Race News
- July 2, 2008
I've been able to spend more time on the course over the past few weeks. Wildflowers have been in full bloom, the valleys and hillsides are green, the forests dense in coverage. Beautiful. The only downside has been the emergence of knee-high grass in the Greek Peak Resort areas. I've always wanted to weedwack entire nordic ski slopes anyhow, so it looks like I'll get my chance the second week of September!
Following the group jaunt at the beginning of June (thanks to all who turned out!), I returned two weeks ago to the Nordic Center loop that seemed increasingly concerning in terms of terrain. In certain areas the height of grasses is out of hand, covering nasty mudholes, downed logs, and makeshift rotted out bridges. Running through the trails wasn't enjoyable, mowing the whole area with a weedwacker inconceivable, and marking difficult, so I didn't feel that it would be appropriate to use it for the Ultras. In its stead I found a beautiful climb on a dirt and rock access road with a couple of stream crossings with a perfectly runable gravel downhill on the other end. This will form an easily markable and followable lollipop shape tangent that should be much nicer than the original nordic center out-back. In addition to this modification I modified the out-back format of the alpine resort to another lollipop format. Although they make for a bit more marking, I'm hoping it will add a bit more variety to the course.
I've also altered the start point and have my fingers crossed that the new restaurant Gatherings, scheduled to open in late September, will allow us to rent cabins, consider hosting the pre and post-race meals, and allow us to use the area as a staging grounds. The area has been used in the past for local running club events so I'm really keeping my fingers crossed that the new ownership, really nice seeming individuals, will allow us to bring them some business. This will center the start/finish area and have two lollipops and one out-back tangent extending outward in three prongs. The breakdowns in elevation and terrain has remained similar to prior course variations.
Today was fairly productive. I spoke with a local blacksmith friend regarding the creation of sub-24 hour buckles, followed up on contacts with the Forester and Virgil Fire Department, and received one new entry for the 100. I also received the go-ahead from the Gorski family who owns a piece of land containing a critical piece of the Finger Lakes Trail. The course could have been re-routed back through Greek Peak, but it wouldn't have been easy or ideal. Huge thanks are in order to Mr. and Mrs. Gorski for granting the event passage. You'll really like the wee hill they are making possible!
Alright...time to close up shop and go for a run.
Ian
- May 22, 2008
Hey all....
Working on 1 hurdle at a time and they have seemed to come one after the other. My apologies for not using the update/news feature on the race website. Things haven't been moving quickly enough for much updates to be provided.
At the moment I'm waiting for a letter from one of the private land-owners that the Finger Lakes Trail Crosses as per the requirement of the Department of Environmental Conservation and Forester. A week ago I received the addition of them to my insurance policy and forwarded on with a letter in hopes of approval for trail use. It's a beautiful section of trail, albeit a steep hill so I'm hoping that the section can remain on the course. If they do not approve I will adjust the course a bit off of the Finger Lakes Trail for that section and through Greek Peak Mountain Resort property to it's trail intersection at Virgil Summit.
The start point will also potentially change to the center of the "Y" configuration as using Greek Peak Mountain Resort is not a viable option at this time as a staging location of the event. The center of the "Y" is a restaurant and cabin site, formerly named Jeremiah's that I'm really hoping will work out to use. It's currently under new ownership and the new owners seem very nice and are hard at work in getting the new restaurant and business open this summer. The cabins would be a wonderful asset that I'd look to fully rent for the event for entrants and crews. It's been several weeks since I spoke to the new owners and I'll try to stop by in the next week or so. If they aren't able to accommodate the event third alternative would be to use an area called Hauck Hill Primitive Camp. It's an area currently used by Finger Lakes Running Club races, is currently on the course, and is a wooded area away from private residences. At the moment my fingers are still crossed for a positive response from the new Rest/Cabins owners as is it is the most ideal location for staging.
