Half the course marking crew last weekend!
Rim Road #300 headed back towards Washington Park. Here are some final updates for everyone's information. As we are obviously very close to the race and many of our are packing or already traveling, here are the last thoughts and items you should know.
Weather - It's going to rain. Bring a jacket. I strongly suggest a hat and gloves in your drop bag at Washington Park to take out with you to Hell's Gate and your trip to Buck Springs AS. I don't care where you live right now, it's cold as heck up on the Rim when you are wet and it's 2am. It may only get to 25-30 degrees but it's a very bitter 25-30 degrees. We had a number of runners reaching hypothermia for the late miles on the Cabin Loop last year. A fresh set of dry clothes at Buck Springs or Pinchot would be a great idea.
Drop Bags - You can leave them at the start from 5am Saturday until you take off. We'll have them lined up in the parking lot to just drop off by the sign for that respective station. No drop bags for Hell's Gate and make sure you can easily see your bib number and names on each bag. We'll bring all drop bags back to the finish line as each station closes so you can pick it up there.
Crew - There are a number of maps on this website that are useful for finding your way around the course with your runner. http://www.mogollonmonster100.com/crew-driving-instructions.html I don't suggest visiting Pinchot Cabin aid stations. It's just a lot of driving along dirt roads but you're welcome to it if you want. If you drive to any aid station as a crew please make sure you park safely along the road leaving ample space for emergency vehicles access if necessary. If you are going to Washington Park aid station you likely won't be able to park all the way at the top of the station. Please park on the right (east) side of the road again leaving plenty of space for fire trucks/ambulance. This is VERY IMPORTANT. You cannot access Hell's Gate Aid station. Don't even try, you'll destroy your vehicle.
Camping - Many people camp out for this race all weekend. This is possible anywhere within the Coconino National Forest (top of the Rim) and most anywhere on the lower part of the Rim which is Tonto National Forest. Both these agencies we receive special use permits for use of the area with this race. Due to several reasons the Tonto NF has closed down camping at Washington Park. IF YOU CAMP THERE YOU CAN RISK OUR FUTURE ABILITY TO GET A PERMIT. You can also get a ticket. That's on you, but please do not camp along the river, they are beautiful and tempting spots but they are no longer available. Blame the leopard frog and lazy white trash people that throw diapers in the river. We are only allowed for overnight use for the aid station, nothing along the river or "no camping" signs. It's unfortunate and hopefully changes in the future. All the other aid stations it's OK to camp, go for it.
Weather - It's going to rain. Bring a jacket. I strongly suggest a hat and gloves in your drop bag at Washington Park to take out with you to Hell's Gate and your trip to Buck Springs AS. I don't care where you live right now, it's cold as heck up on the Rim when you are wet and it's 2am. It may only get to 25-30 degrees but it's a very bitter 25-30 degrees. We had a number of runners reaching hypothermia for the late miles on the Cabin Loop last year. A fresh set of dry clothes at Buck Springs or Pinchot would be a great idea.
Drop Bags - You can leave them at the start from 5am Saturday until you take off. We'll have them lined up in the parking lot to just drop off by the sign for that respective station. No drop bags for Hell's Gate and make sure you can easily see your bib number and names on each bag. We'll bring all drop bags back to the finish line as each station closes so you can pick it up there.
Crew - There are a number of maps on this website that are useful for finding your way around the course with your runner. http://www.mogollonmonster100.com/crew-driving-instructions.html I don't suggest visiting Pinchot Cabin aid stations. It's just a lot of driving along dirt roads but you're welcome to it if you want. If you drive to any aid station as a crew please make sure you park safely along the road leaving ample space for emergency vehicles access if necessary. If you are going to Washington Park aid station you likely won't be able to park all the way at the top of the station. Please park on the right (east) side of the road again leaving plenty of space for fire trucks/ambulance. This is VERY IMPORTANT. You cannot access Hell's Gate Aid station. Don't even try, you'll destroy your vehicle.
