ENTRANT  GUIDE

Everything you need to know about the

Snow Joke Half Marathon

 

 

This footrace is managed to retain its original premise as an inexpensive low-key fun run, and to serve as a goal for maintaining conditioning during the winter.  It is the longest running continuously-held winter sporting event in Seeley Lake, and has evolved into one of Montana’s major half-marathons.  We hope you enjoy our brand of organized quirkiness.

 

 

Event Format: 

 

This footrace is a winter run in a remote community with heavy snow, so your attendance is subject to road and weather conditions.  That is why Registration is Race Day Only.

 

Per Club policy the event is managed the event to break even.  Your entry fee is priced at the minimum necessary to cover the cost of providing you a quality experience.  70% of your entry fee goes to event expenses.  30% goes to local charitable organizations that staff the event.

 

There are no entrant limits or time cut-offs.  Course staffing is absent for entrants slower than 12 minutes per mile, but Finish Line timing continues until everyone is in.

 

 

Registering: 

 

Follow the simple instructions at the table with the registration forms, take some pins for your number, and proceed to the registration crew.

 

Cash is preferred.  Checks are fine, but don’t fill in the amount until your fee and shirt costs are verified as you register.

 

Hand your application to the first person of the 4-person registration crew, who will verify your waiver is signed.

 

Once your application is accepted, the second person will issue you your number.

 

The third person will collect your payment while the fourth person fetches any T-shirt(s) you’ve reserved.

 

This entire process takes 20 seconds.  If you have any other issues (need a receipt, have questions about the Event, wonder why we don’t have a shirt for you, etc) see the Race Director.  Do not disrupt the registration crew with such matters.

 

When one entrant of a group is paying for the entire group, each entrant should come through the registration process, as issued numbers don’t have entrant names on them, and wearing the wrong number can invalidate a divisional win and create other problems.

 

 

T-Shirts: 

 

Due to our race-day registration policy, we take reservations for T-shirts.  You are encouraged to do so in January, or as soon thereafter as possible.

 

E-mail is the preferred method of reserving shirts.  You may leave a message on the Race Director’s phone - his answering machine might be working.  Try him in the evening if you want to talk to him.  Because of the hundreds of contacts made to him, calls & emails are not returned.

 

Duplicate reservations are discouraged.  Check the list on this web site first.  It is updated weekly within a month of the race.

 

Any unreserved shirts are sold first-come first-serve at race day registration.  Once the supply is exhausted, entrants can ask to be placed on our Waiting List.

 

We can’t eat unsold shirts.  We don’t pad the Entry Fee to warehouse them.  We intend to sell out, which means some entrants may not get a shirt.  We carefully calculate our shirt order based on advance reservations, and then place our order 3 weeks before the Event.  This approach has provided shirts for entrants making reservations at least a week before the Event.  No-shows usually provide enough shirts for all who get on our waiting list pre-event, and some who get on the waiting list during registration.  The system is also economical.  You don’t pay for shirts we don’t sell.  Our cost per shirt is $10.00, and we charge you $10.00.

 

When Registration closes around 10:45, names on the Waiting List are immediately called out for any unclaimed shirts.  Those present with payment receive shirts until the supply is exhausted or everyone has what they want.

 

 

Dogs: 

 

You may list your dog as a participant for $1.00 when you pay your fee.  Do not fill out an application for your dog.

 

At the Starting Line, position yourself to the side or at the back of the pack so that other runners don’t become entangled in your dog’s leash.

 

The entire course is open to vehicular traffic during the Event.  Your dog must be leashed at all times. 

 

First dog in wins a soup bone at the Awards Ceremony.

 

 

The Course: 

 

The Start & Finish are both at the Grade School Gym.  There are 6 miles of highway and 7 miles of county road.  There’s a big hill at 3 miles, a moderate uphill grade at 6 miles, and a short uphill at 12 ½ miles.  The course is not certifiable due to variable snow plowing width, but has been measured in summer with a calibrated wheel to an accuracy of +/- 20 feet.

 

On the highway, always run on the left side facing traffic, crossing only where a Course Marshall is controlling traffic for you.

 

Course Marshalls handle medical problems and dropouts at Checkpoints at 6 and 10 miles.  You may leave clothing with them to be brought back to the Finish Line.

 

Between 6 and 10 miles is the “Charlie Cheetah Preserve.”  You and the rest of your tribe are running over the Serengeti Plain, which is so bright and shimmering under the hot African sun it appears white as snow.  You are effortlessly rounding up cheetahs at full sprint and herding them to your village corrals because, well, because you can.  All you need is a little endorphin and a really twisted imagination.

 

 

Aid Stations: 

 

Electrolyte (Heed until it runs out, then Gatorade) and water will be served at the Checkpoints.  The water tables are 100 yards down course from the electrolyte in case the electrolyte doesn’t agree with you and you wish to dilute it internally.

 

 

Finishing: 

 

Our system utilizes a watch printer, video recording, and pull-tab numbers.  Wear your number on your front, leaving the tab free of pins.  Upon reaching the Finish Line, go into the chute and remain there in sequence until your tab is removed, then immediately exit the chute and leave the timers alone. 

 

Do not cross the Finish Line twice.  Even without a tab you will create an extra sequence time, which will complicate processing of results. 

 

 

Finish Line Beverages: 

 

It’s one per entrant at the Smoothie/Fruit Drink Stand under the cheetah flags.  Help yourself to the bottled water & Gatorade set off to the side.

 

 

USATF Montana Championship: 

 

We encourage entrants to register with USA Track & Field before the race.  You can do so online at http://www.usatf.org/membership/.  The Snow Joke is the USATF Montana Half Marathon Championship race.  Montana resident entrants who are members of USATF are considered entered in the Championship.  Results are determined by USATF Montana and in due course are posted at http://www.mtusatf.org/.

 

 

Awards & Post-Race: 

 

Each Divisional winner is awarded a fur sash with a medallion.  The uniqueness of this prize is exceeded only by the tackiness of the materials from which it is crafted.  Winners may participate in the Induction of the Cheetah Rangers at about 1:45 p.m.  It is impossible to put into words the power and majesty of the ceremony.

 

Other than the awards, there is no activity hosted by the Event.  We have to clear the school gym & grounds for other activities.  We also recognize that many entrants have other activities planned or have a long drive back home.  You are encouraged to include our following business partners for your post-race activities. 

 

The Filling Station Bar & Restaurant is the Cheetah Herder’s traditional post-run hangout.  Your running number will be honored for a free drink.  Enjoy a full lunch off their grill if you like.

 

Littlebird’s School House is a backcountry-style deli close to the Finish Line.  You may pre-order a lunch, and it will be ready when you finish.

 

 

Results: 

 

Results are processed promptly, with entrants contacted as necessary to resolve discrepancies.  Results will be posted on this web site as soon as possible - give us 3 to 5 days.  Requesting results before they are posted delays their processing.

 

 

Missing Belongings: 

 

Lost & Found, and items left at Checkpoints are brought to the hood of the blue pickup truck parked just past the Finish Line.

 

If you find you are missing something after leaving the event, don’t hesitate to contact the Race Director.  He will be happy to get it returned to you as a free service.