Across the Years News

Over the years we have had a real problem with people trying to use Mapquest, in getting directions to Nardini Manor. Please, do NOT use Mapquest; you will get sent miles in the wrong direction. Use 'Google Maps' instead. I recently updated the Nardini Manor information on Google Maps and and it is, now, very easy to use. Here's a link to our site that has the updated information: http://www.nardinimanor.com/directions.htm

Yesterday (12/16/07), we had 7 volunteers show up that helped in putting up a lot of the equipment for this years run. All of the shirts, sweatshirts, gloves and gaiters have been put into the duffel bags (with more items, still to come), We think everyone will absolutely love what they're going to get. All of the bibs have been printed and put onto the race belts that you get to keep after the run. It's not mandatory but has become an ATY custom, to keep your bib (which has your name and state flag on it) facing to the rear. This gives the runners that come up on you or that you are passing, an opportunity to know who you are. Also, by keeping your bib on the race belt, it will make it very easy to change clothes and still keep your number visible for our timers. The race belt has an easy to use, quick snap buckle, similar to what you have on a fanny pack.

We started grooming the track and putting up of the flags and banners. There's still more to do but things are really shaping up. The main aid station is up but we're still waiting delivery on a new medical and timing tent.

We decided to go with a black timing tent this year, in an attempt to eliminate the glare on the laptops that we've been experiencing over the last few years. We'll also be adding a new medical tent, which will be set up right beside the main aid station tent and directly in front of where the main entrance to the large tent is. Kachina Rescue will be in this new tent, with Andy Lovy and Chris O'Loughlin in their usual locations (in the big tent). Ideally, Andy and Chris will do a lot of the 'comfort care' but for anything really serious, Kachina Rescue will be the ones to see. Andy and Chris truly do enjoy helping the runners, but hopefully, this will give them a little more time for running. As most of you already know, Andy already has his 1000 mile jacket but Chris still needs 223 miles, before getting his.

Last year there were a couple of complaints about the medical staff making too much noise in the main tent. Remember, THIS IS A RUN, NOT A SLUMBER PARTY! ;-) If you need absolute quite, you may need to get a hotel room or find an out of the way place on the grounds someplace, instead of in the main tent, for that. At night (usually after 10 PM), we do dim the lights and we do ask that everybody keeps the noise level down but we will never ask our medical staff to do the same. What they have done and continue do is much too important to this event.

We have added 24 additional slots to our mailboxes this year. This way, everyone will have a personal slot and we won't have to change things up as the race progresses, like we had to do last year. For those of you that haven't run with us before, we have email mailboxes for all of the runners and instead of trying to hand out hundreds of emails as the run progresses, we now put all of them into your own personal mailbox. You should find your mail slot before the run begins so that you are familiar with where your slot is located. You are welcome to get them as often or whenever you wish. They will be located just east of the timing tent. They will also be in our archives on the ATY website if you'd like to look at them again, later.

Nardini Manor is once again looking like a running venue, which is definitely one of the best times of the year! ;-)

See everyone real soon,

Rodger