The new Ridge to Bridge Marathon course is USATF certified (certificate NC09064-PH). Qualifying times achieved in this race will be eligible for submittal to the BAA for admission into the 2010 and 2011 Boston Marathon.
This information is considered complete and up-to-date as of the date of this writing. As with the best-laid plans of any endeavor, however, it is possible that some details can change. Please check back to this site often for the most current information. You are most strongly encouraged to take one final look on Wednesday, October 21st, as we plan to go with whatever we’ve got at that time.
NEW COURSE SET FOR 2009!
Although the general consensus is that the Ridge to Bridge Marathon course, as run from 2006 through 2008 is fast and scenic, we believe the new course offers runners even more: fantastic views of the mountains to the east and northeast of Jonas Ridge; a more gradual descent from start to finish; a more forgiving surface (less than seven miles of total paved surface); negligible road traffic; and fewer hills to interrupt the pace. There is only one noticeable rise over the last eight miles of the course, and nothing remotely like Zion Hill, the 300 foot, one-mile climb that has greeted R2BM runners at mile 17 for the last three years.
All in all we are very pleased with the course change and think our runners will be, too.
CHAMPIONCHIP TIMING & SCORING
Also new for 2009 is the introduction of chip timing to the Ridge to Bridge Marathon. Even though our field is small and little time is lost in the interim between the gun start and the last runner crossing the starting line, chip timing ensures everyone is credited for the actual elapsed time between the start and the finish. It will also help speed the delivery of finished results, something we really appreciate and hope you will, too.
DATE & TIME
Saturday, October 24, 2009, 8:00am
The Ridge to Bridge Marathon will start one hour later in 2009 to allow for the greater travel distances from hotels in Morganton and Lenoir. Traffic will be much lighter on the new course, so the more leisurely start time won’t cause us to run into traffic concerns as the morning transitions to afternoon.
The course limit is six hours so please come prepared to cross the finish line by 2:00pm.
THE FIELD
To the folks who bring you the Ridge to Bridge Marathon, two things stand out as the most important: your safety and the quality of your experience here with us, in that order. We believe that a field of 300 people is just about right for the course, and for the limits of our logistical infrastructure, i.e. transportation, accommodations, volunteers, etc. We want you to be safe and we want every aspect of your stay with us to be enjoyable, therefore, we have placed a strict limit of 300 runners on our field. The permit application we submitted for permission to use some of the roads we’ll follow) discloses this number as our maximum number of participants. Once we reach that number of entries, registration will be closed. Please understand that once we have closed registration it is truly closed; it simply wouldn’t be fair to accept “just one more” while turning down another. Please understand and try us again in 2010.
REGISTRATION PROCESS
Registration in 2008 was a big surprise for us: we reached (and exceeded) our cap in less than two weeks. The cap has been raised to 300 this year, so registration may remain open longer. On the other hand, given the number of inquiries we’ve received since the first of this year, it may not. We’ll see.
On line registration will open Monday June 1 at 12:00pm Eastern time. On line registration will remain open until we reach 270 runners (whether registered on line or by snail mail), at which time it will close. The 30 remaining slots will be reserved for members of the Brown Mountain Running Club, past R2BM participants, and course volunteers who have been with us for at least two of the three preceding years. Availability of remaining entries will be updated regularly on the BMRC web site, at least once every other day as we approach our cap of 300 total runners.
BMRC members, past R2BM participants, and two-time Volunteers are encouraged to register before October 1, 2009. Entry cannot be guaranteed after this date, as logistical planning must be finalized between October 1st and race day. Want to register now? Please click here.
ENTRY FEE SCHEDULE
$75.00 until August 1st; $85.00 until September 15th; $95.00 until October 15th. No race day registration.
WITHDRAWALS & REFUNDS (No longer available after September 1st)
Runners who register for the 2009 Ridge to Bridge Marathon may withdraw at any time, for any reason, up to September 1, 2009, and will receive a refund of the entry fee paid, excluding on line registration service fees, minus a $20 administration fee. We are sorry, but refunds will not be available after September 1, and entries paid in 2009 may not be deferred until 2010.
WAIT LIST
If we reach the 270 runner “pre-cap” and the only remaining entry slots are reserved for BMRC members and past R2BM participants, a wait list will be established. Here’s how the process will work this year:
1. A “Wait List” registration form will be available for download on the BMRC web site. Print the form, complete it, and send it in with a check made out in the amount of the entry fee in effect at the time the Wait List entry is being sent. For example, a Wait List entry postmarked September 2, 2009 should include a check in the amount of the entry fee rate in effect on September 2nd, even if the entry was completed and put into the envelope before the entry fee increase on September 1st.
2. Once received, your name will be added to the next available position on the Wait List, and your check will be held.
3. Withdrawals from the 270 “pre-cap” field will be filled from the Wait List in sequential order. After October 1st, all remaining slots (up to the hard cap of 300 runners) will be filled from the Wait List.
4. Checks received from those Wait Listers who become confirmed registrants will then be deposited. Should a confirmed entrant wish to withdraw at that point, he or she may be eligible for an entry fee refund as described in the WITHDRAWALS & REFUNDS section above.
5. Wait Listers who remain on the list and do not become confirmed registrants before October 15, 2009 will receive notice and their checks destroyed, along with our apology for not being able to accommodate them this year.
