10/25/24

https://mailchi.mp/b2f654c18324/fancy-nonsense-first-update-18229220

A Nonsensical Running Experience

My mind is always looking for a good trick to pull or some shenanigans to get into. I've been voted the prankster of the office. My imagination runs wild on most of my runs. When I'm in the woods, I pretend I'm a hobbit running through the woods on an especially important quest.

It's this combination of mischief and imagination that the Fancy Nonsense 25k/50k was born.

The course is designed to allow the runner a space to return to the joy of running.  Yes, you will accomplish your goal distance. More importantly, you will smile, you will laugh, you may even be a little confused. You will test your mental and physical limits while I tickle your funny bone.

The race starts and finishes at Red Gate Wods in the Palos Trail System just 20 minutes from downtown Chicago.  The course will wind you on mostly single track.
Aid stations will be stocked with your typical ultra fare.

Cut off time for both races is 5pm.  Register by Sept. 15th for a guaranteed shirt.

Race Details

Packet Pick-Up
7:00am-7:45am for the 50k runners
& 8:05am-8:45am for the 25k runners
at Red Gate Woods this year

Day Of
8:00am start for the 50k runners
9:00am start for the 25k runners

There will be a short pre-race briefing to review course markings. Major intersections will be marked. However, each runner will be given a fully marked course map at packet pickup. There are lots of random, unmarked trails. You won't be running any of them, so don't turn down them.

There will be other people out on the course that day, be friendly and kind!

Course
The course is a 5.5 mile loop. You'll run a loop, come back by the aid station and then run another loop until you hit your distance. It's a mostly single track and entirely runnable. .

Aid Stations
2 aid stations for the 25k runners
5 aid stations for the 50k runners

Aid stations will be stocked with water, soda, snacks, doughnuts, and more. Please let me know if you have food allergies or specific requests!

Crews
Crews can touch base with their runner at Red Gate Woods

No pacers allowed.

CUSS Running

Curious Ultrarunner's Secret Society was established to inject a sense of whimsy into training calendars, split times, and fartleks. Our goal is to build a community that creates a space for the individual to fall in love with the magic of running.

Mission

To help others fall in love with ultrarunning.

Vision

To make you & the world slightly better through laughter & pain.

BIPOC & LGBTQ+ Entries

One of the things we strive for is to create inclusion and equality in the running
community. As much as we want to say that all you need to run is a pair of
shoes, we know the reality is much more complex.
To create intentional space for people, we have a number of free entries for our
races that we would like to extend to BIPOC and LGBTQ+
athletes. We would like to emphasize that these are not need based or
scholarships. These entries are an affirmation of belonging in our community. We
are not in any way publicly advertising who accepts an entry, and you do not
have to be an out member of the LGBTQ+ community to receive one. We are not
questioning or asking for additional information from anyone who asks for a code,
they will be handed out as long as we have funding to do so.
If you would like a code, please email us at ally@cussingrunner.com . We
have earmarked funds for both BIPOC and LGBTQ+. Please feel free to share this offer with friends.

Entrance Policy for Transgender Athletes

We will accept each entrant’s declared gender at face value, and no additional supporting
evidence is required. Athletes may register as the gender they identify with.

Entrance Policy for Non-Binary Athletes

People whose gender is not male or female; including but not limited to: genderqueer, agender, bigender. We want to acknowledge, respect, and provide opportunity in the registration process to express their desired pronouns. Please email ally@cussingrunner.com after registration and we will amend our records as Ultrasignup does not currently have that option.

Event's current local time: 12:55 PM CT