Nature's Harmony Eco-Race Update (from Henry)

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The race starts at 8 AM, so if we meet up at Tim Horton's on Seymour
St. in North Bay, between 6:15-6:30 we should have plenty of time to
get breakfast and get over to the site (Google Maps has 1 h 8 min to
the Ecolodge).

-Repeater access into 147.15+ is spotty at the site;
primary simplex on 147.420, backup 146.520
-Car access to 3 out of 4 checkpoints confirmed (I will bring a mobile
radio/booster battery setup in case driving is impossible to the
fourth- KD8LWV)
-Tarps will be set up at the aid stations.
-The organizers asked that we bring our own chairs if possible.
-No lunches provided as far as I know, but there will be a barbecue
after the race (~4:30).

va3dlj
va3bdr
va3cmx
Ve3YO (Doug has spoken to Gerry, he sounds like he's also confirmed)
Enclosed are two attachments - a png of the route and a google earth kml file, just remove the txt suffix to use it.
These are also saved on the website.

73 Henry kd8lwv

File attachments:

Attachment	Size
Map - final-2.png	256.61 KB
ecoracetrails.kml_.txt	67.47 KB

Newsletter:

NBARC Community Events

Comments

ECO Race == bring your own plates and cups ;)

KD8LWV - 2010, September 23 - 17:43

ECO Race == bring your own plates and cups for the meal afterwards ;)
From the race organizers:

Hello Volunteers,

The race is only two days away and we wanted to keep you informed on the plans and schedule for the day. The race is going to start at 8:30 am and if our volunteers could be here by 8:00 am, that would be great. It's going to be a great event and we are grateful for all your help. It wouldn't be possible without the help of our volunteers. Here is a list of the details that was sent out to all of the race participants.

Please note from below that everyone is required to bring their own dishes, cutlery & water bottles for the meal(s). This is the race with the smallest footprint and we are trying to reduce our waste. Therefore, there won't be a disposable dish option.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Race Participants,

With the race coming up this weekend, we wanted to touch base on the final plans/preparations for the event. Everything is falling in to place - the trails are ready, map is complete and we are getting excited for the event. As well, we have a long list of sponsors and a giant prize table with almost enough prizes for every participant. If you have any questions after reading this, please send us an email.

Parking

There will be a designated parking area before you reach the central grounds.

Registration / Race Kits

Registration will be available Friday evening (anytime after 4:00 pm) and on race day between 6:30 am and 8:00 am. A registration table will be set up in the central grounds area. Race kits will be distributed during registration.

Race Start-time (8:30 am)

We have finally decided on an official race time after changing it a couple of times. The race will start promptly at 8:30 am and both the 25 km and 50 km participants will start at the same time.

Race Course / Trail markers

The course will be a 12.5 km loop at which point you will return to the central grounds and then repeat the loop in the opposite direction. The course itself is a mix of old logging roads, double track trail and some single track trail. The terrain itself is a mix of flat land, rolling hills, steeper hills, open spaces, thick forest and some areas with spectacular view points. The course is well marked with coloured trail markers and there will also be km markers for the full course. The trail map has been attached or you can check it out on our website.

Aid Stations / First Aid

There will be three (3) aid stations positioned throughout the course and one at the central grounds. The aid stations will be stocked with an assortment of sweet treats, salty treats, fruit, water, pop & homemade Gatorade. Other necessities like simple first aid will be available. There will also be trained first aid help at the central grounds. If you get sick or injured, remain calm until help arrives.

Race Course Etiquette

For the most part, the trails are groomed to run two and sometimes three abreast, but there are also some single-track sections. Please be courteous and stay single file on the narrow sections. Participants passing should call out for the person to hear ahead.

Washroom / Shower Facilities

Next to the central grounds (start/finish area), there are outdoor composting toilet facilities, wash sinks and outdoor eco-showers. We are currently working on a plan to have hot water available for the showers by heating with fire. (Remember this is Ontario's race with the smallest footprint!). As well, we have a large outdoor sauna available.

