Hi |*FIRST_NAME*|,

We are just a few days from the 4th annual Castle Alpine Trail Race! I hope you're ready for a fantastic, and difficult, day out there.

If you missed the last email update, check it out here:

https://raceroster.com/events/2024/81135/castle-alpine-trail-race/page/racer-update-august-28

If you have not reviewed the race details, take a look here:

https://www.sinistersports.ca/castlealpine/#details

CHECK-IN – REMINDER

Check-in happens on Friday from 5:00-8:00pm. If you cannot make it out to the resort that early, please book a time to check in on Saturday morning from 6:30-8:30am. Don't show up at the last minute, though, or you will not be checked in before the start. You can book at time by replying to racehq@sinistersports.ca. Again, try not to make this your last resort!

We will have the racer meeting at 7:00pm Friday to let you know any final details.

You will also need to sign a specific Castle Mountain Resort waiver. If you signed our waiver online, you're good there, but we will still have paper copies.

Check-in is located in the day lodge at Castle Mountain Resort. Enter through the main doors.

SUPPLIES + DROP BAGS + TA INFO

The site setup is really simple. We will have tents in the main area to the west of the day lodge, right at the start line. If you need to stash a bag of clothes or supplies, you can do it there. We will also have an aid station set up so that you can refuel as you go.

You have to run back into the transition area to get a time at the end of the first two legs, then you turn around and go right back out. At the finish, you will be coming from the other direction.

ANIMALS

You will be in the Rockies, and the Rockies have big predators! The Haig Lake area is a particular hangout for all kinds of birds and beasts, but they can be found anywhere on the course. Every year, it is common that someone sees a large predator during a race. 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.

WEATHER

The weather has been up and down the last couple of weeks, and right now it's looking to be cool most of the day, but hopefully clear and without rain. You can obsess over that at SpotWX.

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/castlealpine/volunteer