Dear Coaches:
To alleviate some of the sizes for the morning JV races (in particular for the boys), teams are now allowed to put up to 10 runners max per team (instead of 8) in the varsity races. You don't have to run up to 10, but you are allowed to if you would like. Most of our races will be in the 250-375 runner range with the only exception likely to be the morning JV boys race definitely in the 400's.
Last minute notes and reminders...
Starting box assignments for the varsity races can be found on the second tab on the same spread with the race assignments. Boxes should be about 3 runners wide. Those not competing on full teams in any races (less than 5 runners) can start either in the first 4-5 boxes on the far left or plenty of space on the far right.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PshJ5bqvqyB0uhdF9jG5l-4qeSArT4KHqHrkPU427X8/edit?usp=sharing
There will be no starting boxes for the open, middle school, and JV races. Will simply spread the runners out on the line.
We will make first call to report to starting line of your races 15 minutes before the start and make a final call with 5 minutes prior to the race start.
Yesterday, I made a drone aerial video tour of the 5K course being used this weekend. Can also find course maps for the 5K high school and 4K middle school course below.
https://va.milesplit.com/articles/322031/video-tour-pole-green-park-5k-course-for-milestat-invite
Individual medals will be handed out in the finish line chute to runners as they finish. Top 20 in all varsity races and top 15 in middle school and JV races will receive medals. Bobblehead trophy to each race winner too.
Once results have been finalized for races, we will announce the team trophy award winners and hand out those trophies on a rolling schedule. Top 3 teams in the elite varsity race will receive trophies, while the top 2 teams in all other races will receive trophies. Trophies can be picked up or will be handed out in the packet pickup area and there is a podium nearby for photo ops. Results will be posted race by race on the meet page on va.milesplit.com.
At packet pickup, there will be bibs and chips to pick up in your packets for high school teams/runners. Athletes must wear both and make sure to hand out the bib/chip assigned to them listed on the sheet in your packet. Packet pick-up will start at 7:30 AM and be open throughout the day. Runners in the open race and teams in the initial elite races will be given priority and skip the line if needed to get their chips/bibs distributed out to their runners.
For open race runners and middle school race runners, please note you will have a packet without bibs but need to pick up your chip or chip bag. We will not have bibs for the middle school race or open race, only chips that athletes need to wear in those races.
All chips will need to be returned back to packet pick up. I suggest collecting all your chips from your athletes after each race in the same bag that picked chips up in and after your last race then bring them back to the packet pickup tent or timing tent.
There will be a school bus drop-off loop for teams and then the school buses will be directed to park at Pole Green Elementary and if that overflows we have another nearby elementary school for bus parking. When your team is getting ready to leave the meet then call your bus driver to come back down to the drop off and pickup loop to come get you but only when your team is ready to be picked up.
We will have an area for short buses driven by coaches driving to park at the venue as well within reasonable walking distance.
Prepare your parents for parking especially in the morning session when we will be parking spectators initially furthest spots away from the course at Pole Green Park. They might complain initially over the extra walk, but will thank us later when it is much easier for them to leave the park to get out since closer to the exit.
We will have areas for handicapped parking closer to the course, but the gravel parking lot closest to the start is reserved only with limited parking for handicapped, vendors, officials, and volunteers.
T-Shirts (short & long sleeve, multiple colors, tie die) and hoodies will be sold on-site at various prices. We can accept cash and credit cards.
We will have multiple food truck vendors on-site at the venue.
Will have 2 dozen port johns on-site as well as other permanent bathrooms on the course.
We will have a handful of trainers, an EMT on-site as well as ATV vehicles to assist any runners in distress. Please make sure your athletes are staying hydrated especially those in the afternoon session.
The team tent area will be where it always is located in the loop and field the majority of the second mile of the race is located. There will be trash bags in your packet please use them to clean up your team area.
The course is open for preview all day today until the park closes after the sun goes down. The Atlee crew will be out finishing setting up the course up.
Feel free to contact me with any questions at milestat@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Brandon Miles
Meet Director, MileStat.com XC Invitational