Aid Stations: In general, (a) supply runners with fluids, fuel, and encouragement, (b) keep track of runners, (c) provide only minor first aide if necessary and (d) point runners in the right direction.

Road Crossings: In general, (a) provide only minor first aid if needed, (b) point runners in the right direction (c) help runners cross the road and (d) provide runners encouragement and for some, provide water. It is very important that no volunteer attempt to stop any car or moving vehicle. This is very important. Volunteers will be given red flags and safety vests. Volunteers will safely assist runners in crossings roads but will stop runners and not vehicles to ensure everyone’s safety. Please under no circumstances try to stop a car. These are our instructions from the park police.

What will be there: For aide stations: water, Succeed electrolyte capsules (probably in a plastic sandwich baggie) , bagels for some, one folding table, chairs for some (sorry we do not have many only about five in the shed),, safety vests and red flags, minor first aide kit, trash bags, paper towels, some junk food (nothing healthy), at least two big Gatorade type jugs one for water and one for a sports drink (probably succeed Ultra-Orange), paper cups (for you not the runners) and more will be delivered to your aide stations.

For road crossings (course marshals): we have safety vests and flags that will be dropped off at your assigned area. If there is another way to get these to you just let me know. We will probably have water dropped off at Watkins (not Watkins Mill), Riffleford Roads and Route 118 but not at the other road crossings. They are either too close to the start or too close to an aide station with water. I wish I had more chairs to bring to you course marshals, hopefully you have a light folding chair you can bring. Please bring your cell phones, a pad of paper or something to write on, something for you to do (book, crossword, portable radio), warm clothes and food and drinks for yourselves. I will need the cell phone number of at least one volunteer at each point along the course (Aide Stations and road crossings). Some have asked what they can bring to an aide station and some have told me they are bringing some items. You do not have to but if you want, the following can be useful: any food you want to get rid of (runners will eat anything but probably prefer the most: sandwiches cut into quarters such as PBJ, ( for 2009 check with the FDA website about the warning for some peanut butter products), turkey, turkey and cheese, some with mayo and some without, fruit, crackers, pretzels, any kind of candy, etc). If in doubt, get in touch with me. You could have a few bottles of Mountain Dew and Coke, some de-fizzed (flat) and some normal. Really, do not go to any trouble and do not feel compelled to do this. I am not encouraging anyone to go out and buy things or to prepare food items. I plan on dropping off boiled potatoes and salt at the aid stations. You are doing enough already. I prepared this list in response to some of you who said you wanted to do more. Most runners will only want a small portion if that and less at the beginning half (before the lake). Besides that, if we treat them too good they will keep coming back just like the geese.

Do encourage the runners to take water or fluid replacement but allow them to choose. We are not providing paper cups for runners. They are all supposed to have water bottles or hydration systems (I will give you some cups for you to use and you can let some of the runners use them but let’s keep this a secret.)

Do not apply first aide even minor band aides if you do not have to. Let the runners have access to alcohol wipes, cotton and Band-Aids and the like. If you do decide to help and I am discouraging this; use the disposable gloves you will see in the kit. This is for everyone’s safety. Anything that seems serious at all defer to the 911 system. Really be clear about this. Call 911 then call me. If in the park you can also use the park service and rangers for emergencies. For 2009 some new medical coverage is being arranged. When this is finalized a medical plan will be posted on the race website and distributed to all volunteers.

Please also remember to bring something for yourself and the other volunteers. A radio, warm clothes, maybe something warm to drink or eat for yourself, rain gear just in case, a folding chair, are all good for starters. Also bring the course description so you can answer questions like how far is it to the next road crossing or aide station. If the runners say things like this last section was not 2 miles or so, tell them to see me.

Key Things To Do: 1. Keep track of runners. Three aide stations this year: 355, the lake and Route 28, will have a roster of the runner’s name. We will pay attention to the runner’s last names and they will be told to call out their name as well as their bib number when they pass through the various aid stations. As runners clear your station (just 355, the lake and 28), in some manner keep track of this (put an x of check mark by their name). Be aware that some of the front runners are really taking the race seriously and may not stop much if at all. It is important that we get their names but in trying to help them race you may have to run with them a bit to get clarification if needed (yea, right, all of us can run with Rob Magin). All I am saying is let’s try not to hold them up or slow them down but we do need to know their name. We have a plan that calls for 100% runner accountability. This is not too hard since this is a relatively small race and it gets spread across a long distance. But the bottom line is if we lose track of a runner, I or someone else has to go and cover whatever section we believe they were last seen and try to find them. On the same note, if a runner says they want to drop, please make a note of this and make sure tons of us know: most importantly me and the sweeper team. If a runner wants to drop out at your aide station, please just make them comfortable; ask them to give you their race bib, do not pressure them to go on. You can call me and I will see what arrangements can be made to get them to their cars and/or the finish. They are certainly welcome to join in the picnic. If they are OK to wait until you close, you could bring them to the finish. We want all of you to join the picnic. First aide and medical issues are entirely another matter. Nobody waits on these issues.

