Big Timber
XC Challenge
Dick Pond Athletics and Saucony invite you to join the 3rd annual Big Timber XC Challenge at Camp Big Timber in Elgin, IL, on Sunday, November 7th.
After having to use COVID-safeguard “heats” in 2020, we are genuinely excited to have everyone back this year using the mass start format we all know and enjoy for both the 3-mile and 5-mile distances.
The BTXCC is the ideal event to wrap up your 2021 running and racing. You’ve worked hard all year long, and now is the time to cap the year with a fun yet challenging event.
This is a trail running event, so you will be running on a variety of surfaces over a rolling landscape. There will be grass, gravel, dirt … and even a creek crossing!
Proceeds from this event will go to the Boy Scouts of America Three Fires Council and the Elgin Boys & Girls Club.
Date: Sunday, November 7, 2021 (rain/snow or shine, warm or cold)
Location: Camp Big Timber (CBT), Big Timber Rd at Tyrrell Rd, Elgin (approximately 1 mile south of I-90 and 0.5 miles west of Randall Road)
Distances: Approximately 3 and 5 Miles
Sponsored by
&
All proceeds from the race will benefit
Boy Scouts of America Three Fires Council
&
Boy & Girls Club of Elgin
Please note: All Information is subject to change without notice
Registration fees
3 Mile Run 8:00 AM Start Closed
Online registration closed-
3.00 Mile Individual Run starting at 8:00 AM
-
$40.00
SWAG CHOICE of Race Flannel Shirt or Race T-Shirt
Jul 17 – Sep 30 -
$40.00
SWAG: Race T-Shirt
Oct 1 – Oct 31 -
$45.00
SWAG: Race T-Shirt (Limited availability of sizes)
Nov 1 – Nov 5 -
$50.00
SWAG: Race T-Shirt (Limited availability of sizes)
Nov 6 – Nov 8
-
5 Mile Run 9:30 AM Start Closed
Online registration closed-
5 Mile Individual Run starting at 9:30 AM
-
$40.00
SWAG CHOICE of Race Flannel Shirt or Race T-Shirt
Jul 17 – Sep 30 -
$40.00
SWAG: Race T-Shirt
Oct 1 – Oct 31 -
$45.00
SWAG: Race T-Shirt (Limited availability of sizes)
Nov 1 – Nov 5 -
$50.00
SWAG: Race T-Shirt (Limited availability of sizes)
Nov 6 – Nov 8
-
Registration Entry Fees
Registration/Entry Fee/Swag Schedule for both the 3-mile and 5-mile races:
 |
IT’S GETTING LATE
October 1 – 31 $40.00
Swag: Race t-shirt
RACE WEEK
November 1-5 $45.00
Swag: Race t-shirt (limited availability of sizes)
RACE WEEKEND
November 6-7 $50.00
Swag: Race t-shirt (limited availability of sizes)
Course Information
3-mile/5-mile: Both races will have a wide cross-country style start in the large field south of the Main Lodge and parking area. Runners will be on the gravel road for the first half mile before turning onto a mowed grass pathway to head up a small hill, where they will begin the circuit around the perimeter of the CBT property. The 3-mile course will make one loop around the perimeter, while the 5-mile course will make two loops. After completing the loop(s), runners will go back down the small hill to return onto the gravel road to head back to the Finish, at the same location as the Start.
The majority of the race will be run on gravel driveways, open grass areas, and wide mowed grass pathways through wooded areas, although there are a couple of short stretches on single-track dirt trails.
This is a trail running event, and you will encounter uneven ground, exposed tree roots and rocks and other natural challenges such as low-hanging tree branches, snow or ice on the ground, wet/marshy ground or possibly a broken tree limb laying across the trail. And, of course, there is the creek.
Race Distances and Start Times:
3-mile one loop of perimeter trail 8:00am
5-mile two loops of perimeter trail 9:30am
The creek is approximately 15-20 feet wide and you should expect it to be COLD (after all, it is November). Depending on rain or snow in the days before the race, the water may be only ankle deep, as it was in 2020 … or possibly knee-high, as it was in 2019. There will be a rope suspended between the sides of the creek that you can hold onto, if needed, as you cross. Do not let the creek intimidate you – in some ways, it is the best thing about this event!
