Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Things Are Coming Together
ATY Runners,
We started setting things up on Saturday and have added some more pictures to the "ATY Track Improvements" album.
Jim O'Neil and Sue Norwood also added some pictures of their own, to their blog. You can view those at: "ATY Work Day"
We have a few changes this year that are really important, especially for those that are used to the way things have been for the past 5 years. New this year, setting up close to the big tent will no longer be allowed. The timing area has been moved to this location so that runners entering and exiting the big tent will no longer have to worry about which direction they were going in after extended stays in the big heated tent. All runners will be required to cross the mats before entering the tent and not allowed to cross the mats when exiting.
For those that are not familiar with how things work at ATY. every two hours the runners change direction on the track -- clockwise, counterclockwise, clockwise, etc. In the past, when runners went into the big tent to take a nap, change clothes, or whatever and then came back out, it's been troublesome trying to remember which direction they needed to go in. It will no longer matter, they will go in the direction that all of the other runner are currently going in.
Another change this year is the addition of a new "Quiet Tent" which will be located in the SE corner of the track. This tent is much smaller than our big tent and has limited space. We've had some complaints in the past that it's too noisy in the main tent, which has been really confusing to us to say the least (we thought this was a run, not a slumber party), but we want everyone to be happy and because of that, decided to have a dedicated tent for those that just have to have their quiet time. :-)
You will have to RSVP to get a spot in this tent and it will be on a first come, first serve basis - and only for runners that are actually running in that days race. There will be no 'night before their run' runners allowed. This tent will be heated and some cots will be available and like the big tent, the direction you go in when waking up from a long break will not matter. It is located at exactly the halfway point on the track. Contact me if you want a spot: nardinimanor@gmail.com
We have more people than ever before this year and are worried that we may run out of room in the big tent. We asked that everyone who planned to bring a tent, let us know in advance and with everyone that replied, we'll have just enough room for the runners only and nobody else. Crew members are welcome to share their runner's tents but we can't allow non-runners to setup their own personal tents inside (this only applies to inside, not outside on the grounds). Again, crew members are more than welcome to share your runners tent or set up as many tents as they wish outside on the grounds but first and foremost, we must take care of our runners. And please, the smaller the tent, the better (inside) - the limit is a 10 x 10 but remember, if everyone brings a 10 x 10, we'll only have room for about half the runners.
Also new this year, all runners will receive an 8.5 x 11 laminated name tag that you must display where you will be, when and if not running on the track. Whether it's on a table, chair, tent or even on your vehicle, for safety reasons, we want to know where you are if you're not on the track. No tents will be allowed in the big tent without one of these name tags. If staying in the quiet tent, you can pin your name tag on the sidewall above your cot. No small tents will be allowed inside of the quiet tent.
Another change is where you will go for registration. New this year, you will go to the front of the house and enter through the front door. We'll have a fire going, as well as warm fresh coffee. As in previous years, you will once again need to fill out the medical waiver. We wait until race time to do this so that our medical people have the most up to date information possible. Please allot enough time for filling out this form. To ease the onslaught of all those entering on the 29th, we've decided to offer early packet pick-up on the 28th, from 1:00 to 6:00 pm. My daughter Erica will be helping out in checking runners in.
See everyone really soon,
Rodger (ATY Host)
We started setting things up on Saturday and have added some more pictures to the "ATY Track Improvements" album.
Jim O'Neil and Sue Norwood also added some pictures of their own, to their blog. You can view those at: "ATY Work Day"
We have a few changes this year that are really important, especially for those that are used to the way things have been for the past 5 years. New this year, setting up close to the big tent will no longer be allowed. The timing area has been moved to this location so that runners entering and exiting the big tent will no longer have to worry about which direction they were going in after extended stays in the big heated tent. All runners will be required to cross the mats before entering the tent and not allowed to cross the mats when exiting.
For those that are not familiar with how things work at ATY. every two hours the runners change direction on the track -- clockwise, counterclockwise, clockwise, etc. In the past, when runners went into the big tent to take a nap, change clothes, or whatever and then came back out, it's been troublesome trying to remember which direction they needed to go in. It will no longer matter, they will go in the direction that all of the other runner are currently going in.
Another change this year is the addition of a new "Quiet Tent" which will be located in the SE corner of the track. This tent is much smaller than our big tent and has limited space. We've had some complaints in the past that it's too noisy in the main tent, which has been really confusing to us to say the least (we thought this was a run, not a slumber party), but we want everyone to be happy and because of that, decided to have a dedicated tent for those that just have to have their quiet time. :-)
You will have to RSVP to get a spot in this tent and it will be on a first come, first serve basis - and only for runners that are actually running in that days race. There will be no 'night before their run' runners allowed. This tent will be heated and some cots will be available and like the big tent, the direction you go in when waking up from a long break will not matter. It is located at exactly the halfway point on the track. Contact me if you want a spot: nardinimanor@gmail.com
We have more people than ever before this year and are worried that we may run out of room in the big tent. We asked that everyone who planned to bring a tent, let us know in advance and with everyone that replied, we'll have just enough room for the runners only and nobody else. Crew members are welcome to share their runner's tents but we can't allow non-runners to setup their own personal tents inside (this only applies to inside, not outside on the grounds). Again, crew members are more than welcome to share your runners tent or set up as many tents as they wish outside on the grounds but first and foremost, we must take care of our runners. And please, the smaller the tent, the better (inside) - the limit is a 10 x 10 but remember, if everyone brings a 10 x 10, we'll only have room for about half the runners.
Also new this year, all runners will receive an 8.5 x 11 laminated name tag that you must display where you will be, when and if not running on the track. Whether it's on a table, chair, tent or even on your vehicle, for safety reasons, we want to know where you are if you're not on the track. No tents will be allowed in the big tent without one of these name tags. If staying in the quiet tent, you can pin your name tag on the sidewall above your cot. No small tents will be allowed inside of the quiet tent.
Another change is where you will go for registration. New this year, you will go to the front of the house and enter through the front door. We'll have a fire going, as well as warm fresh coffee. As in previous years, you will once again need to fill out the medical waiver. We wait until race time to do this so that our medical people have the most up to date information possible. Please allot enough time for filling out this form. To ease the onslaught of all those entering on the 29th, we've decided to offer early packet pick-up on the 28th, from 1:00 to 6:00 pm. My daughter Erica will be helping out in checking runners in.
See everyone really soon,
Rodger (ATY Host)
