Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: July 29, 2010

By Zeke Zucker

The Courses:

1. How will I follow the race route during the day?

The courses will be marked with 8" diameter yellow plastic pie plates, with bold dark black arrows indicating go right, left or straight.  The standard for a sharp turn will be one arrow plate 50 to 100' before the turn.  Two plates at the turn and another arrow plate or confidence plate 50 to 100' after the turn. Confidence means a yellow plate with a black letter C on it. On longer stretches, with no apparent possible turns, there will still be confidence plates at approximately 2/10 mi. intervals.

2. How will I follow the race route in the dark?

There will be green glow sticks (chem-lites) marking the route, suspended from the highest points we can find and reach.  They indicate the route but do not provide enough light to illuminate the trail.  A headlamp and/or flashlight is essential.

3. How much of the 100 Km. course is the same as the 100 Mile?

The 100K course starts from up at the top of the Silver Hill Meadow and goes the opposite direction from the 100M.  The runners do 5.6 miles in getting to Lillian's Aid Station, which is the 43.5 Mile aid station for the 100 Milers.  From that point to the end the two courses are identical.

4. Will the strictly 100 Km. portion (their first 5.6 miles) be marked differently from how the 100 Mile is marked?

Yes. It will be marked with light purple different color pie plates, with the bold black arrows, and smaller confidence plates with the letter 'C', but only until it joins the 100 Mile course, at which point everyone will follow Yellow plates. Stand by for what the color of plates for the 100K (first 5.6 mi.) will be.

5. Are the trail sections rocky?

For the most part, no. There will be some roots, small rocks and ruts, so pay attention and pick up your feet. We have driven or run all of the trails and cut downed trees and tossed limbs and branches, but some can fall the evening before or the day of.

6. Where do the courses go?

The 100 Mile goes thru parts of 9 towns in a three lobe cloverleaf pattern.  The 100Km goes thru parts of 6 towns on the latter two cloverleaf 'lobes'

7. Are the courses hilly?

Yes, indeed!

8. What is the total vertical for the 100 Mile? For the 100 Km?

Approximately 14,000' for the 100 Mile and 9,000' for the 100 Km.

9. What percentage is:     gravel road/ trail,jeep rd./ paved?

For the 100 Mile:          70%     /       27%      /  3%

For the 100 Km.          66.5%  /       32%        / 1.5%

Directions & Handler Stations:

10. How do I get to Camp Ten Bear (from Silver Hill)?

See the Handler Directions

11. How do I get to Silver Hill (from Camp Ten Bear)?

See the Handler Directions

12. How many Handler aid stations are there?

9 for the 100 Mile and 7 for the 100 Kilometer (This includes 2 times at 10 Bear)

13.  Where are the Handler aid stations?

See the Handler Instructions

14. Where can I park at the Handler access aid stations?

Where the Handler Directions and/or station personnel tell you.

15. How long does it take to drive to the first Handler Station?

40 minutes will get you there in time to set up for your runner

16.  How long does it take to drive to the other Handler Stations?

See the Handler Directions

Weather and Celestial Items:

17. What time does the sun come up?

5:25 a.m. Saturday and 5:26 a.m. Sunday

18.  What time does the sun set Saturday evening?

8:27 p.m.

19. How cool/cold will it be at the start of the 100 and overnight Saturday?

It is usually in the 50's, but could be in the 40's or 60's

20.  How warm/hot will it get on Saturday and Sunday

It is usually in the high 70's, but could be in the 60's, 80's or 90's.

21. Will it rain during the races?

It could and has but on average does not.  We'll give you the latest weather forecast at the pre-race briefing.

The Schedule:

22. When does the 100 Mile start?

4:00 a.m. Saturday

23. When does the 100K start?

9:00 A.M. Saturday

24. What is the cutoff time for the 100 Mile?

10:00 a.m. Sunday

25. What is the cutoff time for the 100Km?

10:00 a.m. Sunday

26. When and where will the pre-race briefing be held?

3:45 p.m. Friday in or near the main tent

27. When and where is the pasta dinner Friday evening?

5:30 p.m. in the main tent

28. When and where is the post-race barbeque?

In the main tent at 10:30 a.m. Sunday

29. When are the awards?

Following serving of the barbeque on Sunday (about 11:00 a.m.).

