The days go by fast, so please note the following dates on your calendar:

Teams registered by November 9th - Start times and handbooks mailed to arrive week before the race.

We're hoping that you have joined us in Albany at the finish on this day. We will be holding our awards ceremonies between 3 and 3:30 p.m. at the cafeteria on campus at Linn Benton Community College.

"Be confident. Be expectant of grand and beautiful results from everything you do."

PATRICIA SAMPSON

The start is on North Walnut, just off Leo Harris Parkway in Eugene, Oregon. Take exit 194A off of I-5 and follow the Autzen Stadium signs. Use entrance #4 to Autzen Stadium, this is Leo Harris Parkway. The start is next to the blue canopy, just off Leo Harris Parkway on North Walnut.

Parking for team vans will be in the gravel lot adjacent to the start. Parking is to be used only during team check-in and to drop your first runner.

Get ready for your start by having your van’s license number and the number of your cell phone if you have one in your van when you check-in. All teams will be required to show their reflective runner’s vest at the check-in. We will start the respective waves of runners at the times stated. Don't be late.

To reduce congestion on the course, vans are not always routed the same way as the runners. Please follow the instructions given for the van, when driving, for the safety of the runners. Speaking of safety...

Runners must obey all the traffic laws of the state of Oregon. Runners will always run the left shoulder or sidewalk of the designated roads, except when given specific instructions to do otherwise in the leg descriptions or by a course marshal. Runners must obey traffic signs and signals. Cheating at a crossing to gain a few seconds is not worth potential injury. Runners, use common sense. If you choose to argue with vehicles, you will lose!

This event is self-policed. Let's keep it that way by being safe.

Because Oregon weather is so changeable, it is wise to have clothing for both cold and warm weather running and several pairs of socks. Remember to hydrate (drink lots of liquids). No matter what the weather is like, your body will use lots of fluids. It is advisable to carry a large container of water in each van. Additionally, each team vehicle should have a first aid kit to treat running ailments and a cooler with ice, should the weather be warm.

It is against the law to have an open container of alcohol in a vehicle in the state of Oregon. Let's not even think about doing this one! Police can spot this and don't think they won't be watching. The time for the beer is after the driving and the running is over. Water is cheaper anyway.

There is no traditional weather for this weekend. We have experienced everything from freezing rain, to floods, to sunshine and gentle breezes. You should be prepared for anything. This is Oregon. Enough said?

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.

Albert Einstein

Vehicles must have the CAUTION RUNNERS sign provided on the back. Each team is limited to one standard size vehicle. No motor homes or vehicles wider than 6'6" will be allowed.

The course will officially close on Sunday, November 21st at 4 p.m. Any teams remaining on the course after this time will either have to discontinue running or finish without the support of race staff.

The safety of the runners is paramount for the race officials. Any request made by a race official will be made with your safety as a priority. Give these people your support. They work very hard to make the event enjoyable for you.

Oh, yeah! Did we mention that there are hills? There are several hills that are challenging both up and down. Runners please be respectful of the damage that hill running can do. Treat yourself right; you will suffer less pain and stiffness by not pushing the pace on the more extreme grades.

As much fun as it might be to have good ol' Lucille ride her bike along with you to keep you company, it is extremely unsafe. It was very succinctly pointed out, by state highway officials, that runners are much safer and easier to deal with than bikers. There will be enough congestion without the added burden of cyclists. Any team member riding a cycle or accompanying a cyclist will have his/her team disqualified.

Should your team need emergency assistance, please flag down a course lead person or call 911 or one of the cellular phone numbers listed in your race day packet.

Each team is responsible for providing one volunteer if any team member lives within 50 miles of the course. It is the team's responsibility to see that volunteers fulfill their assigned jobs. Failure of a volunteer to show or to complete the assigned job will result in team disqualification. We promise that we will return them in good condition, even if a little tired.

Your team must start at the time designated. If your first runner is not at the start time roll call, your team will not be officially scored.

