Thank you for supporting Fletcher’s
Challenge 2019!
There are a great number of participants
this year, for both the Trail Race and the Family Cookie Walk/Run. We have five
buses shuttling trail runners to the top-secret start
location! The anticipation and excitement is growing!
We would like to ask one thing: If you
have a great time, tell your friends for next year! If you find something that
can be improved upon, please tell us. Above all else, HAVE FUN!
Since 2003, Runners of Compassion-Nanaimo
Chapter has donated over $215,000.00 back into the community to help young
people overcome financial barriers so that they can participate in sport
activities. Thanks to you!
When & Where: Friday, April 19th 2019 at
Westwood Lake
Parking: Last year over 600 people attended
Fletcher’s Challenge. Volunteers will be helping with parking, but the demands
will be high. For Nanaimo residents, please car pool if possible and try to
find a spot outside of the park if you can. Arrive early!
Family Run/Walk – 6K around Westwood Lake
- Day-of Registration: 8:30-9:45AM. If you are pre-registered, arrive by 9:45AM and there is no need to go to registration desk.
- Start Time is 10:00AM
Trail Race – a few spots still available
with race capping out at 250 participants - the trail race is 15K
- Bib Pickup: 8:30-9:20AM
- Busses Leave: 9:25AM sharp. They will be located by the entrance to the park.
- Start Time is 10:00AM
Course Length: This year’s course is around 15km (Depending on your
GPS accuracy)
Course Profile: In the tradition of Fletcher’s
Challenge the course has remained as much of a mystery as we can make it.
This year’s edition of Fletcher’s Challenge is more of a “double hump”.
The majority of the climbing comes early in the course but as always save
something for the end. There are some WIDE –OPEN speed sections as well
as some slow-twisty-single track sections that we all love.
Bring a change of shoes and
socks!!!! This course will be a BIG challenge for all runners so please
make sure that you are prepared.
Trail Race Rules: Our trails are a precious resource. Please
do your best to minimize impact on the trail.
These rules will be strictly enforced by
our volunteers and we will be forced to DQ any runner that does not follow
them.
- Please run the MARKED COURSE as laid out, flagged, floured and signed by our crews. Stay on the ESTABLISHED trails.
- Absolutely No course cutting or short cutting
- No switchback cutting
- No corner cutting
- No braiding of the marked route
Trail Running Safety: If you come across someone who is
injured or in distress, the first person on the scene stays with the injured
person. The second person goes forward or backward on the course to contact a
course marshal and look for help. The next 2-3 people should check and make
sure everything is OK and if there is any more help needed before proceeding. We
all must take care of each other.
Sorry NO ear buds or headphones This is
for safety reasons as we need you to be able to hear other racers, volunteers
and other trail users.
Water: It is MANDATORY that all
runners carry water on this challenging course. We do have a water station this
year BUT there will be long stretches where there is no access to water. Some
fuel (gel's etc) are also strongly recommended. This is a self-supported
race.
Recommended water:
- Front of the packers: 500-1000ml
- Mid packers: 1000-1500ml
- Back of the packers: 1500-2000ml
Bathrooms: Please use the bathrooms at Westwood
Lake before boarding the bus, or use the bathroom on the bus. There will be two
porta potties at the start of the trail race.
Warm-up Clothing: There will be hampers available at the
start line to leave extra clothing in. Look
for them by the Frontrunners Van.
Clothing items can be picked up at the finish line at Westwood Lake at the Frontrunners or Salomon tents. Please no valuables, as we cannot be
responsible for lost or stolen items.
We hope you find this information helpful
but if you have any questions please email Greg Scott at gscott73@shaw.ca
Good luck and have a great time!
Cheers,
Runners of Compassion
