Race Day Agenda :: October 4, 2008

 

Welcome to the 7th Annual "Run for the Toad." It is our pleasure to work each year with the many sponsors, volunteers and race participants to produce one of Canada’s premier sporting events. For the past six years your commitment to this event has raised tremendous awareness and financial support for the Grand River Conservation Authority.

First Aid

There will be trained medical staff on the course usually accompanied by a doctor. This support comes from the Grand River Sports Medicine Center, Pro Therapy International, Price Chiropractic and Cambridge Chiropractic Centre. If you get sick or injured, remain calm until help arrives. Please feel free to discuss any of the typical everyday running injuries with the support staff provided by Grand River Sports Medicine at their field tent center (Tent City). You can also stop at the Price Chiropractic and Cambridge Chiropractic Centre field tent for information and support.

Shopping at Tent City

Some of our Running Store Sponsors will have new exciting vendor booths set up, with items ranging from running apparel to those all important fitness accessories.

Course Restrictions

NO Bicycles, NO Baby Joggers, NO Animals are allowed on the course. These restrictions are for your safety and insurance considerations (exception: Race Officials).

Parking

Parking Marshals will meet you on your arrival and direct you to the assigned parking areas. No drivers may simply pull over to the sides of Pinehurst Park supervised roadways and leave their vehicle. We encourage you to carpool and arrive early to help facilitate in freeing up our parking marshals for other duties.

Race Kit Pickup (Start Time 6:30 a.m.)

All race participants should proceed directly to Tent City (Great Bistro Tent) and identify yourself at the Registration Area. Our registration staff will facilitate your Bib Race Number, and immediately direct you in line for your registration gift – Saucony/Run For the Toad Backpack and other sponsor related merchandise. You will also pick up your Champion Chip in this tent from Chip Time Results.

You must wear your official competitors number on the front of your shirt. If you have a medical condition that we should be aware of please describe on the back of your race bib.

Please Note: If you are participating in the Walking Category you will be asked to pin the Orange Tag (located in your registration envelope) on the back of your shirt.

Timing Chip

Each Champion Chip contains a race participant, personalized identification code, which will be read by sensors at the start and finish lines and possibly one other location on the race course. Worn around the ankle, the chip will transmit a unique signal, which will enable the computer to record your official gun time as well as your net time – taking into account the actual time you cross the starting line. Volunteers will be in the finish area to assist you with removal and collection of the Champion Chip.

Your chip must be turned in after crossing the finish line for you to receive an official time. In addition, a fee of $40.00 will be charged for all unreturned Champion Chips. Do not give your chip to another runner -- doing so will alter the computerized results.

Course is marked in Kilometres

Each kilometre will be clearly marked on the 12.5k looped course. Figure out your race per kilometre before race day if you currently pace yourself in miles. The course will be clearly marked for the full 12.5k loop employing the orange ground flag markers and orange cones where necessary.

Note: When you encounter orange marker cones you must stay inside of the cone (no tangent cutting in cone section).

Opening Ceremonies (Start Time 9:00 a.m.)

Starting at the beach area the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada (RHFC) and the Ontario Provincial Police Color Guard will commence with the marching of the Pipes and Drum Band, immediately following with the customary raising of the flags.

NOTE: All race kit packets must be picked up prior to 9:00 a.m. There will be NO DISTRIBUTION of race kits during the raising of the Flags or National Anthems. We appreciate your courtesy during this time.

Race (Starting Time 9:30 a.m.)

This year’s race will start promptly at 9:30 a.m. The Top Seeds and all Age Group Winners from last year will be invited to take positions on the starting line. Next we will ask all the four minute/K participants followed by the 5,6,7,8 etc. This process is completed by the honor system and we ask for your cooperation.

Race Course (Audio Without Borders)

Our official race commentators Steve Thomas and Neil Dunford will report race highlights to you. The broadcast booth is positioned in close proximity to the starting line to provide up to the minute coverage during all phases of the race.

Lost and Found - Know where your children are at all times. If anybody has lost another person, please come to the announcers or a race volunteer for assistance. An announcement service providing lost and found information should someone go missing will be available.

Volunteers and Badge Identification

We are here to help and assist the race participants, families and spectators throughout the duration of the event. You will easily be able to identify the volunteers – we are wearing our volunteer badges displaying our first name. Other people wearing identification badges are sponsors and invited guests. Please fee free to approach our sponsors and discuss all your running needs.

