The Race
The Pocatello 50 Mile Trail Run will take the competitors on a challenging tour of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest outside of Pocatello. It can be run solo or in a relay category with either 2 or 3 teammates. This race is unique in that it provides several different length options for folks. For the truly “hardcore” runner, the race can be run solo! This will be a serious test of endurance as the solo runner navigates this challenging course, which has ~13,700 ft of vertical gain. For the less masochistic runner, tackling this course as a relay is a better option. The race splits roughly into thirds. See the “Course Info” tab for further details on the individual legs. It can also be run as a two person team (partial ultra), where one runner has a 34 mile leg, and the other gets a 17 mile. At the awards ceremony, both the 2-person and 3-person teams will fall into the same “relay” category.
The Course
The Pocatello 50 is a large loop course, starting and finishing at the Mink Creek Group Site Campground Pavilion. This race has it all, from super-steep uphills to ripper downhills and everything in-between. Most of the race is either on beautiful single-track, ATV trails, or dirt-roads. We have avoided pavement as best as we possible could. The high-point (elevation-wise) is encountered at mile 42.7 atop Scout Mtn, at an elevation of just over 8,600 ft. The runner will then likely be greeted with one of the finest glissade descents around as they drop quickly off the north ridge of the mountain. The race finishes back where it started in the comfort of a large covered pavillion where support crews and fellow runners can cheer in all finishers before an awards ceremony and post-race dinner.
Weather and Conditions
You might ask, “A trail race in mid-May, are the race directors crazy, won’t it be snowy?” And our answer would be, “Yes we’re a bit crazy, and Yes hope there is snow”. If Pocatello gets a “normal” amount of snow this winter, the course could have some of the finest glissading around in mid May. If this doesn’t tickle your fancy you can opt for a parallel, but far less efficient, route down the neighboring hillside. We liken it to the terrain on parts of the Lake City 50. If the conditions pose any real danger, appropriate provisions will be made to ensure the safety of all runners. In 2009 we strung up 700′ of rope, but hardly anyone used it. Most either skied down it on their feed or sat on their butts and slid down. No special equipment should be needed for the glissade, but if you want to bring something (like heavy duty visqueen or plastic sheets that are cut into squares as one runner is consider) go right ahead!
Agenda (updated on 5/21/2010)
The 2010 Pocatello 50 Mile Trail Run starts at 6:00 am sharp on May 29th, 2010, at the Mink Creek Group Site Campground Pavilion 6.2 Miles up South Mink Road outside of Pocatello Idaho click here for a Google map where you can create your own maps and directions for wherever you are coming from. Once in Pocatello, use the following .pdf document for directions to the start/finish area (Mink Creek Pavillion).
Check-in
Check-in will be held from 2:00 to 4:30 PM at the Mink Creek Group Site Campground (start/finish area) on Friday May 28th, 2010. If you can’t make this check-in, you may also check-in after the pre-race meeting (see below), also at the start/finish area, until 9PM. If you can’t make either of these, you can check-in on the morning of the race, from 5:15 AM until 5:45 AM. If you have not checked in by 5:45 AM we will consider that you are NOT running.
Pre-Race
Pre-race briefing will be held between 5:00 and 6:00, also at the Mink Creek Group Site . Questions regarding the course will be answered and final instructions will be given at this time. Runners should have their drop bags completely prepared, marked, and ready for pick-up at the pre-race briefing.
Race Morning
At the start-line you’ll need to inform race officials by 5:45 AM that you have shown up and are ready to run. The College Market (P50 Google Event Map coming soon) in Pocatello will be open at 4:30 AM for those in need of their morning caffeine (coffee) fix.
Start Time
As mentioned above it will start at 6:00AM sharp! (Sunrise is at 5:47AM / Sunset is at 9:06 PM).
Cutoff Times (Updated on 5/21/2010)
See section below
Post Race Dinner and Awards Ceremony (Updated on 5/21/2010)
Dinner will be served at the finish line and is included as part of the entry fee. Donations will be accepted for support crew members wishing to eat. Dinner will be ready upon the first runner crossing the finish line and will be available through sunset. In 2010, it will be hearty chili (both vegetarian and meat) served in bread bowls with a green salad and cornbread.