2. Provide hydration and fuel. All runners are supposed to have at least one water bottle or a hydration system. Many may have two or a camel back (hydration pack on their back or around their waist). I am trying not to spoil the runners and not have trash in the park or anywhere on the trail so have told them there will be no paper cups. So, you will be helping them refill their water bottle and/or hydration systems. Do not be embarrassed to ask me or someone else how to fill most camel backs. Some may want water, some may want sports drink. Some may bug you that they want 1/3 water, 1/3 sports drink and something else. If you can help them, fine, but I am sure they will be happy with anything or water if necessary. If you do happen to have Coke or Mountain Dew you could give them a paper cup but you have to tell them that under penalty of death they cannot litter at all. Some may be used to throwing their cups on the ground a long ways down the trail from the aid station. This is not that kind of a race. As far as fuel, (food, carbs, etc) some aide stations may have Gu and other gels, some may have energy bars, but please do not worry if you do not have these. Runners are being told they need to be self-sufficient. Anything they get from you is a bonus. Try not to give items that have wrappers if possible. If you have energy bars, cut a few up. This is better for the runners anyway. Try to have a trash bag conspicuously displayed (you can tie to a tree). Most runners will only want a small amount to eat particularly the lead runners. It is hard to digest an entire sandwich or big candy bar on the run. It is OK if runners want to put a sandwich in their pockets (it’s their pockets) but most of you will have to at least think of the rationing. You will need to protect a little against hoarding as we need to spread everything across 300 runners. If you get down to your last few gallons of water and only half the field has come through your station, get a hold of me. We will get you more water. Most know this but we discourage drinking creek water. I know there are a few springs along the course but we will have plenty of bottled or tap water.

3. Safety and Communication. We will conduct a cell phone test with each aide station within fifteen minutes of its opening time, (more than likely I will have been there as well). If we cannot get a hold of you, we will go and visit that station to see if everything is OK. Most aide stations have good reception. Our big problem is Riley’s Lock. Most likely, some runner could have a scratch or bruise or sprained ankle type injury. We will make them comfortable; offer them first aide equipment and supplies and assess if more care is needed. Luckily we have a contingent of first aid folks, an EMT at the finish, a nurse, and possibly a team of doctors (somewhere on the course) and Montgomery County EMT keeping an eye on us. A runner could come in and report excessive sweating, dizziness, blurred vision, cramps, disorientation, dizziness, swelling, not able to keep food down (throwing up), unable to urinate, excessive hot or cold, exhaustion, fever and a host of symptoms (just roll them in the creek we have waivers for all of them). Seriously, just use your best judgment. We are not offering medical care (except maybe through the nurse, doctors and/or the rescue squad at the end) but are using the 911 system. We have a great 911 system in Montgomery County- use it. Some conditions can be very serious and need emergency treatment. If you do encounter such a situation, seek medical assistance as a priority, take care of the runner first, call 911 as necessary and call me second. Most times, the runner himself or herself will determine if they will go on or drop. Refrain from encouraging them one way or the other unless you become very concerned for their welfare, believe they are endangering themselves if they go on. Then if absolutely necessary you can tell them to sit down or they will be disqualified. You do have the authority to tell runners that they will be disqualified, banned from running the race again and that we will not assume responsibility for them in severe situations. Sometimes this can be a tough call and I know no one will take this lightly. I am not talking about a sprained ankle or scraped leg. I doubt anything terribly serious will happen but we will need to be prepared. Most runners will be very appreciative of you being out there to help them and will accept help when injured or hurt in some way. I need for each aid station captain and one of the course marshals to give me their cell phone number that they will be using on race day. My cell phone (really a car phone) is 703.283.1466. Brian McNeil and Terrance McMahon are also spending the day between aid stations to support the race. We will have their cell phones available for course marshals and aide stations.

4. Visitors and Friends: other trail users, pacers, are all welcome at the aide stations provided they park legally, allow you to do your job, and do not otherwise violate any rules of the park. Pets should be on a leash. They also must be told not to litter and not to attempt to stop traffic for any reason. The aide station and food and water are however for the runners and volunteers and not the guests.

