Being a bit lazy I was wondering about running for fewer than 24 (or even
12) hours. I'd pay the full entry fee. Would that be OK?
Absolutely. You are free to run/walk any distance or number of hours you
desire. And, since 2002, with the addition of the 12 hour event, it has been
easier for everyone to compete for awards. The 12 hour event is treated as a
separate race from the 24 hour, with separate results and awards.
Can you tell me more about the awards?
In the 24 hour event, the top five female and top five male runners earn awards.
The top three walkers, regardless of gender, also earn awards. In the 12 hour
event, the top three male and top three female runners, and the top walker,
regardless of gender, will earn awards. In addition, we offer unique Director's
Awards, named for each member of the race committee producing the event, to
honor more unusual achievements. Among others, these awards recognize the most
notable medical story, the couple achieving the highest combined mileage, and
the runner whose 1st and 42nd laps (attaining the 100 mile mark) are closest in
pace.
What time do the events start?
The 24 hour starts at 8:00 am on Saturday, and ends at 8:00 am on Sunday. The
12 hour participants start at 8:00 am on Saturday, and finish at 8:00 pm on
Saturday with plenty of time to get home, get some sleep, and actually be conscious
during the post-race breakfast.
I sometimes (ok, often) tend to go out too fast, and then bonk. Can I
start the 24 hour event, and then decide to switch to the 12 hour event before
8:00 pm?
Sorry! You'll need to decide which event you want to enter, sign up for that
event, and deal with your decision. Once again, you will need to strategize and
decide wisely. Remember that this is one event that has no finish line, and even
on a bad day you can't DNF. If circumstances arise that force a change in your
plans, we'll allow switching from the 24 to the 12 hour event until May 27.
When and where are packet pickup and the pre-race dinner?
Packet pickup, weigh-in, and the pre-race dinner are from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
on Friday at the Nokomis Community Center at 2401 E. Minnehaha Parkway,
Minneapolis. Some of the kids and volunteers from the FANS project will be
serving dinner. We hope you all will come to the pre-race dinner and perhaps
meet some of the students you are supporting by participating in this event.
Weigh-in?!?
We take the health and safety of our participants seriously, and require a
weight check every four hours during the event. If you lose or gain too much
weight, we'll ask you to take measures to get back to normal before getting back
to pounding out miles.
What is the cost of the dinner?
Dinner is $10 per person, and includes a variety of pasta dishes (both meat
and meatless), bread, salad, dessert, and beverages.
Where can I stay overnight?
Lake Nokomis is located approximately 4 miles north of MSP airport and the
Mall of America. For information regarding hotels and motels in the area, please
visit
digitalcity.com. Suggestion: look for motels in Bloomington. More accommodation
information is given in the pre-race booklet sent to all participants upon receipt
of their entry form.
Can I pitch my tent at the race site on Friday night?
No, Lake Nokomis is an urban park area. Normally, camping is not allowed at
all. We have a permit which allows camping Saturday night only in conjunction
with the race.
How do I get to the race site?
The race starts at the north end of Lake Nokomis, below the Nokomis Community
Center (see the map in your pre-race packet).
Where do I park at the race site?
If you are setting up a tent, please use parking area #2, which is about a
quarter mile from the race start. (See Lake Nokomis map in your pre-race packet.)
Approximately 30 spots in parking area #1, which is about 40 yards from course
near Aid Station #1, will be available for participants who are not setting up
tents. Place the FANS Parking Permit, which you will pick up with pre-race
materials, in your front window. All-night parking is permitted only with this
permit and only in the designated parking lots.
What if I don't have a tent but need a place to store my gear?
There will be a communal tent and tables under a canopy where you can stash
your belongings. This is not a secure area; please do not plan to store
valuables here.
What is the course like?
Flat with sections on concrete, asphalt and grass circling a lake. There are
open areas with grass, and trees provide some shade. The course is free of
vehicular traffic, but open to other pedestrians, dogs, roller-bladers, and
other aficionados of urban exercise.
What is the distance of each loop?
2.4217 miles. Plus or
minus. The race will start with an out-and-back leg of 1.656 miles, after which
loops around the lake begin. The initial out-and-back stretch will allow us to
give accurate 50 mile and 100K splits at the start/finish area. During the final
hour, there is an optional short lap, an out-and-back course of 0.25 miles, that
allows participants to accrue mileage until 12:00:00 or 24:00:00 hours without
worrying whether they can make it all the way around the lake one more time.
What foods, in general, will be available at the race?
The assortment of food and beverages will vary during the day and will
include: sports drink, defizzed pop, water, coffee, fruit, sweet and salty
snacks, yogurt, bagels, sandwiches, soup, and more, PLUS pizza in the early
evening and again at midnight We try to keep our 24-hour smorgasbord varied and
appealing as the long hours wear on.
When will awards be presented?
There will be a post-race awards breakfast on Sunday morning immediately following
the completion of the 24 hour race. The breakfast will start at 8:15 in the Nokomis
Community Center, a short walk from the start/finish area. Our motto: Keep it
short – we're all tired.
What is the cost of the breakfast?
The breakfast is free to runners, crew, friends, and volunteers.
What will the weather be like?
Prepare for both hot or cool weather: we've had just about everything but
snow in the past 17 years. It's most likely to be warm with humidity. For
specific details on what will happen if the weather becomes dangerous, click here to go to our Weather Alert page.
What is the best way to get in touch with someone who can answer a
question not addressed here or in the race packet?
Send an e-mail to: fans24hour@lycos.com. If questions
remain, call Paul and Pat Sackett at 612.377.1682.