Gear:

30. Should I take a flashlight for the start of the 100 Mile?

Yes, a small cheap one, that you'll probably get back if you put your name on it and you drop it at an aid station that accepts drop bags and you pick it up at the Finish.

For those who don't have drop bags, there will be a 'collection box' at the Densmore Hill Aid Station at mile 7, but return of your light can't be guaranteed, as pilfering can happen.

31. Should I wear regular (non-trail) running shoes?

We suggest trail shoes but you could get by with road shoes

32. Should I carry a water bottle or hydration pack for the race?

Yes

33.  Should I carry two water bottles for the race?

Not if you have a hydration pack.  Yes, if the weather is above 85 degrees and you anticipate taking over 28 hours to complete the run.

Aid Stations:

34. How many aid stations are there?

19 manned and 10 unmanned stations.  The latter are stocked with water, heed, ice and some basic food items and are re-stocked as best as possible during the race.

35. Will I be able to find out mileage and miles-to-go at the aid stations?

Yes, there will be a laminated sign with this information at each station.

36. What kind of energy drink will be provided at the aid stations?

Heed from Hammer Nutrition

37.  What kind of food will be provided at the aid stations?

The standard 'buffet' of chips, fruit, M&M's, cookies and baked potato chunks. Soup, broth, coffee, tea or hot chocolate at some stations after dark. Burgers and Dogs at Camp Ten Bear. Some manned stations pride themselves on providing specialty foods but you should consider how they will sit in your stomach before consuming them.

38.  Can I get basic first aid supplies, such as band aids, at the aid stations?

Yes, every manned aid station will have a basic first aid box.

39. Can I get electrolyte caplets at the aid stations?

Yes, at some.

40. Can I get energy gels at the aid stations?

Normally no. When using your own gels, please hold the wrappers and dispose of them at the next aid station.

Running with Horses:

41. Will the horses run over me?

No.  They really prefer to slow down to your pace.

42. Do the horses start at the same place the runners do?

Yes, for the 100 Mile ride, but an hour later. There are also 75 and 50 mile rides.

43.  What should I do if a horse wants to pass me?

Talk with the rider and step aside, if asked to.

44.  What should I do if I want to pass a horse or if I approach a horse in the dark?

Talk early (from a distance) to the rider (say hello loud enough to be clearly heard) so the horse knows you are a person and not an evil creature. In either case, talk with the rider and, if you want to pass, wait until he/she says it's OK.

Medical:

45. Where can I get medical attention?

The medical center is at the main tent and medical personnel may also be at Camp Ten Bear.  Minor aid can be obtained at one or more of the handler stations if an EMT is present.  Otherwise we have ham radio communication with all of the Handler Stations (and some non-handler) in order to connect an injured runner with medical personnel.

46. Are there mandatory  medical checks?

Yes, at Ten Bear (mile points 47.2 and 70.1) and Bill's (mile 88.6). At a minimum you will have to weigh in. Pulse and BP may also be taken.

47. For what reason(s) would the medical personnel stop me from running?

For significant weight gain or loss or other obvious physical demise, which, in their professional opinion, means that continuing would be unsafe.

General and Miscellaneous:

48. Where can I get ice and other supplies before and during the race?

At the following country stores: South Woodstock, Teago in So. Pomfret, Downers in Weathersfield, Williams in Cavendish, Brownsville, Shaugnessy's in S. Reading and at Mac's Market or Maplefields in Woodstock.

49. Where can I find a pacer?

You can request a pacer or volunteer to pace someone here.

Once you get to Registration, look for John Bassette in the yellow "West Point" baseball cap at the main tent.

50. Can I provide assistance to my runner at other than the Handler aid stations?

Meeting up with your runner at non-handler locations is not allowed, but if you happen to see them on the road you can say hi.

51. Where exactly is the start?

Between the main tent and the road at Silver Hill Meadow

52. Where exactly is the finish?

Out behind the main tent over where there's an opening in the trees and where there is a big temporary gateway with a sign that says 'Finish'.

53. How fast will the winners run the races?

For the 100 Mile, the men in about 16 hrs and the women in about18 hrs.

For the 100 Km, the men in about 8.5 hrs and the women in about 10 hrs.

54. What will race officials be wearing?

They will be wearing shirts that say VT100 Race Official, color TBD.

55. What is VASS?

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, which provides sports and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities.  Your entry fee goes directly toward provision of these services.

Copyright © 1996-2010 Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports. All rights reserved.