This one is a pain for us to enforce. But, it is important to show respect for people and their property. We have tried to indicate where restrooms are located and have placed portable restrooms at points along the course. As much as we would like to have lots of toilets at every exchange, it is not economically possible. So, please show restraint and use the facilities indicated or provided. Runners who are observed relieving themselves elsewhere will have their team disqualified.

You are responsible for staying on the course. If a runner takes a wrong turn, that runner must return on foot to where the wrong turn occurred and continue on the correct course. Any deviation from this or substitution of runners will result in disqualification.

Runners must run in the same order throughout the course. There can be no shuffling of order. Changing the order of rotation will result in team disqualification. Slow teams may be asked to "double up", i.e. have two runners/walkers on the course at the same time, in order to ensure a timely finish.

If a runner drops out due to injury, the next runner in the rotation will continue from that point on. The original rotation will then continue, less the injured runner. An injured runner cannot re-enter the rotation.

Race numbers must be worn throughout each leg ran. Reflective safety vests must be worn by all runners before the hour of 8 AM and by all runners on legs 2 thru 8.

Vans will drop runners either 200 feet before or after the designated exchange areas. Vans are not to stop, for any reason, within the exchange area. Exchange areas will be marked with paint and cones. Only the runner preparing to run is allowed within the designated exchange area. Spectators may view from the opposite side of the road, only if there is sufficient room to do so safely.

Runners will tap hands in the designated zone. Do not enter the zone until your team member is approaching. Failure to obey course officials within the exchange area will disqualify your team from awards.

Vehicles are not allowed to follow behind runners or impede traffic. Only one vehicle per team is allowed. Vans that disobey these rules or that do not obey course traffic officials will have their team disqualified from any awards. Vans are required to display the team number signs provided on the driver's side of the vehicle.

Parking will not be allowed within 200 feet prior to an exchange, unless specifically designated otherwise. When parking move as far off the road as possible and don't park in driveways. Not only will vans on the road hinder teams, law enforcement officials warn you that vans not parked properly (as far to right of the fog line as possible) can be ticketed. Vans absolutely will not stop in exchange areas. Violation will result in disqualification from awards.

You can become a winner only if you are willing to walk over the edge. Damon Runyon

Teams with wheelchairs or wheelchair teams must provide adequate safety equipment to ensure the safety of their participants. This means adequate, visible marking and lighting at night to indicate the width of the wheelchair to oncoming vehicle traffic.

Teams should, also, be prepared to provide a pusher should the chair participant require one on the steeper grades within the course.

We do this event with the intent that it should be fun for all involved. This includes the committee, the volunteers, and you, the runner. Please, encourage the other runners, staff and volunteers as you see them along the course.

We encourage teams to run in together. But please do make sure that your official leg 25 runner leads the team across the finish. Please make sure that you move directly through the finish area, clearing the way for the next team.

After crossing the finish line, immediately to your right will be the validation table. You must turn in the completed team-scoring sheet to the officials at this table. Failure to do this may result in your team not being scored for the awards ceremonies.

Random drawings and team awards will be presented at the Cafeteria on the LBCC campus at approx. 3:30 p.m. Teams must have a representative present to win random drawings and receive awards.

Pizza and beverage will be provided in the cafeteria. Your team captain must pickup your sweatshirts after you finish at the shirt table in the cafeteria. Sweatshirts will not be mailed.

As you all know it is very hard to put on event of this magnitude without the help of a small army. It can never be enough, but I would hope that you would offer your THANKS, along with mine, to each and every volunteer or course official that you pass by. Please let these people know how much you and The Good Race appreciate them.

"A smile costs nothing, but gives much." Anon

And now a word for our sponsors. Sponsors make events possible. An event like this will normally cost almost twice the registration fees paid by participants. Whether a sponsor contributes a service, product or cash to support an event, something is provided that makes it that much better for you and I. I encourage you to frequent and thank the sponsors that helped. Their support is a vote of confidence in the importance of running. I would, also, like to offer a special thanks to all of the various representatives from the state, counties, and cities that worked hard to make this event safe and possible.

Have a wonderful day running!

Jack Spaulding

The Good Race