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Pre-Race Meeting: There will be a pre-race meeting at 7:00 AM at the starting line (Riverside Park in Whitefish) for all competitors. The meeting will provide runners with the most up-to-date information on the race course and a review of all safety precautions. IT IS MANDATORY FOR All PARTICIPANTS TO ATTEND THIS MEETING. The Glacier Challenge 2008 begins with the 10K leg at 7:30 AM.
Bike Drop-off: It is recommended that bikers have their bikes at the HWY 40 transition point by 8:00 AM. [the average biker came in at 52 minutes las year; the fastest came in at 40 minutes.] We recommend being prepared at the 2nd leg of the road bike starting at 9:15 a.m. [The average biker came in at 31 minutes last year; the fastest came in at 18 minutes.]
Directions to Road Bike: Going north on Hwy 93 from Kalispell turn right onto HWY 40. Follow HWY 40 to the bridge over Whitefish River (until you see signage for the Glacier Challenge on the left hand side of the road). There will be a marked area for staging of individual competitor's bikes.
Parking: Only park in designated areas at the transition area. Please do not block the driveway.
Equipment: Helmets are mandatory. Bikes must be in good condition. Fairings will not be allowed. Bikers may not receive assistance or spare parts from anyone after the Glacier Challenge has begun. Event organizers are not responsible for any belongings left at race sites.
The Course: First Half - (The first half of the road bike course will be changing slightly, please check back for changes)From the canoe/road bike transition area, road bikers will make a right onto Hwy. 40. Bikers will continue to follow signs until the left turn onto Whitefish Stage Road. Traffic monitors will be on-hand to assist in this crossing. Please beware that traffic moves very quickly on this road and efforts will be made to slow vehicles but not stop them. Drivers have the right of-way here and bikers must stop if crossing impedes traffic. Turning onto Whitefish Stage Rd. please be aware that there is little shoulder here for bikers. Again, cars drive rather quickly on this road. Please be extremely cautious and aware of traffic. Continue on Whitefish Stage until the intersection of Tronstad [this turn will be clearly marked]. Continue 1.0 miles to intersection of Hwy. 93. Bikers will turn right on Hwy. 93 and proceed north for .5 miles to Church Road. Again, please be cautious on this highway. Traffic moves at a fast clip and road conditions, due to nearby construction might be less than optimum. At the intersection of Hwy. 93 and Church, please yield to traffic. This is an uncontrolled crossing which will be monitored by volunteers. No traffic will be stopped and racers are required to heed volunteers directions. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. Racers will continue down Church Road to ‘T’ and go left. Church Rd. intersects with Farm-to-Market Road in 4.4 miles. Bikers will turn right onto Farm-to-Market and ride for 3.0 miles until they come to the mountain bike hand-off area at the Bowser trailhead on the left hadn side of the road. The length of this part of the race is approximately 15.0 miles. You will hand off your wristband to the mountain biker.
A water station, fruit table, mechanical repair area, and port-a-pottie will be available at this transition area.
Second Half - After the hand-off, bikers will head north on Farm-to-Market then turn right onto Lodgepole. Stay on Lodgepole until you reach Twin Bridges. Turn right on Twin Bridges and continue to Hwy. 93. Turn right onto the highway, being aware of vehicles on this curve. Turn right on Lupfer and go to end of road. Hand-off to kayaker at end of road. The length of this part of the race is approximately 11.0 miles. When entering the transition area, please ensure you are in position for timekeepers to see your bib. Remember to hand-off your wristband.
Results: Timing of individual legs may vary based upon exchange area layout, which means personal times kept by racers may not correspond to official results.
Happy Racing! |