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Sunrise: 7:42am Avg. High: 67°F Avg. Low: 46°F Record High: 82°F Record Low: 29°F
The averages and records listed above are for the Morganton/Lenoir area, which is where the finish line is located. Be aware that the October 24th average low for the Jonas Ridge area is 36°F; the record low is 20°F. In other words, on the average October 24th you can expect a temperature of 36°F at the starting line and 67°F at the finish line.
The temps over the last three years have stayed more or less in this window, although it has been a bit cooler at the start one year, and a bit warmer at the finish another. We’ve also experienced some wind and some rain but, all in all, we’ve not yet experienced a bad weather day for a marathon. Maybe we’re overdue? Just remember that this marathon takes place in the Blue Ridge Mountains and southern foothills of North Carolina in late October. Virtually anything is possible, so pack accordingly.
PACKET PICKUP
Race packets may be picked up on Friday evening or just outside the bus just prior to departure. Friday night packet pickup will take place from 4:00pm to 9:00pm at the Hampton Inn in Morganton (Please see info for Host Hotel below).
HOST HOTEL
The Host Hotel for this year is the Hampton Inn, located at 115 Bush Drive in Morganton. The hotel has graciously offered a rate of $99.00 plus tax, which includes a grab-and-go, brown bag breakfast starting at about 4:00am. Space is limited so to take advantage of the rate you are encouraged to book a room at your earliest convenience. Be sure to ask for the special Ridge to Bridge Marathon rate when you phone for reservations, or the normal seasonal rate will apply. The cut-off date for the special rate is September 15th. Complete contact information and the hotel web site follow:
Hampton Inn
115 Bush Drive
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 432-2000
There are other good lodging choices in the same vicinity, including the host hotel in 2007, and 2008, now under new ownership: the Quality Inn, formerly the Holiday Inn. Next door you’ll find the Sleep Inn, another great option. For a complete list of hotel options in Morganton, please type “hotels Morganton, NC” into your favorite search engine. When in doubt, stay with a name you know and trust. Bear in mind that late October sees an influx of visitors to the area so please book your room early.
PARKING & BUS DEPARTURE FOR THIS POINT-TO-POINT COURSE
Runners will park near Brown Mountain Beach Resort, which is located about 45 minutes from Morganton and Lenoir. Due to a shortage of parking in Jonas Ridge we strongly recommend parking in the designated area at Brown Mountain Beach and making use of the transportation provided. Buses will leave promptly at 6:30am and arrive in Jonas Ridge at ~7:15am. The race will start promptly at 8:00am. The finish line is approximately 300 meters from the parking area.
Runners are encouraged to arrive at the bus pickup area by 6:00am to allow sufficient time for last-minute preparation and boarding the buses. Allow 45 minutes travel time by car from either Morganton or Lenoir.
DIRECTIONS TO PARKING & BUS PICKUP
The following directions were lifted from the Brown Mountain Beach Resort web site . You may want to visit the web site yourself just to get a preview of what the area looks like:
From Interstate 40 West (from Charlotte):
·Take Hickory exit 123
·Go north on Highway 321
·Exit right onto Southwest Blvd.
·Go 5 lights until you find Abington Rd, turn left on Abington
·Travel 7 miles on Abington to Highway 90, take left onto Highway 90
·Go 3/4 mile to Adako Rd, take left onto Adako
·Travel 4 miles to Brown Mountain Beach Road, take right onto Brown Mountain Beach Road
·Resort is 3/4 mile on left
From Interstate 40 East (from Asheville):
·Take Morganton exit 100 and go left onto Jamestown Rd.
·Go 3 traffic lights to Highway 181, take left onto 181
·Travel 10.2 miles and turn right onto Brown Mountain Beach Rd.
·Travel 5 miles and turn left after concrete bridge onto Brown Mountain Beach Rd.
·Resort is 3/4 mile on left
Signs will be posted at the turn to Brown Mountain Beach Rd and to provide directions to the parking area. PLEASE NOTE: Brown Mountain Beach Rd turns into Adako Rd (going from west to east) at the turn-off to Brown Mountain Beach Resort. The turn-off itself is also called Brown Mountain Beach Rd, heading north from the intersection. Please see the map below:
THE START
As we have in years past, positions at the starting line will be seeded, with the fastest runners at the front. Runners will be seeded based upon marathon PR and expected finish times (please be honest!), with the lowest bib numbers going to the highest seeds. At the starting line, all runners will be asked to look behind them to make sure they are not lined up ahead of someone with a lower number. Chip timing will eliminate any disadvantage (however small) from starting further from the starting line. The purpose of seeding our field is to minimize congestion at the start and give everyone the best possible chance to finish within his or her goal time.
THE COURSE
Jonas Ridge to Brown Mountain Beach Resort (Caldwell County, NC). The course starts on Mortimer Road in front of the U.S. Post office, diagonally across NC181 from and Mountain Crossing Mercantile. Starting from the Post Office:
· Follow Mortimer Road, bearing left at Old Jonas Ridge Road (approx 2.5 miles into the run);
· Continue on Old Jonas Ridge until turnaround located approximately 25 meters before the stop sign for the Blue Ridge Parkway;
· Turn back toward the start, bearing left onto the unpaved rad just beyond the white Chuch on your left (approx. 5.5 miles into the run);
· Follow the unpaved road toward Edgemont, turning left onto Edgemont Rd (approx. 14.5 miles into run);
· Follow Edgemont Road north through Edgemont, approximately 250 meters beyond Coffey’s General Store to turnaround (approx. 15.5 miles into run);
· Turn back (south) on Edgemont Road to Mortimer. Turn right onto Brown Mountain Beach Road (approx. 18 miles into run);
· Follow Brown Mountain Beach Road for approximately 8 miles;
· Turn right into Brown Mountain Beach Resort to the finish line.