On both cases, I've done the legwork fairly quickly, but then it becomes a waiting game. A waiting game with my fingers crossed!
I'll be using my store, Finger Lakes Running Company, to sponsor the event. I am dedicated to ensure that a well-supported and enjoyable event is staged and hopefully it will grow in future years. The HURT 100, which I paced the first 2 years, only had 29 entrants and 8 finishers in its first year. The aid stations were fully stocked and with wonderful people volunteering, and it was exciting to be there and pacing. So hopefully more will sign up and we'll use that as a starting point.
I've also sent a letter to the Onondaga Nation inviting them to join us in any fashion they deem of interest in hopes of adding meaning and connection to the name Iroquois Trails. I have not yet heard and will also follow-up over the next couple of months. Race registration forms have been printed up and are ready to mail to stores or other event directors, so if you know one that would be appropriate or accommodating, let me know and I'll get a few out in their direction.
I have a list assembled of nearly 60 potential volunteers and a handful of pacers, so even though there may be long periods of waiting between a small number of runners, they are looking forward to the event. The organization thus far is panning out to be an ultra-race in and of itself. Working on one leg at a time, moving slowly put persistently forward, and hoping that the efforts and preparations will be adequate enough to put on a wonderful event. I'm new at this, so thanks for your patience! Let me know if you have questions or concerns and I'll do my best to get on them and back to you.
Hope all are well,
Ian - February 15, 2008
Based on the concerns of the Trails Club and Conference, but with the support of some in the community, I started over this week on a new course. With the help of one of the areas local trail wizards, I've come fairly close to having a new course laid out that will still use the Finger Lakes Trail network almost exclusively. The new course will be almost entirely on public lands so hopefully it won't receive the same concerns that the initial Iroquois Trails 100 received a week ago. Once the course is dialed in I will submit it again for review of the Trails Club in hopes of keeping it in good graces in the community, and re-submit a modified application to the Department of Environmental Conservation (we received their approval in the mail this morning for the initial course, so hopefully a revision for the new course will go through as well).
The new course will consist of a 50 mile out and back section which will be repeated. Distances between aid stations will average approximately 5.4 miles. I'll also hope to offer a 50 mile option with one out-back, as well as a shorter out-back option on the second loop for a 100K option or bail out. The entire potential course is under snow at the moment but as soon as the thaw begins I'll be back out with the GPS unit getting elevation profiles and maps. Also back to looking at the history of the specific area to see if the name is still appropriate, or whether a new identity will be needed.
Thanks for staying tuned and for your understanding. It's been a positive week since receiving some bad news and I'm motivated again to bring you a great course and expanded event to the trails of the Ithaca area.
- February 11, 2008
Greetings IT100 visitors and thanks for checking out the race. The original and hoped for course relied almost entirely upon the Finger Lakes Trail, an amazing interconnected network crossing both public and private lands throughout upstate NY. The trail has been created and maintained in it's current form by the Finger Lakes Trail Conference and Cayuga Trails Club. Recently we have been notified of concerns that such an event may disturb land owners and in doing so jeopardize land-owner relations. It is unclear at the moment how this will play out. Ultimately in valuing the preservation of the trail above all else we are currently at work in establishing an alternative course in the Ithaca area which would not only protect the Finger Lakes Trail but also respect the wishes of all in our community.
It should be noted that the alternative course and event structure may provide for the opportunity to offer 50 mile and 100 km options. We are committed to seeing the IT100 through to fruition on September 20th and 21st of 2008 whether as mapped on the site, or in a form yet to be established. Reservations will continue to be accepted until the race fills and entrants will be kept up to speed on developments. Additionally, let us know if you or a friend have further interest in the potential for a 50 mile and 100 km option so that we can begin establishing need, numbers, and resources. Thank you so much for you consideration and understanding and we continue to look forward to a great new 100 mile option available in upstate NY. Drop a line with any questions or concerns and we look forward to catching up with you!