Pre-Race Massage

Race participants requiring pre-race massage can do so by checking in at the Canadian College of Massage & Hydrotherapy located in Tent City. Hours for pre-race massage are 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. There will be no massage during the opening ceremonies.

Pre-Race Hydration Station

Savarin Springs Water & Gatorade will be available to all race participants and spectators at the start/finish line Pre Race Hydration Station. Gatorade will be provided in Lemon-Lime and Orange. The hydration station will be located within the Tent City alongside the Gourmet Coffee shop tent.

Note: Young children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian while receiving coffee or donuts. Fresh fruits of the day will be available to the race participants ONLY.

Washroom/Shower Facilities

Next to Tent City there are indoor toilet facilities and portable toilets, although the showers are limited. If you go 300 meters North of Tent City there are eight (8) additional showers and more washrooms. Note: The showers require a 25-cent Canadian Coin and give a long hot shower. This year we will be adding portable toilet facilities (with hand washing) within Tent City.

Course Toilet Facilities

At the 4.3k you pass indoor toilet facilities; both the 6.2k and 8.9k aid station stops have limited outdoor toilets.

Aid Stations

There will be four (4) aid stations positioned throughout the course. They are very noticeable 20 x 10 feet tent facilities. Each aid station team (under the direction of team leaders) will be experienced in the hand off procedures and support. The aid stations will be stocked with cookies, gummies, pretzels, potato chips, bananas, and oranges, M&M’s, Coke/Cola, etc. Electrolytes will be provided by Gatorade and water will be provided by Savarin Springs. Ice will be added to the water and Gatorade containers to maintain the recommended temperature. Other necessities like simple first aid and Vaseline will be available. Aid Station volunteers will wear plastic gloves when coming in contact with food product.

Note: : The aid station volunteers will not be dispensing medication of any kind e.g. Advil, Aspirin. This is only available at the medical support area (Tent City).

Aid Stations are located at the exact Kilometres below:

Runners Drop-Off Area

Provisions will be available for runners/walkers requiring a secured drop-bag area. Details to be announced.

Race Course Etiquette

For the most part the trails are groomed to run two abreast but there are also some single-track sections. Please be courteous and stay single file on the narrow sections. Participants passing should call out "Passing on your Left." The Walking Category participants will be wearing tagged Orange identification.

Headsets – It is not a race rule but we are suggesting to people NOT to wear headsets because some of the areas on the trails are single track and you need to be able to hear when someone is going to pass you on the trails – please out of courtesy for others consider the options.

Race Completion Awards

Once you have completed your event and returned your time chip, each finisher will receive a commemorative “Run for the Toad” finishing award.

Post Race Massage

The Canadian College of Massage & Hydrotherapy with a field of staff of 12 therapists will be ready to pamper those tired muscles. Please check in with the manifest team leader.

Requesting your Cooperation

Pet Rule: Requesting your cooperation, due to regulations with the Conservation Authority all dogs must be on a short leash at all times. Dog owners must maintain contact with their dog at all times. Dogs are permitted to be in the Tent City courtyard, but restricted from entering any of the Tent structures, or to accompany race participants on the course.

NO SMOKING REGULATION: Due to the expanded tent area our fire regulations maintain the No Smoking rule in Tent City. Smokers are permitted smoking in the parking lot area next to Tent City. We also request that you do not smoke near any aid stations or in the washrooms.

Children: Parents or Guardians must maintain contact with young children at all times. Parents or guardians will not be permitted to leave children in the custody of the race volunteers. We request that you know where your children are at all times.

Race Brochures Drop-Off: Individuals wishing to inform race participants about future races may do so. The Run for the Toad race officials have provided an area (table) for brochure distribution within the Great Forest Bistro Tent. However we ask that you DO NOT distribute brochures by placing them on automobile windows – they usually end up on the Conservation grounds requiring added clean up.

Post Race Celebration

We look forward to serving you in grand style in our New expanded Bistro Party Tent. The dinner is professionally prepared and catered by St. Jacobs Catering. Serving will commence at 11:45 a.m. sharp.

Very Important: All race participants will be required to have their BIB NUMBERS to receive their meal (No Bib – No Meal). If you have ordered additional meal tickets they will be in your Race Packet in a little manila envelope.

Awards

The awards ceremony will take place during dinner.

Special Door Prizes

All registered participants will be eligible for random drawings to be held throughout the dinner. Note: You must be present to win or if still out on the course we will hold the prize for you.

We look forward to seeing you on Race Day!