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Race Day Information for Race #3 - March 30, 2008

Dear Backyard Burn Competitors:

The third race of the Spring Backyard Burn Trail Running Series is right around the corner this coming Sunday, March 30th at Fountainhead Regional Park in Fairfax Station, VA.  Put your game faces on and prepare for a fun adventure as this is one of the more rugged courses in the series.  I wish you all the best of luck!

Here are some details for race day, Sunday, March 30th:

- Parking:  Parking is limited at Fountainhead so we will be controlling the flow to maximize available space.  You can help by ARRIVING EARLY and CARPOOLING (if bringing family or friends). 

- Directions to Race Parking @ Fountainhead Regional Park: 

From Interstate 95:
- Exit onto Rt. 123 North and travel approx. 6 miles
- Take a left on Hampton Rd. and travel approx. 4 miles
- Take a left into Fountainhead Regional Park
- Continue down the entrance road until you meet our parking staff/volunteers
- Our parking staff/volunteers will show you where to park
- Follow the signs to check-in

From Interstate 66:
- Exit onto Fairfax County Parkway South (exit 55) and travel approx. 11 miles
- Exit onto Rt. 123 South (Ox Rd.) and travel approx. 2.5 miles
- Take a right onto Henderson Rd.
- Take a left on Hampton Rd.
- Take a right into Fountainhead Regional Park
- Continue down the entrance road until you meet our parking staff/volunteers
- Our parking staff/volunteers will show you where to park
- Follow the signs to check-in

From Interstate 495 (Capital Beltway)
- Exit onto Braddock Road and travel west for several miles
- Pass George Mason University on your right then take a left onto Rt. 123 South (Ox Rd.)
- Travel several miles on Ox Rd then take a right onto Henderson Rd.       
- Take a left on Hampton Rd.
- Take a right into Fountainhead Regional Park
- Continue down the entrance road until you meet our parking staff/volunteers
- Our parking staff/volunteers will show you where to park
- Follow the signs to check-in

- Check-in/Packet Pickup:  Check-in opens at 7am and will take place near the upper parking lot.  At check-in you will receive your race number and t-shirt (one/person for the series) and be asked to sign a final waiver.  It takes time to park, check-in, use the bathroom, warm up, and attend the pre-race brief.  We ask that you please arrive NO LATER THAN 8am. 

- Race start:  The race begins at 9am SHARP!   Both 5 and 10 mile racers will start at the same time.  The pre-race brief will begin at 8:50am and take place in the field across the road from the entrance to the mountain biking trail.    

- Restrooms:  There are bathroom facilities located just west of the putt-putt golf, about 100 meters from the starting line.  We will also have porto-johns available near the parking lot on race day. 

- Weather Forecast:  As of Monday, 3/24/08, the weather is forecasted to be partly cloudy with high temps in the upper 50’s and a low chance of showers.  The weather forecast usually changes this far out so, as we get closer to race day, please check the weather and plan accordingly.  

- Race Course:  Prepare for an adventure and tons of fun as this race course is rugged and one of the more technically challenging courses in the series.  It includes mostly twisty single-track hiking trails, long gradual hills, several short steep hills, and a few stream crossings (and yes, your feet might get wet!).  The course is a 5 mile loop which you will do either once or twice depending on your race.  It begins with .6 miles on the pavement before you enter the single-track hiking trails.  After entering the single-track, you will complete a 1.4 mile loop before hitting an aid station at mile 2.0.  After the aid station, run across the road and go west on a horse trail to the intersection of the white trail.  Take the white trail to the second aid station located at mile marker 3.8 (near the shortcut sign).  After this aid station, complete the white trail and a couple of other short side loop trails before exiting the woods and heading toward the finish (in the grassy area near the NE corner of the upper parking lot).   To view the map and course description, visit the following link: http://www.ex2adventures.com/byb-spring-schedule.php

- Course Marking:  The course will be marked with pink surveyors tape.  Red, pink, or blue arrows will be posted at all trail intersections.  Yellow caution tape will block off the trails that are not part of the course.  Course marking will be heavy before and after all trail intersections but light along the rest of the course.       

- Mile Markers:  Mile markers will be located three miles from the finish, two miles from the finish, one mile from the finish and ½ mile from the finish.  Keep in mind that the 10 mile racers will pass these mile markers twice (once on each lap).

- NO IPODS:  The use of IPODs or any device that restricts hearing is not permitted during any EX2 race.  This is for your own safety and for the safety of your fellow runners.  We have nothing against IPODs (in fact, we even give them away – see below) but they significantly reduce safety in a race environment.

- Aid Stations:  The course has two aid stations stocked with water and Accelerade.  The 5 mile racers will have two opportunities for aid (at mile 2.0 and mile 3.8).  The 10 mile racers will have five opportunities for aid (at mile 2.0, mile 3.8, mile 5.6, mile 7.0, and mile 8.8).   First aid kits and emergency communication will be available at the aid stations.   