Post Race Dinner / After-Party

We will serve a post race meal, which includes: salad, stuffed zucchini's, pasta, bread and dessert. All race participants will be required to have their BIB NUMBERS to receive their meal. If you have ordered additional meal tickets they will be in your Race Kit.

**Very Important: As this is a 'green' event, we want to minimize the amount of waste generated. Therefore, please bring your own dishes, cutlery & water bottles as we will not be providing a disposable option. We will also have a central wash station set up for everyone to wash their own dishes.

Following dinner, there will be an after-party with a bonfire and live acoustic entertainment. If you play an instrument, please feel free to bring it along.

Awards / Other Prizes

The award ceremony will take place during dinner. We also have a prize table with great donations from our sponsors. All registered participants will be eligible for random drawings to be held throughout the dinner.

If you finish the race early, there is lots to keep you entertained while you wait for the dinner and awards. There is volleyball, horseshoes, bollaboll, bocce ball, swimming, canoeing in Bang's Bay or relaxing in a hot sauna.

Camping

There will be a designated area for camping. It is a group camping area - but, there is lots of land for everyone. Please prepare for 'rough' camping as we are not an official campground - bring your own chairs, etc. We do have washroom facilities and a central fire pit area if you would like to cook. The weather can be cool at this time of year so don't forget to bring lots of warm clothes, sleeping bags, etc. We will also have a bonfire going on Friday evening.

Greening the Event
Please check out our 2010 Green Initiatives at: http://www.naturesharmony.ca/ROTG%20Green%20Initiatives.html
Wrap Up
We've been working hard preparing for this event and we are confident it will be a success. As well, we have some wonderful volunteers and great sponsors that have helped make this event a reality. However, please keep in mind that it is our first year. If you have any recommendations for futures years, we would love to hear them.
We looking forward to seeing you on race day!
Bring some sunshine!
Jen & Tzach

--

Nature's Harmony

www.naturesharmony.ca
705-223-4340

Doug VA3DLJ and I visited

KD8LWV - 2010, September 24 - 21:10

Doug VA3DLJ and I visited Nature's Harmony in Mattawa this afternoon to test the radios from the actual checkpoints; everything seems to be reachable
from the Start/Finish with the mobiles, and some possibly even with handhelds.

Some suggestions: insect repellent as there were blackflies around; weather protection for yourselves and your radios (24-Hour Precipitation Outlook 2-4 mm of rain from Friday Evening to Saturday Afternoon), chairs and snacks.

Checkpoint 1 (Will require walking in some distance to the site)

Leaving the Start / Finish, go North 300-400 m up the car-drivable track, park at the edge of the field (it will have people running
through during the race) and take the 4x4 track to the left (West) Follow that for another 100-200 m, you will see the blue tarp that is
checkpoint 1.

Checkpoint 2 (On Snake Creek Road)
This checkpoint will be set up the morning of the race, on Snake Creek Road, and will have a blue tarp for the volunteers.

Checkpoint 3 (South of the Start/Finish, accessible by front wheel drive vehicle)
Access to Checkpoint 3 is via the track directly across Snake Creek Road when exiting from the Nature's Harmony front gate. Follow the
track beyond the cabin, and take the overgrown but drivable trail to the right (North) to the checkpoint with the blue tarp.

Start/Finish (Vehicle accessible)
Located in the field below the main lodge at Nature's Harmony
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Runners will complete the course in one direction, then go back the way they came - e.g. For Checkpoint 1: runners on their first and
third laps will be coming from the Start/Finish on the right and exiting to the left, while on their second and fourth laps they will
be coming from the left and exiting towards the start/finish on the right.

There will be non-radio volunteers at each checkpoint, and the organizers have not asked us to relay checkpoint times etc. to the
Start/Finish, but rather mainly to be there to report safety issues if they occur.

Our initial thoughts for matching people with checkpoints:

Bruce VA3BDR at the Start/Finish, Chris VA3CMX at Checkpoint 1, Gerry VE3YO at Checkpoint 2, Doug VA3DLJ at Checkpoint 3, with myself KD8LWV
starting the race at Checkpoint 1 and working as a floater at the Start Finish or where needed).

Cheers,

Henry KD8LWV