All distances and reference markers noted above are approximate; actual reference marker locations will be available soon on the USATF web site under certified courses. In the meantime, please click here for a link to the course map as submitted and incorporated into the USATF Measurement Certificate. On the map you can clearly find the start, finish, and both out & back locations. The mile markers are referenced on another document which is probably a bit bulky to be posted here but you'll get the general idea. Mile markers will be clearly identified with high visibility signs on race day, as will all of the turns, so we're pretty confident no one will get lost.
COURSE PROFILE
The new Ridge to Bridge course consists of approximately 7 miles of paved surface: approximately 5.5 miles at the start in Jonas Ridge, and a few short stretches in various places along the course, including the last quarter mile or so. R2BM veterans will see the map below and notice some enormous differences, especially the noticeable lack of hills on the back half.
The majority of the course is run on quiet, unpaved country roads that pass through dense forests and open fields, and provide for some outstanding views of the mountains. The unpaved surface is far more forgiving than pavement, and as long as there are no vehicles coming, you are free to run left, right, or center. Camber is not an issue.
The course is not a “trail,” in any sense of the word, but simply an unpaved road. There can be rocks and sticks that may have fallen from overhanging trees, but there will be no large stones or roots lying in wait to catch the shuffling foot. If you are not accustomed to running downhill on an unpaved surface and you plan to run aggressively, we urge you to be especially careful when negotiating turns. There may be some loose stones in some places and it may be possible to slip if you’re not paying attention to what you’re doing.
The bottom line: be aware of what’s on the course that you might step on, especially as you’re entering a turn running downhill. You may just avoid a nasty scrape or two.
The hills on the new course are fewer in number and tend to be less steep, none with a grade of greater than 2%. They also tend to be front-end loaded, with the more noticeable rises appearing within the first 1.5 miles (~ 20 meters of climb over the distance), and from mile 4.7 - 5.6 (~ 15.5 meters). Further along the course, you may expect two more modest rises: mile 9.6 - 9.8 (~ 3 meters) and mile 15.0 - 15.7 (~ 7.5 meters); and a bump in the road at mile 21.7 - 21.9 (~ 2 meters).
All of these little rises can be quickly identified on the profile map (below) as gold and orange vertical bands. For example, the orange vertical band that appears just to the right of the 4.5 mark on the X-axis correlates with the roughly 15.5 meters of climb between mile 4.7 and mile 5.6. It also happens to be the only orange vertical band on the graph, indicating that at a 2% grade, it is the steepest section on the course. To put this into context, Zion Hill on the old Ridge to Bridge course climbs approximately 300 feet over a space of just over a mile with 4-5% grades over the span.
A quick glance at the yellow, light green, and dark green vertical bands reveals how much of the course is either flat or descending; the darker the green, the steeper the descent.
TRAFFIC CONDITIONS
Traffic on Saturday mornings at 8:00am in Jonas Ridge is usually very light. It’s possible we’ll see a handful of cars over the first 5.5 miles, after which we might see another dozen or so on the way to Brown Mountain Beach Resort. None of the roads we will be using will be closed on race day; we will share them with the small number of cars we’re likely to encounter along the way. Please be courteous: smile, wave, and then get out of the way. For the folks who are typically driving through the area at that time, seeing 300 runners coming through is going to be a huge surprise.
COURSE SURFACE
Please allow these photos to end any speculation as to whether or not the New Ridge to Bridge course resembles a trail. And as long as I’m adding some photos, I’ll include some extras so you can familiarize yourself with some of the scenery ahead of time. (NOTE: none of the photos were taken in the fall, so use your imagination!) Click on each photo for a larger view.
PROPER DISPOSAL OF TRASH
Trash bins will be placed approximately 50 meters down the course from each aid station. It is your responsibility to hang onto your trash (including gel packets) until it can be properly disposed.
Cleaning up after ourselves is of paramount importance, not just because it’s the law, but it’s also the right thing to do. After all, for most of the run we’ll be enjoying some beautiful scenery that should at all costs be preserved for future generations.
Please - don’t litter. We really don’t want to have to disqualify anyone and possibly bar them from future entry. After all, we believe that if one is tough enough to run a marathon, one should be strong enough to carry a gel packet until the next trash bin. Let’s be kind and leave only our footprints behind.
HEAD PHONES
As many of you know, USATF changed its stance on head phones earlier in 2009. Many events, including this one, no longer enforce a ban on their use.
Having said that, we are obliged to ask you to consider this: one cannot avoid what one cannot see or hear. Not wearing head phones (or only listening to one ear bud) is safer for you and more courteous to your fellow runners.
AID STATIONS
Aid stations will be stocked with Ice River Springs water and sports drink at the following approximate locations along the course: Mile 2.4; 5.7 (same location as 2.4); 8.25; 11.25; 13.1; 15/16 (same location); 18.5; 21; 23.2; and 25. GU energy gel will be available at mile 13.1, 18.5, and 21. Enhancements to the aid stations may be made between now and race day. Your suggestions are, of course, welcome. Sorry, no Moon Pies or pork rinds.
