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, and Park & Ride.

• First bus leaves the Estes Park Visitor Center at 6:30 a.m. and last bus leaves Park & Ride at 7:30 p.m.

• Hiker Shuttle runs on an hourly schedule early and late in the day, switching to a halfhour schedule from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

BEAR LAKE ROUTE MORAINE PARK Runs between Park & Ride and ROUTE Bear Lake.

• Leaves Park & Ride every 10-15 minutes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Makes stops at the Bierstadt lake Trail head and the Glacier Gorge Trail head.

16

Runs between Park & Ride and Fern Lake Bus Stop.

• Leaves Park & Ride every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Makes stops at Park & Ride, Hollowell Park, Tuxedo Park, Moraine Park Visitor Center, Moraine Park Campground (C-Loop), Cub Lake Trail head and Fern Lake Bus Stop.

PLACES OF INTEREST 1 Chasm Lake

2 Alberta Falls

3 Bear Lake

4 Hallett Peak

5

3 4

2

1

5 Trail Ridge Road

Rocky Mountain National Park

CLUBS & TRIFECTA POINTS CHALLENGES FOR THE ELITE AMONG US

Chasm Lake Club Continental Divide Club Rocky Mountain Trifecta To encourage our runners to get our and enjoy the park, we have two race hikes and a Trifecta challenge.

All runners that join EITHER Club (Chasm Lake OR Hallett Peak) will receive 50% OFF next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s race entry, and completing the Trifecta grants 20% off next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entry.

Any runner who sends us a picture of themselves at the summit of the Chasm Lake hike, or at the top of Hallett Peak within 72 hours of the end of the race which includes: 1) A clear view of your face 2) Your bib with bib numbers clearly visible 3) Your finisher medal in plain view The same rules apply for the Trifecta (one picture for each of the three activities).

Example of qualifying photo Following the 2015 Rocky Mountain Half Marathon, we will post a link to the website where runners can send us their photos and names. Good luck!

18

Rocky Mountain Bear Lake

TRIFECTA

Alberta Falls

The ROCKY MOUNTAIN TRIFECTA is comprised of 3 different activities. You must complete all 3 in order to complete the Trifecta. Same rules as the Club Hikes apply: take your picture at each of the 3 with your bib and finisher medal and send them to us 72 hours after finishing the race. The Trifecta is meant to be challenging, but less strenuous. These are iconic activities inside the park that should be experienced, but are doable with children. The 3 activities that makeup the Trifecta are:

1 HIKE AROUND BEAR LAKE

2 ALBERTA FALLS

Bear Lake is beautiful, and incredibly easy to get to. You drive to the Bear Lake parking lot and it is a 1/4 mile to a beautiful view of the lake and Hallett Peak. The hike around the lake is beautiful and easily can be done with children. Those attempting the Hallett Peak hike will start at Bear Lake.

The hike to Alberta Falls begins from the Glacier Gorge Trail head on Bear Lake Road, located almost 8 miles from the turn-off at Highway 36. Due to the extreme popularity of the Bear Lake Road area, you may want to consider using the free park shuttle to reach the trail head during the peak tourist season.

It is 1.7 miles round-trip.

3 TRAIL RIDGE ROAD

Trail Ridge Rd is an incredible byway that goes from Estes Park to Grand Lake, crosses the continental divide, climbs above the tree line, and offers incredible views.

Our challenge to you is to drive to the top of Trail Ridge Rd and to make the short hike to the tallest peak. This road is only open 3 months out of the year!

Following the 2015 Rocky Mountain Half Marathon, we will post a link to the website where runners can send us their photos and names. Good luck!

CLUB SUBMISSION FORM www.therockymountainhalf.com/club

19

RM TRIFECTA SUBMISSION FORM www.therockymountainhalf.com/trifecta

Chasm Lake Club Chasm Lake is located 4.2 miles from the Longs Peak Trail head in Rocky Mountain National Park. It fills a deep cirque carved from the base of Mt Meeker (13,911 ft), Longs Peak (14,259 ft) and Mount Lady Washington (13,281 ft).

The trail climbs steadily from the Longs Peak Ranger Station through lodgepole, spruce and fir. Snow cover is possible year round, but large cairns ensure you stay on course. Large boulders and uneven talus ring the lake, requiring some minor scrambling to the best viewpoints. To avoid crowds and afternoon thunderstorms, we encourage you to start your hike early in the morning.