5. Point Runners in the Right Direction: Volunteers working aid stations or road crossing should know the adjoining trail both upstream and downstream at least somewhat. Many may ask you what mile is this, how much further till the next aide station, what is the next section like, any hills, any creek crossings, have you seen their friend or another competitor so and so, what is their place or time, and the like. If you need help with this, please get a hold of me. If you can help, fine. Odds are you may not know their friend by name and they may not know their friend’s bib number. You will know the mileage but you have to tell them it is not 100% accurate. If you know the trail ahead feel free to describe it in general terms. Remember that everything is relative. What may seem like a killer hill to you or just a bump in the road may seem the opposite to the runner. I think something like: “the next section is roughly two and half miles, no big hills, pretty easy to follow, just follow all the way to the road “is enough (Riffleford to 118 for example). They do not need to know every turn, downed tree, hill, etc. Please avoid telling runners that all they have left is a few easy miles (at Berryville Road for example). Most have a fair idea where they are and are keeping track of their mileage mentally. They may want to kill me for the mileage I have posted but that is another story. Most do not look at the last three miles as nothing. You can tell them they look good even if they don’t.

6. Road Crossings: Volunteers can stop runners but cannot stop traffic. We have alerted the County park police, State park rangers and Montgomery County police and have the necessary permits but we are really on our own. Volunteers working road crossings are critical. Your job is to get runners across the road safely. Just think of yourself as a mother hen. You may not stop traffic. Also please know your area enough to point the runners in the right direction. Last year it worked out pretty good to double or triple team the road crossings so that a volunteer was on both sides of the road and even at the trail entrance to make sure the runners get back on trail..

7. Police the area: All the aide station and course marshal areas are trash free, meaning there are no trash receptacles. You will be provided trash bags and are being asked to pick up all trash. Leave the area better than the way you found it. As the sweeper team comes through, he or she will be handing you flagging from the previous section. He or she may also mention to you if there is some trash on the previous section. Please go and get it. If you cannot please let me know. Thank you very much.

8. Runner Problems: I really do not expect any behavior problems at all. However and just in case please keep the following in mind. You are volunteers and giving your time to help the runners. If someone is rude or discourteous- well it probably has nothing to do with you at all so you can keep that in mind and do not take it personal. However, you do not have to put up with anything that you feel crosses the line. If any runner wants to argue about something like the choice of snacks, the mileage, trail markings, anything, direct them to me. If they have been rude, please do not argue with them, note their bib number and report them to me. Runners will be warned about any problems ahead of time and could be disqualified, banned from future races and/or removed from the race. I do not think anything like this will happen, but just in case.

9. Nature Breaks: (probably the most frequently asked question). Port o Potties are provided at the start, at Route 355, at the Park and at the finish. Other than that runners and volunteers are reminded that the trail is entirely on public lands and littering of any kind is prohibited. Runners and volunteers are also reminded that the trail and park are open to other trail users and accordingly great discretion must be used. Even the trail critters do not urinate on the trail.

10. Dead Runners: If a runner cannot go on for a variety of reasons but short of needing medical attention, let them hang out with you until some arrangements have been worked out. I and others can come and get them. If you are coming to the picnic and I sure hope you do, you could bring a few with you. We will not leave anyone but are not promising prompt transportation to the finish if someone cannot finish. I am trying to find some space blankets but as a backup will probably drop off large outdoor garbage bags and maybe some old blankets to keep runners warm if needed. If you have some old blankets you want to bring for this reason- great.

11. Have fun! Cheer, join in the fun. If there are two or more of you maybe you can get a short run in. Please come to the picnic. We are counting on you.

12. Closing aide Stations and Road Crossings. Based on the posted closing time and confirmation from the sweeping team that all runners are accounted for, aide stations and road crossing will be closed on a rolling basis. The truck will come around on a rolling basis probably within ten minutes of the closing time to reload the equipment, supplies and trash. Please help Steve and Zach reload the truck. For Route 118, I may try to get the County Police or a park ranger to help as the traffic is terrible there. Every other aide station or road crossing has at least a pull over place that is convenient. In fact, we almost did not have an aide station there just for this reason but for the same reason (lots of traffic) it is a good idea to get our returning Route 118 course marshal: the great Stephanie Bates there. If I can swing by at the right time, I might help move all your stuff down the road where there is a little pull off area. When reloading the truck, please use five to six traffic cones placed to the rear of the truck and one person’s sole job will be to watch out for everyone’s safety.

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