Athlete Guide

Note From The Race Director

Dear Athlete:

Welcome to the fifth annual Rat Snake challenge in honor of my friend, Dr. Ken Stalter. This is the first year that I had to think about what number we were on! I believe this race is here to last! Thank you!

I’m extremely excited about this year’s event as the entire race sold out in less than 2 days. What a tribute to a great man! We have been working all year to get things more organized than the previous so that things can run even smoother for you. There will be new signage to continue to guide you out on the roads and volunteers from my track team to keep you on the right trails.

Our food lineup is still superb and the beer will be unmatched, guaranteed. We try to provide the best for you because this is what Ken deserves. During your race day experience I have no doubt you’ll have some understanding about what kind of challenges Ken welcomed, how he persevered, and how much he enjoyed all of it. Get out there and kill it Saturday!

I’m looking forward to meeting all of you, thank you so much for supporting this day!

Yours in Perpetual Forward Movement,

Dan Forbes, Race Director

Some important notes:

Roads are NOT closed for the bike portion. We will have traffic control at major intersections, but you MUST follow the rules of the road when racing. NO EXCEPTIONS

Music devices of any kind are NOT allowed on the bike course. You must pay full attention to you and the traffic around you.

For those of you that do not know what Ken was all about, you

are about to find out. Let’s make this another successful year! It

will certainly be one to remember, and should be our biggest yet!

I thank you all so much.

Schedule of Events

Friday, May 20th

8pm I’ll be at Cabin # 1 in the cabin colony if you want to

hang. Probably having a growler.

Saturday, May 21st

6:00-7:45am: Transition area open. Check-in for triathletes/teams report to CCC Museum for packet pick up.

7:45: Transition area closed. Head to start line.

8am: Rat Snake begins!!!

6:00am-10:45am: Registration for trail runners at CCC Museum

11am: The trail run begins/3K Joggers and strollers will be beginning their loops around the lake.

2pm: Triathletes/Team/Trail Runners will be completing the race.

3pm: Awards Ceremony at the large shelter. Followed by a lot of food and a lot of beer.

4pm: Rat Snake Kids Duathlon. Transition area must be clear of all adult bikes.

7pm: Post race celebration at cabin #1 for those staying overnight.

Pre-Race Information

Personal Communication Plan

Prior to departing home for Gilbert Lake State Park, be sure to establish a communications plan with family and friends back home. Share the race day emergency contact listed below with those who may need to reach you in an emergency. Even if you are in Gilbert Lake State Park with family and friends, it is essential that you have a plan for contacting or reuniting with your group following the race.

Race Day Emergency Contact Athlete Services 607-432-2114

Triathlete/Trail Run Check-In

Saturday, May 21 from 6:00 a.m. – 7:45am (triathletes) or until 10:45 (trail runners). If you do not check-in during the designated athlete check-in hours you will not be able to race.

Personal Safety

When biking, please on the shoulder without moving into the traffic lane. Please be courteous and aware of other people sharing the roads with you. NO ROADS WILL BE CLOSED. Please ride single file, as biking side by side is illegal.

As you are one of Gilbert Lake’s invited guests, please respect and obey the traffic laws during your training practices. Violators will be cited. You are required to carry proper identification at all times. If you are stopped, you must present your identification to the inquiring officer. Failure to do so may result in race disqualification. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Pre-Event Swim Advisement

The swim area will be closed to ALL participants, their family, pets, and friends on Friday, May 20 through Sunday May 22 as the beachfront will be closed. On race day, ONLY TRIATHLETES may

enter water as part of their race; NO OTHER TIME. The swim course is extremely short, and extremely shallow, practice is not necessary.

While we make reasonable efforts to inspect the swim entry and exit points for underwater hazards, the inspection does not take place until just before the swim discipline starts. Keep in mind that this is a natural body of water and is subject to hidden hazards including, but not limited to: currents, underwater obstructions, tides, rip currents and indigenous marine life.