CHASM LAKE

Difficulty: Moderate Total Mileage: 8.4 mi round-trip Type of Hike: Out and back Elevation Gain: 2,456 ft.

Parking Lot Coordinates Latitude: 40.27246 Longitude: -105.55725

Trail head Elevation = 9,405 ft.

Lake Elevation = 11,803 ft.

20

Continental Divide Club Hallett Peak stands prominently along the Continental Divide over Chaos Canyon (south), and Tyndall Glacier (north). The hike to Hallett Peak begins from the Bear Lake Trail head located at the end of Bear Lake Road, 9 miles from the turn-off at Highway 36. Due to the extreme popularity of the area you may want to consider using the free park shuttle to access the trail head during the peak tourist season.

From the trail head hikers will immediately make a right turn onto the Bear Lake Loop Trail. After a short walk along the eastern shore of Bear Lake youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll make another right turn onto the trail that leads to Flattop Mountain.

No maintained trail reaches Hallett Peak, however a well-established cross-country route leads south from Flattop Mountain to its base, where a steep scramble continues up to the summit.

HALLETT PEAK

Difficulty: Difficult Total Mileage: 10 mi round-trip Type of Hike: Out and back Elevation Gain: 3,324 ft.

Trail head Elevation = 9,475 ft.

Peak Elevation = 12,713 ft.

Parking Lot Coordinates Latitude: 40.31196 Longitude: -105.64581

21

SEE MAP ON PAGE 15 FOR OVERALL PARK LOCATION

CONNECT ONLINE @VACATIONRACES

#RMHALF

We will be making a slideshow video using all the pictures YOU post! Be sure to follow us and use the official race hash tag #rmhalf. We will be giving out prizes from our store (t-shirts and other merchandise) to the best photos featuring:

PHOTO CONTEST • Pictures Of The Course • Race Prep • Race Recovery • Enjoying The Park • And Much More!

PRIVACY SETTINGS - If your privacy settings restrict who can see your posts, then we will be unable to see them, even if you use the race hash tag. If we can’t see the posts then they will not be considered for prizes or included in post race celebrations. If your settings restrict who can see them, it is likely a deliberate choice and we completely understand and respect that. Just FYI.

22

WELCOME BART YASSO!

BART WILL BE JOINING US RACE WEEKEND. BE SURE TO FIND HIM AND SAY HI. BART YASSO Chief Running Officer, Rodale’s Runner’s World 1987-present Coaching thousands of marathon runners enrolled in the Runner’s World Challenge AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS Inducted in to the Running USA hall of Champions. · Creator of the “Yasso 800s,” a workout that predicts marathon race pace by running 800 meters 10 times. This technique is extremely popular in Europe and in Italy. · Author of My Life on the Run · Run marathons worldwide – from Boston and New York to Antarctica and Mount Kilimanjaro, and at least one on all seven continents. One of the relatively few hardcore ultra-endurance runners to complete the Badwater – at 146-miles running race considered the toughest run in the U.S 1989. Inducted into the Running USA Hall of Champions. · Completed two solo, unsupported bicycle rides across the U.S. in 20 days, averaging 155 miles per day.

Yasso joined Runner’s World in 1987 to develop the groundbreaking Runner’s World Race Sponsorship Program, creating a vehicle for Runner’s World to work with over 7,000 races representing 4 million runners per year. Inducted into the Running USA Hall of Champions.

Yasso also invented the Yasso 800s, a marathon-training schedule used by thousands around the world. He is one of the few people to have completed races on all seven continents from the Antarctica marathon to the Mt. Kilimanjaro marathon. In 1987, Yasso won the U.S. National Biathlon Long Course Championship and won the Smoky Mountain Marathon in 1998. He has also completed the Iron Man five times and the Badwater 146 through Death Valley. He has also cycled, unsupported and by himself, across the country twice. © bartyasso.com

MEET THE VR TEAM SALEM STANLEY Founder

Salem Stanley is the President and Founder of Vacation Races. He loves the personal growth that comes from athletics and physical challenges. He also is in love with National Parks. He received a BA in Business from Southern Virginia University where he was an All-American track athlete. He recently graduated with an MBA from BYU.

DEHN CRAIG Customer Experience - Marketing

Dehn ran track in high school and was the high school hurdle coach while still a student. After working in video production and getting an Engineering degree followed by an MBA (where he and Salem met), Dehn has finally found a home as our Marketing and Creative Director. He loves exploring the national parks with his beautiful wife and four Junior Rangers.

