July 8, 2008

WOW!  3 days and a bunch of hours left to go until Knee Knacker 2008!

This is my favourite time of "Knee Knacker Season"… the anticipation, the excitement, seeing everyone a little bit on edge from tapering. (you did taper, didn't you?)  Too much fun! :-)

Important Reminders

Following are some important things to make note of as we approach race day.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call me at 604-787-8097. 

1. There is absolutely NO day-of-race registration.
   If you have not picked up your race packet and registered by Friday night, July 12^th, you will not be in the race.  Please bring along picture identification, as we will be attaching a medical wristband to your wrist once we have correctly identified you as the registered runner.  If you have someone else picking up your race package, please advise me ASAP, and you MUST produce picture identification prior to the race Saturday morning. 
    
2. Your entry is NOT transferable.
   You cannot sell or give it away to anyone else.  If you are injured or do not intend to run this year's race for other reasons, please let me know by phone or e-mail.  There are no refunds.
    
3. The Knee Knacker 2008 start is off of Westport Rd., Exit 4
   This is the same as the last 2 years, but is a significant change from our historical start.  If you need directions, they are at Directions to Start.
    
4. Volunteer Requirement
   Please ensure you fill out the volunteer requirement form on the website at Volunteer Requirement Form.
    
5. Have fun. 
   Remember to enjoy the mountains, trees, trails & fellow runners along the way!
    

20^th Annual Knee Knacker Jackets

We are very excited about having 20^th Annual Knee Knacker Jackets available this year.  We were expecting to have them ready for pickup on Thursday/Friday, but we’ve just been notified that there have been unforeseen delays with the production.  This is disappointing, and we appreciate your patience.  A sample will be available at packet pickup so you can see the actual jacket.  For those of you who have already sent in your cheque, this has reserved the size you requested & we will hold the cheque until the garment is ready.  For those who would like to purchase a remaining jacket, we’ll accept cheques or cash on Thursday & Friday.  We will let you know as soon as we have specific info on pickup, and for those who are from out of town & unable to pickup, we will send the jacket to you.

North Shore Athletics Discount

Thanks to North Shore Athletics for offering a 20% discount to runners (just show your number) at packet pickup on Thursday & Friday.

Volunteers – Please treat them well!

Once again, we will have over 200 volunteers working together to help you meet your individual Knee Knacker goals.  Your thanks and co-operation ensures that many of these volunteers come back year after year.  Volunteers are the backbone of the Knee Knacker – without them we would not be able to put on the run.  In keeping with their importance we invite all volunteers to the Awards Banquet free of charge.  Please take the time to recognize their work both during the run and at the Awards Banquet.

Race Proceeds

We are a volunteer-run organization and all proceeds go to North Shore Search and Rescue.  This helps buy and maintain equipment that NSSR needs to save wayward trail runners, hikers and the like.  North Shore Search and Rescue leads all race day emergency response & we are immensely grateful for their support.

Aid Stations, Cut-offs & Checkpoints

We have 11 aid stations on the course this year.  We highly recommend that you carry at least one water bottle and food between aid stations – we’re hoping for warm, sunny race day weather!

As in past years, there are three mandatory checkpoints - Cypress Bowl, Cleveland Dam and the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve (LSCR).  It is YOUR responsibility to ensure that you’ve been noted at these checkpoints.

Please check out Aid Stations and Time Estimates for more info.

Drop Bags, Transportation and Parking

Drop bags will be transported from the start to the halfway point, Cleveland Dam, for your use.  These bags will then be transported to the finish line for pick-up. 

We highly recommend that you park your vehicle at the finish line (Panorama Park in Deep Cove), as there is very limited parking at the start.  Free pre-race bus transportation is available from the finish in Deep Cove to the start off of Westport Road.  These 3 buses will leave from Deep Cove at 10 minute intervals starting at 4:40am.  The last bus will leave at 5:00am sharp!

Please check out Drop Bags and Transportation for more info.

Specific Race Rules

Please review the following important race rules.  The race committee has two sanctions for infractions of rules.  Disqualification means the runner will not appear as an official finisher in the race results.  Future entry denied means that an application for a future Knee Knacker Race will be returned.

·       Shortcutting of the course;

·       Missing a checkpoint;

·       Getting in a moving vehicle;

·       Failing to remain at a checkpoint for medical evaluation on request of checkpoint personnel;

·       Running with a dog, pole, or any other aids;

·       Failing to withdraw on request of race officials; and

·       Impeding another runner.

·       Running as a bandit or pacing and/or crewing for a bandit runner;

·       Having crews drive cars to areas designated as off limits;

·       Littering;

·       Failing to withdraw from the race for missed cutoff times;

·       Failing to respect private property;

·       Mistreating aid station personnel, other volunteers or other runners; and

·       For safety and liability reasons, any attempt at doing a "Knee Knacker double" during race weekend is not allowed.  This means running from Deep Cove to Horseshoe Bay starting the night before race morning and then expecting to run as an official participant of the race.  If this is attempted, you will be asked to surrender your race number. If you still decide to run during the race, you will be considered a bandit (see first point in this section).

Kelsy Trigg
KKNSTR 2008 Race Director
604-787-8097.