Racer Info Package

Race Date: October 24

Welcome to S3 Ultra. This is a brand new event that we have created that complies with new COVID-19 regulations.

 

We live and play in Crowsnest Pass so we are constantly reminded that the S3 Ultra course is truly magnificent. The race combines some of the best trails in the area with viewpoints and scenery that only a few people ever get to enjoy. Although it's shorter than most of our events, this race is not for the weak of heart. We cannot stress enough the fact that this race is incredibly difficult. The weather can vary widely in October.

 

This document is made up of information found throughout our website, but it is all on one convenient page so that you can review it easily. It was written with the über-planner in mind, so we hope it covers all of the details. We want to provide an amazing experience from start to finish. We’re racers too and know it can be frustrating if something seems to be missing or vague. Contact us at any time and we will be happy to answer your questions or clarify race details for you.

 

Thank you again for signing up and we look forward to seeing you at the race.

 

Brian Gallant
Race Director
(403) 563.5766

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT CROWSNEST PASS

  – Accommodation Information

DIRECTIONS TO THE RACE

  – Air Travel

  – Getting Around

HOST SITE INFORMATION

  – Race Package Pick-up

  – Start Line

  – Dogs

RACE WEEKEND AGENDA

  – Pre-Race Meeting

  – Post-Race Awards

RACE INFORMATION

  – Safety

  – Medical and Health Concerns

  – Wildlife Encounters

  – Cutoff and Start Times

  – Race Start and Finish

  – Transition Areas

  – Drop Bags

  – Checkpoints

  – Course Markers

  – Food and Water on Course

  – Race Rules

  – Recommended Gear

  – Restricted / Prohibited Items

ROUTE MAPS + DESCRIPTIONS

SUPPORT CREW INFORMATION

  – Support Crew’s Role

  – Support Vehicles + Driving

  – Driving Directions

  – Medical Help

  – Stuff to Bring

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ABOUT CROWSNEST PASS

Crowsnest Pass may be Alberta's best-kept secret. Located in the southwestern corner of the province, the Pass is nestled into the Rocky Mountains just outside of the Continental Divide. Home to stunning views, abundant wildlife, challenging terrain, and a supportive community, it was only natural to bring the S3 Ultra to the area.

 

In the early days, the Pass was a community focused on resources. The extraction of coal and timber drew many people to the area, who then settled into one of the many towns now making up the district. Although faced with many tragedies, such as the Frank Slide of 1903 and the Hillcrest Mining Disaster of 1914, Crowsnest Pass became a well-populated and thriving community. Today the community is made up of the neighbourhoods of Bellevue, Hillcrest, Frank, Blairmore, and Coleman. The ruins of former towns, like Lille, stand in testament to the legacy of the area.

 

Supported by a strong volunteer base, Crowsnest Pass offers many amenities to its visitors and residents. Attractions such as the Frank Slide Interpretive Center, the Crowsnest Museum, and the Bellevue Underground Mine welcome visitors for daily tours.

 

Crowsnest Pass offers boundless recreational opportunities.  Whether your interest is running, mountain biking, rock climbing, ice climbing, scrambling, road biking, white water paddling, cross country skiing, snowboarding, downhill skiing, or fly-fishing, there are endless opportunities to get out and play.

 

Accommodation Information

Book your accommodations early; rooms fill up fast here in the summer. You will be hard pressed to find a bed after January. We have a user generated accommodation database: http://www.sinister7.com/accommodations.php. Listings are posted for both home-stays and formal accommodations. This database will grow throughout the year so keep checking back.

 

Most of the accommodations in the community are B&Bs and Holiday Homes. Please visit the Crowsnest Pass Holiday Home Association website: http://www.crowsnestpassholidayhomes.com/.

 

If you cannot find a room and you do not mind driving a little further, also check in the towns of Fernie, Sparwood, and Pincher Creek.