Camping - Many people camp out for this race all weekend. This is possible anywhere within the Coconino National Forest (top of the Rim) and most anywhere on the lower part of the Rim which is Tonto National Forest. Both these agencies we receive special use permits for use of the area with this race. Due to several reasons the Tonto NF has closed down camping at Washington Park. IF YOU CAMP THERE YOU CAN RISK OUR FUTURE ABILITY TO GET A PERMIT. You can also get a ticket. That's on you, but please do not camp along the river, they are beautiful and tempting spots but they are no longer available. Blame the leopard frog and lazy white trash people that throw diapers in the river. We are only allowed for overnight use for the aid station, nothing along the river or "no camping" signs. It's unfortunate and hopefully changes in the future. All the other aid stations it's OK to camp, go for it.
Course Marking - Nearly the entire course is marked with yellow 3" plastic ribbons that say "MOG100." Follow these and anything that is yellow. There are some shorter sections that are 1" yellow ribbons without "MOG100" on them. Those are ok too, we had someone steal some ribbon rolls and reflective tape...so had to improvise...yellow is good. Red is bad.
There is a lot of yellow high intensity 3M reflective tape out there on the trees, manzantia, on the ribbons themselves, on the trees which have "official" trail markers. We put it out there to make it easy to follow in the grassy sections, open meadows, and in general the night sections. During the day these are also nice confidence markers. Overall, the course has more markers on it than last year. Its still a challenging area to navigate at times. Study the course map, pay attention and don't always trust the person in front of you. Bring a map. It's no coincidence the last two years winners meticulously studied the course maps on their own and carried it with them.
I will not be able to answer any last minute emails or requests until packet pickup at THAT Brewery on Friday. We'll be there from 4pm-7pm and a little after for those that can't get up sooner. We'll also provide bibs/packets from 5am -5:45am on race day at the trailhead. We'd like to have your pacer's contact information (cell is fine) provided and an updated emergency contact number that we'll have you fill out when you check in.
ALL RUNNERS have to check in with us on Saturday morning. We'll have a small table set up, please make sure we have checked you off as present before we start. You need to do this even if we saw you the night before.
5:45am I'll have a few quick updates on the course, and then we'll get you all off. There are three porta-potties at the trailhead as of Friday afternoon. Camping is open at the trailhead and you can leave your car there all weekend. We'll shuttle you back to the car after you crush those 106 miles.
Anyone that sprints the last 100 meters through the finish line will forever be my hero.
Don't finish with anything in the tank. Leave it in Pine.
There is a lot of yellow high intensity 3M reflective tape out there on the trees, manzantia, on the ribbons themselves, on the trees which have "official" trail markers. We put it out there to make it easy to follow in the grassy sections, open meadows, and in general the night sections. During the day these are also nice confidence markers. Overall, the course has more markers on it than last year. Its still a challenging area to navigate at times. Study the course map, pay attention and don't always trust the person in front of you. Bring a map. It's no coincidence the last two years winners meticulously studied the course maps on their own and carried it with them.
I will not be able to answer any last minute emails or requests until packet pickup at THAT Brewery on Friday. We'll be there from 4pm-7pm and a little after for those that can't get up sooner. We'll also provide bibs/packets from 5am -5:45am on race day at the trailhead. We'd like to have your pacer's contact information (cell is fine) provided and an updated emergency contact number that we'll have you fill out when you check in.
ALL RUNNERS have to check in with us on Saturday morning. We'll have a small table set up, please make sure we have checked you off as present before we start. You need to do this even if we saw you the night before.
5:45am I'll have a few quick updates on the course, and then we'll get you all off. There are three porta-potties at the trailhead as of Friday afternoon. Camping is open at the trailhead and you can leave your car there all weekend. We'll shuttle you back to the car after you crush those 106 miles.
Anyone that sprints the last 100 meters through the finish line will forever be my hero.
Don't finish with anything in the tank. Leave it in Pine.
Highline Trail...mile 52 ish...yes, that's a lot of grass
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Yellow "MOG100" markers - Follow these and all yellow markers
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