June 14th, 1999
Welcome to the 11th Annual Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run. This letter outlines a few of the important points to keep in mind as you approach race day. See also the detailed schedule of 1999 Knee Knacker activities.
First the Good News - Although it is still 4 weeks away, this year’s run will be in snow at the higher elevations. My earlier prediction of 3 miles has been revised upwards (read doubled!) to 6 miles. I expect the snow will be consistently underfoot from the Black Mountain viewpoint to the Hollyburn "chute". If you didn’t think the Knee Knacker course was challenging enough, the 1999 "Snow-Year" version should test your character!
Sponsors - More Good News! We are happy to have Forerunners and Adidas back as major sponsors this year. We are also being supported by Emerge Online, R & B Brewing, Delaney’s Coffee, Honey Doughnuts & Goodies, Zone Perfect Bars, Gatorade, Cascadia Wines, and Save-on-Foods. Please support our sponsors! Additional sponsors are always welcome – just give me a call.
Volunteers – Treat them well! We have over 200 volunteers working together to help you meet your individual Knee Knackering goals. Your thanks and co-operation ensure that these same volunteers come back year after year. Volunteers are the backbone of the Knee Knackering family (kinda like your parents) – without them we would not be able to put on the run. In keeping with their importance we invite all volunteers to the Awards Banquet free of charge. Please take the time to recognize their work both on the course or at the Awards Banquet.
Race Package Pick-up – Forerunners @ 3504 West 4th Ave., Vancouver 732-4535
As you will notice from the Schedule of Activities, the race packet pick-up is at Forerunners on Thursday and Friday night. This is Mandatory for all runners. There is NO day-of-race package pick-up. If you haven’t picked up your package by Friday night, you will not be in the race. There is a Mandatory (first–time runners only!) course briefing on Friday @ 7 pm.
Day of Race Check-in – There is a mandatory check-in for all runners in the Eagleridge parking lot from 5:15 am to 5:45 am.
Refunds – Your entry is NOT transferable, i.e. you cannot sell or give it away to anyone else. If you are injured or do not intend to run this year’s race for other reasons, please let me know by phone, fax or e-mail. A refund of $30 is available until June 30th. We currently have a waiting list of over 35 people who would love to run this year. While we are restricted to 175 day-of-race runners, it would be criminal to have less than the 175. Bottom line is that if you can’t run this year, please let me know.
Cut-off times – We have adjusted this year’s cut-off times to reflect the snow levels. The following cut-off times will be strictly enforced: Cypress Bowl 9:15 am (3.25 hours.), Cleveland Dam 11:30 am (5.5 hours), Seymour Demonstration Forest 2:00 pm (8 hours), Mt. Seymour Road 3:45 pm (9.75 hours) and Panorama Park, Deep Cove (finish line) 4:30 pm (10.5 hours).
3 Checkpoints - As in past years, there are three mandatory checkpoints (Cypress Bowl, Cleveland Dam and Seymour Demonstration Forest). It is the runner’s responsibility to ensure that they have been at noted these checkpoints.
Aid Stations- Lots! We have 11 aid stations on the course this year. They range from Major (fruit, bagels, potatoes, cookies, chips, candy, water, Gatorade, flat Coke) to minor (water only). The aid stations are located at the following points: Black Mtn. 5.1 miles (minor), Cypress Bowl 7.3 miles (Major), Hollyburn Lodge 10.0 miles (minor), Cleveland Dam 14.6 miles (Major), Skyline Road 17.5 miles (minor), Mtn. Highway 20.2 miles (minor), Seymour Demonstration Forest 22.0 miles (Major), Lillooet Road 23.5 miles (minor), Hyannis Drive 24.6 miles (Intermediate), Mt. Seymour Road 27.3 miles (Intermediate) and Panorama Park 30.0 miles (Major). It is highly recommended that you carry at least one water bottle and food between aid stations.
Drop Bags – Drop bags will be transported from the start to the halfway point (Cleveland Dam) for your use. These bags will then be transported to the finish line for pick-up.
Transportation and Parking – Please park your vehicles at the finish line (Panorama Park in Deep Cove) as parking is limited at the start. Pre-race bus transportation is available from the finish in Deep Cove to the start. These 2 buses will leave from Deep Cove no later than 5 am Sharp! If you did not request bus transportation on your application, please check for availability at the package pick-up.
Awards Banquet – Due to the over-whelming survey response, we are hosting a Bar-B-Q this year! Low-fat beef, chicken and veggie burgers will be served with salad. R & B Brewing and Cascadia Wines are supplying beverages. In addition, we are "profiling" a new dessert!
If you haven’t already done so please checkout our Website (http://www.kneeknacker.com) for additional race information. Should you receive this via snail mail and have an E-mail address, please E-mail me with this address. And finally, my goal is to help you realize your individual goal on race day. Please do not hesitate to e-mail or call.
I wish you the best in your 1999 Knee Knacker challenge,
Paul Quinn
1999 Race Director