Hi |*FIRST_NAME*|,
It is just a week and a half until The Divide 200. Hold on tight, we have a lot to cover.
If you missed the last updates, you can find them here in the side menu: https://raceroster.com/events/2024/81017/the-divide-200.
Our Facebook group is also a great place to ask questions: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedivide200.
COURSE CHANGE
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, things do not always line up the way they should. We have a new, relatively minor course change on two segments of the race. https://www.sinistersports.ca/divide200/course
WHY: We were informed about a week ago that there has been a significant uptick in logging activity in a central part of the course. Previously, we were informed that there would be some log hauling in the area, but now that has become "intense industrial logging". It affects several existing trails in the area. We are now being advised that it is potentially unsafe to use the existing route (much to our surprise, considering we have a detailed permit). We spent the last week talking with the Province and the logging company to figure out the best solution. The course has been updated to show revisions to both the full route and the following segments.
CP5 TO CP6
- Adds approximately 5.3km to this segment
- Slight increase to the elevation
- Continues north on Sartoris Road and around the Pass Powderkeg ski hill
- CP05_to_CP06_REV1.GPX
CP10 TO CP11
- Removes approximately 6km from this segment
- In order to balance the increase on segment CP5 to CP6, we have rerouted the course around the north side of Saddle Mountain, rather than over the top
- Reduces the total amount of climb in the course
- CP10_to_CP11_REV1.GPX
FULL ROUTE
VIRTUAL SWAG BAG
We always try and cook up some special gifts or opportunities for our competitors. Here are three things you can take advantage of from our sponsors.
SPRY is the place to get outdoor gear in Crowsnest Pass. Get yourself over to the spry Facebook page and smash the like button, then comment on this post for a chance to win one of two Primus Tupike 2-burner stoves. https://www.facebook.com/reel/362245273616746
SPRY is also offering all of our competitors, your crew, and our volunteers $25 off any regular priced merch over $50. Even better, you can choose "Delivery to Divide 200" and it will be waiting for you at check-in. Use code RUNDIVIDE25 for the goods - valid until September 30. https://spryactive.ca/
OUTLAND LIVING makes premium fire bowls and other propane equipment, and they have been our sponsor of warmth and comfort for two years now. Use the code 20%DIVIDE200 for 20% off on any product. Expires August 31 so check it out!
LEADING EDGE HYPNOTHERAPY has created an app that is specifically designed for the Divide 200 Racers: https://hypnogold.passion.io/. As my friend Ray Zahab always says, the race is 90% mental and the rest is in your head, so check it out and tune up the old coconut.
WEATHER AND CONDITIONS
We had snow on Wednesday. Up on the ridge above Castle Mountain Resort, it was about 10cm deep... but it was 25˚C today and now it's gone. You really never know what you are going to get in this part of the Rocky Mountains, so hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
We do not have "mandatory" gear, other than a few essentials such as the Garmin inReach, but we do make a lot of recommendations. Changes of clothes will be a big one to help keep you warm if the weather is inclement.
One thing to keep in mind is that if you are at elevation, you can lose around 1˚C of temperature for roughly every 125m of elevation gain. While it is unlikely to drop 15˚ just because of one climb, it can be significantly colder up top.
Two other factors you will run into here are the wind and the dryness. This area is known for vicious winds that often reach over 100km/hr, and it gets worse the higher you go. While it tends to be somewhat mild in September, you can see it any time. The dryness is noticeable to anyone from a more humid climate. You can actually be sweating buckets but you will not feel it because the wind and dryness wick it away from your clothing almost instantly.
Check out the Castle Mountain webcams. https://www.skicastle.ca/webcams/
TIMING CHIPS
We did a survey in our last update asking if y'all wanted timing chips to get better split times. 73% of respondents said yes, so we are going to go ahead with that. These wee bands can be attached to your inReach, or stuffed in a pocket. They are proximity sensors, so the volunteers should not have to even type in your bib number. We're looking forward to getting better split times and automating this process. It will also provide far more detailed results as the race progresses.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Volunteers add so much to the race, and it takes a lot of people to make CDR happen. Volun-tell everyone you know to sign up! We reward them all with great swag and fun times. This year, volunteers are getting a race neck gaiter (AKA "Buff" but it is not a Buff brand so I can't say that), a Fenix mini flashlight, and a cool little travel cutlery kit that our crew loves.
https://www.sinistersports.ca/divide200/volunteer
See you soon! Is it taper time yet?
Kindest regards,
Brian Gallant
Owner + Director, Sinister Sports
Sinister 7 Ultra • Canadian Death Race • Black Spur Ultra • The Divide 200 • Castle Alpine Trail Race • The Dark: 24 Hours Underground