 

DIRECTIONS TO THE RACE

Air Travel

The closest airports to Crowsnest Pass are in Calgary and Lethbridge, Alberta or Cranbrook, British Columbia. A wide variety or domestic and international carriers service Calgary International Airport. Both Calgary and Cranbrook airports are approximately a two and a half hour drive from Crowsnest Pass and Lethbridge is one and a half hours, however fewer airlines fly there.

 

Getting Around

Please use this map for basic driving directions to Crowsnest Pass and the key locations on the course. We will also have driving directions available at Registration.

HOST SITE INFORMATION

Race Package Pick-up

Race package pick-up and sign in will be held in a tent in the field adjacent to Isabelle Sellon School.

 

Race 1 Package Pickup:

• Friday, October 23 – 5:00pm-9:00pm

Race 2

• Friday, October 23 – 5:00pm-9:00pm
• Saturday, October 24 – 1:00pm-9:00pm

You will also check in drop-bags, if necessary, at this time. We do not accept drop-bags on Saturday morning.

 

Start Line

The race start is located on 20th Avenue in Blairmore, in front of Gazebo Park. This is just to the east of the centre access to the area. Several blocks will be shut off to vehicles to allow us to have the start here. Please look at the map for parking areas. We suggest that you park at the Albert Stella Memorial Arena (TA2/Finish) or in the green space north of there on 19th Avenue, and walk over from there – it is only a few blocks and there is a lot more room in this area.

 

Dogs

We love dogs (we have two) but they can cause a great deal of disruption for racers and create extra mess that is not appropriate around the areas that make up the host sites. If you do bring your dog, it must be on leash at all times around the host site and all transition areas throughout the race. Dogs are not allowed near the food areas at TAs, inside the Albert Stella Memorial Arena, or inside Crowsnest Sports Complex at any time.

RACE WEEKEND AGENDA

 

General

• Thursday, October 22, 2020
  • 7:00pm – Racer Briefing (online)

• Friday, October 23, 2020
  • 5:00pm-9:00pm – Racer Check-in
• Saturday, October 24, 2020
  • 7:00am – Race Start
  • 9:15pm – Course Closes
• Sunday, October 24, 2020
  • 9:00am – Awards (online)

 

Pre-Race Meeting

All racers should plan to attend the pre-race meeting on Thursday. It will be held online and recorded so you can watch it later. We will talk about the course, safety, and any last minute changes that may occur due to trail conditions, weather, or animal activity.

 

Post-Race Awards

The awards will also be hosted online. If you win a prize, it will be mailed to you.

RACE INFORMATION

Be prepared; the S3 Ultra will throw a lot at you. We do not want to downplay the intensity or severity of this race in any way. You need to be ready through training and planning.

 

During the race, you will be in some very isolated areas and may not have immediate access to facilities, or assistance of any sort. The weather is sure to play a factor in this race, and you may even see some snow. S3 Ultra is as mentally demanding as it is physically grueling. When you have been running for hours on end, your mind will give you a million reasons to quit - you have to decide that it is more important to finish.

 

We cannot stress enough that you will need to be self sufficient when you are out there and the help you receive on course is very limited.

 

Please note that any course descriptions in this document are subject to change due to environmental factors, weather, and animal activity. We will do our best to update you if changes arise prior to the race but we will confirm all of the details at the pre-race meeting.

 

Safety

You will be running in remote wilderness, and the chance of injury is very real so prepare to be self-sufficient. We hire top-notch medical staff but they cannot be everywhere at once. If you are injured out on the course, be ready to hunker down for a few hours until a course sweeper or medic comes by. If you are injured but able to move, try and make it to the nearest Transition Area or Checkpoint. If not, try and send word with another racer. Race marshals on foot, bike, and ATV will sweep the course approximately one hour after all runners have started the leg. Please take the time to read the Emergency Protocol document on our website.

 

There are definitely bears and cougars in the area. If there is reported activity around the course prior to, or during the race, we may modify the course. We cannot predict random animal activity so please stay alert.