LYLE ANDERSON Race Operations

Lyle was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis on his 30th birthday and was told that in 5 to 10 years he could be in a wheelchair. Lyle, now 37, has ran 9 Marathons, about 43 – 1/2 Marathons and has completed 8 – 1/2 Iron Man distance races and 2 – full distance Iron Man events. One of them being the Iron Man World Championship in 2013 in Kona, HI.

CHERIE SANTIAGO Customer Service

Cherie may live in Southern Utah but her soul still lives in Southern California where she grew up surfing and sailing in the sun. She can be spotted running or biking around the trails or biking through Zion National Park to find more trails to run on. Cherie has been working with us on our race crew since our inaugural run in Zion. You can’t spell customer service with out CS!

MEGAN WHEELER Sponsorship and Expo

Megan began swimming at the age of 5. At the age of 16, Megan’s swimming career was cut short just before she attended Olympic Trials. Megan went on to swim at University of Southern California for two years before transferring to Eastern Washington University and graduating with a degree in Recreation Management. Even after Megan’s fourth shoulder surgery her passion for athletics has only grown, and she still enjoys a number of challenging activities including running, triathlons, and exploring the outdoors around the world.

MEGAN STANLEY Merchandise

Megan has been running since middle school and ran track and cross country in high school and college. She studied Physical Education and Recreation Administration at SVU and went on to coach high school cross country and track. She loves the outdoors and staying active with her family.

ROBIN RODGERS Communications

Robin is an Army Brat who graduated from BYU with a degree in Communications. She’s a recreational runner and a recent fan of half-marathons.

24

WHO WE ARE Located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Honey Stinger makes nutritious and great tasting honey-based foods including energy bars, protein bars, energy gels, organic waffles, organic chews, kids specific snacks and our very own Organic Wildflower Honey.

NATURE’S ENERGY SOURCE • Honey is rich in carbohydrates, making it ideal fuel for working muscles.

• When eaten before activity, it is released into the system at a steady rate throughout the activity.

• Helps muscles stay nourished longer, and delays muscle fatigue.

• Research shows ingesting a combination of carbohydrates and protein immediately following exercise refuels and decreases muscle soreness.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION Providing 17 grams of carbohydrates and 64 calories per tablespoon, honey is a natural sweetener without any added ingredients.

#stayhydrated BEYOND RACE DAY WITH NUUN. Save 20% with code: vacationraces at shop.nuun.com.

Promo code valid at shop.nuun.com through 12/31/15.

Some items cannot be discounted.

Real food.

Primal Performance.

PALEO INSPIRED

GLUTEN

FREE DAIRY

FREE

NO PEANUTS

NON

TRY A

FREE

SAMPLE

Fuel for the modern caveman.

The perfect combination of delicious, all natural ingredients to keep your body going at its primal best.

GMO

at

cavemanfoods.com Details on website

Š2015 CAVEMAN FOODS

cavemanfoods.com

Training Camps, Running Vacations, Endurance Coaching & Mental Training

One of top 10 adult running camps in the USA Daily Burn, March 2015 A once-in-a-lifetime fitness retreat for women Shape Magazine, March 2015 Use code VR1002015 to save $100 on women's camps & code VR50Trail2015 to save $50 on our trail camps!

Women's Running Camps - May, July, & September Trail Running Camps - May & September Running Vacations - all year round!

OfďŹ cial Training Partner for Vacation Races!

Details at Vacation Races Training Blog on our website - sign up for our free training programs

Contact Camp Director Terry Chiplin for any questions on our camps, coaching, and training! terry@activeataltitude.com

www.activeataltitude.com / 303-304-9159

SHOP LOCAL

Jax Outdoor Gear: Loveland | Lafayette | Fort Collins

COVER YOUR SWEET SPOT

WWW.SWEETSPOTSKIRTS.COM

HIPCAMPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s AdvAnCed MusCle ReCoveRy systeM. Find ranches, farms, parks, and beautiful estates to camp on.

Find your own piece of nature.

Find yourself outside.

Hipcamp.com

Photo by Hipcamp Voyagers Vancrafted

Rocky Mountain

HALF MARATHON AUGUST 1, 2015

therockymountainhalf.com #RMhalf