Sunday, Sep 10, 2017 @ 9:00 AM
This Event Took Place Sun. Sep 10, 2017

Participants Under 18 Years Old

Participants under the age of 15 years old on Sept. 29, 2018 will need someone over the age of 18 to register for the race and run the race with them. This is for their safety.
Participants over the age of 15, but under the age of 18 years old on Sept. 29, 2018 will need to have a parent or guardian contact me with their approval for the participation of the minor.

History

It was two years ago now, but a morning like any other. I was heading out for my morning run from the Wash Creek Horse Camp when I heard a rooster crow. I was of course surprised as I had never encountered a rooster in the woods. I shrugged and set off on a course that would become the 30k route you are about to embark on. As I came down the final trail, there he was, strutting his stuff, the rooster. People were camping there, so I figured they had brought the rooster with them.
Being my typical start point for many of my runs, I returned and saw/heard the rooster for the next few days. Then the family camping that I believed owned the rooster left. However, the rooster remained. For two weeks he greeted me each morning upon my arrival, until one day, he didn't.
This route is a tribute to him. So as you get your feet wet for the thousandth time, thank the rooster!

Course Information

Course Length - 30 kilometers (18.6 miles)
Start & finish at Wash Creek Horse Camp (near Trace Ridge Trailhead)
Elevation Gain - 2000'+/-
85% Single Track (~3 miles on forest service road)
10 River Crossings within 1.75 miles on N. Mills River Trail
Multiple Waterfalls
Lots of creek crossings!
Great views of the surrounding mountains!
See link for trailrunproject.com for course map and elevation profile.

There will be 3 Aid Stations:
Aid 1 @ ~4 Miles (Old Reservoir)
Aid 2 @ ~8.5 Miles (5097 & Fletcher Creek Trail Junction)
Aid 3 @ ~13.75 Miles (Spencer Gap & 5000)

Aid Stations will be stocked with water, electrolytes, gels, chews, and waffles.

Finish line will have basic finger foods, snacks, and drinks.

North River Farms will have food trucks (TBA)

Course Turn-By-Turn Directions

Use National Geographic Trail Map #780
Start at Intersection of Forest Service Road (FSR) 5000 & FSR 142 and head up FSR 142 going across trailhead parking to Lower Trace Ridge Trail and follow Lower Trace Ridge Trail down to a right on N. Mills River Trail. Follow N. Mills River Trail to a left onto Hendersonville Reservoir Road. Take a right onto Spencer Branch Trail when you reach the Reservoir. Continue on Spencer Branch trail to a left on Middle Fork. Follow Middle Fork till FSR 5097. Make a right on FSR 5097. Stay on FSR 5097 till you reach Fletcher Creek Trail and make the right on Fletcher Creek Trail. Stay on Fletcher Creek Trail until you rejoin Spencer Branch Trail. Make a left on Spencer Branch Trail and stay on this trail until you rejoin FSR 5097 at which point you will cross over FSR 5097 to Spencer Gap Trail. Stay on Spencer Gap trail until you reach Upper Trace Ridge Trail. You will make a left on Upper Trace Ridge Trail and a quick right back onto Spencer Gap Trail. Stay on Spencer Gap Trail until you reach FSR 5000. Make a left onto FSR 5000 and stay on FSR 5000 until you reach Bad Fork. Make a Right on Bad Fork and stay on Bad Fork until you rejoin FSR 5000 and make a left on FSR 5000. Stay on FSR 5000 until you reach FSR 5001 and make a left on FSR 5001. Stay on FSR 5001 to Bear Branch. Make a Right on Bear Branch and stay on Bear Branch until you finish in the Wash Creek Horse Camp.

Aid Stations

THIS RACE IS CUPLESS! I WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH A REUSABLE CUP. PLEASE ALSO BE PREPARED WITH A WAY TO CARRY YOUR OWN HYDRATION NEEDS!

Each Aid Station will be supplied with:
-Water
-Electrolyte Replacement Fluid -
Tailwind
-Gels, Chews, Waffles - GU
-Basic Medical Supplies
-Basic Aid Station Food (Fruit, Chips, Pretzels, etc.)

Parking & Shuttles

Runners will park and be shuttled by bus from the North River Farm located at:
3333 North Mills River Rd.
Mills River, NC 28759
to the race start as we do not have room for parking near the start. PLEASE DO NOT DRIVE UP TO THE START!
Shuttles will begin at 7:00am. Final shuttle will be at 8:30am for the 9:00am start.
The shuttles will return you to North River Farm after the race for the post race festivities and awards ceremony.


Spectators/Guests must pay $5 for the shuttle if they want to come to the start/finish. NO PARKING IS AVAILABLE FOR SPECTATORS! Runners will have priority in shuttling. If room exists on an early shuttle, we will fill the shuttle with spectators.

Awards

Each finisher will receive a custom finisher's medal.

Overall Awards custom made by Mud Dabbers Pottery.
Male & Female in the following categories (no double dipping):
Top 5 Overall
Top Master's - 40+ (not in the top 5)
Top Grand Master's - 50+
Top Senior Grand Master's - 60+
Top Tip 'O the Hat - 70+

Swag

Each entrant will receive:
1. A Patagonia gender specific short sleeve shirt with race logo
2.. Shuttle to and from North River Farms
3. Free Parking at North River Farms
4. Free personal oven baked pizza from our favorite baker, David Workman
5. Finisher Medal
6. Salomon Reusable Cup
7. $10 Voucher to Foot Rx Running - Asheville
SIGN UP BY JULY 15TH TO GUARANTEE YOUR SHIRT SIZE!

Refunds

Refunds or Credits (see options below) will be issued up till Sept. 21

From You may request a credit for entry to any of future MR Runningpains Event (pending permit approval) No Credits will be issued after Sept. 28, 2018!

Please email runningpains@gmail.com for your requests.

Camping

There is primitive camping at the farm
http://www.northriverfarms.co/
where the shuttle & packet pickup are located.
Also, there is primitive camping up near the start where it is 1st come 1st serve sites.
Lastly, there are sites that one pays for with restrooms in the park as well
http://cfaia.org/north-mills-river-recreation-area-campgrounds-in-north-carolina/
for details.

Wildlife Warning

I have seen black bears, coyote, and copperheads all on these very trails. Know what to do in case you encounter any of these wild animals!

Proceeds to Benefit...

The Pisgah Conservancy - https://www.pisgahconservancy.org/ - The Pisgah Conservancy, a non-profit dedicated to the well-being and betterment of the Pisgah Ranger District. Pisgah National Forest is one of the most visited forests in the nation. Millions of folks visit every year and 73% of them participate in activities such as hiking, biking or horseback riding. While the forest is well-loved in terms of participation, it has long fallen short in terms of funding. There simply isn't enough federal funding to maintain the vast network of trails and amenities to high quality standards. And that's where The Pisgah Conservancy comes in‚ to maintain and grow the richness of this treasure for future generations. Your membership enables us to accomplish this mission. So take a little time to look deeper into this site and deeper into the history and awesome wonder that is Pisgah, and help us keep it pristine for future generations.

Sponsors

HUNTER SUBARU
PARDEE HOSPITAL
NEST REALTY
FOOT RX ASHEVILLE - www.footrxasheville.com
SALOMON - http://www.salomon.com/us/
MUD DABBERS - http://www.muddabbers.com/

Event's current local time: 11:05 AM ET

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