Race Overview

RESULTS ARE IN | HIGHLIGHTS

A serious, hardy test for trail runners of any level, The North Face Endurance Challenge at Bear Mountain, NY, takes place on the western shores of the Hudson River, in the craggy foothills of the Catskill Mountains. Runners can expect technical terrain and rocky footing that cuts to the chase, with some trails heading steeply uphill rather than zig-zagging at a gentler grade. Descents end in wooded hollows before the next rapid climb ending with a breathtaking view. Make no mistake: this will be a tough test of off-road endurance.

Ratings:

Elevation Change:

Technical Terrain:

Overall Difficulty:

Scenery:

General Information

Race Date

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Start Times

50 Mile: 5:00 a.m.
Accelerade 50K: 7:00 a.m.
Half Marathon: 9:00 a.m.
10K: 9:15 a.m.

Top

Finish Cutoff Times

50 Mile:    6:00 p.m. (13 hours)
Accelerade 50K: 4:00 p.m. (9 hours)
Half Marathon:        1:00 p.m. (4 hours)
10K:        11:15 a.m. (2 hours)

50 Mile On-Course Cutoff Times

It is essential that participants select the appropriate race distance, based on their preparation and experience. For their safety and the safety of others, runners not reaching the designated cutoff points by the designated times will be removed from the course. No exceptions will be made. Continuation on the course will be unofficial and at the risk of participants.

Aid Station 3, at mile 15.7, will serve as the first of two hard cutoff points. Runners must reach this point 4 hours after the start of the race. Aid Station 7, at mile 39.2, will serve as the second of two hard cutoff points. Runners must reach this point 10.5 hours after the start of the race.

Top

Start/Finish Location

Bear Mountain State Park Administration Building
Bear Mountain, NY 10911

For park information and driving directions,click here.

Top

Finish Line Festival Schedule

Finish Line Festival Schedule:
9:00 a.m. Finish Line Festival Start
11:00 a.m.    Food and Beverage Service
11:30 a.m.    Awards Ceremony: 10K
12:30 p.m.    Awards Ceremony: Half Marathon
2:00 p.m. Awards Ceremony: Accelerade 50K
3:00 p.m. Awards Ceremony: 50 Mile
6:00 p.m. Finish Line Festival Ends

Top

Timing with ChampionChip�

The North Face Endurance Challenge utilizes the computerized ChampionChip timing system, which records each runner's actual running time to the second. Chip timing starts a runner's time when they reach the starting line instead of when the gun goes off. Your finish time is calculated precisely when you cross the Finish Line.

http://www.championchip.com/home/

To pick up your black loaner chip, you must present your bib number at the designated ChampionChip booth Saturday morning. You may also use your own ChampionChip as long as you include the code on your registration application. You must, however, bring your personalized yellow chip to the ChampionChip booth race morning to be scanned along with your bib number.

All black loaner chips must be surrendered at the Finish Line. Failure to do so will result in a $50 replacement fee.

Please do not forget to wear your computer chip. If you do not wear your computer chip, you will not be timed and will not receive a finisher's medal or be eligible for awards.

Please see below for runner check-in schedule at the ChampionChip booth:

4:00-4:45 a.m. 50 Mile
5:30-6:45 a.m. Accelerade 50K
7:00-8:45 a.m. Half Marathon
7:00-9:00 a.m. 10K

Chips not returned at finish may be mailed to the following address:

Sports Stats
190 Colonade Rd, Unit #6
Ottawa, ON K2E 7J5
CANADA

Top

Rules

Race Officials have the right to remove any runner from the course deemed necessary for their safety and the safety of all others.

All participants/attendees/pacers/crews must adhere to the following rules:

Numbers must be visible on the outside and front of runner’s clothing.
Any runner dropping out of the race must notify a volunteer at a manned Aid Station, and you MUST check in with the Race Director at the Start/Finish area if you drop out of the race. The athlete will be responsible for paying a large bill if a Search and Rescue team is sent out on their behalf and they are not on the race course.
All Runners: It is your responsibility to check in at each Aid Station
Absolutely no littering. If you or your pacer abandon anything (e.g., drink cups, gel packets, banana peels, clothes, etc.) on the race course, you will be disqualified and prohibited from entering any future Endurance Challenge events. Bury human waste at least six inches deep, 200 feet from water sources and 50 feet from any trail. Recycle bins, trash cans and bathrooms are readily available and accessible throughout the course.
No weapons, personal alcohol, glass bottles, smoking, illegal drugs or pets will be permitted on the premises, including the Start/Finish area.
For your safety and the safety of other runners, if you miss a cutoff, you must notify a volunteer at a staffed Aid Station and you MUST check in with the Race Director at the Start/Finish area.
Only attempt to pass another runner or any person using the trail when it is safe for both you and the other person.
When passing another runner or any person using the trail, make every attempt to do so on their left, unless it is unsafe, and announce your intention to pass by saying, “passing on your left” (or right, if it is unsafe to pass on their left).
Provided it is safe to do so, you must yield to any runner or any person using the trail who announces his/her intention to pass, by stepping off the trail.
Be prepared to share the trail with runners, hikers and any other trail users coming from the opposite direction. The safest rule of thumb is to always stay to the right-hand side of the trail.
Violating any of these rules will result in runner disqualification.