TOILETS
Restroom facilities will be available at the start. Portable restroom facilities will be placed near Edgemont, a mile or so beyond the half way point. Fixed facilities are also available at Mortimer Campground (~ mile 18), the Visitor Center (~ mile 21), and a few odd places in between.
AWARDS
Awards will be presented to the top three overall males and females, top male and female masters (40+), and the top three males and females in each of the following age groups: 19 and under; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70-74; and 75 & over. Award winners must be present at the awards ceremony; no prizes will be sent by mail. Special recognition will be posted to our web site for those participants who attempt and succeed in qualifying for the Boston Marathon.
DROPPING OUT OF THE RACE
Everyone has a bad day now and then, and flying down a 2,700 foot descent increases the chances that October 24th might be your bad day (although we hope not!). If you find yourself more uncomfortable than you’re accustomed to in a marathon we encourage you to think carefully about whether or not you really ought to continue. We’d much rather see you pull out before a serious injury so that you will be in a better position to join us again next year. Please, don’t hurt yourself; one race simply isn’t worth it. We’ll see to it that you have a ride back to your car.
A WORD REGARDING RACE “BANDITS”
Most runners will agree that the practice of participating in a race for which you have neither entered nor paid the entry fee is inherently discourteous to those who have. Please -- if you haven’t registered please do not take for yourself that which others have paid for. If you haven’t registered but you still really want to get in on the marathon experience, please contact the BMRC and offer yourself as a volunteer; we’d be glad to have your help!
A FINAL THOUGHT REGARDING RACE STRATEGY
There is no such thing as a “gimme” marathon course. 26.2 miles is a long way to run no matter how the course is laid out. Please accept this advice from those who really, really want to see you do well.
The first 10 kilometers of the course might best be described as a rolling 10K. Much of it is flat or slightly downhill, while there are some sections (the first 1.5 miles, 3.6-3.8, and 4.7-5.6) that offer modest climbs. As noted in the COURSE PROFILE section, 4.7-5.6 may well be the steepest grade on the course. The best use of this upper section is to establish a comfortable pace and take advantage of the warm-up to be better prepared to start the descent toward Edgemont.
The nine miles between Mortimer Road and Edgemont Road offer the longest, sustained downhill sections on the course. Although one might be tempted to “put some time in the bank” by flying down the hill, it is far better to take a more conservative approach. A downhill grade offers three things: (1) an opportunity to go very fast; (2) an opportunity to conserve energy; and (3) a combination of the two. Pursuing the first choice can actually be the worst of all three; the wear and tear on the quads and calves can be devastating, especially to those who encounter little or no hills in their daily routine. Instead of blowing it out, run the first 15-16 miles comfortably, maybe only 5-15 seconds per mile faster than you’d ordinarily run a goal marathon. The result is that you’ll save yourself a lot of unnecessary wear and tear, and you’ll probably have a lot more gas in the tank than you’re accustomed to having over the last six to eight miles of a marathon. This is where your first-half strategy will have the greatest impact. Keep this in mind as well: the last 8 miles of this marathon course is an almost uninterrupted descent of about 500 feet. If you reach this section on track and you didn’t overdo it over the first 18, you will be in an outstanding position to reach - or exceed - your goal.
In summary:
Miles 1-6: Run comfortably within yourself here. Your early-miles adrenaline will carry you through but don’t be tempted to overdo it. Take your goal time and break it up into 26.2 equal bites (your pace per mile). Don’t worry if you find yourself 10 seconds per mile behind goal pace over the first six miles. You’ll easily make this up over the next nine miles with no additional effort. Stay calm, conserve your energy, and remain comfortable.
Miles 6-16: The big drop begins at about mile 6 and continues through about mile 14 with only one rise at about mile ten. Keep an eye on your watch to make sure you’re not running too quickly over this section. Averaging even 10-15 seconds below goal pace is running more aggressively than necessary. One can easily go much faster at various points in this section; the hard part is resisting the urge to do so.
Mile 17- 26.2: After the slight climb between Edgemont and Mortimer at about mile 17, the rest of the course is a long, steady descent along Wilson Creek. In all, the course drops about 500 feet over this section. If you’ve run comfortably and conserved energy over the first 18 miles, and you get there reasonably close to your target time, you will be in the best possible position to finish within your goal time. Take advantage of the extra fuel in your tank and consider stepping up the pace a bit if you still feel comfortable after mile 22 or 23. We’ll be waiting for you. Enjoy.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND USEFUL TIPS
Visit the BMRC Message Boards regularly. There you’ll find questions posted by others like you, advice from the organizers and BMRC members, and tips from others who have come to the area to run, sightsee, and play. New thoughts and ideas are posted virtually every day, so stay tuned. There just might be something in there that’s useful to you on race day!
This information is considered complete and up-to-date as of the date of this writing. As with the best-laid plans of any endeavor, however, it is possible that some details can change. Please check back to this site often for the most current information. You are most strongly encouraged to take one final look on Wednesday, October 21st, as we plan to go with whatever we’ve got at that time.
NEW COURSE SET FOR 2009!
