Important Race Day Information

Attention All Runners!!!!

This is important information regarding activities on Sunday morning.

We will be holding registration at the JP Gammon Hall in Scotsburn from 7:30 until 8:15.  Pre-register at www.atlanticchip.ca to save some time on race day!  And don't forget, with your registration, you get an awesome buff, if you are among the first 47!! 

We appreciate all those who have pre-registered and hope to see more out that morning.  We will be asking for the typical things - name, age, address, email - and also how you learned about the race.  We will also give you a  chance to put your name in for the prize draws that will be taking place that morning (probably 10:30 - 11ish).  No worries if you are still out on the course, we will hold your prize for you.  

There are two washrooms located in the Hall and also an outhouse at the start/finish line.  We are runners, too, we know details like this are important!!  We promise to keep them stocked!

Look - Green leaves!!!

Our local Recreation group will be hosting a BBQ that morning as well.  More information will be coming soon on the details of that.  

Also, for those who are bringing their own cheering squad, there are things at the start/finish line to keep the smaller members of the cheer squad happy - play equipment, lots of room to run and a ballfield and tennis courts, too.

There is also a little cafe just down the street, called Deb's Hidden Cafe, that will be open at 7:30 on Sunday morning.  If you happen to pop in for breakfast or a snack, be sure to let her know you are in town for the race and say thanks - she's one of our sponsors, too!!!

In the last few days before the race, be sure to check in here as we will be posting last minute details as things happen.  It is our hope that you, the runners, are as excited about this Trail Run as we are!

And if you are looking for more Trail runs in Nova Scotia, check out Nova Scotia Trail Running - they have lots of awesome races planned and they put on a great race!

And thankfully, things are turning green!!!

The Fitz Fanatics!!

Bridge Repair Crew

Today was slated for trail work.  We had a couple more bridges that were in need of TLC...well, maybe a little more than TLC - we'll call it a complete overhaul.  Plans were made, lumber was collected and supplies gathered - oh, and trucks were borrowed { too long of a trek to take all those supplies in by wheelbarrow!! }  The weather even cooperated.  We had a great turn out of helping hands - of all shapes and sizes!

The borrowed truck all loaded up

Another awesome father-in-law!

The littles who joined the work crew!

But it wasn't all work, work, work!!

Any good work party is incomplete without lots of snack breaks!

Many hands makes for dangerous hammering and unevenly spaced boards!

Our fearless race director!

So, when you hit a bridge with shiny new lumber, remember we did it for you.  We wanted you to be safe, first and foremost, and your feet to stay to dry, or at least dry-ish!  I know we stand to benefit from the improved bridges but you know how it is when you have company coming!  We want the trails to be in tip-top shape for our company.  So the old was lugged out and the new brought in. 

So, be ready to hit those bridges running and give it your all!  Leave it all on the mountain!

The Fitz Fanatics

Sharing the Goodness

As trail runners, we share the trails.  Not only with other runners, bikers, and hikers, but with creatures of the four-legged and winged variety.  We may never see the creatures who travel the trails, but they are there.  And at times they need our help.

So where do you turn if you have a woodland creature that needs help?  Did you know that we have a great resource close by?  Well, let me introduce Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.  It is run by a dedicated team of workers { read:volunteers } who have opened their home and yard to help those creatures.  You can also check them out on FaceBook, Twiiter and You Tube.

They are currently working on getting funding pulled together to build a Bald Eagle Flight Recovery Facility.  You can check out one of their fundraising options  here.  This giant cage will allow the injured birds to test their wings and recover their strength before being reintroduced into the wild.  

We are going to be collecting donations on race day  to help out with this project.   I know they need money to contribute towards the building of the new facility but I also know they need food to feed the animals they have in their care.  So you have two options for donating - you can make a cash donation or you can bring a gift card from a local grocery store. Either way, we will be lending a hand to help our local wildlife.

So, come prepared to share the goodness of the trails and of helping those who need it.

See you there!

