Race Overview
CANCELLATION ALERT – WASHINGTON, D.C. RACE | PARTICIPANT LISTS
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Race Date | Start Times | Cutoff Times | Start/Finish Location | Finish Line Festival | Timing with ChampionChip | Rules | Crew/Handler and Pacing Instructions | Headlamps | Environment First | Gear Bag Drop | Parking & Shuttle Info | Driving Directions | Hotel | Medical Info
Now Playing: Washington, D.C. 2007 Endurance Challenge Race – Relive It!
After athletes raved about the scenery and layout, The North Face Endurance Challenge returns to Algonkian Regional Park, Great Falls Park and the Potomac Heritage Trail in 2008 (this year, one month later, to avoid the heat). The course keeps runners on their toes with ever-changing terrain. Overall, it consists of 50% singletrack, 30% dirt or gravel doubletrack, 10% gravel carriage road and 10% paved road. The Great Falls sections are highlighted by some intense elevation changes, with steep-but-run-able climbs up to 300 feet. The River Trail covers what is widely held as the marquee section the event: up to three miles of tip-toeing and hopping along bluffs high above the Potomac River. The tedious-but-scenic time it takes to cover this section is more than offset by cruisey sections of undulating trail in the river basin.
Ratings:
Elevation Change:
Technical Terrain:
Overall Difficulty:
Scenery:
Race Date
Saturday, September 6, 2008Start Times
50 Mile: 5:00 a.m.Accelerade 50K: 7:00 a.m.
Half Marathon: 9:00 a.m.
10K: 9:15 a.m.
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 4, at mile 21.2, will serve as the first of two hard cutoff points. Runners must reach this point 5 hours and 35 minutes after the start of the race. Aid Station 8, at mile 34.9, will serve as the second of two hard cutoff points. Runners must reach this point 9 hours and 12 minutes after the start of the race.
Start/Finish Location
Algonkian Regional Park47001 Fairway Drive
Sterling, VA 20165
(703) 450-4655
Click here, for park information and driving directions.
Awards & Medals / Age Groups
Custom finisher medals will be given to each Accelerade 50K and 50 Mile participant when they complete their event. You must pick up your medal at the Finish Line. Medals will NOT be shipped.Prizes will be given to the top three male and female overall finishers in all races.
In the 50 Mile race only, cash prizes will be given to the top three male and female finishers in the following manner:
1st place male $1,000 1st place female $1,000
2nd place male $600 2nd place female $600
3rd place male $350 3rd place female $350
In addition to the $1,000 prize, the overall 1st place male and female finishers in the 50 Mile race will receive round-trip airfare, a two (2) night hotel stay and a complimentary entry into the Endurance Challenge Championship in San Francisco, CA, on December 6, 2008.
At the Endurance Challenge Championship, the 1st place male and female finishers in the 50 Mile race will receive the largest single prize in trail ultra running: $10,000 each and will be crowned champions of the 2008 The North Face Endurance Challenge. Second place male and female finishers will receive $4,000 each and third place male and female finishers will receive $1,000 each.
Age Groups
Prizes will also be given to the top three male and female finishers in each of the following age groups in all races:
20 and under 21-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+
Age group prizes will be comprised of The North Face and sponsor products.
Finish Line Festival
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
Packet Pickup
Runners must choose one of the following options for obtaining their race packet and race number:
Option 1: Participants may pick up their race bag and race number at the designated The North Face store prior to the race. You must show a government-issued photo I.D. to pick up your race number. Timing chip must be picked up before the race on Saturday morning at the chip timing booth.
Location:The North Face store
8100 Tyson's Corner Center
McLean, VA 22102
(703) 917-0111
Dates/Hours:
Thursday, September 4, 2008 (10:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.)
Friday, September 5, 2008 (10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.)
Race numbers will only be given to family, friends or anyone else other than the participant with a photocopy of the participant’s government-issued photo I.D. No exceptions will be made.
Option 2: Participants may pick up their race bag on race day. Race bags will be available post-race for those participants choosing this option, while race numbers and timing chips must be picked up before the race on Saturday morning at the runner check-in and chip timing booth.
If option 2 is chosen, please do not forget to pick up your race bag after you finish. Race bags will not be shipped.
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.
To pick up your black loaner chip, you must present your bib number at the designated ChampionChip® booth Saturday morning. You may NOT use your own ChampionChip, due to new technology being used by the timing company.
All black loaner chips must be surrendered at the Finish Line. Failure to do so will result in a $70 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
Sports Stats
190 Colonade Rd, Unit #6
Ottawa, ON K2E 7J5
CANADA
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 runners’ 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 banned 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. Violating any of these rules will result in runner disqualification.
- 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 when it is safe for both you and the other runner to do so.
- When passing another runner, 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 who announces his/her intention to pass, by stepping off the trail.
- Be prepared to share the trail with runners coming from the opposite direction.
- Violating any of these rules will result in runner disqualification.
Crew/Handler and Pacing Instructions
- Designated Aid Stations for crews and pacers: Please see Aid Station section.
- 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 Aid Station section).
- 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 Station chart) 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.
Headlamps
For safety reasons all 50 Mile competitors are required to have 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.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.Gear Bag Drop
- 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.
- 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
Parking Info
There is plenty of parking onsite. Click here, for park information and driving directions.
Driving Directions
Click here, for park information and driving directions.
Event:
Algonkian Regional Park
47001 Fairway Drive
Sterling, VA 20165
(703) 450-4655
Click here, for park information and driving directions.
Hotel
Tyson's Corner Marriott
8028 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 734-3200
Distance to Event: 15 miles
Other Area Hotels:
Fairview Park Marriott
3111 Fairview Park Dr.
Falls Church, VA 22042
(703) 849-9400
Distance to Event: 20 miles
Courtyard by Marriott
1960 Chain Bridge Rd. #A
McLean, VA 22102
(703) 790-0207
Distance to Event: 15 miles
The McLean Hilton
7920 Jones Branch Dr.
McLean, VA 22102
(703) 847-5000
Distance to Event: 15 miles
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.
Sign Up
Sign up to get emails when more information and registration is available.