Hi |*FIRST_NAME*|,
It is just five days until The Divide 200! There is no turning back now. Your bib number is |*BIB_NUMBER*|.
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.
If you missed the course change in our last email, you can find the updated GPX files here:
https://www.sinistersports.ca/divide200/course
BEFORE YOU GET HERE...
Castle Mountain Resort is quite remote, so think about the following:
- If your mobile carrier allows wifi calling, turn it on before you arrive. You cannot turn it on while on wifi - it has to be done via cellular on your carrier's network (from what we understand).
- The nearest store is in Beaver Mines - it doesn't have everything you need, but we love them all the same. If you need to get supplies, I suggest stopping by our new sponsor, CO-OP in Pincher Creek.
- Download Garmin Explore and Garmin Messenger to your phone if you want to be able to sync up with the inReach Mini 2 that we are providing. I will have a hand-out for you at the race that will guide you through setup. You do not need to do this unless you want to communicate
CMR HOURS
The T-Bar Pub will be open for part of the week, which is really great for any support crews and early finishers.
CP FOOD QUESTIONS
We have had a few questions about what food will be available at different CPs. Take a look at the food list here. https://www.sinistersports.ca/divide200/food_list
We committed to having hot water/broth, and simple stuff like that at each CP "later in the race" and CP1 is the only one that will not have it. You should not be stopping that early. ;)
CP2 is a tough one to get to, and the Province wants us to only make one trip in with one OHV, so we have to pile it up like the Grinch's sleigh to get what we can down there. We do not even bring water - we filter it on site. We completely recognize that the Start to CP3 is a long way (and the hardest part of the course, IMHO), but we just can't get enough supplies down there to have a big spread. Take a look at the list and see what we have. You are welcome to bring your own dried foods and add hot water when you get there.
CP8 and CP12 are also locations that are harder to get to, so they won't have a big buffet like the main stations.
Other than that, we should have good stock at the stations. We try to have something for every dietary choice, but if you really need something specific, send it to the main aid stations with your support crew or drop bags.
INREACH DEPOSITS
To be sure you return the Garmin inReach that we are loaning you for the race, you have to leave a deposit. Note that your inReach has 40 messages allowed for the race - if you go over, we're taking it out of your lunch money!
- You can leave something substantial, like car keys, which will be kept locked up until the finish.
- You can also leave your wallet (like you're going to need it, unless you stop at Chris' Restaurant after CP6, if they happen to be open).
- We have also enabled online deposits of $450 if you just prefer to use your CC, which will be returned after the race. https://dirtverthurt.com/products/inreach-deposit
PACER SIGN-UP
Sign-up for the event ends on Friday at midnight MST, and that includes for pacers. Yes, you can sign them up manually on site, but that tends to be a bit of a challenge, since many just want to meet you at their assigned start location. They need to sign a waiver and get a bib when they arrive or no running for them!
If they sign up online, they can then sign the waiver online, so try and get that done by tomorrow!
WILD BEASTS AND OTHER MEAN THINGS
In this area, we have bears, cougars, wolves, wolverines, and all the other typical Rocky Mountain predators. You would be lucky to see the latter two, as they are very rare. Cougars you probably will not see at all, and bears you just want to avoid.
There are a lot of different strategies around protecting yourself from animals. I will say that in 23 years of organizing races, we have had animal sightings at every race, and (that I know of) we have had only one close encounter where there was an actual close call. That is not to say that something bad cannot happen, because it's always possible when dealing with wild animals. It means the animals are not out to get you, so if you take basic precautions, you greatly decrease your risk. I will go over this at the racer meeting on monday, but take a look at some of the bear and cougar smart resources.
https://www.albertaparks.ca/media/123478/bear-smart-brochure.pdf
https://www.alberta.ca/cougars-and-outdoor-recreation
We also have moose, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and more. Moose are actually one of the worst - they're just plain mean.
WHERE ARE WE?
As in, where is the race crew going to be? All the pre- and post-race activities happen at Castle Mountain Resort. Headquarters will be located at CMR until around 6pm on Tuesday, and then it will move to our office in Bellevue, Alberta
If you need to reach us, the best place to do it is at a CP. If your support crew really needs to check in with is in person, our office is at 2419 213 Street, Bellevue, AB and the office phone is 403-563-6420. Note that they cannot help with tracking inquiries, but they will be able to take information about emergencies.
WHERE ARE YOU?
Take a look at this heat map of where y'all are from!
LAST CHANCE FOR GEAR
If you want any supplies from spry to be delivered to the race, the cutoff is Friday at the end of the business day, so don't hold back.
The order form, unfortunately, did not allow us to pick "The Divide 200" as a location, so please add that to the notes. Remember that spry is also offering all of our competitors, your crew, and our volunteers $25 off any regular priced merch over $50.
Use code RUNDIVIDE25 for the goods - valid until September 30. https://spryactive.ca/
WEATHER AND CONDITIONS
As I mentioned in the last update, we have really variable weather; it's almost not worth looking at the forecast until the day before. Right now, it looks hot and sunny until Wednesday, when it will cool a little, then Thursday, when it will turn to s&@$ for half a day. Then it will start warming again into Saturday. IF the forecast happens to be accurate. High up there could be a bit of snow, so keep that in mind when planning your gear. https://spotwx.com/products/grib_index.php?model=gem_glb_15km&lat=49.31838&lon=-114.41454&tz=America/Edmonton
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