14k Course Map

We finally managed to get the 14k route mapped out, we cleared the downed trees and flagged the course (for the most part).  We were up there for a bit but we had a great time doing it!  I guess that is the thing about organizing events like this with like-minded people.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/302161272

The 14k route follows the first part of the 7k route up the mountain.  At the water station, the 14k runners will head out further along the trail.  There are parts of the trail that are double track and parts that are only single.  As this section is out and back, you will be running with two-way traffic.  You will pass 2 wind turbines along this part of the course as well. The turn around spot is by the BIG tree trunk.  We will have a course marshal posted there so you don't end up too far out!  

Once you hit the water station again, you link back up with the 7k course.  This last part is downhill!  Or mostly any way!  And you have earned the sweet down hill!  

These are technical courses - narrow paths, roots, rocks, small streams, some of which have bridges and some don't.  There are hills, both up and down so DO YOUR HILL TRAINING!  I am not kidding!   There are straight sections and I expect some epic passing going on! And there are twisty-turny sections, too, so be prepared for the challenge of it!

So go to www.atlanticchip.ca, register and be a part of something fun, healthy and EPIC!

The Fitz Fanatics

Buff and Stuff

We are busy over here, getting ready for the big day.  Things are being ordered and plans are being made.  Letters are being written and insurance is being secured.  Water station location and plans are being laid out. And, thanks to Naomi MacIntyre, posters are designed!!!  Now, we have to print them off and start putting them up everywhere!  Doesn't it look great?

And, we are so excited about this part, THE FIRST 50 PEOPLE REGISTERED GET A BUFF!  And not just any buff, an awesome Original Buff in Cashmere Blue  {which sounds kinda lame } but really they are AWESOME!!  Picture a blue bandana in Buff form!  Epic,  I know!  You can check it out here.

We have invited the local photography group to take pictures along the route on race day.  So, when you run, be sure to smile!!  We are hoping to get some great action shots of the runners for the blog and to help advertise the future races.  

Please spread the word, we are so excited about this race and YOU, the runners,  are what will make it awesome!

Fitz Fanatics

7k Course Map

Here is the map and elevation of the 7k course.  

http://connect.garmin.com/course/3151790  

Ignore our time...we were snowshoeing and breaking trail almost the whole time...we are hoping to snow will be gone by the long weekend in May....

We will be starting at the ballfield and heading up the Fitz trail all the way to the cell tower. Here we have reached the highest point (Whew!) and a water and snack station!! The descent begins with Blowdown which takes us along the back of the mountain to the Sweet Severn trail. This trail leads to the Kilt trail - a beautiful vista where you can see all the way across the Northumberland Strait to Prince Edward Island! This is our favorite trail - even running up it! Once we have reached the bottom of Kilt, we hit a short stretch of double track before heading onto Maddie's Madness - a fun, twisting downhill singletrack that leads to Reindeer Road (more downhill!) At the bottom of Reindeer Road you will recognize the bridge you crossed at the start - almost finished! Continue back down the Fitz trail to the cheeering fans, the finish line and more food!

{ We will be posting the 14k course which will not be another loop of the 7k course.  It will take you out along the top of the mountain on a single track, past 2 wind turbines, out further, turn around and head back to the water station.  So, for that 7k section of the course, there will be two way traffic.Then you head down the same trails as the 7k course. }

If you want more details, please send us on email or check our Facebook Page by clicking here.

Train well, train smart!!

The Fitz Fanatics

Hard At It

Although the calendar tells us Spring has arrived, Winter is still hard at it.  Our mountain remains a snowy haven for the snowshoers.  We have attempted a few runs but deep snow and sketchy footing has made for some interesting mornings.

The planning of our run is well under way.  Lists are made, bibs are here, volunteers are lining up.  We range from excited to panicked and back again.  The count down is on.

We want you to know we are looking forward to sharing our favourite place on earth with you, our fellow trail runners.  

Even though Winter still has its grip on our mountain, we are seeing it on race day.  Trails marked, marshals in place, the buzz of excitement in the air.

Just when you think you have everything under control, three, ten, fifteen more things pop up that you haven't thought of before.  So, on the list it goes.

Be sure to register at www.atlanticchip.ca for the First Annual Fitz Frenzy Trail Run.

It's going to be EPIC!

Can't wait to see you there.  Train well, train smart.

Fitz Fanatics