Top

Crew/Handler and Pacing Instructions:

Designated Aid Stations for crews and pacers: Please see course maps
Crews must administer support only at designated Aid Stations (see Aid Station
section for complete list).
Crews must check in at designated Aid Station and follow the direction given by Aid Station staff on where to set up and assist their runners.
Pacers are not allowed on the course prior to mile 27 (thus, no pacers are allowed in 10K or Half Marathon races).
Pacers cannot meet runners at locations other than those designated (see the course maps).
Pacers must check in and sign a release waiver at designated Aid Stations when joining their runner.
Pacers must wear a bib number provided by Aid Station staff.
Pacer numbers must be visible on the outside and front of clothing.
Runners can be accompanied by only one (1) pacer at a time.
No pacers are allowed on-course prior to the first Aid Station designated for meeting runners.
No “muling” (pacers carrying runner’s gear or nutrition/fluids).
No vehicular or bike pacing allowed.
When leaving their runners, pacers are required to check in at an Aid Station (see Aid course maps) before leaving the course. Failure to check in will result in automatic disqualification of their runner.
Violating any of these rules will result in runner disqualification.

Note: Aid Station 6, at mile 33.2, will serve as the third of five Aid Stations which is crew-accessible. Parking at this location is limited in space and in duration of time cars can be parked here. Crews should not plan to park at this Aid Station longer than 2 hours.

Top

Headlamps

For safety reasons, all 50Mile competitors are required to have operating headlamps at the start of the race and have in their possession until one (1) hour past sunrise, approximately 6:15 a.m. Failure to comply will result in disqualification.

Top

Environment First

As part of its commitment to community and conservation, The North Face, in partnership with The Conservation Fund’s Go Zero program, will be planting trees to zero out the climate change “footprint” of each of The North Face Endurance Challenge events.

Check back later to find out exactly where the trees will be planted in your region.

Top

Gear Bag Drop

All participants can check gear bags at the Runner Gear Check Area located near the Start Line. You must provide your own bag. You will be provided with a sticker that will be clearly marked with your bib number, which you must adhere to your bag. Your bag will remain at the Runner Gear Check Area and can be claimed at the Finish Line Festival.
Accelerade 50K and 50 Mile participants may pack a gear bag with extras to be dropped at a specified Aid Station. Only certain, pre-specified Aid Stations will accommodate gear bags. Gear bags must be dropped off at packet pickup on Thursday or Friday to allow time for crew to place at specified Aid Station. You will be provided a sticker that will be clearly marked with your bib number and the station to which it is to be delivered and adhered to the bag. Bags without stickers will be left at the Start/Finish Line and will be available for retrieval at the Finish Line Festival.
The North Face and The Endurance Challenge cannot be held responsible for lost bags.
All gear Bags must be picked up at the Gear Check Area by 8:00 p.m. Saturday night. All Gear Bags remaining after 8:00 p.m. will be disposed of.
Recommended Gear Bag Needs
Please limit the weight of your gear bag to10 lbs. Each athlete will have items that are specific to their own needs at the drop. The following list is a suggested starting point for what may benefit you along the way.
- Extra Race Clothing: shirts, shorts, underwear, socks, shoes, rain gear, gloves, hat and towels
- Electronics – ZUNE, head phones
- Food – Energy bars, gels, sandwiches, snacks
- Drink – (Water, Accelerade and Accel Gel will be provided on course) Additional powders, drinks & supplements that you may choose to use during the Endurance Challenge
- First Aid – (Aid Stations will have First Aid available): Antacids, ibuprofen/asprin, sunscreen/sunblock, lip balm, blister protection (moleskin, blist-o-ban, Body Glide) analgesics, baby wipes, towels, scissors, Visine, antibiotic ointment, bandages
Top

Parking & Shuttle Info
There is plenty of parking onsite. For parking and directions, please visit:

http://www.nysparks.com/parks/info.asp?parkId=55

Parking areas open at 4:00 a.m. You will not be admitted to the park prior to 4:00 a.m.

Shuttle Departure Locations/Times:
There are no shuttles provided for this event as there is plenty of parking onsite.
Top

Driving Directions
There is plenty of parking onsite. For parking and directions, please visit
http://www.nysparks.com/parks/info.asp?parkId=55

Finish Line Festival:
The race will end where it started at Bear Mountain Park. Accelerade 50K and 50 Mile participants will receive a finisher’s medal once they have crossed the Finish Line. The Finish Line Festival features music, refreshments and food. A true family event, the Finish Line Festival will also offer free samples, product trials, demonstrations and raffle prizes from The North Face, Gore-Tex, Accelerade and more.

Event:
Bear Mountain State Park Administration Building
Bear Mountain, NY 10911

Top

Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
1106 Rt. 9 W.
Fort Montgomery, NY 10922
(845) 446-4277
Rate Code: Participants must call for reservations. They cannot be made online. Please call the number above and reference “The North Face Endurance Challenge.”
Top

Medical Info
Medical assistance will be provided on-course and at finish area. Look for medical volunteers wearing RED shirts for complimentary help before, during and after the race.
Top