Badlands Update #11: Race Week Reckoning!
Hey Badlanders,
IT'S RACE WEEK!!!
I hope most of you are at least a little excited.
I'd like to be my normal hum-drum boring self and say “yea whatever, it’s fine”... but it’s honestly hard not to smile at least a little.
There’s been an absurd amount of behind-the-scenes work to pull this thing off — permits, planning, aid stations, volunteers, markings, sponsors, logistics, emergency prep, and 11 lengthy emails approximately 79% of you read (real stat). One day, I will get a Pulitzer for these emails but until then I'll question why I wasted my talents on writing them. But I digress...
Now… an inaugural race is not without its blind spots.
Truthfully, we won’t fully know what we missed until race day. But rest assured: when/if that moment comes, we’ll do our absolute best to look all of you directly in the eyes and confidently assure you that everything is completely under control.
Even if it absolutely is not =)
VOLUNTEERS!
Hello unpaid servant labor!
You’ll be getting a separate email soon with the preliminary volunteer plan and assignments.
Now… I don’t necessarily know who knows who, who loves who, who barely tolerates who, or whose entire friendship is built around deeply niche inside jokes.
So if I accidentally split you and your buddy up, just let me know and I’ll do my best to completely rework several hours of planning so the same joke you've been telling since college can continue landing properly at 3am.
I’m working on the full layout tonight — stay tuned!
Thanks again for helping make this ridiculous event happen!
CONSTRUCTION ON THE WAY TO THE START LINE!!!
There is active construction taking place around the Kensington Rd / Grand River / I-96 interchange area near the park.
Most of the roads are technically open, but traffic patterns and turn lanes are weird and occasionally resemble a Mario Kart map.
GENERAL GUIDANCE
FROM DETROIT / EAST:
Kensington Rd Exit is Closed.
You will most likely have to get off at the Kent Lake Rd Exit and continue on the section of Grand River that is open to Kensington Rd. The left turn onto Kensington is functional but it doesn't look like it is.
FROM LANSING / WEST:
Grand River is Closed right at Kensington
Kensington Rd Exist is Closed
You will most likely have to go past the Kensington Rd Exist to Kent Lake Rd Exit and backtrack on the section of Grand River that is open to Kensington Rd. The left turn onto Kensington is functional but it doesn't look like it is.
FROM THE SOUTH:
Same as the folks coming from the WEST or you can get off on Silver Lake Rd Exist on 23 and take the back roads to the far side of the park.
FROM THE NORTH:
One you hit 96 heading south you can follow the same instructions as above
If anyone needs help - please call me in advance of ask Google. Google is smarter. Jay - 810.224.1929
PLEASE give yourself extra time getting to the start line. Especially since we have food and coffee waiting for you!
FREAKING FANTASTIC FORECAST (maybe?)
Did you guys see this shit? Yesterday we had a 10day forecast of 82 degrees both days with lows around 55. This morning is was 75H/58L on Saturday and 67H/55L on Sunday.
Now...just 7 hours later... It's looking like 78 High with a low of 57 on Saturday with a 40% chance of thunderstorm. Sunday 86H/62L and Sunny.
Who really knows what it will be race day but it sounds like we aren't going to freeze through the night! May get a little damp though? Bring your cold gear JUST in case...
PARK ENTRY FEE
Michigan state parks require a park pass for entry. If you are an out-of-stater or you a local who doesn't pay for the park permits with your license plate renewal plan on bringing some bucks for the day pass. I believe it's around $12.
I believe the park plans on staffing the guard shack for the entire race to bleed you all dry but I don't know for sure!
So throw a couple bucks in the center console just in case!
PARKING
Parking will be first come first serve and the early birds will have super close parking. We will have volunteers directing traffic upon arrival.
When entering the park you will go straight through the roundabout until the road ends to arrive at the start line!
RACE STATS
It's been a couple months since I did this so I figured one last time couldn't hurt!
Our target year one was 100 participants. Guess what... we have 103 registrations!
66.3% Male
33.7% Female (sausage fest still...)
Age 20-29: 13 Registrations
Age 30-39: 33 Registrations
Age 40-49: 36 Registrations
Age 50-59: 19 Registrations
Age 60-69: 2 Registrations
We have runners from:
Michigan
Illinois
Iowa
Montana
New Jersey
New York
Ohio
Oklahoma
Wisconsin
There are 45 Runners in the Night 50K
There are 28 Runners in the Overnight 100K
There are 24 Runners in the Daylight 50K
Good luck to all!
CREW/PACER/DROP BAGS
Just a reminder to all - your crew can visit you at every aid station.
Pacers are only allowed in the 100K after the half way point.
Drop Bags are allowed at each aid station
Start/Finish
Trailhead Aid
Oasis Aid
There will be a pile for discarded drop bags at each aid station that we will relocate back to the finish line from time to time.
If you don't put your drop bag in the discard pile when you are COMPLETELY done with it - it will not make it back until the aid station closes!
SHIRT SIZES - FINAL CALL
For all you new folks… and OLDIES who ignore my requests
This is your last shot to give us sizing for your tek-hoody. You will simplify the check-in process if you take 30 seconds and reply to this email with your size.
Shirts will be first come first serve in terms of size!!
Send now!
FINAL QUESTIONS!?!?
Please email, call or text any last questions you have and I will do my best to get back to you as quickly as I can. Jay@blackwoodracing.com / 810.224.1929
All of the update emails have been uploaded to the website for your reference!
Sorry this one isn't as funny.. I've got a lot of shit to do and these things take hours to write!
Stay the course!!
- Jay