Race Day Information

Mandatory Bike Check-In

Mandatory bike check-in for The Rat Snake athletes is on Saturday, May 21 from 6:00am to 7:45am. NOT THE NIGHT BEFORE. While bikes are stored in transition, athletes will be allowed to cover their seats and handlebars only from inclement weather. Full bike covers ARE NOT ALLOWED as it presents a safety hazard to volunteers and other competitors. Full bike covers will be removed from any bikes left in transition once bike check-in is over. Shoes and bike helmet may be clipped or attached to the bicycle. You will not be able to remove your bike from the transition area until the race is complete by all competitors. Please arrive in transition on race morning with plenty of time to set up your gear.

Race Day Parking Athlete Parking:

Parking is available at Gilbert State Park, at the beach parking for all athletes beginning at 5:30 a.m. on race morning. If the beach parking lot becomes full, you will be directed to Brigg’s Pavilion lot on the other side of Gilbert Lake (unlikely). Please plan accordingly and allow yourself plenty of time on race morning. We also recommend all athletes who are camping at Gilbert Lake State Park to utilize the beach parking lot. Spectator Parking: All spectators are also allowed to park at the beach parking lot starting at 5:30am on race morning. Please make the effort to arrive before 9am on Saturday, May 21 race day, as we want as little traffic on the roads as possible due to runners and bikers. Thank you. ALL TRAFFIC ENTERING THE PARK WILL BE GUIDED TO THE RIGHT AT THE “Y” AFTER ENTERING THE PARK. PLEASE

PROCEED TO THE BEACH PARKING LOT FROM THERE.

Race Morning Check-In Procedure

The transition area will be on the lawn behind the beachfront at the far end of Gilbert Lake as you enter the park. You must bear right at the “Y” and follow the signs to the “beach” when you enter Gilbert Lake State Park. Remember to bring your bike and run gear. Bike technicians and pumps will NOT be available in the transition area race morning. Do not number yourself expecting to bypass check-in. Bib numbers will be handed out with timing chips, athletes are responsible for ensuring that they have their bib numbers. The transition area closes at 7:45 a.m. All athletes must be out of transition and headed to the race start before this time.

Morning Clothes Bag

Prior to the start on race morning, place any items you may need after you finish your trail run leg of the triathlon either in the transition area next to your bike, or in the bathhouse if you plan on changing for the bike portion. The bathhouse has toilets and showers for your convenience. You will be able to retrieve your items following the race. Please do not place anything of value in your morning clothes bag. You can drop your clothes bag off at either area any time before you make your way to the run start.

Aid Stations

THERE WILL BE NO AID STATIONS IN ANY PART OF THIS RACE. You may leave a special needs bag for the trail run in front of the bathhouse where the guardrail indents towards the water. Tables with be marked “Special Needs” where you can place your fuel. During the bike portion, you are responsible for your own fuel and drink.

Bicycle & Gear Recovery

You are required to reclaim your bicycle and gear at the transition area after the race. If you are unable to personally claim your bike and gear, please inform the race director or a volunteer. Tell them your race number and who will be getting the bike. Bike check-out is from 2p.m. - 4 p.m. Please note that you will not be able to enter transition until all cyclists have finished the bike portion of the race.

Parking Map

Run Course 18K

The start of the Rat Snake 18K trail run will be across the street from

the beach drop off parking lot. The run for both the reverse triathlon

and the trail run will be the same 18 kilometer trail course with many

rocks, roots, dirt, mud, grass, water crossings, and some pavement.

It will be a 2 loop track that will allow athletes to store fuel in a

special needs area so that they do not have to carry all of their

energy needs during the run. With the course being 2 laps, it also

makes it spectator friendly as the athletes will venture out of the

woods 2 times passing the beachfront area where the start/finish

will be located.

