Welcome to the 2004 Dan Rossi Memorial Ultras! We are so glad that you have decided to come run with us on Nov. 6th and 7th and we hope that every runner has a successful race. We will do everything we can to make this a memorable weekend for you, and to help you achieve your goals. I hope that this gives you some more information about the runs, and about the event as well. This is a special event for the volunteers and for me, and we hope that you will enjoy yourself as you strive to achieve your goal. Dan Rossi, of This race would not be possible without the sponsorship of the Atwood Resort and It is a goal of this event to provide runners with memorable and artistic awards that celebrate some aspect of this beautiful area. This year we again feature naturalist painter Wayne Chunat, who is making his beautiful work available as the finisher awards. More information about the artwork and the t-shirt theme will be in your packet. For those who are bringing family or friends with them, please note that local artists have work on display at the Carroll County Center for Advancement of the Arts, a gallery in Carrollton less than 10 miles from the race. Following is basic information about the runs. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, and PLEASE NOTE MY NEW CONTACT INFORMATION. I have just moved back to the area the race is held in, about 20 miles away from the course, and my old phone number (which is a cell #) will not work in these hills. Please note that not all cell phones work in the area of the race itself. I also need you to let me know if you intend to have anyone join you for the pasta dinner the Friday evening before the run. I am still finalizing arrangements with the Resort about the use of their banquet facilities and need to get a clear number of diners. If you do bring someone to the dinner, they will be more than welcome; however, as I tend to overspend on this event every year, I will need to ask for ~$10-$12 per additional adult. The amount will be clearer in the next week or so. I wish I could feed everyone without additional cost but I can't swing it without cooking the meal myself, and there are too many people this year for me to be able to do that. ***** Please contact me as soon as you can and let me know if you will be attending the pre-race dinner, and if you will be bringing anyone with you ***** DIRECTIONS To get to the race from the north, south (see next paragraph as well), or west, get to I-77, the major route that runs north/south in eastern From the south you can also choose to get off of I-77 at the From the east, basically for those of you coming from the COURSE The course for both events starts and finishes in the parking lot of the golf course. The 100 milers will complete 11 loops of the paved bike path which adjoins route 542. The 50 milers will complete 5 full and 1 partial lap, with the partial lap being done first. A race volunteer will be there to direct the 50 milers on the first loop. A course map will be available to look at during registration. Runners must always run facing traffic, therefore going left out of the parking lot and onto the bike path. There will be clearly marked turnarounds at each end, and the course will wind you into the cabin area to get to aid station #2. You will need to cross the road at each end of the course, and please make sure to be extremely cautious when doing so. Most drivers here are quite courteous, but they are not expecting to see runners on the road, especially at night. PARKING Please park in the parking lot of the golf course, which is also the start/finish area. Please do not park at the cabin area, as it is crucial for volunteers to have access to the cabin parking areas. REGISTRATION AND PASTA DINNER Registration is Friday afternoon and evening, as well as Saturday morning ( The pasta dinner will be held in a banquet room at the Lodge. I am hoping to have the dinner begin at AWARDS Each finisher of the 50 mile and 100 mile runs will receive their finisher's award at the finish line. First place man and woman of each event will also receive their trophy upon finishing. Race results will be e-mailed or mailed to each participant after the run, after the race director has gotten some sleep, and results will be reported to UltraRunning. I ask that you all consider writing your impressions/experiences for inclusion to the magazine, and for me to be able to share with the volunteers and sponsor. Thank you! GENERAL INFORMATION PLEASE keep your safety in mind at all times, as route 542 traffic moves fast. You must stay on the bike path and off of the road. Any runner seen running on the road will be disqualified. Reflective vests must be worn during the dark hours. There is no street lighting. Any runner who does not appear safe will be asked to rest, and race management reserves the right to stop any runner who does not appear safe to continue. Please note that some of the race volunteers are experienced ultrarunners and will do their best to help keep you going. If you would like a pacer, let someone know and we will try to free up a runner for you. Weather in eastern central Medical aid in this area requires calling the volunteer fire department. The closest hospital is in There will be a place for you to store drop bags at each aid station. Please put your name on your drop bag so that a volunteer might be able to help you find it easily. Please do not accept any aid outside of the aid stations unless it is from a race volunteer. If you should choose to drop out, please let a volunteer know as soon as possible. Most importantly, please do not litter anywhere on the course. We who live here cherish this area and want to see it kept clean, and we also want to see this event accepted by the local community and allowed to continue. We allow one pacer at a time with each runner, and pacing may begin at dusk. Crew people -- please do not stop a vehicle along the roadway to greet a runner as that is dangerous for all concerned. FOOD! This is what is bringing some of you back to this event! We aim not to disappoint you, and much of the food you will be enjoying will be home-cooked. During the race we will have the aid stations supplied with water, Gatorade (possibly All-Sport), 7UP, Mountain Dew, Coke, coffee, hot chocolate, Hammer Gel, sandwiches (peanut butter and jelly, cheese, turkey), crackers, fruit, cookies and brownies, candy (candy bars and hard candy), boiled potatoes, hard boiled eggs, chips, pretzels, Fritos... (Cheezits and pumpkin pie for Don!). There will be pizza Sat. late afternoon, and chicken soup, broth, beef stew, grilled cheese sandwiches and pierogies (OK, not my mom's but Mrs. T's) available at night. (Beer available by request!) We'll cook up some eggs and toast for you on Sunday morning as well (at the cabin) if any volunteers are still standing. Last year we were known for sending some runners home heavier than when they came, and we hope to do the same again this year. --- Come and enjoy yourself! If you have any complaints, please tell them to the race director. PLEASE thank all of the volunteers for their generosity. Many of them traveled a good distance (two from Ruta Mazelis, RD 330-627-5411 |