TRIPLE TREK RACE DAY INSTRUCTIONS

Aloha Everyone,

File_000The big day is just around the corner…the 25th running of H.U.R.T.’s Tantalus Triple Trek!!!!

Here are the instructions for race day on Saturday, September 3, 2016.

Start time will be around 5:30am (or when John says ‘GOOOOOOO!!!!!!”). Be at the Start/Finish area no later than 5:15am to check-in with PJ and John and receive your number.

The Start/Finish area is at the picnic table and bathrooms by the Maunalaha trail head (just above the Hawaii Nature Center). Participants may arrive as early as 4:30am.

Please park below the gate on the road leading up to the Nature Center and NOT in the main parking area. Parking is available along the access road to the Nature Center (before the gate) and along Tantalus Drive (near the Makiki pumping station). When parking along the side of the road, have all of your tires off the roadway. A volunteer will be near the entrance of the access road to assist you with parking.

When driving up along Makiki Heights Drive then up the driveway of the Nature Center please keep your speed down and the noise volume to a minimum. We want to respect the residents of the area and not disturb them.  It will be dark and there will be other people about the area (runners, volunteers, trail users) so we don’t want any incidents.

A single drop bag may be left at the Start/Finish and accessed by the runner at the completion/start of each loop. Please have it adequately labeled with your name. Also be courteous of your fellow runners by not bringing a large drop bag.

Runners will have 9 hours (until 2:30 pm) to complete the entire 30+ trail miles. The course will consist of three (10+ mile) loops heading up the Kanealole (Center/Pipe) trail, across Makiki Valley trail, up Moleka and Manoa Cliffs trails, down Kalawahine and Nahuina trails, across Makiki Valley trail again and down the Maunalaha trail (Hogsback) back to the start/finish.

Upon the completion of each loop, runners are required to check into the start/finish with a volunteer, stating their run number. Once they hear the volunteer report their number to John, they may proceed to their drop bag or get assistance from the volunteers. Upon starting loops 2 and 3, runners must report that they are departing out (i.e., “Runner 21 heading out on loop 3!!!”).

The finish area will close at 2:30pm. Runners must start their third/final loop by 11:30am and reach the Kalawahine aide station by 1:30pm.

There will be two aide stations along the course: at the Maunalaha-Kanealole trail head (start/finish area) and at the top of the Kalawahine trail (at the bottom of Concrete/Telephone Road). Both will be adequately stocked with water, sports drink, soda, fruits (watermelon, bananas, oranges), and various salty and sweet treats (peanut butter/jelly sandwiches, chips, pretzels, gummies, etc.) to keep you going for another loop (or two)!

Runners shall bring their own supply of gels, electrolytes, magic potions for the race (to be kept in their drop bag). No aspirin or oral medications will be available. These can be accessed at the start/finish of each loop.

Sunrise will not be until after 6am so please bring a personal light source (i.e. small flashlight, headlamp) to navigate the trail until the sun has adequately lit the trail.

We encourage you to get aide only at either of the two aide stations. While we do welcome crewing, have them meet you at these locations. Crewing anywhere else along the course will not be allowed. Additionally, pacers are NOT needed or allowed for this event.

Runners are expected to know the course or be able to follow the trail markings. There will be course marshals at the major intersections for only the first loop. The course will be adequately marked with ORANGE ribbon going from the start to the apex of the course (the top pig gate along Manoa Cliff trail). WHITE ribbon will take runners back down the start/finish. As always BLUE means “DO NOT GO HERE!”

The course crosses two roadways. There will be course marshals at both crossings for only the first loop. Follow their instructions when to cross. Thereafter, be careful when crossing these roadways. There will be, not only vehicles, but also cyclists so be cautious and courteous. This is a long race so a few seconds to be safe is well worth it.

Please listen to, thank, and respect the volunteers. We cannot have these events without them! Swearing or signs of disrespect may result in disqualification.

As always, Kalani Pascual will be our race photographer. If you can find him (he has a tendency to be in the most unexpected places), please give him a big smile and thanks!

As the course is not closed to the public, be courteous to all other trail users. Treat fellow runners and trail enthusiasts with the same kindness and respect that you would like to be treated with. If you would like to pass by, ask to do so when space is available and thank them. Likewise, if someone would like to pass by you, let them do so when space allows. Kindness goes a long way.

Please do not leave any `opala (garbage) on the trails. Littering may result in disqualification so “Pack it in and pack it out!”

Should you decide to pull yourself from the race, please inform the race directorate as soon as possible and before you leave the premises. We would like to ensure that all are safe and accounted for at the end of the day.

As runners finish, we will be cooking burgers and hot dogs for all to enjoy. Feel free to join us and bring a dish to share.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us via email at hurt3trek[at]gmail[dot]com.

Have a great remainder of week and hope to see you dark and early Saturday!

Mahalo,

Sandi, Loren, and Jeff (da 3T RDs)