Dear Storm'ers,
Race Day is nearly here, and after a year of planning, we're so incredibly excited to finally unveil everything that our all-new host site in Haliburton has in store for you. This move north to the Highlands is a huge milestone in the 17-year history of Storm the Trent, and we just know that it's going to bring us even more great years of adventuring ahead!
Our final course checks between the weekends of April 21 and May 5 illustrated the enormous transformation that has occurred in recent weeks, now that winter has finally released us from its grasp (as you'll see from the images below). The ice is out, the snow is all but gone, and with a few more weeks to dry out, the course will be in fantastic shape by the May 26-27 weekend. Keep that sunshine coming Mother Nature!
This will be the final update prior to Race Day - the notes below will highlight some of the key points that you'll want to keep in mind in the weeks ahead. If you take nothing else away from them, the most important piece of advice we can offer this year is to
plan to arrive early, and to give yourselves ample time for the pre-race prep (you'll be glad you did!) Can't wait to see you up there!
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Teammate Changes
As mentioned in the previous update, the refund policy which each racer agrees to upon registering is firm, BUT, team rosters can certainly be switched up to accommodate teammates who are no longer able to race.
If you need to make a substitution on your team, simply contact us at
info@stormevents.ca and we will make the necessary changes. We kindly ask however that you do so
before Tuesday May 22nd, as we will be heading up to the race site at that point.
Please know that we're always here to help, but the number of last-minute calls on the Thursday, Friday and even Saturday of Race Weekend in recent years has become a bit of a challenge for us. A race like Storm the Trent is a massive undertaking, and we're pretty much going full-on/non-stop for 16 to 20 hours a day during this time.
If you do need to contact us at this point please feel free, but we ask that you make every effort to have your team ready to race in the coming weeks, to avoid any preventable issues in the days before the event. Please note that during those final days we may not be able to respond until the evening hours. We will not be responding to
any inquiries regarding refunds or transfers during this time.
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Racer Information Packages - PLEASE READ!
The racer information packages provide all of the key details you'll want to know going into Race Day, including the itineraries, host site info, gear lists, course notes, FAQ's and accommodations listings.
Virtually any question
you may have will likely be answered by reading these docs - so please make certain to review the package for your chosen event prior to leaving for the race site!
Click
here for the 'Hike' racer package
Click
here for the 'Trek' racer package
Click
here for the 'Trek Elite' racer package
HELPFUL HINT - the race waivers and emergency contact forms are available at the end of these packages - printing them off in advance will save you some valuable time on Race Morning!
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Race Day Logistics
As explained in the above-linked racer packages, there are few notable pre-race details to be aware of:
- All racers will need to bring their bikes to the
pre-race bike drop prior to checking in at the race site. Details on the location are provided in your racer package. The bike drop opens at 6:00am on Saturday, and 'Trek Elite' racers should be there for then or very soon after. 'Trek' racers must have their bikes dropped by no later than 9:00am. On Sunday, 'Hike' racers must be through bike drop by no later than 8:30am.
- Once your bikes are dropped, those who are bringing their own canoes and kayaks may unload them at Head Lake Park prior to checking in at the AJ LaRue Arena. Those teams who booked a canoe rental with their registration must proceed first to the Arena to check in.
- Parking is very limited at the Arena itself, but there are numerous other lot options and street parking nearby. A map is provided in the racer information package.
- And a quick FYI for coffee drinkers - there is a Tim Horton's in the Village of Haliburton, but it is on the opposite town side of town from the AJ LaRue Arena.
The following restaurants are also open for breakfast:
Cozy Corner (166 Highland St) open at 6:00am
Maple Avenue Grill (172 Highland St) open at 7:00am
Baked & Battered (128 Highland St) open at 8:00am (closed Sunday)
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Gear Notes
Also included in the racer information packages is the mandatory gear list, which outlines the gear requirements for each team or solo racer. It's pretty self-explanatory, but a couple of items that we want to highlight:
- Racers may leave their bike shoes and helmets at the bike drop if they wish,
but they may not leave anything that they will not be taking with them on the racecourse. In other words no bins, no spare bags or otherwise, unless you plan on carrying it out on the course!
- Water and extra food may be left either with your bikes or your boats. Those who have rented canoes will have the opportunity to put gear into their boats before race start.
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Each racer's PFD will be checked at Check-In - please make certain to bring these with you when you go to check in at the AJ LaRue Arena. A few of the "Entire Race" mandatory gear items will be checked as well, so best to bring your race packs inside.
- Note the requirement of a permanent marker or pen - don't say we didn't warn you!
- BUGS - while our scouting trip last year on the last weekend in May didn't find them to be that bad, black flies during this season in Haliburton can get pretty pesky. Bring that bug spray!
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New Wristband Policy
In an effort to ensure greater security of canoes and kayaks within the boat compound at Head Lake Park, we'll be introducing a
new wristband system at the 2018 event. Each racer will be issued one at Check-in, and ONLY those wearing a wristband will be permitted inside the fenced transition zone once your boats have been dropped off.
We kindly ask that you work with us on this new policy knowing that it is in the interest of protecting your property and the property of others.
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Looking for Saturday Volunteers!
We are still in need of a few more volunteers on Saturday for the
Trek and Trek Elite events. If you have friends or family over the age of 13 who can lend a hand for a short time, we would greatly appreciate being connected with them!
All volunteers are provided with a bagged lunch or ticket to the post-race BBQ and an official STT race tee. We also offer a $25 credit (or rebate) for all volunteer referrals. If you know of someone who can help out, please do contact us at
info@stormevents.ca
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Boshkung Brewery Beer Tent
Don't forget to bring some cash along for that oh-so-tasty post-race beer that will be made available by local favourite
Boshkung Brewing Co. They'll be serving up their Hwy 35&118 Cream Ale, North Country Kellerbier, and Kungaroo IPA during the post-race BBQ and awards ceremonies - we can't wait!
It'll be cash-only at the bar, so be sure to have some handy!
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Water On Course
As outlined in the racer info packages, water stations are not provided on-course at Storm the Trent.
Each racer is responsible for having the capacity for a minimum of 2L of water, and we highly encourage everyone to have at least that much at race start. Water can also be left with your bikes and boats as noted above.
For those of you in the longer 'Trek' or 'Trek Elite' events - rest assured that this year's course does bring you past numerous sources should you be thinking about purifying water mid-race. The decision of whether to carry enough to get you through several hours of racing vs. packing lighter and treating along the way is yours to make, but we wanted to let you know in advance that the opportunity will be there.
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Four in a Canoe - Family Teams Only!
Please note that teams may only paddle with a
maximum of 2 people per canoe in order to participate as an officially ranked team. The ONLY exception to this rule is for teams of four in the new Family Category for the Hike Course.
If you are not in the Family category and had intended on paddling with more than 2 people in a canoe, please let us know in advance.
You will not be able to do so as ranked team, but at least if we do know we can inform our checkpoint marshals so that they are aware. We want to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable experience on Event Day, but in fairness to others we do need to uphold the official race rules so that no teams are seen to have an unfair advantage.
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As always, please feel free to contact us at
info@stormevents.ca should you have any questions. See you in Haliburton!
Your Storm Racing Team
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