Although the general consensus is that the Ridge to Bridge Marathon course, as run from 2006 through 2008 is fast and scenic, we believe the new course offers runners even more: fantastic views of the mountains to the east and northeast of Jonas Ridge; a more gradual descent from start to finish; a more forgiving surface (less than seven miles of total paved surface); negligible road traffic; and fewer hills to interrupt the pace. There is only one noticeable rise over the last eight miles of the course, and nothing remotely like Zion Hill, the 300 foot, one-mile climb that has greeted R2BM runners at mile 17 for the last three years.
All in all we are very pleased with the course change and think our runners will be, too.
CHAMPIONCHIP TIMING & SCORING
Also new for 2009 is the introduction of chip timing to the Ridge to Bridge Marathon. Even though our field is small and little time is lost in the interim between the gun start and the last runner crossing the starting line, chip timing ensures everyone is credited for the actual elapsed time between the start and the finish. It will also help speed the delivery of finished results, something we really appreciate and hope you will, too.
DATE & TIME
Saturday, October 24, 2009, 8:00am
The Ridge to Bridge Marathon will start one hour later in 2009 to allow for the greater travel distances from hotels in Morganton and Lenoir. Traffic will be much lighter on the new course, so the more leisurely start time won’t cause us to run into traffic concerns as the morning transitions to afternoon.
The course limit is six hours so please come prepared to cross the finish line by 2:00pm.
THE FIELD
To the folks who bring you the Ridge to Bridge Marathon, two things stand out as the most important: your safety and the quality of your experience here with us, in that order. We believe that a field of 300 people is just about right for the course, and for the limits of our logistical infrastructure, i.e. transportation, accommodations, volunteers, etc. We want you to be safe and we want every aspect of your stay with us to be enjoyable, therefore, we have placed a strict limit of 300 runners on our field. The permit application we submitted for permission to use some of the roads we’ll follow) discloses this number as our maximum number of participants. Once we reach that number of entries, registration will be closed. Please understand that once we have closed registration it is truly closed; it simply wouldn’t be fair to accept “just one more” while turning down another. Please understand and try us again in 2010.
REGISTRATION PROCESS
Registration in 2008 was a big surprise for us: we reached (and exceeded) our cap in less than two weeks. The cap has been raised to 300 this year, so registration may remain open longer. On the other hand, given the number of inquiries we’ve received since the first of this year, it may not. We’ll see.
On line registration will open Monday June 1 at 12:00pm Eastern time. On line registration will remain open until we reach 270 runners (whether registered on line or by snail mail), at which time it will close. The 30 remaining slots will be reserved for members of the Brown Mountain Running Club, past R2BM participants, and course volunteers who have been with us for at least two of the three preceding years. Availability of remaining entries will be updated regularly on the BMRC web site, at least once every other day as we approach our cap of 300 total runners.
BMRC members, past R2BM participants, and two-time Volunteers are encouraged to register before October 1, 2009. Entry cannot be guaranteed after this date, as logistical planning must be finalized between October 1st and race day. Want to register now? Please click here.
ENTRY FEE SCHEDULE
$75.00 until August 1st; $85.00 until September 15th; $95.00 until October 15th. No race day registration.
WITHDRAWALS & REFUNDS (No longer available after September 1st)
Runners who register for the 2009 Ridge to Bridge Marathon may withdraw at any time, for any reason, up to September 1, 2009, and will receive a refund of the entry fee paid, excluding on line registration service fees, minus a $20 administration fee. We are sorry, but refunds will not be available after September 1, and entries paid in 2009 may not be deferred until 2010.
WAIT LIST
If we reach the 270 runner “pre-cap” and the only remaining entry slots are reserved for BMRC members and past R2BM participants, a wait list will be established. Here’s how the process will work this year:
1. A “Wait List” registration form will be available for download on the BMRC web site. Print the form, complete it, and send it in with a check made out in the amount of the entry fee in effect at the time the Wait List entry is being sent. For example, a Wait List entry postmarked September 2, 2009 should include a check in the amount of the entry fee rate in effect on September 2nd, even if the entry was completed and put into the envelope before the entry fee increase on September 1st.
2. Once received, your name will be added to the next available position on the Wait List, and your check will be held.
3. Withdrawals from the 270 “pre-cap” field will be filled from the Wait List in sequential order. After October 1st, all remaining slots (up to the hard cap of 300 runners) will be filled from the Wait List.
4. Checks received from those Wait Listers who become confirmed registrants will then be deposited. Should a confirmed entrant wish to withdraw at that point, he or she may be eligible for an entry fee refund as described in the WITHDRAWALS & REFUNDS section above.
5. Wait Listers who remain on the list and do not become confirmed registrants before October 15, 2009 will receive notice and their checks destroyed, along with our apology for not being able to accommodate them this year.
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Sunrise: 7:42am Avg. High: 67°F Avg. Low: 46°F Record High: 82°F Record Low: 29°F
The averages and records listed above are for the Morganton/Lenoir area, which is where the finish line is located. Be aware that the October 24th average low for the Jonas Ridge area is 36°F; the record low is 20°F. In other words, on the average October 24th you can expect a temperature of 36°F at the starting line and 67°F at the finish line.
