Posted February 1, 2017 by trail2trail Race Information

Chatfield Hollow SP Challenge 30/20/10/5 k

Trail 2 Trail Series

2017 Chatfield Hollow State Park Challenge

30/20/10/5k

October 15, 2017

START TIME for all distances: 9:00 AM

Check in time 8:00-8:45AM

Chatfield Hollow State Park Trail 2 Trail Series event; the 3rd race in the Trail 2 Trail Series.

Chatfield Hollow State Park Event consists of single track trail through a beautiful state park that there is plenty of room to bring your friends or family to cheer you on.

The event consists of a 5k and 10k loop (5k runners follow the 5k loop; 10k, 20k and 30k runners follow the 10k loop).

You will run among many fellow trail runners of varying experiences and fitness levels. Everyone has their own purpose for running. Some racing against other runners as a single event, for the whole string of T2T series events, nationally or internationally to gain points for the Trail Runner Magazine Trophy Series, and/or racing against yourself – competing for that predetermined personal goal you have set out in anticipation leading up to the event. For what ever reason brought you to the race, most importantly you are part of a trail running community that in known for its camaraderie, reaching similar goals of personal achievement and trailrunner fellowship.

For what ever reason you came to run… the most important is to have fun and great trail run. It is your race, enjoy it!!

REGISTRATION:

If you have not done so, register soon. Their are several more spots available before it caps. If you know anyone who anticipate signing up, please encourage them to do so before it is too late. For you who are signed up….welcome!!

TO REGISTER CLICK HERE

To Volunteer Click HERE

Chatfield Hollow State Park RACE DESCRIPTION and SPECIAL DETAILS:

Please keep in mind that we are guests at Chatfield Hollow State Park. We respect the park rules, regulations and specific details regarding the operations jointly agreed upon between Trail 2 Trial Series, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and the Park & Recreation Supervisor of Chatfield Hollow State Park. We expect and require all participants to follow all park rules and regulations, Trail 2 Trail series rules and regulations, and the trail/park environment in its entirety (which we know you all will have no problem following).

The generalized rules from Trail 2 Trail Series are titled under “RACE RULES” (below).

Click HERE for the PARK MAP

http://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/stateparks/maps/chatfieldhollow.pdf

PARKING:

Their is plenty of parking in Chatfield Hollow State Park. It is recommended to park at the “bus” parking which is approximately 1/10th mile past the park ticket booth adjacent to the first Picnic Pavillion on your left.

Those who park here can then take the boardwalk to take them to the open field where the start/finish/registration tents are located. You can also find parking throughout the park adjacent to the start/finish area. Please allow enough time to find your parking, and to walk to the registration area for check in and do what you need to do before race start. It is a beautiful park and sometimes you will find yourself looking around at your surroundings not paying much attention to the time. You will have plenty of time during the race to look at what nature has to offer.

DISTANCE CHOICES (5k/10k/20k/30k)

The 5k participants follow the 5k loop.

The 10k, 20k and 30k follow the 10k loop: 1x for the 10k; 2x for the 20k; 3x for the 30k

Each loop follows through the Start/Finish area passing by the Main Aid Station (which will have food/water/electrolyte replacement drink). There will be an area for drop bags for the 20k and 30k participants.

The route is beautiful and runnable; although there are many areas of rocks, roots, ruts, cliffs, and places where you may have to climb. This is trail running as you know it; and the reason why you have signed up for such an event in the first place.

There are specific areas that are pointed out in discussion with the Parks department:

“there is a tricky section on the Red Trail on the north end of the park that can be particularly slippery if there are wet leaves on the ground. There is no real option around it, nor do you want people going off the regular trail to avoid it. It is definitely a one-person-at-a-time spot.”

We will have this area well marked with orange flags and with caution tape at designated spots. Please follow the Blazed trails specifically the ones marked with orange flags, and do not cross any areas that may have caution tape. When you come to an area that is very “single-tracked”, please be courteous to other runners if you want to pass; and also be courteous to those who would like to pass you. We will have an event staff member(s) at this area to help runners through safely.

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“Up on the orange trail the bare spots where the top rocks could look like trails to anyone not familiar with even though they are just overlooks; some climbers set up belays in that area so could have some ropes among the trees.” “They would need to tape off any spot up there that a runner could potentially not pay attention to and find themselves on the edge.”

This is an area that is just after some rock scrambles that you have to climb up. We will have this spot marked well with orange flags and with caution tape. We will also have an event staff member(s) at this area to help runners through safely. Please follow the blazed trail as well as the orange marking flags.

