Fletcher’s Challenge 2019 – Pre-Race Information

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 19^th 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