The temps over the last three years have stayed more or less in this window, although it has been a bit cooler at the start one year, and a bit warmer at the finish another. We’ve also experienced some wind and some rain but, all in all, we’ve not yet experienced a bad weather day for a marathon. Maybe we’re overdue? Just remember that this marathon takes place in the Blue Ridge Mountains and southern foothills of North Carolina in late October. Virtually anything is possible, so pack accordingly.
PACKET PICKUP
Race packets may be picked up on Friday evening or just outside the bus just prior to departure. Friday night packet pickup will take place from 4:00pm to 9:00pm at the Hampton Inn in Morganton (Please see info for Host Hotel below).
HOST HOTEL
The Host Hotel for this year is the Hampton Inn, located at 115 Bush Drive in Morganton. The hotel has graciously offered a rate of $99.00 plus tax, which includes a grab-and-go, brown bag breakfast starting at about 4:00am. Space is limited so to take advantage of the rate you are encouraged to book a room at your earliest convenience. Be sure to ask for the special Ridge to Bridge Marathon rate when you phone for reservations, or the normal seasonal rate will apply. The cut-off date for the special rate is September 15th. Complete contact information and the hotel web site follow:
Hampton Inn
115 Bush Drive
Morganton, NC 28655
(828) 432-2000
There are other good lodging choices in the same vicinity, including the host hotel in 2007, and 2008, now under new ownership: the Quality Inn, formerly the Holiday Inn. Next door you’ll find the Sleep Inn, another great option. For a complete list of hotel options in Morganton, please type “hotels Morganton, NC” into your favorite search engine. When in doubt, stay with a name you know and trust. Bear in mind that late October sees an influx of visitors to the area so please book your room early.
PARKING & BUS DEPARTURE FOR THIS POINT-TO-POINT COURSE
Runners will park near Brown Mountain Beach Resort, which is located about 45 minutes from Morganton and Lenoir. Due to a shortage of parking in Jonas Ridge we strongly recommend parking in the designated area at Brown Mountain Beach and making use of the transportation provided. Buses will leave promptly at 6:30am and arrive in Jonas Ridge at ~7:15am. The race will start promptly at 8:00am. The finish line is approximately 300 meters from the parking area.
Runners are encouraged to arrive at the bus pickup area by 6:00am to allow sufficient time for last-minute preparation and boarding the buses. Allow 45 minutes travel time by car from either Morganton or Lenoir.
DIRECTIONS TO PARKING & BUS PICKUP
The following directions were lifted from the Brown Mountain Beach Resort web site . You may want to visit the web site yourself just to get a preview of what the area looks like:
From Interstate 40 West (from Charlotte):
·Take Hickory exit 123
·Go north on Highway 321
·Exit right onto Southwest Blvd.
·Go 5 lights until you find Abington Rd, turn left on Abington
·Travel 7 miles on Abington to Highway 90, take left onto Highway 90
·Go 3/4 mile to Adako Rd, take left onto Adako
·Travel 4 miles to Brown Mountain Beach Road, take right onto Brown Mountain Beach Road
·Resort is 3/4 mile on left
From Interstate 40 East (from Asheville):
·Take Morganton exit 100 and go left onto Jamestown Rd.
·Go 3 traffic lights to Highway 181, take left onto 181
·Travel 10.2 miles and turn right onto Brown Mountain Beach Rd.
·Travel 5 miles and turn left after concrete bridge onto Brown Mountain Beach Rd.
·Resort is 3/4 mile on left
Signs will be posted at the turn to Brown Mountain Beach Rd and to provide directions to the parking area. PLEASE NOTE: Brown Mountain Beach Rd turns into Adako Rd (going from west to east) at the turn-off to Brown Mountain Beach Resort. The turn-off itself is also called Brown Mountain Beach Rd, heading north from the intersection. Please see the map below:
THE START
As we have in years past, positions at the starting line will be seeded, with the fastest runners at the front. Runners will be seeded based upon marathon PR and expected finish times (please be honest!), with the lowest bib numbers going to the highest seeds. At the starting line, all runners will be asked to look behind them to make sure they are not lined up ahead of someone with a lower number. Chip timing will eliminate any disadvantage (however small) from starting further from the starting line. The purpose of seeding our field is to minimize congestion at the start and give everyone the best possible chance to finish within his or her goal time.
THE COURSE
Jonas Ridge to Brown Mountain Beach Resort (Caldwell County, NC). The course starts on Mortimer Road in front of the U.S. Post office, diagonally across NC181 from and Mountain Crossing Mercantile. Starting from the Post Office:
· Follow Mortimer Road, bearing left at Old Jonas Ridge Road (approx 2.5 miles into the run);
· Continue on Old Jonas Ridge until turnaround located approximately 25 meters before the stop sign for the Blue Ridge Parkway;
· Turn back toward the start, bearing left onto the unpaved rad just beyond the white Chuch on your left (approx. 5.5 miles into the run);
· Follow the unpaved road toward Edgemont, turning left onto Edgemont Rd (approx. 14.5 miles into run);
· Follow Edgemont Road north through Edgemont, approximately 250 meters beyond Coffey’s General Store to turnaround (approx. 15.5 miles into run);
· Turn back (south) on Edgemont Road to Mortimer. Turn right onto Brown Mountain Beach Road (approx. 18 miles into run);
· Follow Brown Mountain Beach Road for approximately 8 miles;
· Turn right into Brown Mountain Beach Resort to the finish line.