It begins with a gradual uphill for about a mile. From there, a quick

right, and a quick left up another hill to Spring Pond. You will run

around the front of the pond and enter back into the woods. From

there, and long decent will begin with some steep sections, a water

crossing, and sharp turns. Please mind your surroundings! Once you

reach the end of the trial, you will make a right toward Twin Fawns

Lake. As you pass this lake, you will gradually rise again for a mile or

so. There will be another decent back into the cabin colony where

you will follow the road that leads to the beachfront. A quarter mile

or so on this road, you will make a sharp right onto the trail that

leads to the Hill Top campground. This windy path is extremely steep

with a special surprise just before you peak. As you reach the

campground, make a left and follow the pavement to the trail that

leads down to Gilbert Lake. The trail will have some steep sections,

with a road crossing before you reach the main trail that goes around

the lake. Make a right at the bottom of this trail and follow it around

the end of the lake. You will make a gradual climb at the end of the

lake, and branch off to the right towards the Large Shelter. Follow

the pavement driveway from the shelter down to the main road.

Make a left. Go a couple of tenths, and make another left that leads

to the Gilbert Lake trail. Once on the main lake trail again, bear right

and follow the trail to the bathhouse. In front of the bathhouse will

be the special needs area where you can pick up more fuel and drink.

Continue in front of the bath house, make a right turn just past it

following the cement path. Bear left on the pavement path heading

back toward the race start. Begin your second and final loop.

Trail runners will finish at the beachfront. Triathletes will continue to either the transition area, or into the bathhouse to clean up and change for the bike portion. Toilets and showers are available for your convenience.

Trail Run Map

Trail Run Elevation Map

Bike Course 29 Miles

The bike course will leave the transition area from the beachfront

and out the park main entrance making a left on County Route 12

south. This intersection will be controlled by uniformed state park

police.

Bikers will travel for approximately 2.5 miles until they reach

Balantic Hill Road. At this intersection, they will turn left onto

Balantic Hill Road and go up and over the mountain down to County

Route 11.

At the intersection of Balantic Hill Road and County Route 11, bikers

will turn right and travel approximately 0.1 miles. Bikers will then

make a left onto County Route 11a and travel 0.2 miles.

At the intersection of County Road 11a and State Highway 205, the

bikers will turn right and head south on 205. This intersection will be

controlled by a uniformed police officer. Bikers continue on 205

south for approximately 6 miles.

Bikers will turn right onto State Highway 23 west. This intersection

will be controlled by a uniformed police officer. The bike course then

proceeds for approximately 15 miles into the village of Morris.

At the intersection of 23 west and County Route 51, bikers will turn

north, right, onto 51. This intersection will be controlled by a

uniformed police officer.

After travelling approximately 4 miles northbound on county route

51, bikers will then make a right at the intersection of route 51 and

County Route 12, heading southbound. This intersection will have

orange cones to slow traffic.

Bikers will continue on route 12 for approximately 4 miles until they

reach the entrance of Gilbert Lake State Park. There, bikers will

make a left into the park; bear left at the “y” before the lake, and

continue to the beachfront. Here, they will reach the transition area

and dismount.

Bike Course Map

Bike Course Elevation Map

Swim Course 26 Yards

The race will proceed to the swim course, which is in Gilbert Lake.

Athletes will run from the transition to the beach area, enter the lake

for a 13 yard out and back swim. They will then continue to the finish

at the beachfront.

Swim Course Map

Local Traffic Laws Please remember that members of the local community use the bike course roads. Realize that you are an ambassador for the sport and the event and the impact of your actions is far reaching. When you’re out riding the course, please adhere to local traffic laws and go the extra mile to be courteous and respectful to the residents of the local community. When training and racing, please follow these suggestions:

Please ride single file. This is not just for your safety but also to ensure local drivers can get where they need to go without delay and frustration.

Please obey traffic laws (stop at stop signs, signal when turning, etc.).