Please pay attention and yield to cars when you cross a road. We expect to have a crossing marshall at these locations (which will be the first 0.10 mile of the race and the area just before you end a loop at the Start/Finish area.

TRAIL MARKINGS

The route will be marked with orange flags and marking tape: Orange flags will always be on the LEFT side of the trail unless you are at a turn. At turns, the flags will ‘hug’ around the corner of a turn adjacent to the side you will be turning: Multiple consecutive flags before the turn, following around the corner of the turn, and immediately leading after a turn; After a turn the flags will be back to the left side, until you come up to another turn. In other words, all flags will be on your LEFT side until there are flags marking a RIGHT turn. Therefore if you do get lost, once you come back to the marked trail, always make sure you are traveling in the direction so that the flags are on your LEFT (and then you will be headed in the correct direction).

Please follow the signs that mark separate directions for the 5k, 10k loop.

Please study the map before race day. We expect the route to be marked well. Unfortunately at some races their can be race-vandals who like to steal or change signs (we double check the signs on race day; but as a trail runner, it is best to be prepared by studying the route).

All participants must have their bib numbers visible at the finish line so we can mark your finish time.

If you drop out…please notify the staff (so we know you have not gone missing).

RACE ROUTE DESCRIPTION

The route is counterclockwise for all distances.

Participants would start on the field at the Start/Finish area, head north toward the pond crossing 2 park roads and follow a foot path eastward, just south of the pond.

You will follow this footpath around the pond just before the beach you will cross another park road to meet the Red-blazed trailhead at the wooden steps.

This is where your will start on the single track trail, following the Red-blazed trail. Go up the stairs and onto the single track trail to start your adventure. All will follow this up the hill to where the 5k and 10k/20k/50k participants split.

The 5k runners will continue straight to follow the Red-blazes that hug left around a rock section eventually going north on the red blazed trail.

The 10k/20k/50k participants will take a sharp right on the white-blazed trail and follow this for 0.32 miles to take sharp turn to the left at a water-aid station. Continue for 0.33 miles on the white blazed trail then take a sharp right on a Blue blazed trail to meet Buck Road (jeep trail). You will Cross Buck Road following the blue blazed trail; here there will be a arrow on a rock:

Here you will cross a boardwalk and continue to follow the blue blazed trail.

Follow the Blue Blazed trail till you come to Buck Road once again.

You take a Left onto Buck Road and follow this about 1/2 mile to take a right on a blue-white Blazed trail.

Follow the Blue-White trail and take a Left back on the Blue Blazed Trail.

You will follow this 0.26 miles to a White Blazed trail. After 0.51 miles on the White blazed trail you will meet back on the Red blazed trail going north.

This is where the 5k loop and 10k loop merge back together.

This section of the red-blazed trail is narrow, rocky, has several drop offs that we will marked off with caution tape. It is a fun section to run, as you make your way to the north part of the park following to the end of the red-blazed trail, pass the cul-de-sac , follow on a short blue-blazed trail section to the orange blazed trail. (the cul-de-sac marks the location of another aid station).

Follow the Orange trail south to where it takes a sharp left where you find yourself climbing some up some rocks (fun!!) up and over adjacent to a rock ledge that we will have marked off with caution tape. You will follow the remainder of the orange trail to the park road, where you will cross to and follow to the Start/Finish area to complete your loop. At the Start Finish area you can gain access to your drop bag or have a snack at the aid station and then you are either finished or excited to do it all over again.

AID STATIONS

Main Aid Station:

Located at the Start/Finish area. This will include Fuel 100, Hammer Nutrition Gels and HEED (electrolyte replacement), bananas, oranges, pretzels, and other food products. Contact us if their is something that you would like at the aid station.

Water at the Start/Finish and along the course:

This will be at the Start/finish for all participants; at approximately mile 1.5 for the 5k loop; and at approximately mile 1 and mile 4.5 on the 10k loop. Specifically placed at the end of the red-blazed trail, north end of the park at the cul-de-sac (for all distances); and 0.33mi in after the start of the white-blazed trail where it takes a ‘hair-pin’ turn just before it continues the remainder of the 0.33 mi distance on the white-blazed trail.

We encourage that you bring a handheld water bottle, or the like, to keep it ‘green’. And a convenient way to bring some fluid with you and store some gels/phone.

START TIME and LOCATION

Each race will begin at the same start time: 9:00 AM

Note: The race will begin at approximately 8AM. We expect to start exactly at this time. We do have an agreement with the park supervisor that if there is car traffic, we will hold the start until the cars pass to avoid any traffic congestion. This should only delay the start by ~1 minute if it is necessary.

