2023 Runner Email #3

EMAILED TO ALL REGISTERED RUNNERS ON JUNE 22, 2023

Hello runners! 

Hard to believe we're less than a MONTH away from race day! Time is flying, but the snow is lingering. Our nice cool spring finally decided to switch gears and temps hit the low 80s this week so the melt is picking up. At the end of the email I go into more details about the trail conditions. This email is fairly broad in scope, but please take the time to read through it and let me know if you have any questions!

DROPPING OUT:

As a reminder, if you're not going to be able to run, please let me know ASAP. Our deferral policy window has passed. While we'd love for you all to be able to join us, we also appreciate giving the waitlisters as much time to prepare as possible.

TRAIL WORK DEADLINE:

The deadline is July 3rd and this should be old news by now. Details are here on how to pay the opt out fee or submit trail work form.

LITTLE BROWNS WORK DAY:

We're adding a last-minute work day up Little Browns. It's in rougher shape than normal and we need four more folks to join. We're meeting at 8am on Friday, June 30th at the Browns Creek Trailhead. I'll bring all the tools, you just need to show up ready to hike and work! Email me if you're interested and here's the facebook event page. Since it's last minute, I'll double the lottery boost for folks needing it. 

COURSE PREVIEW RUNS:

We've got a packed weekend from June 30-July 2nd. Besides the three trail work days scheduled, we're also doing two course preview runs. These runs are open to all, but we're focused on training so attendees should be in good running shape. We'll split into pace groups so folks can have company while also running at their ideal paces. Click each link below for full details. Both routes can be found here.

VIRTUAL COURSE PLANNING RECORDING:

Unfortunately the Zoom recording of the night is corrupted and Zoom has been unable to recover it. I have an audio recording, but it's fairly useless without the video. If you'd like it, I'm happy to send it to you but unfortunately I won't be able to post a full recording of the night. 

TRAIL CONDITIONS:

Snow is holding on and the CDT remains impassible. Here's the best breakdown of the current conditions:

  • Start to St. Elmo is 97% snow free and runnable. Some lingering snow above treeline on both sides of the high point.

  • St. Elmo to Laws Pass is wet, but snow free. The snowfield and cornice is BIG! You can get down it towards cottonwood though by skirting to the east. Stay on the snow so you don't create a social trail.

  • Laws to Cottonwood is TBD. It's likely doable, but there are likely drifts in the top 800ft. The intrepid should have fun. 

  • St. Elmo to Tin Cup is dry. 

  • Tin Cup to Monarch - is a no go. Patches will be dry, but anything about 11,500 is likely totally socked in. 

  • Monarch to finish is prime. Get sendy.

I believe the July 4th week will still mark the window that the majority of the CDT is runnable...however I think it's likely that Tin Cup to Hancock (alpine tunnel section) might need another week. Plan on wet feet for the first two weeks of July, but it should be largely dry by race day. 

REQUIRED GEAR:

Again, this should be old news...but I'm going to keep banging this drum because there are always folks that miss this. All runners AND pacers must carry the required gear at all times. Make sure to review the gear list and purchase anything you're missing now. Don't procrastinate. 

As a reminder, you must carry a bivvy (not a blanket), your shell must have taped seams (ie fully waterproof), and you need to buy a CORSAR card. 99% of the folks who forget a piece forget one of those three.

Aighty, thanks for diligently reading all this info! I hope you're all feeling prepared and stoked for the race. I've got a great feeling about this year, and I'm looking forward to getting to see you all run 100 miles in the Sawatch. Now go get those last two weeks of solid training in and we'll see you in 4 weeks!

See you in the Sawatch, 

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Caleb Efta

Caleb EftaComment