Please do not use private property as a toilet. There are plenty of local stores along the way with public bathrooms – please use them!

Please do not litter. Keep your energy bar and gel wrappers with you until you find a trashcan.

Please ask your friends and family members to refrain from painting the roads along the course.

This defaces public property and is a punishable offense.

Every time a cyclist has an altercation with a driver, that driver sees every cyclist on the road as the enemy. Every time a cyclist is courteous to a driver, that driver will give every cyclist on the road that much more respect and courtesy in return. Please think before you act.

Tech Tips & Other Details

Bike inspection is not mandatory and will not be provided at bike check-in, and technicians will NOT be available. Athletes are ultimately responsible for their own bikes. However, race officials may, at their discretion, make final judgment as to the soundness of the bikes. Prior to bike check-in, be sure your bar-end plugs are in place and you have no loose spokes, brakes, headsets, stripped cables, etc. Adjust the hubs and position handlebars correctly. Ensure that cables and tires are in good condition and sew-up tires are glued properly onto the rims. Securely fasten all equipment you may carry with you on race day. To avoid an unexpected flat tire, wait until race morning to inflate your tires to their proper air

pressure. There will be NO pumps available in the transition area on race morning so we recommend you bring your own. You must give your pump to a family member or friend before the race start for storage. For security and safety reasons, bikes will not be allowed out of the transition area once they are brought in. On race day, a SAG vehicle will patrol the course to aid in emergencies and MAYBE simple repairs.

Post-Race Information

Awards Ceremony

The awards ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m. (pending final finisher and if awards have been donated!) in the large shelter by the playground and boathouse on the beach front. This will be a time for the celebration of everyone’s participation and accomplishments of the day. The MAIN purpose of this event!!!

Food

Post-race food and beverage will be open from 2 p.m. until the food and beverages are gone. This too will be located at the large shelter. Anyone wishing to have beer must present I.D. to prove that they are 21 or older. THE BEER IS FREE!

Race Photography

We may have volunteer taking random photos throughout the race. These photos will be online after the race for your viewing. If you wish to obtain copies of pictures, the race director will get you in touch with the photographer.

Lost & Found

Lost and Found will be at Gilbert Lake State Park office at the park entrance.

Medical Facility

The bathhouse hosts the medical facility as all the first aid for the lifeguard station is there. An EMT will be on site as well to aid in medical treatment. The first aid area of the lifeguard station is for athletes only and family members are not allowed. Overcrowding in the medical area prevents the medical staff from doing their job. For information on an athlete receiving medical treatment at the lifeguard station, please wait in the lifeguard station’s lounge.

Rules

Event Sanction and Rules

*NOTE: ANY VERBAL ABUSE OF MARSHALS, RACE OFFICIALS, RAT SNAKE STAFF OR VOLUNTEERS IS GROUNDS FOR IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION.

Rules Applying To All Segments of Race

It is the athlete’s responsibility to know all aspects of the run, bike, and swim.

Participants are expected to follow directions and instructions of all course marshals and public authorities.

Race officials shall have authority to disqualify any contestant.

Medical personnel shall have ULTIMATE and FINAL authority to remove a contestant from the race if the contestant is judged to be physically incapable of continuing the race without risk of serious injury or death. Medical transport of any contestant will result in disqualification.

Fraud, theft, abusive treatment of volunteers, staff or others and acts of poor sportsmanship are grounds for immediate disqualification and will result in contestant being suspended from the Rat Snake in following years.

Bike

1. Cycling conduct and specifications are consistent with USAT rules.

2. Race officials reserve the right to reject any bike not meeting safety standards.

3. Equipment must otherwise conform to all other general rules for bicycles as it pertains to the Rat Snake competition, including no add-on device(s) that may reduce wind resistance or enhance aerodynamics of the bicycle, regardless of any secondary benefit. 4. Participant is required to maintain control of his/her bicycle

and to operate at a reasonable speed so as not to threaten the safety and well being of aid station volunteers, other competitors, race officials and spectators. Operation of a bicycle in a dangerous or reckless manner will be grounds for disqualification. 5. A CPSC-approved helmet is required during the entire bike segment including in and out of the transition area. Any athlete riding without an approved helmet or chinstrap fastened will be disqualified. 6. DRAFTING IS PROHIBITED.

