May 30, 2024

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Dear Runners,

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It's trail run week!  A few updates for you:

Schedule - Both the 10K and the 20K will start at approximately 8:30, with separate starts a few minutes apart. (We had planned to start the 20K 15 minutes earlier but realized with the current courses that would create a traffic jam where the courses merge.) 10K will start at 8:30, 20K a few minutes later. Both start at the pool/shelter area of the park. Registration opens at 7:00. Stick around after the run for awards, cookies, door prizes, and socializing. 

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Safety First - Looks like it's going to be a nice day with some chance of light rain, but with over 5 inches of rain in the last week there will be some wet and possibly slippery spots. Good news is the creeks are gurgling.  In addition to some mud beware of the usual sticks and ticks, rocks, holes, fallen trees, falling trees, dust, hills, creeks, clouds, rain, sun, gnats, rocks, stairs, mosquitos, cicadas? We'll have 1st aid help at the aid stations and at the finish, so see them if you or another runner need help.  

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Course conditions - Blue Mound got hit pretty hard by the recent storms and there is a lot of water around, but as of now we anticipate few, if any, changes to the routes, The 10K is the same as last year,. The 20K is going around the mound to start before joining last year's course at the campground. Park staff and volunteers have done a lot of work to get the trails open after the heavy wind and rain last week. A big shout out to all of them. 

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Event switching - If you're having any last-minute thoughts of switching events, you can do that when you check in on Saturday.  Wednesday was the last day to change on RunSignup.

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Parking - Parking at the pool/shelter area fills up very quickly and then parking moves up to the top of the mound. From there you have to walk down to registration, maybe a 5-10 minute walk. So, come early.  From the top parking, head for the trail down from the East Tower and continue straight down the hill to the shelter.

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Bag drop - If you have to park up top, you can leave a bag at registration (with your name somewhere on it) so you don't have to trek back up to your car pre-run.

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Good news--it's the State Parks free weekend, so no park admission fee. The pool and splash pad will be open at 11 am.  

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We're excited to see you all on Saturday for another great day on the trails. Looks like a good morning to run and the course is as challenging and beautiful as ever. 

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Contact us if you have any questions or if you are interested in volunteering.

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Happy trails.

The Trail Crew