 

If you drop out of the race, it is essential that you contact the race directors at either the nearest Transition Area or the race HQ (Albert Stella Memorial Arena / TA2 Finish). If you do not, we will assume you are lost or injured and we will be out looking for you. If we mobilize a search party, you will be charged for any search and rescue fees that are incurred as this takes up valuable resources. Please just take a few minutes to check in. Even if you do drop out, we want you to join us at the awards lunch so you can share your stories and let us wish you on your way.

 

Medical and Health Concerns

If you have a medical condition or take medications that may affect your race in any way, you should consult your doctor before competing. We will have medical staff on site to help with first aid, search and rescue, and emergency transport only.  They will not assess if you are capable to run. If you do have a condition that our medics need to know about, please fill out the Medical Form on our website. This is confidential and only used by our medics in case of emergency.

 

Wildlife Encounters

Every year we get a report of a racer seeing a bear or cougar on the couse. The reality is that most encounters with these animals rarely lead to aggressive behaviour and attacks are even rarer. Bears especially prefer to avoid contact with humans, and any animal you do see is probably just as frightened as you are.

 

The best way to prevent an unpleasant encounter is to avoid them all together. Bears and cougars usually avoid people, and most people don’t even know when they’ve come close to an animal. To ensure a surprise or unpleasant encounter doesn’t occur, try to remain with other runners as much as possible and make lots of noise by talking or singing. Put the iPod away and pay attention to your surroundings.

 

If you do encounter a bear or cougar, pepper spray and bear bangers can be useful IF you know how to use them. Remain calm. Stay together if you are in a group; you will appear larger and more intimidating if you stick together. Identify yourself by speaking in a calm, appeasing tone. Back away slowly, preferably in the direction you came. Walk, don’t run, and keep your eye on the bear so you can see how it will react. In most cases, the animal will flee.

 

To learn more about bear encounters, check out these BearSmart guidelines, or the Alberta Bear Smart brochure. For cougar information, read the Alberta Cougar safety brochure.

 

Cutoff and Start Times

You have 14 hours to complete S3 Ultra. After that, you will not be able to continue the race. Each leg also has a cutoff time; you must keep up with these times or you will not be able to finish in 14 hours. In addition, you must also start each leg by a specified time or you will not be allowed to continue.

 

Race Start and Finish

The start area is located in front of Gazebo Park in Blairmore. Parking for the start is located at the Albert Stella Memorial Arena, and along the railroad tracks just off of 20th avenue. The finish area is located in the fields at Isabelle Sellon School in Blairmore.

 

Transition Areas

Between each stage of the race is a Transition Area (TA) where you will be able to access supplies, meet your support crew, and take a break in relative comfort. TAs will also have some basic facilities such as portable washrooms, snacks, and water.

 

When you finish a leg, there will be a chute that you will follow in order to check in, get your time, and continue on the next leg. These chutes are extremely visible and will have large signs stating the end of the leg and where to go for the start of the next leg. Staff and volunteers will be waiting at the chutes to assist you if required. Some TAs are used multiple times so it is critical that you follow instructions in order to avoid confusion. We know you will be tired and probably delirious, but please be aware of the signs.

 

Drop Bags

All racers are allowed to have a drop bag at each TA. Drop bags are placed at the following locations:

• TA1
• TA2 (also the Finish)

Look at the course and plan your drop bags accordingly. We will provide labels for your bags at racer registration. Racers must submit their drop bags on Friday before the race. No bags will be accepted the day of your race. Bags will be placed in a line at the TA in numeric order but mistakes happen, so make your gear noticeable. Use a weatherproof bag, as we may not be able to shelter this gear. We also will not transfer drop bags, or any gear, from place to place so put what you need where you want it. If you feel you can get by without support or drop bags at every location, this is perfectly acceptable. Bags must be small enough to move by one person, and weigh less than 10kg.

 

Drop bags are intended to act in lieu of a support crew.  If you have a support crew, please do not leave a drop bag with us unless absolutely necessary. Any gear left with us will be returned at the end of the race.

 

You can find driving directions to TAs here.

