Course Rules and Awards
Time: 9:00 AM, Saturday, May 10, 2008
Field Limit: 1500, to ensure the safety and quality of the race.
Time Limits: Please note that the course
closes at 12:00 Noon.
After that time, no course safety or water stop service will be available.
Personal Baggage: Baggage/change of clothes will be transported from the Race start to the finish. You will be provided with a goodie bag at registration in which you will write your bib number and name on. You may also use your own bag, just make sure you clearly mark your Bib number and name on it. Your bag will then be transported to the finish area for you to claim following the race.
Registration: Registration will begin at 6:30 AM on May 10, 2008 at Alton Central School. Please arrive early. You will be issued your ChampionChip, bib, and goodie bag. Championships will only be issued to the registered runner.
Timing: The Big LakeTM Half Marathon will be utilizing the ChampionChip timing system at the start and finish. All athletes will be issued a ChampionChip along with their bib and goodie bag at registration. This will allow us to give you both an official "Gun" time as well as the unofficial "Net" time from when you cross the start mats. You, and your Chip, must pass over both mat systems (start and finish) in order to receive your "Net" time. If your start time is not recorded, you will only receive your "Gun time". Due to USAT&F Rule 136, the official order of finish, state and national records and rankings will be based on "Gun" time. As our race is sanctioned by the USAT&F, we abide by this rule and want to point out that "Net" times are unofficial and are for your personal use only. Results will be posted in both "Gun" time order as well as "Net" time order. Competitive runners hoping to win age category awards should position themselves near the front for best official "Gun" time results. Competitive runners seeking to win age group categories are encouraged to position themselves near the front for the best official time results. There will be digital clocks at each mile of the course, to check your pace.
Water Stops: Eight (8) Water stops will be located on the course, plus the start and finish. Gatorade, pure Adirondack Spring Water, and Clif Shot Energy Gels will be available to keep you well hydrated and fueled. Bandaids and vaseline will also be available. The stops will be staffed by the best volunteers around trying to take home the "Big LakeTM Battle" first prize! Last year, the Laconia Athletic and Swim Club's Flying Elvises took home the top prize, with their stirring (if not tone-deaf) rendition of "Hound Dog."
Medical Aid: Aid will be located throughout the course and at the finish area. Sag vehicles provided by Lakes Region VW Audi will be on course to assist dropouts. Vaseline and bandaids will also be available at each water stop.
Awards: Special awards will be given to the top 3 male and female winners overall. Awards will be given to the top 3 in each age group. Age groups are 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+. Special awards will also be given to the top Clydesdales ( men200+ lbs )Athenas (women 150+ lbs) overall. A special finisher's medal compliments of MetroCast Cablevision will be given to all finishers of the Big LakeTM Half Marathon. All participants will also receive a great multi-color Big LakeTM t-shirt.
Out of respect for all of the award winners, you must be present to receive your award. No awards will be mailed.
Cash Awards: Cash awards will be given to the top 5 male and female finishers overall. $200/1st, $100/2nd, $75/3rd, $50/4th, $25/5th. Top male and female masters will receive $50.
Spectating: Spectators may walk to the Finish area from the parking areas if they wish. The start is approximately 1.5 miles from the finish area. Spectators will be allowed to take the shuttle bus back to the parking areas following the race. There will also be a shuttle bus to take spectators to the finish line area following the start of the race. Shuttle Bus will be located at Alton Central School. PLEASE DO NOT DRIVE AND PARK ON THE COURSE TO CHEER ON THE RUNNERS. This is a safety hazard for the athletes as well as you.
Massage Tent: Massage will be provided by Vital Kneads. All services are complimentary for the athletes.
