Iron Legs Mountain Races - Race Info
Hey Iron Legger:
I can't wait to see you on August 8th for the Iron Legs Mountain Races. Please read through the event details, so you are ready for a great day.
Pre Race:
The package pickup will be at the Paddy's Flat Group Campground from 6-8pm on Friday the 7th. This is when you will collect your swag, ask any questions, see where the start/finish area is, and meet some of the other runners before Saturday. You will not receive your bib - you will get that at race morning check-in. In the past, I have had people pick up their bibs and then not come on race morning. For this reason, I hand out the bibs on race morning and use the bibs as a way of knowing who started the race. Package pickup is also available at racer check-in on Saturday from 5am-5:45am. If you are in the Calgary area, it will save time if people can pick up their race packages on Friday.
Race Day:
The race starts and finishes at Paddy's Flat Group Campground on Hwy 66 @ 6am.
Race check-in is from 5am-5:45am. Be sure to pick up your race bib and drop off your drop bags if you have them.
Parking is a little tight at Paddy's Flat, so please park close to each other in the overflow area. Once the overflow parking area is full, parking will be on the north side of the group campsite access road (park uphill facing away from the campsite). For those you of running the 25k, race check in will be from 7:30pm-8:15pm.
There will be a race briefing at 5:45am. The 60k, 50 mile, and 100k distances start together at 6am. The 25k will have a race briefing at 8:15pm and will start at 8:30pm.
To help reduce our environmental impact, the aid stations are cupless. Please bring a reusable cup with you so you can get drinks during the race.
There are a few mandatory items you should carry during the race:
minimum of 1.5 litres of capacity (especially for the 16k Ford Creek section)
headlamp after 3pm from Aid Station #4 (Powderface)
race bib
bear spray: there are bears in the area. Run with others if you can and make noise to decrease the chances of a wildlife encounter.
A parking pass is required in Kananaskis, which can be purchased online: Kananaskis Conservation Pass.
As some of you are aware, Calgary currently has wildfire smoke in the air. Runner and volunteer safety is of the upmost concern to us, and we want everyone to have a fun and positive experience when out on the course. That being said, when wildfires, floods, and extreme temperatures threaten the race, rather than stop or cancel the race due to a temperature or fire index number, we will follow whatever course of action Alberta Parks mandates. If Parks declares that the race cannot proceed, the race will not proceed. However, if there is no mandate, the race will go on. If the Air Quality Health Index is creeping up and you are worried but still want to race, the N95 mask with a one-way valve is a good option to stash in drop bags or give to the crew. So, if there is smoke on the horizon on race day, the race will proceed as long as the race permit is okay with AB Parks.
Racer Information:
When you start these long runs, there is never a guarantee that you will finish. Therefore, if you are having a really rough day, you can drop down in distance mid race. This means, if you started in the 100km race, you can drop down to the 50 mile or 60km race. It will require a lot of mental fortitude to keep going knowing there is an option to drop down, but we want everyone to have a positive experience, see the finish line, and be proud of what they accomplish. Racers who drop down are still eligible for awards if they are in the top three as they will have run the required course and distance.
There are cut offs on the course that should be respected for the safety of the runners, volunteers, and race permit requirements. Below are the locations and times:
Aid station 2 (Elbow) - 11:30am. If you miss this, race = DNF
Aid station 4 (Powderface) - 4pm. (This translates to 5pm at the Pneuma junction). If you miss this cut-off, you will be sent to the finish and given a 60k finish. If you are here after 4:30pm, race = DNF
Aid station 5 (Moose Packers In) - 6:30pm. If you miss this cutoff, you will be sent to the finish and given 60km credit
Aid station 6 - (Moose Packers Out) - 8pm. If you miss this, race = DNF
Aid station 7 (Fullerton) - 12am. If you miss this, race = DNF
Course Information:
The course maps and GPX files for each distance can be found on the website. Please have a look at them prior to the race. It is highly recommended that you download them, as there has been flag tampering in the past, and having the GPX might save your race.
Post Race:
After you have finished the run and collected your medal, stick around to enjoy a meal and cold drink and bask in your amazing accomplishment! Please bring a bowl and spoon for the food to help the race reduce its environmental impact. There will be a variety of soups and chili. Be sure to check out the Instagram account for race pictures and tag us in your pictures as well.
Misc.:
If for some reason you cannot attend the race, please follow the steps below before August 4th to withdraw. This will allow you to not have a DNS by your name and let us know you are not coming.
Log onto your Ultra Signup profile
Click on the registration history tab.
Click on the edit tab for the race.
Remove yourself from the race.
You can also change the distance you want to participate in by following the same steps until the last one and then just change the distance.
Lastly, we are still in need of volunteers. If you know of anyone who can come out and help, please pass along the link to the volunteer signup site. Our amazing volunteers get a race crew hoodie, a meal at the finish line, and many kudos from us and the runners.
If you have additional questions that were not answered in this email, please reach out to us at ironlegs@telus.net.
We can’t wait to see you on the 8th.
Thanks,
Jamie and Tasha Nott