 

Checkpoints

The course is further divided by several Checkpoints (CPs) staffed by race marshals. These locations are typically remote and act as safety points. All CPs are equipped with a radio and some have emergency supplies. You can expect at least one checkpoint per leg and the distances vary.

 

Course Markers

The S3 Ultra course will be well marked with flagging, paint, reflective markers for night sections, and coloured direction signs. There should be no guesswork when it comes to following the proper route. We cannot flag every 100m of the course but we will put markers in critical areas. All trail and road junctions will have a number of markers to eliminate any doubt as to the right direction.

 

We will talk about course markings at the racer meeting. Remember: It is still up to you to stay alert and watch for these signs. We will do our best to make them frequent and visible, but the rest is up to you. We highly recommend reviewing the route on our website and making a visit to the area to run the course ahead of time. If you have a GPS, the routes are available for download on our website at http://www.sinister7.com/s3/course.

 

Food and Water on Course

We will have pre-packaged bags snacks available at all TAs and CPs. TA2 will also have some hot soup and hot chocolate. There are no buffet-style stations anymore due to COVID-19, so the bags are take-it-or-leave-it. We also will have bottles of water. Don't try to take just some - take-it-or-leave-it. Any CP that is accessible by road will also have water and snack food.

 

We recommend that you be prepared to drink from streams or rivulets if you need water when higher up in the mountains. The water in the area is generally clean, and besides, illnesses like Beaver Fever take about two weeks to manifest symptoms so you should be fine for the duration of the race!

 

Also note that all food and supplies are for racers and volunteers only. Racers must exit the CP or TA area before consuming food or liquids.

 

Race Rules

Updated October 12, 2020 (Cutoff Time Clarification)

Definitions

• Competitor: Someone who is registered in the race, has checked in and signed a waiver, and is designated to compete in the race
• CP: Checkpoint, also "Water Station" or "Aid Station".
• Disqualified/DQ: A competitor that has not completed a mandatory section of the race, or has been removed from the event by Race Administration.
• DNF: Did Not Finish, also "Disqualified".
• DNS: Did Not Start, also "Disqualified".
• Leg: Also "Stage"; any one of the three sections of the race that ends in a Transition Area or the Finish.
• Pacer: A runner who is enlisted specifically to assist a Competitor finish a stage of the race.
• Solo: An individual running all stages of the race on their own.
• TA: Transition Area; a large aid station where runners may receive support.

