Death Race Update

Name: Death Race
Start: 2024-08-03T08:00:00-06:00
Location: Grande Cache, Alberta, Canada

Hi |*FIRST_NAME*|,

We are just over two weeks until the 24th annual Canadian Death Race! Taper time/

Take a moment to read the Racer Info Package and that should answer any of your outstanding questions.

https://www.sinistersports.ca/deathrace/racer_information_package

If you missed the last update, you can find it here: https://raceroster.com/events/2024/81131/death-race/page/juny

TEAMS - CHECK YOUR ROSTER

It has come to our attention that there has been some confusion around how you sign up a team. A team captain signs up, then other individuals sign up and join that team. Several teams have only one member, you y'all are running solo, I guess! Make sure your people are signed up! Check your roster here:

https://raceroster.com/events/2024/81131/death-race/teams

LIVE TRACKING

ICYMI we now have live tracking on our website if you have your own satellite communication device, like a Garmin inReach. It's easy to sign up and share, so that your friends and family can see where you are during the race. This map will show any competitor who adds themselves to the Spotwalla event. https://www.sinistersports.ca/deathrace/live_tracking

You can also rent the service from us and use one of our inReach devices. Check out the details here. The cutoff to rent one of ours is Monday, July 22 at 12:00pm. https://dirtverthurt.com/products/wilderness-tracking-service

DETAILS... A RECAP

Here are a few key things to know and remember:

Friday

1:00pm-8:00pm – Racer Check In & Package Pickup (Arena, Rec Centre)
7:00pm – Volunteer Meeting (Curling Rink, Rec Centre)
8:00pm – Racer Meeting (Main Stage, Central Park)

Saturday

8:00am – Race Start (Central Park)
5:30pm – Near Death Marathon Cutoff

Sunday

8:00am – Race Ends
10:00am – Post-race breakfast (Arena, Rec Centre)
10:30am – Awards (Arena, Rec Centre)
1:00pm-1:45pm – Kids Race LATE Check In
2:00pm – Kids Race Begins (Central Park)

COINS

Don't freak out when you do not find your Soloist/Relay coin in your race bag. A couple of years ago, we started putting them at CP416, right up on top of Hamell, so that you have to get them there in order to prove you made it. Then you will turn it over to the Grim Reaper at CP510, so don't lose it, or you have to go back.

WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS

Every year we get a report of a racer seeing a bear or cougar on the course. The reality is that most encounters with these animals rarely lead to aggressive behaviour, and attacks are even rarer. Bears especially prefer to avoid contact with humans, and any animal you do see is probably just as frightened as you are.

The best way to prevent an unpleasant encounter is to avoid them all together. Bears and cougars usually avoid people, and most people don’t even know when they’ve come close to an animal. To ensure a surprise or unpleasant encounter doesn’t occur, try to remain with other runners as much as possible and make lots of noise by talking or singing. Put the iPod away and pay attention to your surroundings.

If you do encounter a bear or cougar, pepper spray and bear bangers can be useful IF you know how to use them. Noisemakers also do a great job. Remain calm. Stay together if you are in a group. Identify yourself by speaking in a calm, appeasing tone. Back away slowly, preferably in the direction you came. Walk, don’t run, and keep your eye on the bear so you can see how it will react. In most cases, the animal will flee.

To learn more about bear encounters, check out these BearSmart guidelines. For cougar information, read the Alberta Cougar safety brochure.

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!

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/deathrace/volunteer

BIB TRANSFER CUTOFF

Just one last reminder that you have until noon on July 26 to complete any bib transfers. At that point, we have to square away our paperwork and get ready for race day.

PARKING PASSES + TA200 SHUTTLE

I'm going to remind y'all every update...

Let's face it, TA200 (the transition between leg 1 and 2) is a bit bonkers, largely due to it being so early in the race, and growing popularity of the Near Death Marathon. The outcome is very little parking. So each year we hire a bus to take relay runners, support crews, and spectators to the start of that stage. We will be issuing parking passes for each transition area in order to ensure they are not packed with a bunch of extra people. Having a parking pass does not mean you will find parking - it can still be packed no matter what we do, so please carpool and do not bring unnecessary vehicles to the TAs.

The bus will depart from across corner of Hoppe and Shand Ave, just across from the start line, and will make rounds every 30 minutes or so. Make new friends, avoid the stress of parking - take the dang bus!