All distances and reference markers noted above are approximate; actual reference marker locations will be available soon on the USATF web site under certified courses. In the meantime, please click here for a link to the course map as submitted and incorporated into the USATF Measurement Certificate. On the map you can clearly find the start, finish, and both out & back locations. The mile markers are referenced on another document which is probably a bit bulky to be posted here but you'll get the general idea. Mile markers will be clearly identified with high visibility signs on race day, as will all of the turns, so we're pretty confident no one will get lost.
COURSE PROFILE
The new Ridge to Bridge course consists of approximately 7 miles of paved surface: approximately 5.5 miles at the start in Jonas Ridge, and a few short stretches in various places along the course, including the last quarter mile or so. R2BM veterans will see the map below and notice some enormous differences, especially the noticeable lack of hills on the back half.
The majority of the course is run on quiet, unpaved country roads that pass through dense forests and open fields, and provide for some outstanding views of the mountains. The unpaved surface is far more forgiving than pavement, and as long as there are no vehicles coming, you are free to run left, right, or center. Camber is not an issue.
The course is not a “trail,” in any sense of the word, but simply an unpaved road. There can be rocks and sticks that may have fallen from overhanging trees, but there will be no large stones or roots lying in wait to catch the shuffling foot. If you are not accustomed to running downhill on an unpaved surface and you plan to run aggressively, we urge you to be especially careful when negotiating turns. There may be some loose stones in some places and it may be possible to slip if you’re not paying attention to what you’re doing.
The bottom line: be aware of what’s on the course that you might step on, especially as you’re entering a turn running downhill. You may just avoid a nasty scrape or two.
The hills on the new course are fewer in number and tend to be less steep, none with a grade of greater than 2%. They also tend to be front-end loaded, with the more noticeable rises appearing within the first 1.5 miles (~ 20 meters of climb over the distance), and from mile 4.7 - 5.6 (~ 15.5 meters). Further along the course, you may expect two more modest rises: mile 9.6 - 9.8 (~ 3 meters) and mile 15.0 - 15.7 (~ 7.5 meters); and a bump in the road at mile 21.7 - 21.9 (~ 2 meters).
All of these little rises can be quickly identified on the profile map (below) as gold and orange vertical bands. For example, the orange vertical band that appears just to the right of the 4.5 mark on the X-axis correlates with the roughly 15.5 meters of climb between mile 4.7 and mile 5.6. It also happens to be the only orange vertical band on the graph, indicating that at a 2% grade, it is the steepest section on the course. To put this into context, Zion Hill on the old Ridge to Bridge course climbs approximately 300 feet over a space of just over a mile with 4-5% grades over the span.
A quick glance at the yellow, light green, and dark green vertical bands reveals how much of the course is either flat or descending; the darker the green, the steeper the descent.
TRAFFIC CONDITIONS
Traffic on Saturday mornings at 8:00am in Jonas Ridge is usually very light. It’s possible we’ll see a handful of cars over the first 5.5 miles, after which we might see another dozen or so on the way to Brown Mountain Beach Resort. None of the roads we will be using will be closed on race day; we will share them with the small number of cars we’re likely to encounter along the way. Please be courteous: smile, wave, and then get out of the way. For the folks who are typically driving through the area at that time, seeing 300 runners coming through is going to be a huge surprise.
COURSE SURFACE
Please allow these photos to end any speculation as to whether or not the New Ridge to Bridge course resembles a trail. And as long as I’m adding some photos, I’ll include some extras so you can familiarize yourself with some of the scenery ahead of time. (NOTE: none of the photos were taken in the fall, so use your imagination!) Click on each photo for a larger view.
PROPER DISPOSAL OF TRASH
Trash bins will be placed approximately 50 meters down the course from each aid station. It is your responsibility to hang onto your trash (including gel packets) until it can be properly disposed.
Cleaning up after ourselves is of paramount importance, not just because it’s the law, but it’s also the right thing to do. After all, for most of the run we’ll be enjoying some beautiful scenery that should at all costs be preserved for future generations.
Please - don’t litter. We really don’t want to have to disqualify anyone and possibly bar them from future entry. After all, we believe that if one is tough enough to run a marathon, one should be strong enough to carry a gel packet until the next trash bin. Let’s be kind and leave only our footprints behind.
HEAD PHONES
As many of you know, USATF changed its stance on head phones earlier in 2009. Many events, including this one, no longer enforce a ban on their use.
Having said that, we are obliged to ask you to consider this: one cannot avoid what one cannot see or hear. Not wearing head phones (or only listening to one ear bud) is safer for you and more courteous to your fellow runners.
AID STATIONS
Aid stations will be stocked with Ice River Springs water and sports drink at the following approximate locations along the course: Mile 2.4; 5.7 (same location as 2.4); 8.25; 11.25; 13.1; 15/16 (same location); 18.5; 21; 23.2; and 25. GU energy gel will be available at mile 13.1, 18.5, and 21. Enhancements to the aid stations may be made between now and race day. Your suggestions are, of course, welcome. Sorry, no Moon Pies or pork rinds.
TOILETS
Restroom facilities will be available at the start. Portable restroom facilities will be placed near Edgemont, a mile or so beyond the half way point. Fixed facilities are also available at Mortimer Campground (~ mile 18), the Visitor Center (~ mile 21), and a few odd places in between.