Race Rules

1. Competitors are required to check in at registration by 21:00 hrs on the day prior to the race, and sign a waiver and a COVID-19 declaration provided by Sinister Sports Inc. A competitor is considered DNS without a signed waiver.
2. Racers are allowed to leave a drop bag with Race Administration when the check in the day before the race. The bag must be small and light enough to be carried easily by one person and weigh less than 10kg. See the Racer Information Package for drop bag instructions.
3. Competitors are responsible for their own medical coverage and all costs incurred by any form of rescue services, treatment, or hospitalization if they are injured during the race. If emergency evacuation is required, the cost will be the responsibility of the individual in need of assistance. This includes the cost of airlifting and helicopter or ground search if required.
4. Timing + Duration:
   1. Timing will be based on mat time, not gun time (your time starts when you cross the start mat).
   2. All competitors have 14 hours from their start time to complete the course and receive an official ranking.
5. There are two race days: Saturday and Sunday. Racers must compete on the day that they selected when registering.
6. Start Times:
   1. There will be three Start Groups; 07:00, 07:30, and 08:00 hrs.
   2. Competitors will register for one of the start times and must not show up until 15 minutes before that start time.
   3. Waves of ten (10) competitors for a start group will start every minute until all competitors are on the course.
   4. Each wave is self-seeding; the closest ten competitors will be selected to enter the start area.
   5. Competitors must start within 5 minutes of the final wave (at approximately 07:15 hrs). Late starters may be removed from the course or shuttled ahead and marked as Unranked at the discretion of the Race Director.
7. Finish Time:
   1. The course closes at 22:30 hrs each day.
   2. Racers not finished by this time, or go over the 14-hour time limit, will be considered Over Time Limit (OTL) and do not receive a regulation time. Also see #4 Timing + Duration.
8. Each leg of the race has a cutoff, and competitors must start the next leg by the time listed. If a competitor cannot finish their leg by this time, they may be instructed to pull out of the race. Cutoff times are also available on the course page of the website.
   1. TA1: Racers must start Leg 2 within 3 hours and 30 minutes of their individual Start Time.
   2. TA2: Racers must start Leg 3 within 8 hours of their individual Start Time.
9. The only means of travel on the course is self-powered and on foot (running, walking, crawling); using any other means of travel will result in disqualification.
10. The timing chip is property of Sinister Sports, or it's suppliers, and must be returned at the end of the race. Not returning a timing chip may result in the competitor's results not being published. If the competitor loses their timing chip, they must reimburse Sinister Sports for the cost of the chip.
11. A timing chip and bib number must be worn while on the course or the competitor is not considered a participant in the race. The bib must be worn on the front of your body so that it is visible to race marshals.
12. Competitors must check in at all CPs and TAs. Your number and time will be recorded before you continue on the course.
13. The course is marked and runners must adhere to the designated route; any deviance or short cuts will result in disqualification. During any road sections, competitors may only cross highways and roadways at designated, marshaled locations when safe to do so.
14. If any act of nature or uncontrollable incident takes place that inhibits your progress on the course (eg: train crossing, rockslide) no time credit will be given; these factors are a part of the race.
15. Competitors are allowed assistance (eg: support crew, volunteer, race marshal, or bystander) only at designated locations. Accepting assistance outside a TA from anyone besides a registered competitor, or race medic, will result in disqualification. Competitors may receive food and drink from volunteers at CPs. You can receive assistance from appointed race medics anywhere on the course provided that the assistance is not in the form of transportation.
16. Competitors are not allowed to cache food or gear along the course except at designated Transition Areas. For example, a friend cannot go to a CP and leave supplies for you there, nor can they stash it on the course.
17. Competitors are not allowed to use pacers. Competitors may run with a other solo competitors who are competing on the same leg of the race, and have not been marked as DQ or DNS, and any other instances will result in disqualification.*
18. Littering on the course is unacceptable and will result in immediate disqualification.
19. Any competitor found using, or supplying performance-enhancing drugs to other competitors, will be disqualified and permanently barred from all Sinister Sports events. See http://list.wada-ama.org/ for banned substances. Sinister Sports Inc. respects any existing bans and will comply with any investigation undertaken by anti-doping agencies.
20. Headphones must be removed in a Checkpoint or Transition Area. Not doing so may result in disqualification at the discretion of the Race Director. If used on course, only one earbud should be worn and the volume kept at an acceptable level so that you can hear your surroundings without disturbing other competitors.
21. Any competitor that drops out of the race must notify the nearest race marshal or director at the earliest opportunity. Do not drop out of the race without telling race officials as this will result in a costly search and you may be billed.
22. Medical staff and/or Race Directors may remove any competitor from the racecourse if they feel it is unsafe for the competitor to proceed (eg: natural hazards, hypothermia, dehydration, frostbite, debilitating injury, unprepared for weather events).
23. COVID-19 Regulations:
    1. The competitor must agree to NOT attend if:
       1. They have a fever of 38 degrees Celsius or above on race day.
       2. They show any persistent signs or symptoms of COVID-19 in the 14 days leading up race day (ex: New continuous cough, fever, change/loss of taste/smell).
       3. They have been in contact with anyone who is confirmed to have COVID-19 in the 14 days leading up to race day.
    2. Competitors must remove themselves from the event and notify Race Administration if they begin to experience symptoms common with COVID-19 during the event.
    3. Competitors must submit to a touchless temperature check, if requested, and sign a COVID-19 declaration.
    4. Only registered racers who are actively competing may enter the start area or TAs.
    5. When entering a TA to pick up food or drop bags, competitors must retrieve the items and leave the fenced area immediately. All eating, change of clothes, and switching gear must be done outside the fenced area. Competitors are not allowed to stage or receive assistance from support crews in the fenced area.
    6. At CPs, competitors must take any food items and leave the area immediately.
    7. Competitors must maintain a 2m distance from other competitors or individuals outside of their cohort group at all times.
    8. Competitors are encouraged to self-support. If the competitor opts to have a support crew, it should be limited in numbers, and they are expected to follow all direction from race administration. Not following these directions will result in the disqualification of the competitor.
    9. Competitors are encouraged to wear masks while in common areas at the race.
24. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated and may result in disqualification at the discretion of the Race Director.
25. Any disputes with the racecourse, race results, course management or the actions of other competitors must be submitted to the Race Director, in writing, within 30 minutes of the end of the race. If not received within this time, complaints will not be considered.
26. The Race Director will determine if there has been a violation of these rules and will be the final authority in assigning penalties.

