2020 Race Guide

Mountain Vista High School July 31st 7:00pm Highlands Ranch, Colorado

www.chasethemoonrace.com From the Staff...

“Positive Example”

Since 2010 at the inaugural Bear Chase Trail Race, our goal has been to provide a positive and fun race experience, no matter the ability or experience of the participant. Over the years that goal has remained the same, as we have added more trail racing experiences to the Bear Chase Race Series. This year however, due to the pandemic, we now have an important new piece of the goal - to become a POSITIVE EXAMPLE for the running community. We are asking all of you to help us achieve this goal! Chase the Moon is one of the first races on the Front Range to be physically held “in real life” and we are taking on the challenge to prove the Colorado running community is up to the task. By working together as a team and being collectively accountable to each other, we will not only ensure a fantastic race experience for everyone at Chase the Moon, but also demonstrate races like Chase the Moon can be safely and successfully held during these restrictive times. Our safety protocols for this year’s race have been developed in coordination with our medical team from the University of Colorado Hospital, along with best practice inputs from other events and race directors nationwide. We ask for your cooperation by adhering to these safety protocols throughout the event for yourself, your fellow runners, the volunteers who are supporting your race experience, and for the entire running community. The bottom line - don’t be a selfish and ruin things for yourself and everyone else. Let’s be better than California! My staff and I hope that Chase the Moon provides you with a safe, fun, and fantastic trail racing experience. Thank you for joining us and we look forward to seeing you at the finish line!

~ David Manthey, Race Director COVID-19

Protocols

• All race attendees (runners, volunteers, crew) must read and agree to the social contract on the last page of this race guide • Do not participate or attend if you have tested positive for COVID-19 or are exhibiting symptoms related to COVID-19, or have had symptoms within the two weeks prior to the race • If you begin to exhibit symptoms related to COVID-19 during the race, leave immediately, and notify the race director via E-mail • Make a conscious effort to maintain physical distancing in the Start/Finish area • Face coverings are required in the Start/Finish area and while going through aid stations • Face coverings are not required on course, but runners should clearly communicate when passing each other so that the runner being passed can step off the side of the trail • Team relay camp sites will have a maximum size of 17’ X 17’, with a required 6’ buffer of space on all sides from neighboring sites • Solo runner drop-bag and camp sites will have a maximum size of 6’ X 6’, with a required 3’ of space on all sides from neighboring sites • Event chairs will be provided for medical use only at the Start/Finish area, so all runners and volunteers are encouraged to bring their own camping chairs for the Start/Finish • Hand-washing stations will be available near the Start/Finish port-o-potties • Staggered start times for each field and a rolling start line will be used to aid physical distancing at the start, and to spread everyone out on the course • The course will be run in one direction only (counter-clockwise), and runners will not alternate directions every other lap (“washing machine” style) • Aid stations will have a one-way flow, with a designated physical distancing “Runner Rest Area” for runners who would like to stop to eat & drink (eating & drinking will not be allowed adjacent to the aid station) • Aid station volunteers will wear masks and gloves, and will serve fluids & food in a “no touch” manner • Runners will be required to carry a bottle or hydration pack on course (sans 5-person relay teams running the odd lap, which is short enough that hydration may not be needed) • Food offerings will be limited from previous years, and runners are encouraged to bring coolers and drop bags to be more self-sufficient with their nutritional needs • Anyone seen intentionally ignoring safety protocols or being disrespectful to runners, volunteers or staff, will be disqualified and asked to leave immediately Race Overview

Runners will follow a beautiful, rolling 10.3-mile course in the Highlands Ranch Backcountry Wilderness area, consisting of 98% dirt trail with approximately 870 feet of elevation gain per lap. The course is considered minimal technical difficulty, with wide-open and exposed views; Perfect for a race under a full moon! The race will begin under a Rocky Mountain sunset, continue throughout the night beneath the illumination of the full moon, and finish as the sun rises again in the east to paint the foothills with alpenglow. For 2020, in keeping with a higher level of safety, runners will NOT switch directions each lap, ("washing- machine style”), and will instead run all laps in a counter-clockwise direction to reduce head-on passing. There will be a short amount of head-on passing for the section of the course coming in/out of the Start/ Finish area. The course will be well marked with colored stake flags, flagging, and reflective signs. All runners will also be required to run with a headlamp or other light source during the race, and will also need a face covering like a buff (AKA “neck gaiter”) or mask for the Start/Finish area and Outlaw aid station.

Leave No Trace To minimize trash on the trails, Chase the Moon is a CUP-FREE RACE. This means paper cups will not be provided for water and will only be used for Gatorade and soda. All runners will be responsible for carrying their own refillable hand-held bottle or hydration system. Runners will be required to throw their paper cups away before leaving the aid station. Any runner found intentionally leaving cups, gel wrappers, or other trash on the trail will be disqualified. Race Information

Date/Start Times Friday, July 31 Solo: 7:00-7:15pm (Rolling Start) 3-person: 7:15-7:30pm (Rolling Start) 5-person: 7:30-7:45pm (Rolling Start)

Location Mountain Vista High School 10585 Mountain Vista Ridge Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80126

Registration and Race Online registration is available until 11:59pm Thursday, July 30 via Packet Pick-Up www.chasethemoonrace.com. There will be no race-day registration. Race packets will be available at the Start/Finish area. We strongly recommend arriving early to allow adequate time to account for the new regulations for this year’s race. A valid photo identification is required to pick up race packets, and photocopies or smartphone photos are allowed for runners picking up packets for fellow runners. Captains are responsible for picking up packets for their team members. Race shirt exchanges may be made after the race start, and subject to availability.

Parking Parking will be at Mountain Vista High School. NOTE - Parking near the Start/Finish is only available to Solo runners, and vehicle access will close at 6:30pm

Camp Gear Drop-Off/ A drop-off area will be available near the Start/Finish for all race participants Pick-Up to unload camp and other gear. This area will be closed from 6:30pm - 8:00am.

Camp Sites Camp sites for both solo and relay teams will be located on the sports fields to the East of the Start/Finish area. Camp areas for solo runners will be limited to 6ft x 6ft with 3ft of spacing on all sides from neighboring areas. Relay teams will be limited to 17ft x 17ft with 6ft of spacing on all sides.

Toilet facilities Toilets and hand washing stations are located at the Start/Finish area. On course toilet is located at the Outlaw Aid Station. We ask race participants to reserve the toilets west of the Finish line for in- progress race runners.

Timing Results During race time results will be posted in the timing tent next to the Relay Standby Area. Timing questions can be brought up to race staff. The timing trailer is restricted to race and timing staff only. Race Information

Parking Location Map Race Information

Start/Finish Area Race Information

Camp Gear Drop-Off and Site Layout Race Information

Race Start Line-Up Race Fields

Solo Runners Solo runners will run the entire 10.3-mile course, following ORANGE markings. Runners may opt to run continuously throughout the event, or take an extended break in between laps. At any point runners may declare their race “over” by notifying a race official and the mileage accumulated to that point will be the finishing total.

Start Time 7:00-7:15pm

Course Color ORANGE

Drop Bag Area Runners will have a designated area at the Start/Finish for a drop bag, tent, chairs, sleeping bag, cooler with food/fluids, additional gear, etc.)

Crew Support Runners may not receive crew support from anywhere else on course other than the Start/Finish

Pacers Pacers are not allowed

WRONG WAY! RED and WHITE ribbons indicate wrong way. Race staff is not responsible for any ride-share fares you may incur if you choose to ignore these ribbons. We would, however, be grateful if you could pick us up some tacos on the way back to the Start/Finish. Course Map

Solo Runners

Course Link Race Fields

3-Person Relay Teams Three-person relay team runners will run the entire 10.3-mile course, following ORANGE markings. Relay teams do not have to keep to a set "batting order" for their runners and can change position during the race as needed (i.e., if a team member becomes sick, or is too tired to run). Also, relay team members may run subsequent laps without an exchange (i.e., one runner does back-to-back laps).

Start Time 7:15-7:30pm

Course Color ORANGE

Relay Exchange All relay exchanges will be made in the Relay Transition Area at the Start/Finish. Relay teams are subject to disqualification if relay exchanges are made outside of this area. On-deck runners will wait in the Relay Standby Area for their in-coming runner, then move to the Relay Transition Area after the runner crosses the timing mat.

Team Camp Area Teams will be able to set up a "crew area" in the designated area at the Start/Finish (e.g. tent, chairs, sleeping bags, additional race gear, etc.)

Crew Support Runners may not receive crew support from anywhere else on course other than the Start/Finish

Pacers Pacers are not allowed

WRONG WAY! RED and WHITE ribbons indicate wrong way. Race staff is not responsible for any ride-share fares you may incur if you choose to ignore these ribbons. We would, however, be grateful if you could pick us up some beer on the way back to the Start/Finish. Course Map

3-Person Relay

Course Link Race Fields

5-Person Relay Teams Five-person relay team runners will be on the same course as the solo & three-person teams but will follow different colored course markings, depending on the lap number lap their team is on. All five- person teams MUST adhere to the odd/even lap order, and stay on the respectively marked course. Not adhering to these rules may result in disqualification. • Odd-number laps will follow YELLOW markings, for 5.2 miles on the western half of the course. • Even-number laps will follow BLUE markings, for 7.2 miles on the eastern half of the course. Relay teams do not have to keep to a set "batting order" for their runners and can change position during the race as needed (i.e., if a team member becomes sick, or is too tired to run). Also, relay team members may run subsequent laps without an exchange (i.e., one runner does back-to-back laps).

Start Time 7:30-7:45pm

Course Color Odd Laps—YELLOW Even Laps—BLUE

Relay Exchange All relay exchanges will be made in the Relay Transition Area at the Start/Finish. Relay teams are subject to disqualification if relay exchanges are made outside of this area. On-deck runners will wait in the Relay Standby Area for their in-coming runner, then move to the Relay Transition Area after the runner crosses the timing mat.

Team Camp Area Teams will be able to set up a "crew area" in the designated area at the Start/Finish (e.g. tent, chairs, sleeping bags, additional race gear, etc.)

Crew Support Runners may not receive crew support from anywhere else on course other than the Start/Finish

Pacers Pacers are not allowed

WRONG WAY! RED and WHITE ribbons indicate wrong way. Race staff is not responsible for any ride-share fares you may incur if you choose to ignore these ribbons. We would, however, be grateful if you could pick us up some donuts on the way back to the Start/Finish. Course Map

5-Person Relay—Odd Lap

Course Link Course Map

5-Person Relay—Even Lap

Course Link Course Timing

Timing Timing services for Chase the Moon are provided by Hal Sports. For solo runners, your bib is your timing chip! It is important that you do not fold, crumple or alter your bib as that may damage your chip. Trail runners may be used to folding the edges or sides of their bib to make it smaller, however doing so at Chase the Moon may render the timing chip unreadable by the timing pad and leave you without an official race time. To offset this, we have made the race bibs smaller. Relay team members will wear a removable ankle chip while running, and then pass that chip to your teammate at the relay transition zone, next to the Start/Finish line.

Runner tracking app, and results are available at: www.halsports.net

Course Cutoff Total mileage for all runners and teams will be calculated by the number of laps they complete before the finish line closes at 8:00am (NOTE: The finish line will stay open for an hour longer this year, to account for the different start waves and rolling start, put in place to spread everyone out more). The “hard cut” for this year’s race will take place at 6:30am and runners will not be allowed to start a new lap or continue past the Outlaw aid station. Runners on course who reach Outlaw after 6:30am will be directed back to the Start/Finish via the fire road (1 mile) and their race will be over when they cross the Start/ Finish line. Runners on course who have already left Outlaw before 6:30am will be able to complete the remainder of the lap and their race will be over when they cross the Start/Finish line (NOTE: This cutoff/ finish plan for this year’s race is different from previous years, and we feel it will be a big improvement!). Aid Stations

The course will be supported with two aid stations, at “Outlaw” (Mile 4.3) and the Start/Finish (Mile 10.3). Solo, 3-Person, and 5-Person odd lap runners will pass through Outlaw Aid Station on course. 5-Person even lap course will pass near Outlaw AS a mile from the start of the lap. Each aid station will be stocked with various hydration and food options, along with Kleenex, bug repellant, and Vaseline. This year’s food choices will be limited to align with recommended safety guidelines.

Aid Station Offerings Hydration Food • Water • Chips/Crackers • Bite-Size • Gatorade • Pretzels • Oranges • Soda • Pickles • Bananas • Coffee (S/F Only) • Cookies • Honey-Stinger Gels • M&Ms • Bean and tortilla rolls (S/F Only) • • PB&J mini-sandwiches (S/F Only)

Aid Station Protocol • Face coverings are required while going through the aid stations (not required while eating/drinking in the Runner Rest Area) • Hand sanitizer will be stationed before the entrance to each aid station • Aid stations will have a one-way flow configuration. Hydration and food will each have a separate entrance, with a combined single exit. Runners needing both hydration and food will enter at the hydration entrance, and runners needing only food will enter at the food entrance. • Aid stations will be no-touch with hydration and food provided service style • Runners will open hydration bladders or bottles and volunteers will pour in liquids • Runners will request food choices and volunteers will serve food in paper bowls • Single-use disposable cups will be offered for Gatorade and soda • Runners will immediately exit the aid station once hydration and food requests have been fulfilled • Drinking or consuming food is not allowed in or around the aid station area. Runners can utilize the Runner Rest area • Runners needing additional hydration or food will need to enter through the designated entrances • All runners are required to properly dispose of trash in the designated trash bins stationed around the aid station areas Aid Stations

Outlaw Aid Station Safety and Medical

Medical Response CU Sports Medicine is responsible for coordinating and providing all medical responses during the race. The medical staff and tent is located in the Start/Finish area, and Outlaw Aid Station will have basic first-aid supplies. Medical cots and blankets are to be utilized for true medical emergencies. The majority of the course is not accessible by vehicles. Runners experiencing a medical emergency on course will need to go to the nearest aid station, timing checkpoint, or report the emergency to a passing runner. Race staff will communicate with the medical team to determine appropriate response action. Medical evacuations will only be reserved for serious or critical medical needs such that the injured party can not physically move under their own ability. Tiredness, sore feet, or a splinter is not a reason for an evacuation. Runner Safety All runners should follow general safety precautions as one would take while training on trails in remote areas.

Course Terrain 98% of the course is ran on dirt trail. Expect loose and rocky terrain with uneven surfaces. This terrain can be of a further challenge after sunset with limited to no light. Runners should carry a light source with them while on course, but it is not required to be used and we encourage runners to turn lights off if safely able to do so to truly “Chase the Moon”.

Wildlife The Highlands Ranch Backcountry has a diverse wildlife population ranging from toads to cows. Runners are required to respect the wildlife by not approaching, feeding, or harming the wildlife. Race participants observed or witnessed violating this rule are subject to race disqualification. Rattlesnakes have been observed on the trail in previous years. If one is encountered on the trail, do not approach. Slowly back away, allowing the snake plenty of room. In most cases the snake will move along on it’s own. Do not attempt to move the snake with sticks or rocks. This will further antagonize the snake and increase its defensive posture. Slowly proceed forward after the snake has left the trail, listening for any indication the snake is nearby. If the snake does not move off trail after a duration, then move around the snake giving it a very wide amount of space while listening for indications of additional snakes in the area. Coyotes are also in the area but will normally stay clear of humans, or they may follow at a distance out of curiosity. If approached, or one becomes aggressive, be as big as possible, waiving arms, and making loud noises until the coyote leaves. Post-Race

Awards All runners will receive a glow-in-the-dark finisher’s medal. Solo ultra runners who complete 100K will receive a one-of-a-, glow-in-the-dark belt buckle. Trophies will be awarded for the following: • Solo (Men’s and women’s top three places) • Team Relay (First-place teams only) • Men’s 5-person • Men’s 3-person • Women’s 5-person • Women’s 3-person • Mixed 5-person • Mixed 3-person

100-Mile Challenge Are you up for the 100-Mile Challenge? A special challenge just for our 3-person relay division; if the 1st Place, 3-person team breaks 100 miles total within 12 hours, they will receive a $500 cash prize! (NOTE: With this year’s extended finish line of 8am, 3-person teams will need to cross the finish line within 12 hours of when their team started the race.)

Post-Race Food We are excited to announce the return of Flippin’ Flapjacks for this year’s Chase the Moon race. They will be serving a delicious pancake breakfast for all race participants and volunteers starting at 6am in the parking lot near the Finish line. Gratitude

Volunteers Be sure to thank the 2-dozen volunteers during the race who are supporting you to make your Chase the Moon experience fantastic. If you have friends and family who would be interested in volunteering, please have them sign up at: http://www.chasethemoonrace.com

Sponsors/Vendors

Race Communication Supported by

AOV Inc Bear Chase Race Series Runners Edge of the Rockies Director: David Manthey [email protected] 303.320.EDGE (3343) www.BearChaseRaceSeries.com | www.RunnersEdgeoftheRockies.com COVID-19 SOCIAL CONTRACT

I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the rules and guidelines outlined in this race guide regarding the updated safety measures that will be in place during this year’s Chase the Moon Endurance Run. Because we are returning to real-life racing during the COVID pandemic, in order to maintain a higher level of safety, everyone’s behavior at this race is expected to be dramatically different from previous races. As a part of the running community, it is the shared responsibility of everyone to do their part and work cooperatively to follow the rules. Detrimental behavior by myself could not only result in my own loss of race privileges, but also everyone else, and for future events.

Bottom line: Let’s work together to ensure we all can have a safe, fun race experience!