Below are the updated race details for the Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race, from an email sent out by Race Director Randy Whorton. The major change is that we’ve flip-flopped the order of the stages: the Raccoon Mountain stage will be on FRIDAY, not Saturday as originally planned, and Lookout Mountain takes its place on Saturday.
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The Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race, presented by SmartWool, is less than a month away. Part of the Rock/Creek Trail Series, We are thrilled that you will be a part of what is sure to be a race experience you will not soon forget. Proceeds from the Rock/Creek Trail Series benefit local non-profits who preserve, protect and promote nature trails in the Chattanooga area.
As you gear up for race next month, there are several important details I would like to share with you. But first of all, I would like to recognize our sponsors:
Many thanks to SmartWool, our presenting sponsor, Toyota of Cleveland and Capital Toyota, Patagonia, Salomon, Hammer Nutrition, Marmot, Montrail, and local sponsors Greenlife Grocery, Archer Physical Therapy, LifeKraze, The Crash Pad and Blue Smoke Coffee.
Also, please join me in thanking the volunteers and the many supporting groups that help maintain trails and do the behind the scenes work to make this race possible.
Registration is closed. The main gating item is the limited parking for the Lookout Mountain stage, and with the 150ish that we will have that day it is going to be tight. Please, please carpool. We are working to provide some incentives for having three or more runners per car. More to come on that.
Race order change! We have flipped the order of the first two days. The start of the race will now be the 18 miles at Raccoon Mountain. That location is very popular with mountain bikers and having the stage on Friday, a work day for most, will make for better event for us and them. We apologize if that causes any problem, and we will offer a full refund if you find this change unsatisfactory.
Packet Pick-Up (Thursday, June 16th):
Packet pick-up will take place at the 2 North Shore Rock/Creek location in the back of the store from 4-7pm. Racers will receive their race packets and t-shirts at packet pick-up. Rock/Creek’s address at 2 North Shore is: 301 Manufacturers Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37405.
Race Day:
There will be packet pick-up each race morning beginning at 6:30am at the start/finish area. Races will begin promptly at 8am each day with a short pre-race meeting before the start.
Each morning at MANDATORY racer check-in, racers will receive their race number. Racers will keep the same number throughout the weekend but will receive a different color number each day. This will help us to keep track of who is and isn’t on the course.
Packet pick-up, race day registration, and MANDATORY racer check-in will begin on each race day starting at 6:30am at the start/finish and will end at 7:45.
If you have not checked in by 7:45, you will be held until 8:05 and check in then, resulting in a 10-15 min late start.
Time Cutoffs:
Since we’d like this to be a “run” and not a walk, we would like to see people running more than 50% of the event each day. This equates to about 16 minutes per mile. So here are the cutoff times each day based on 16min/mile:
- Day 1 (Raccoon Mountain) – 18 miles in 5 hours
- Day 2 (Lookout Mountain) – 22 miles in 6 hours
- Day 3 (Signal Mountain) – 20 miles in 6 hours (we will give a little more time here based on it being the toughest, and last, day)
If you feel that you are not able to meet these times, please let me know and I will give you a full refund, or transfer your entry to another Rock/Creek race. We would also like to hear from you if you think this is too generous.
IMPORTANT!! Due to the likely warm temperatures and humid conditions, we REQUIRE runners to carry some sort of hydration on the course such as a handheld water bottle, a waist pack, or a CamelBak. Electrolytes and other fuel sources in addition to what you will find at aid stations are also strongly encouraged. Please come prepared. Rock/Creek has a variety of options if you do not currently have these products. Here are a few examples…
- Nathan Sports QuickDraw Elite
- CamelBak Delaney Race hydration pack
- Hammer Nutrition Hammer Gel
- Hammer Nutrition Endurolyte Electrolyte Capsules
Aid Stations:
Aid stations will provide water, HEED, an assortment of fruit, salty and sweet snacks, fig bars, gorp, and soda. Basic first aid kits will be available as well if necessary.
- Stage 1 Aid Stations: Mile 4.7, Mile 8, Mile 13.3
- Stage 2 Aid Stations: Mile 5.3, Mile 10.7, Mile 15.5
- Stage 3 Aid Stations: Mile 3.3, Mile 9.4, Mile 11.8, Mile 16.4
Course Markings:
The course will be clearly marked. Please pay attention to all course markings to insure that you stay on course.
CARPOOLING:
Please help minimize impact on the properties we will be using for our start/finish areas and consider carpooling with fellow race participants, especially at Lula Lake on day 2.
VOLUNTEERS:
If you have a friend or spouse joining you for the weekend but not running in the race, they may be interested in doing something to help pass the time while you are on the course.
Why not volunteer?? It’s fun and it gives them a chance to enjoy the race experience. Contact me at [email protected] if you are interested in more details.
Hotels and Accommodations:
The Crash Pad will serve as race headquarters with a post-race gathering each evening (featuring free beer). This is THE place to stay but there are only 30 beds and will fill up quickly. We toured the new facility this week and it is super cool! Embrace the hostel experience and give it a try:
Come stay with us at The Crash Pad!
Have you been looking for a place to stay during your visit to Chattanooga for the Stage Race next month? Well we have the answer: The Crash Pad, Chattanooga’s brand-new hostel, with super bunks and private rooms!
We will base all of our post-race activities out of The Crash Pad, so you’ll be conveniently located in downtown Chattanooga… just a short drive from all race venues.
Make your reservation today, as there are only 5 private rooms (double occupancy) and 27 single bunks available: https://www.raceit.com/Register/?event=2158
NOTE: We do not have live inventory on this system, so we will do our best to remove the listings as soon as they sell out, but there is a chance that we could over-book. We will e-mail to confirm your reservation.
Come see who’s registered so far for the race:
https://www.raceit.com/register/registrantSearch.aspx?event=2158
We are excited that you’ll be joining us for the Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race!
Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Randy Whorton, Race Director
[email protected]
Here’s a video from last year’s Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race:
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