Be Prepared
This event is extremely demanding and should only be undertaken by athletes in excellent physical condition. All entrants should be familiar with basic first-aid, and know the symptoms and treatment for heat exhaustion, hypothermia, frostbite, and altitude sickness. Some course sections between aid stations are nearly 9 miles. Runners should be well equipped to care for themselves and effect self-rescue if necessary.
Cut-off Times
The only cutoff time that will be used is at the Mink Creek Rd Aid Station at mile 32.5, which is where leg 2 ends and leg 3 begins. Solo runners must reach this point by 3:30 PM to be allowed to continue on. This provides 9.5 hours from the start to this point, which equates to 3.4 mph. For relay teams, if the runner completing leg #2 is due in at mile 32.5 after 3:30 PM, the 3rd leg runner will be allowed to start the last leg at 3:30 PM and their times will be summed. Runners on this pace will likely be in the dark for the final section of the race. If a runner reaches the Big Fur Aid Station (mile 47.1) after 7:00 PM they must have a headlamp to continue on for the remaining 4.7 miles. If you feel that this is a even a remote possibility for you, please leave a headlamp in your Big Fur AS drop bag.
Aid Stations
The major aid stations will have water, electrolyte drink (Hammer HEED and Nuun), fruit, salty items (pretzls, chips, etc.), sandwiches, etc. The “minor” aid stations will have water and basic food. If you have any specialty food or beverage needs, they should be placed in your drop bags or provided by your crew.
Drop Bags
Drop bag service will be offered at City Creek (16.9), Mink Creek (32.5), Big Fur (47.1). We encourage the Big Fur drop bag to be used for only basic night-running items (headlamp, jacket, gloves, etc.) if you feel you’ll be running final miles in the dark. Runners using drop bags must ensure that their bags are securely tied and clearly marked, with name, race number, and aid station.
Pacers & Crews/Crew Vehicles
Pacers are not allowed unless permission is granted by the race directors. Please contact us if you have any special circumstances.
Race Shirts
We all love a cool race shirt right? Our shirts will be both highly functional (high performance wicking material) and incredibly stylish. The shirts from 2009 are shown below, 2010 will be similar, but different. We do have gender specific size shirts.
2009 : Mens (blue) and Womens (pink) Race shirts
Prizes
2009 had some incredible prizes for first place man, woman, and relay team (each member). They received a limited edition, hand-colored block print from local artist Linda Wolfe, specifically commissioned for the Pocatello 50. Second and third place men, women, and relay teams (each member) receive a customized piece of hand thrown pottery from local artists Dwight and Regina Masak. 2010 will feature similarly unique prizes.
In 2010, every finisher will take home a small prize in rememberence of their great achievement.
Where to Stay (updated 5/21/2010)
Your best option (in our opinion) is to take advantage of the free camping at the start/finish line, which is the Mink Creek Group Site Campground Pavilion It is incredibly convenient, a great location, should be a fun atmosphere of exciting people, and it’s free for you and your crew/family. If camping is just not your thing, then we suggest that you look in and around Pocatello for other accommodations. We do not have any special arrangements with any local hotels so you’re on your own if you go this route.
Okay, should you decide to stay at the start finish we STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO CARPOOL! Last year we had ample tent area, but the parking became a bit of a mess. This year will be different, more organized, but will limit what type of vehicle and the number of them that we let in. We will dedicate about 70% of our parking area to cars/trucks and the remainder to small RVs (like this size and smaller), pop-up campers, or similar. If you have anything larger than the small RV shown above, everyone would appreciate it if you find other arrangements, such as driving up to the Scout Mountain campground (about a 10-15 minute drive drom the Start/Finish). Another option is to drive past the start/finish pavilion between 1 to 2 miles where there are several pullouts that might work for you.
So, carpooling with friends and staying in your car/truck or a tent are the best options. The camping is a free-for all, there are no designated “sites”, rather it is a large grassy field. You do not need to email us to let us know what your plans are or ask permission to camp or park your Winnebago, please just follow our suggestions above. Below is a rough layout of the start/finish area.
Layout of the start/finish, camping, dinner, and awards ceremony location
Where Can I Shower? (updated 5/22/2010)
New this year, we will have a single, portable, hot shower available at the finish line. It won’t be fancy, it won’t be glamorous, but it will be water and it will be hot. We consider this a dramatic improvement over last year where folks had to travel quite a distance for such an amenity. We will all, however, have to play nice together as we will only have a single shower head.