General Information

1. Unauthorized outside aid/support or escorts are grounds for disqualification. Handlers must be approved prior to the race and will work directly with the race director. The expected conduct of all handlers is consistent with USAT rules. 2. All athletes must attend a pre-race briefing. Failure to attend a scheduled briefing may result in forfeiture of a start spot. Check the Schedule of Events for briefing times and location. 3. The Rat Snake reserves the right to modify the above rules as necessary, as long as such changes are communicated to the athlete in writing or at a pre-race briefing. 4. Any rule interpretation or enforcement made by the Rat Snake shall be final.

Triathlon Team Relay Information 1. Only 2-3 members to a team. Gender does not matter; you

can have all of one or a mixed gender team. 2. Only 1 person does one loop of the run course (1 runner per

loop=2 runners in the team), meaning that 2 of the 3 members are runners. The 3rd member does the whole bike course solo.

3. Outside assistance is governed by the above rules. There will still be no aid or assistance offered to teams.

4. Timing chip strap must be handed off from first runner to second runner at the “special needs” table. Timing chip will

then be handed off from second runner to biker. Biker will keep the timing chip for remainder of the race.

5. When biker finishes their leg, ALL 3 members of the team must do swim portion, touch the buoy, and finish TOGETHER or else the whole team is disqualified.

Anti-Doping Regulations

If you have to dope to compete, you should not compete.

Medical Information

All medical expenses incurred are the sole responsibility of the athlete and not The Rat Snake. Failure to meet financial responsibility to local medical facilities will result in suspension of future participation at The Rat Snake until accounts are settled. Particular dangers include dehydration, hyponatremia, sunburn, exhaustion and injuries sustained from accidents. Please ask for medical help if you have the slightest hint you may need it. You will not be penalized for receiving a medical evaluation. You will be withdrawn from the race only if you require transportation, IV fluids or if medical personnel feel your continued participation could result in serious harm or death. During events of extreme endurance, the body’s pain threshold is raised, and you may be in more trouble than you realize. The medical personnel will do all they can to keep you in the race and assure a safe finish. Also, please be attentive when taking water and sponges from volunteers when you’re on your bike to avoid the possibility of accident or injury to yourself or another. Please trim your fingernails and toenails prior to the start of the race to avoid injury to other athletes. If you spend three months prior to the event in a climate cooler than New York we suggest you consider an acclimation period before the race. The chance of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance can be reduced significantly by a proper period of acclimation. Stay with your familiar and proven routine regarding training, nutrition, and

equipment, especially just prior to the race. This also applies to pre-race dietary intake and medications. It is recommended you avoid an extreme elimination diet. Adequate salt intake during training and during the event is especially important.

If you are taking any medications, or have any medical problem that may influence your performance or your treatment in the event of an injury, advise us of all necessary details well in advance of race day. At athlete check-in, you are required to notify the medical team, in writing, if there is any change in your medical status/ condition after your application has been processed. Failure to do so will result in suspension of participation in future Rat Snake events. We can never over emphasize the importance of hydrating prior to and during the event. We urge you to begin hydrating heavily several days before the race and drink enough water so your urine is clear, colorless and copious by race day.

****PLEASE NOTE: Full disclosure of medical condition(s), general health and surgical procedures within the previous 12 months is required. Medical consultation/clearance may be necessary from an attending physician prior to participating in the event. In all cases, the final decision of medical consideration is at the discretion of the Rat Snake race director.

Best of luck and we’ll see you at the finish line!