AWARDS
Awards will be presented to the top three overall males and females, top male and female masters (40+), and the top three males and females in each of the following age groups: 19 and under; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70-74; and 75 & over. Award winners must be present at the awards ceremony; no prizes will be sent by mail. Special recognition will be posted to our web site for those participants who attempt and succeed in qualifying for the Boston Marathon.
DROPPING OUT OF THE RACE
Everyone has a bad day now and then, and flying down a 2,700 foot descent increases the chances that October 24th might be your bad day (although we hope not!). If you find yourself more uncomfortable than you’re accustomed to in a marathon we encourage you to think carefully about whether or not you really ought to continue. We’d much rather see you pull out before a serious injury so that you will be in a better position to join us again next year. Please, don’t hurt yourself; one race simply isn’t worth it. We’ll see to it that you have a ride back to your car.
A WORD REGARDING RACE “BANDITS”
Most runners will agree that the practice of participating in a race for which you have neither entered nor paid the entry fee is inherently discourteous to those who have. Please -- if you haven’t registered please do not take for yourself that which others have paid for. If you haven’t registered but you still really want to get in on the marathon experience, please contact the BMRC and offer yourself as a volunteer; we’d be glad to have your help!
A FINAL THOUGHT REGARDING RACE STRATEGY
There is no such thing as a “gimme” marathon course. 26.2 miles is a long way to run no matter how the course is laid out. Please accept this advice from those who really, really want to see you do well.
The first 10 kilometers of the course might best be described as a rolling 10K. Much of it is flat or slightly downhill, while there are some sections (the first 1.5 miles, 3.6-3.8, and 4.7-5.6) that offer modest climbs. As noted in the COURSE PROFILE section, 4.7-5.6 may well be the steepest grade on the course. The best use of this upper section is to establish a comfortable pace and take advantage of the warm-up to be better prepared to start the descent toward Edgemont.
The nine miles between Mortimer Road and Edgemont Road offer the longest, sustained downhill sections on the course. Although one might be tempted to “put some time in the bank” by flying down the hill, it is far better to take a more conservative approach. A downhill grade offers three things: (1) an opportunity to go very fast; (2) an opportunity to conserve energy; and (3) a combination of the two. Pursuing the first choice can actually be the worst of all three; the wear and tear on the quads and calves can be devastating, especially to those who encounter little or no hills in their daily routine. Instead of blowing it out, run the first 15-16 miles comfortably, maybe only 5-15 seconds per mile faster than you’d ordinarily run a goal marathon. The result is that you’ll save yourself a lot of unnecessary wear and tear, and you’ll probably have a lot more gas in the tank than you’re accustomed to having over the last six to eight miles of a marathon. This is where your first-half strategy will have the greatest impact. Keep this in mind as well: the last 8 miles of this marathon course is an almost uninterrupted descent of about 500 feet. If you reach this section on track and you didn’t overdo it over the first 18, you will be in an outstanding position to reach - or exceed - your goal.
In summary:
Miles 1-6: Run comfortably within yourself here. Your early-miles adrenaline will carry you through but don’t be tempted to overdo it. Take your goal time and break it up into 26.2 equal bites (your pace per mile). Don’t worry if you find yourself 10 seconds per mile behind goal pace over the first six miles. You’ll easily make this up over the next nine miles with no additional effort. Stay calm, conserve your energy, and remain comfortable.
Miles 6-16: The big drop begins at about mile 6 and continues through about mile 14 with only one rise at about mile ten. Keep an eye on your watch to make sure you’re not running too quickly over this section. Averaging even 10-15 seconds below goal pace is running more aggressively than necessary. One can easily go much faster at various points in this section; the hard part is resisting the urge to do so.
Mile 17- 26.2: After the slight climb between Edgemont and Mortimer at about mile 17, the rest of the course is a long, steady descent along Wilson Creek. In all, the course drops about 500 feet over this section. If you’ve run comfortably and conserved energy over the first 18 miles, and you get there reasonably close to your target time, you will be in the best possible position to finish within your goal time. Take advantage of the extra fuel in your tank and consider stepping up the pace a bit if you still feel comfortable after mile 22 or 23. We’ll be waiting for you. Enjoy.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND USEFUL TIPS
Visit the BMRC Message Boards regularly. There you’ll find questions posted by others like you, advice from the organizers and BMRC members, and tips from others who have come to the area to run, sightsee, and play. New thoughts and ideas are posted virtually every day, so stay tuned. There just might be something in there that’s useful to you on race day!
COURSE RECORDS
Male Open: Mark Lundblad, 2:47:59 (2006)
Female Open:Tracy Brooks, 3:12:45 (2008)
Male Masters:Todd Hamby, 2:49:43 (2006)
Female Masters:Lynn Dingle, 3:36:40 (2007)
Male Open: Mark Lundblad, 2:47:59 (2006)
Female Open:Tracy Brooks, 3:12:45 (2008)
Male Masters:Todd Hamby, 2:49:43 (2006)
Female Masters:Lynn Dingle, 3:36:40 (2007)
Ridge to Bridge Marathon
Jonas Ridge to Brown Mountain Beach, NC
GENERAL INFORMATION
(as of October 27, 2009)
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Copyright 2006-2009 Brown Mountain Running Club, Inc. All rights reserved.
Want to learn more and see more photos of the area? Click here to visit the Friends of Wilson Creek web site.
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