*** Please be aware this event is a TRAIL race. Expect to encounter uneven ground, tree roots, rocks, fallen trees, water crossings and other natural barriers that may trip you up or cause you to stumble. Expect to get wet and probably muddy – wear old shoes and bring a change of clothes for after running! If these conditions sound too challenging for you, please do NOT enter this event, there are NO refunds (unless the event is officially cancelled by the organizers due to COVID-19 restrictions).
Heed The Scouts Motto of “Be prepared!”: Because of the creek, it is recommended you wear old shoes and bring a towel and/or a change of clothes with you to the race. You will get wet, and it will probably be cold, so have what you need to make the ride home a little more comfortable.
**Course is tentative at this time and may be modified slightly for race day.
Event Info
Parking:
Parking at Camp Big Timber (CBT) is limited. CARPOOLING with others is encouraged.
Course Preview:
We are working on the possibility of having a course preview sometime before race day; look for more information by email to registered participants on this at a later date if we are able to arrange it.
Course Preview:
We will hold a course preview at CBT at 8:30am on Sunday, October 31. If you have not participated in the BTXCC in previous years, this preview will be your only opportunity to actually run the full course before race day. And if you have run BTXCC in past years, this will be your chance to see a couple of new challenges that have been added to the course.
Pancake Breakfast:
Raffle:
We will also be drawing bib numbers for raffle items while each race is in progress. Be sure to check the board at the Finish to see if you have won a prize!
Awards:
Awards will be presented to the Overall Male and Female winner and to the top three in the following Male/Female age groups: 14 & Under, 15-19, 20-29,30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 & Over.
The Race Director may split any 10-year age group into two 5-year groups, with top three awards in each, if registration numbers prior to September 30 merit doing this.
Bib Pick-up:
Saturday, November 6, 2:00-4:00pm at Dick Pond St Charles store.
Sunday, November 7, starting at 7:30am at race site
Volunteers
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers: Yes, we need volunteers to help on race day with packet/bib pick-up and to serve as course marshals and start/finish helpers!
Each volunteer will receive a printed t-shirt and the eternal gratitude of the race organizers, sponsors, beneficiaries and runners.
If you would like to help out on race day, please contact Wayne Haworth at wayne@dickpondathletics.com
Team Competition
Team Competition:
Gather your friends and family together to create a 4-person team for our Team Competition. Teams can be All-Male, All-Female or Co-Ed (must be 2 men + 2 women). Submit your roster at the Team Competition table on race day, and we’ll combine the finish time of all four runners to determine the divisional winners. Awards will be presented to the top teams.
Costume Competition
Costume Competition:
Add more fun of the event by running in your best lumberjack attire! Simply report to the Costume Entry table on race day prior to running (you’ll be cleaner) OR immediately after (you’ll be wet and muddy now!) to have your photo taken. We have an awesome award for the best looking LumberJack and LumberJane!
"Other" Miscellaneous Details!
Scout Troop(s) on Site:
It is possible there could be a Scout troop or two camping on site on race day and having no involvement or responsibility with our event. Please be respectful of these Scouts and their leaders and do not disturb their camp area or activities.
COVID Cancellation Comment:
While we have every intention of putting on this event, the health and well being of all runners, spectators, volunteers and organizers is our paramount concern. As a result, if our sponsors, beneficiaries and/or government health officials deem it unsafe to run these races as outlined, we will CANCEL the event and NO REFUNDS will be issued. If we do need to cancel, everyone who is pre-registered will be able to pick up their shirt at the Dick Pond Athletics store in St Charles on a to-be-determined date during regular business hours. Remaining proceeds will be shared with the race beneficiaries.
Event schedule
- Sat, November 6, 2021 2:00 PM - Pre Race Packet Pick Up (Dick Pond Athletics of St. Charles) 2P-4P
- Sun, November 7, 2021 7:30 AM - On Site Check In/Race Day Registration
- Sun, November 7, 2021 8:00 AM - 3 Mile Race Start
- Sun, November 7, 2021 9:30 AM - 5 Mile Race Start
Contact information
- Event contact
- Wayne Haworth
- Phone
- +1 630-665-3316
- Website
- Visit website