Parking:

There is plenty of parking Chatfield Hollow State Park. See the section above regarding parking details.

Please allow plenty of time to find your parking, for check in, and to allow for your own pre-race preparation before you start your running adventure.

Directions to Chatfield Hollow State Park:

From Route 9: take Exit 9. Follow Route 81 south to Route 80 west and watch for park entrance signs on right.
From I-95: take Exit 63. Follow Route 81 north to Route 80 west and watch for park entrance signs on right.

Check-in and Packet Pickup:

Check-in will begin at 8:00 AM. This will be at the Start/Finish area. We encourage you to check in at or before 8:30 AM to avoid late crowds at check-in so it does not delay start time.

Race Day Registration:

We encourage you to register online before race day. If you happen to miss on-line registration for some reason, we will have race day registration.

CUT OFF TIMES

5k, 10k and 20k is 1:30PM

30k: the cut off to start the 3rd loop is 1:30PM.

The race will end at 3 PM.

Participants are unable to continue on subsequent intervals if they do not make the cut off time. Please note: we reserve the right to pull anyone from the race if we believe they are at risk for injury to themselves or others.

SWAG:

VOLUNTEERS:

Please thank all the volunteers. They are taking their time out to help make your experience a safe and enjoyable one.

If anyone knows or are interested in volunteering at the Kettletown State Park event, please Sign up here: VOLUNTEER SIGN UP CLICK HERE

Any who volunteer is granted credit toward future races.

RACE RULES

The race rules include but are not limited to the following:

1) Stay on the trail. Stay on the designated marked route. The course will be well marked with flags and marking tape. Some of the trails will go through protected wildlife areas and we do ask that you stay on the trail to avoid harming these sensitive areas.

2) Be courteous to other trail runners and hikers on the trail. -be patient when you are part of a conga line on crowded racing trails. -Slow runners yield to faster runners. -If you would like to pass a runner, give a courteous and audible announcement well in advance of your presence and intention to pass stating something like “on your left” or “trail” as you approach the trail users. -Show respect when passing, by slowing down or stopping if necessary to prevent accidental contact. -Be ready to yield to all other trail users (bikers, hikers, horses, ect.) even if you have the posted right of way. -Uphill runners yield to downhill runners in most situations.

3) Don’t Litter -Runners are encouraged to bring a hydration bag, belt, or bottle. – Disposable cups will be available at each aide station. Kindly dispose of the cup in the trash bins at the aide station before proceeding on your run. -Pack out everything you started the race with. Food leftovers should not be thrown on the course, they should be kept with the runner until they reach the next aide station, disposal area, or finish line.

4) Safety – be familiar with your route. You are expected to negotiate many rocks, roots, hills, possibly some climbs and get your feet wet. The technical nature of the trail will mean that you will be exposed to the risk of injury. All participants must be prepared to accept full responsibility for these risks. – be prepared for the weather and conditions prevailing – No headphones or iPods. – Know and respect your limits. – Each runner is strongly advised to carry a fully charged cell phone with the race director’s number, a fellow runner number, or some other contact that may be at the race venue for safety and emergency use. -If part of the route crosses a road, you are to yield to any vehicles before proceeding to cross the road. -No crew/pacers/spectators on the route. Crew or spectators are allowed at designated areas.

5) Leave what you find -Leave natural or historic objects as you find them, this includes wildflowers and native grasses. -Removing or collecting trail markers is serious vandalism that puts others at risk.

6) Bandit Runners -Trail 2 Trail Series does not condone bandit runners. Not only are bandits a serious safety and liability concern for the race directors. There are limits in the races set forth by permit. Bandits can jeopardize the issuance of future permits. -Participants are not allowed to run with dog(s) during the event.

Trail 2 Trail Series requires participants to follow all race rules.

Those who do not follow the rules are at risk for disqualification.

What if I am dropping out?

If you are dropping out before distance you are registered for, you must let the Trail 2 Trail series staff members know you have dropped out from your registered distance. This will help to avoid an unnecessary search party and to confirm that you would like to be listed under a different race category if you finished at least one loop.

Those who have not finished their registered distance will be given a designation on the race results as DNF (“Did Not Finish).

Other Races in the Series:

Kettletown State Park Challenge 50/30/20/10/5k

Pomperaug Trail Adventure Challenge 10miler

The T2T Kettletown State Park races are part of the Trail Runner Magazines Trophy Series.

The T2T Kettletown State Park 20k is part of the USATF-CT Mountain Ultra Trail Series.