- Positively Chiropractic Recovery Tent – Dr. Kathy Coutinho, local ‘chiropractor to the athletes’, and her staff from Positively Chiropractic will be on hand offering up their chiropractic, massage, active release therapy, and first aid services to all comers.  Stop by the ‘Recovery Tent’ to take advantage of these FREE services.  In addition, Dr. Kathy has offered to generously give away gift certificates for FREE massages and chiropractic exams.  Come see how Dr. Kathy can help you ‘always move forward’. 

- Post Race Food:  Water, Accelerade, food (Papa John’s pizza, chips, candy, cookies, bagels, peanut butter, bananas, and trail bars), and other beverages will be available at the finish line for all racers and volunteers. 

- EX2 Merchandise Sale:  Bring some cash and pick up your EX2 hat, Cranky Monkey jersey, or vintage t-shirt at the race.  Hats are $20, Jerseys are $75, and vintage t-shirts are $5 each or three for $10.  

- Awards:  The awards ceremony will take place immediately following the 10 mile race, around 11am!  Awards will be given to the top five male and female racers in each age group for both the 5 and 10 mile races.   We will also have a lot of free giveaways (see below) so plan on sticking around AND come prepared with a change of warm clothes so you are comfortable.

- Sponsors Giveaways:  Below is a rundown of all our sponsor giveaways for all Spring BYB races.  We have a lot of swag to give away so you do not want to miss this!   

- VA Runner Raffle – Stop by the VA Runner tent to check out new running merchandise and sign up for the VA Runner Raffle.  You could win running shoes (2/race) or technical tees (10/race).  After the race, visit www.varunner.com to see if you won and pick up your prize at the Woodbridge or Clifton store.  Racers, volunteers, and spectators are eligible. 

- ‘One String’ VA Runner Cash – Everyone loves FREE money, right?  Well, race or volunteer at any of the Spring Backyard Burn races and receive a $10 gift certificate to the VA Runner store in Clifton or Woodbridge.  This ‘One String’ VA Runner Cash is good on anything in the store, even sale items.  The ‘One String’ – you can use only one certificate per day, simple as that.  A ‘One String’ VA Runner Cash certificate will be inserted into all race packets and given to all volunteers.  Racers and volunteers are eligible.

- The $1000 Bike Lane Shopping Spree Raffle and Gift Certificate Giveaway – Go nuts at The Bike Lane with a $1000 shopping spree!  Purchase raffle tickets at any of our events, online while registering for an event, or at The Bike Lane in Burke, VA (or at their new Reston store opening this Spring).  The raffle drawing will be held on Aug. 24, 2008, at the last Cranky Monkey race of the season.  Racers, volunteers, and spectators are eligible and they DO NOT NEED TO BE PRESENT TO WIN.  All proceeds from the raffle will be equally distributed to The Washington Humane Society and MORE (Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts). 

As an added bonus, those purchasing raffle tickets to the shopping spree will also be eligible to win Bike Lane gift certificates.  Gift certificates will be awarded AT ALL RACES leading up to and including the last Cranky Monkey race on Aug. 24, 2008.  Those winning gift certificates will still be eligible to win the shopping spree.

- Ameriprise Surprise Swag Raffle – At each race in 2008, Ameriprise will give away $50 in swag.  They like to surprise us with what they give away but it is always nice stuff.  Just stop by their table, fill in one of their forms, and you are eligible to win.  They are also known for bringing hot coffee on cold mornings and they tell EX2 that they plan to bring cool watermelon on the scorchers.  Racers, volunteers, and spectators are eligible.  You must be present at the awards ceremony to win.

- Baird Automotive Gearhead Giveaway – Win gift certificates for swag, generously furnished by longtime EX2 racer, owner of Baird Automotive in Arlington, and all around good guy, Joey Baird.  Racers and volunteers must simply pre-register for any of our trail running races and they will automatically be entered into the drawings.  At the awards ceremony of each trail running race, we will randomly select four (4) winners who will take home a $25 (2), $50 (1), or $100 (1) gift certificate to VA Runner. You must be present at the awards ceremony to win. 
      
- The CDW IPOD Giveaway – You could win one of four IPOD shuffles given away at each trail running race of the season.  Simply pre-register to race or volunteer for any of our trail running races and you are eligible to win.  Trail running nut and CDW VP, Kevin Adams, will help to randomly select the winners.  You must be present at the awards ceremony to win.      

- Will Ramos Action Photo Giveaway:  Win an 8X10 matted photo from Will Ramos Photography.  We will randomly give away a gift certificate at the awards ceremony of each race in 2008.  Wait for the photos to come online then choose the image that you want.  All racers are eligible and you must be present at the awards ceremony to win. 

Thank you for participating in the Spring Backyard Burn Trail Running Series.  Good luck and see you on Sunday!

Jim Harman
Race Director
EX2 Adventures