Castlewood got hit pretty hard last night and we’re playing a waiting game to see if it gets hit again today. We’re watching two separate cells go right around it as I’m typing this.
As of 11 am on Thursday, 8/22/19, we are expecting to run tonight at 6:15 pm. The exact course is still being determined, and will be determined by what rain we receive in the next seven hours. Please be aware that no matter what course we choose, there will be slick spots on the trails and some road running will be necessary.
And if the Park Rangers recommend we cancel, we will cancel.
More information will be posted as we can send it out!
UPDATE: 1:15 pm – We are heading out to the park to begin marking the course. As said above, we are planning on running as scheduled. We have a course that is a combination of road and trail that should get us to about a 5k, but we have to verify that the trails are runnable. We’ll post more as soon as we can.
UPDATE: 2:45 PM – As long as we don’t get hit with a thunderstorm this afternoon, we are officially a go. The course is posted below. Please let our staff know if you have any questions or concerns.
The trails are not in perfect condition, so please, if you have them, wear dedicated trail runners with some grip. We know this is a race, but please take your time and be careful – especially as you head up the “Goat Trail” section of River Scene towards the end of the race. Thankfully, that trail is mostly rock, so very little mud to deal with! Same thing with the rock bike trail coming down to the finish line.
Time to get a little dirty!
UPDATE: 5:03 PM – We do have some pretty significant rain over Castlewood right now, but unless we end up with lightning, we plan on running as scheduled. Unfortunately, that’s pretty much impossible for us to predict. So, until that happens, it’s game on!
A lightning strike prior to the race immediately means an hour delay to anything we are doing. We will not operate the registration table or prepare food. All staff will be instructed to return to their cars for their safety. We will ask participants to do the same.
If lightning strikes within 30 minutes of the scheduled race starting time, we will be forced to reschedule the event. We just won’t have the sunlight to get everyone back to Race HQ after a delay of 30 minutes or more. If lightning strikes after the course has begun, all runners will be taken off the course after they finish the Mountain Ridge Connector Trail and not continue up the River Scene Trail.
