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Race Day Information

Dear Blue Crab Bolt 10K Competitors:

The second annual Blue Crab Bolt 10K Trail Running Series kicks off this Saturday, July 31st at Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg, MD.  This beautiful 10K race course strings together some of the best trails in the park offering a fun and challenging run in the woods.  Prepare for a great day of trail running action.  I wish you the best of luck! 

Here are some details for race day, Saturday, July 31, 2010:

Directions to Seneca Creek SP from Points South:

- Take Interstate 270 toward Frederick, MD.
- Take Exit 10, Clopper Rd (Route 117). Turn RIGHT at the light at the bottom of the ramp.
- Take Clopper Road for approximately 2 miles to the park entrance on your left.
- LEFT into park.
- Follow the signs to race parking and check-in.

Directions to Seneca Creek SP from Points North:

- Take Interstate 270 toward Washington D.C.
- Take Exit 11, MD Route 124 West. Turn RIGHT at the light at the bottom of the ramp.
- As the second light, turn RIGHT onto Clopper Road (Route 117).
- Take Clopper Road for approximately 1.5 miles to the park entrance on your left.
- LEFT into park.
- Follow the signs to race parking and check-in.

- Parking:  We will be parking cars in a grassy field and we will be controlling the flow of traffic to maximize available space.  Please follow the direction of the parking volunteers.

- Check-in:  Check-in opens at 6:30am and will be located on the north side of the park, in between a big playground and the lake.  Once you enter the park, look for orange EX2 signs guiding you to race parking.  Once you are parked, follow the orange EX2 signs to check-in.  It takes time to park, check-in, use the bathroom, warm up, and attend the pre-race brief.  Please arrive NO LATER THAN 7am. 

- Restrooms:  Restrooms are located in two buildings, one near the playground and the other in the wooded picnic area across the street from the playground.  We will also have a few portojohns to supplement the restroom facilities.

- Weather Forecast:  As of Thursday 7/29/10 the weather is forecasted to be sunny and warm with race time temps in the mid 70s and only a slight chance of precipitation.   The weather forecast often changes so, please check the weather before race day and plan accordingly.  

- Race start:  The race will begin with a mass start at 8am SHARP!  The pre-race brief will begin at 7:50am and take place in the field near the finish line (blue fencing).    

- Race Course:  This 10K race course is awesome.  You will be treated to beautiful lake views, scenic streamside single-track, and a couple of open meadows. There are plenty of hills that will surely challenge every runner.  The course begins with .6 miles of wide field and road running to space things out.  The actual course mileage is 6.4 miles or 10.3 kilometers.  To view the map, visit the following link:  http://www.ex2adventures.com/md-10k-schedule.php

- Aid Stations:  The course has three aid stations stocked with water and Gatorade. Aid stations will be positioned at mile 2.2, mile 3.5, and mile 4.8.  First aid kits and emergency communication will be available at each aid station.   

- Course Marking:  The course will be marked with pink surveyors tape and arrows.  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 every mile.

- 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.

- Recovery Tent:  Dr. Cheryl Lee-Pow and her staff from POW High Energy Recovery 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. Cheryl has offered to generously give away gift certificates for FREE massages and chiropractic exams.  

- Post Race Food:  Water, Gatorade, food (bagels, muffins, yogurt, watermelon, bananas, trail bars, chips, candy, cookies), and other beverages will be available at the finish line for all racers and volunteers. 

- EX2 Merchandise Sale:  Bring a check or some cash and pick up your EX2 hat, Cranky Monkey jersey, EX2 car seat cover, or vintage t-shirt at the race.    

- Race Photos:  Swim Bike Run Photography will be on hand to capture images of the day. Their photos will be available for viewing/purchase within a few days of the race.  Check out the link from the EX2 Website.

- Awards:  The awards ceremony will take place no later than 10am!  Awards will be given to the top five male and female racers in each age group.      

- Sponsor Giveaways:  Below is a rundown of all our sponsor giveaways.  We will randomly select winners for the giveaways using a variety of different methods.  We have a lot of swag to give away but you must be present at the awards ceremony to win.  So, please plan on sticking around to join in the fun.

- Baseball Bonanza:  Extra, Extra, Get Your Nats Tickets at EX2!  How cool is this?  All EX2 sponsors chipped in to buy tickets to the Washington Nationals - so we could give them way to you.  We have a pair of tickets to randomly give away at every race until October….that’s 16 races!       

- VA Runner Gift Cert Giveaway:  Race or volunteer in any of our races and you are eligible to win one of several gift certificates to the VA Runner store in Clifton, VA or Woodbridge, VA.  Thank you, VA Runner!

- The Bike Lane Gearhead Giveaway:  Get your gear at The Bike Lane!  Race or volunteer in any of our races and you are eligible to win one of two $25 Bike Lane gift certificates.  The Bike Lane is also giving away a very generous discount to all race participants, a $10 gift certificate on a $25 minimum purchase.  These gift certificates will be inserted into all race packets and given to all volunteers.  With locations in Burke, VA and Reston, VA, The Bike Lane is your one-stop-mom-and-pop-bike shop. 

- Baird Automotive $100 Benjamin Bash: Benjamin, C-note, Hundie, Charlie, 100 Clams, Big One…..call it what you will but it all means the same thing….$100 of cold hard cash.  Race or volunteer in any of our twelve (12) trail running races in 2010 and you could win a crisp $100 bill, generously furnished by Joey Baird of Baird Automotive.   

- The CDW IPOD Giveaway:  You could win one of three IPOD shuffles given away at each of our twelve (12) trail running races in 2010…NICE!  Trail running nut and CDW VP, Kevin Adams, will often help to randomly select the winners.        

- Ameriprise Surprise Swag Raffle – At each trail running race in 2010, Ameriprise Financial 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 watermelon on hot mornings! 

- Drink More Water Hydration Pack Giveaway:  Drink More Water is committed to help you achieve peak performance by, well, drinking more water.  Not only do they supply tons of water to EX2 (literally), but they will randomly give away a hydration pack at each race of the season.  Pretty sweet, huh?  Racers and volunteers are eligible.

- Volunteers:  Finally, we can always use the help of volunteers.  If any of your friends or family can help out, please ask them to sign up online at the following link:  http://www.ex2adventures.com/volunteer.php  After we receive their submission, we will contact them with all the details.  All volunteers receive a FREE race t-shirt, FREE food, $15 off a future EX2 race or $5 off EX2 merchandise, and our sincere thanks.  Plus, volunteering at EX2 races is fun!

Thanks for participating in the second annual Blue Crab Bolt 10K Trail Running Series.  We are looking forward to a fantastic day.  Good luck and see you this Saturday!

Jim Harman
Race Director
EX2 Adventures