*Examples:

• A competitor runs with another competitor who is on course (not disqualified) and running that leg. Acceptable
• A competitor enlists a runner who competed earlier in the race or was DQ/DNS, and the runner is not designated to run that specific leg of the race. NOT acceptable - will result in disqualification
• A competitor enlists a runner who is not registered in the race. NOT acceptable - will result in disqualification

Recommended Gear

The weather conditions in the Rockies can change dramatically in a short period of time. A light drizzle combined with 80km winds will cause hypothermia in short order, unless you are properly equipped. Some of the higher areas of the course will still have snow in July. You may be on your own for several hours if something goes wrong.

 

We suggest you carry the following gear. You will be in remote wilderness, and you are responsible for your safety. If you are injured it may be several hours before we can reach you, so you need to be prepared. Do not think it will not happen to you! Weather changes quickly in the mountains, and every year we have racers that DNF due to environmental conditions, so prepare accordingly. You may elect to carry additional gear, like bear spray, at your discretion.

Restricted / Prohibited Items

• Performance-Enhancing Drugs: See Rule #19.
• Headphones (restricted use): See Rule #20
• Dogs: Competitors are not allowed to bring dogs onto the course.

ROUTE MAPS + DESCRIPTIONS

 

Course Map

Descriptions

All distances and elevations have been verified by GPS at maximum 10m point intervals, as per ITRA standards. Difficulty is based on how hard the leg is in comparison to the other legs of the race, in our opinion. Every leg of the race is hard.

SUPPORT CREW INFORMATION

Support Crew’s Role

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we suggest that racers self-support. If you do bring a crew, keep the number of people minimal. Any crew are considered spectators and will be subject to direction from Race Administration. Crew members are not allowed to enter the fenced staging areas.

 

Do not plan on cell phone coverage while in the more remote TAs. Any emergency communications should be done through Race Staff, who are all equipped with a radio. We do not have the ability to track all racers on the course at all times so please refrain from asking for competitor updates.

 

Only bring one vehicle for your crew.

 

Support Vehicles + Driving

TA1 has gravel road access and roadside parking. Only bring one vehicle of reasonable size. You do not need a 4x4 to support this race, but a vehicle with good ground clearance will make it easier on you.

 

TA2 / the Finish are in town and there is access via paved roads.

 

We will have printed copies available at the host site. You are able to drive to all TAs to meet your racer. Once your racer starts on a leg, you should make your way to the next TA and set up for their arrival.

 

Driving Directions to TAs

You can find all of the driving directions online HERE, or pick up a copy at race check-in.

 

Medical Help

If a racer doesn’t look well (delirious, dehydrated, or somehow broken), please contact our staff. The racer will not be disqualified for receiving basic medical aid.

 

Stuff to Bring

Please keep your site simple; in some cases there is not a lot of room. Do not light fires at the TAs. We will have a porta-potty if facilities aren't available. Make sure you have enough gear to keep yourself comfortable during the race. You will be in the mountains and it can get pretty cold at night. There can also be blistering heat during the day. Suggested crew gear: