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August 17, 2011

FROM THE RACE DIRECTOR:  PLEASE BE PATIENT AND READ ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THIS EMAIL. IT CONTAINS INFORMATION ABOUT NEW RACE RULES AND MAY PREVENT YOU FROM RECEIVING A CITATION!

BULLDOG 50K ULTRA RUN
BULLDOG 25K TRAIL RUN

Looks like it will be a great run for the Bulldoggers on Saturday August 27.  The Bulldog fire roads are freshly graded and the creek is up; no dry feet this year!!!

MOST IMPORTANT

#1 CARPOOL!

#2 CARPOOL!!

#3 CARPOOL!!!

We have more runners than parking spaces!   

Please use the BULLDOG TRAIL RUNS FACEBOOK to work out CARPOOL arrangements.  http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=130532148392&v=wall&ref=ts

NEXT MOST IMPORTANT

VOLUNTEERS: Your friends and family are much needed and most welcome to volunteer at the Bulldog races.  Help is needed with finish line, food service, medal distribution, awards ceremony, etc.  Please email Nancy at trailrunvolunteers@yahoo.com if you can help out.

We especially need help, as follows:

~PARKING - 4:30AM-7:30AM @ MCSP
Help with Parking.

~AID STATION #4 - 7:30AM-11:00AM @ MCSP
Normal aid station duties.

~ NEED VOLUNTEERS WITH TRUCKS OR LARGE SUVS: Assistance is needed transporting supplies and volunteers to each aid station on the race course.  If you have a truck, cargo van or large SUV, we would welcome your offer of help.  Two of our aid stations are on paved roads so it will not require driving off road unless you indicate that you are willing.  Requires early A.M. arrival.

We also welcome volunteers to work at the finish line between 8AM and 4PM, depending on your availability.

100-Mile runners will receive documentation for their volunteer time at the Bulldog Races.

DRIVING TO THE RACE SITE:  The CA Highway Patrol is usually out early on race morning.  To avoid being ticketed, please observe speed limits and do not make u-turns on the highways.

RUNNER ARRIVAL TIMES:

50Kers, Please do not attempt to enter the park before 5AM.  We need to get all of our volunteers into the park between 4:30AM and 5:00AM.  If you see vehicles going around the line with their flashers on, they are volunteer vehicles.  Please do not follow them.  Bib pick-up starts at 5:30AM.

25Kers, Please do not attempt to enter the park before 6AM.  You need to let the volunteers and 50Kers get in the park first.  If you must arrive early, please park outside the park and wait in your car. Bib pick-up starts at 6:30AM.

PARKING INSIDE THE PARK:  Parking inside the park is $12.00 per vehicle at the gate.  If you possess a state parks season pass, it is good for this event.  National Parks passes are not good at State Parks.  Please display parking placards visibly on your dashboard at all times while parked inside the park.

We have a systematic plan to expedite parking. Please have your $12.00 parking fee ready before you approach the park. Please bring exact change.  As you turn into the park entrance, you will be met by a race monitor who will collect the parking fee. You will move forward a short distance where another race monitor will give you a parking placard. Please remember to display your parking placard visibly on your dashboard. From there you will be instructed to follow the directions of the parking monitors who will guide you to the proper parking section. Please do not choose your own parking space; park only where they tell you to. This is the only way to insure that every space will be used and that you dont receive a parking violation for parking out of a space. 25K runners, please be aware that we will briefly stop traffic at 6:30AM, to allow the start of the 50K.

FREE PARKING is available OUTSIDE THE PARK as follows:

SITE #1:  Corners of Las Virgenes Road and Mulholland Highway: You may park on three corners of Las Virgenes Road and Mulholland Highway, on the dirt.  Parking on these corners is "head-in-parking".  Please park systematically to allow more space for others.  Please note there are some no parking signs posted in some sections.  Please use the crosswalks at the traffic signal to cross the street.   

SITE #2:  Las Virgenes Road street parking East of Mulholland Highway: Some parallel street parking is available on Las Virgenes Road to the east of Mulholland Highway (thats on the side toward the 101 freeway).  Please use the crosswalks at the traffic signal to cross the street.   

SITE #3:  Mulholland Highway North of Las Virgenes Road: There is plenty of parallel street parking on both sides of Mulholland Highway to the north of Las Virgenes Road.  Just follow Las Virgenes Road to the north, cross over the bridge, and park on either side of the road.

SITE #4:  Parking lot on Las Virgenes Road, East of Mulholland Highway:  There is a large Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area sign on the north side of Las Virgenes Road just before you come to Mulholland Highway (at the flashing light).  There is a fairly good amount of space for parking here and at last inspection, there were no signs prohibiting parking.  Please park in systematic rows starting in the back of the lot, working toward the front of the lot; should accommodate about 50 cars with this method.  From these corners, it is less than a 5-minute walk toward the west to enter Malibu Creek State Park.   Please use the crosswalks at the traffic signal to cross the street.   

SITE #5: There is quite a large shopping center at Albertsons Market down on Agoura Road, just west of Las Virgenes Road. You might consider CARPOOLING from this location.  The Starbucks here opens at 5AM!

DIRECTIONS TO BASE CAMP (START/FINISH):

From the Ventura Freeway (Hwy 101):                                                 
~ Exit Las Virgenes Road - go south. 
~ Continue approximately 3 miles, past Mulholland Drive.                                                                                             
~ Turn right into Malibu Creek State Park. 
~ If you hit Piuma Rd., youve gone too far...turn around and go back!                                                                                                       
From Pacific Coast Hwy:
                                                                                                     
~ Go North on Malibu Canyon (directly south of Pepperdine University).   
~ Continue approximately 5 miles, past Piuma Rd (past Tapia Park).   
~ Turn left into Malibu Creek State Park.   
~ If you hit Mulholland Dr., youve gone too far...turn around and go back!
                                                                                               
PARK GATES will open at 4:30am for Volunteers only.  50K runners may not enter the park until 5AM.  Please do not line up at the park entrance before 5AM because it will back up traffic on Las Virgenes Road and will really piss off the park rangers; not a good way to start the day.

RACE BIBS:  The 50K and 25K will have different color bibs.   We require bib pick up in person on race morning, per the times above.  Bib pick up on race morning is the only guaranteed way to know exactly who is out on the course.   Please allow ample time to pick up your bib and prepare to start the race.  Please do not remove the pull tab from the bottom of your race bib.  Runners who do not have a pull tab on the race bib at the finish line will not be official finishers.

The 50K bib pick-up starts at 5:30AM.  Please bring proof of race registration (Active confirmation or canceled check). All 50K drop bags should be brought to the bib pick up area.

The 25K bib pick-up starts at 6:30AM. (Active confirmation or canceled check). Please do not attempt to pick up any 25K bibs before 6:30.

BIB PICK UP LINES WILL FORM AS FOLLOWS:
LINES GO FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

Line #1:  Last Name A -- D
Line #2:  Last Name E -- L
Line #3:  Last Name M -- R
Line #4:  Last Name S -- Z

RACE START TIMES:

50K start 6:30 AM -- (9-hour time limit for 50K)  No early starts: Course closes at 3:30 PM.                 

25K start 7:30 AM -- (8-hour time limit for 25K)  No early starts: Course closes at 3:30 PM. 

50K -- THE COURSE:   Start and finish at base camp.  Double loop course totaling 30.70 miles per 2001 Tom Harrison Maps.

STATIONS AND CUT-OFF TIMES (PLEASE NOTE THAT CUT-OFF TIMES WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED; ANY RUNNER WHO PROCEEDS AHEAD ON THE RACE COURSE AFTER THE CUT-OFF TIME WILL BE DQd.

Station #1 -- Bulldog lateral intersection:  4.0 miles (CREWS NOT PERMITTED) water, Gatorade, HEED, Hammer Gels, coke, fruit, candy, pretzels, salt) -- NO CUT-OFF TIME

Station #2 -- Corral Canyon:  7.5 miles (CREWS NOT PERMITTED) Fully stocked (water, Gatorade, HEED, Hammer Gels, coke, fruit, candy, pretzels, salt) -- NO CUT-OFF TIME

Station #3 -- Tapia parking lot: 13.1 miles (see TAPIA NOTE below) CREWS PERMITTED.  Fully stocked (water, Gatorade, HEED, Hammer Gels, coke, fruit, candy, pretzels, salt) -- NO CUT-OFF TIME

Station #4 -- MCSP/Craggs Road fire gate:  15.3 miles (SPECTATORS PERMITTED-FOOT ACCESS ONLY).  DROP BAG LOCATION.   Water stop only -- 10:30 AM CUT-OFF TIME

Station #5 -- Bulldog lateral intersection:  19.0 miles (CREWS NOT PERMITTED) Fully stocked (water, Gatorade, HEED, Hammer Gels, coke, fruit, candy, pretzels, salt) -- 11:45 AM CUT-OFF TIME

Station #6 -- Corral Canyon:  22.5 miles (CREWS NOT PERMITTED) Fully stocked (water, Gatorade, HEED, Hammer Gels, coke, fruit, candy, pretzels, salt) -- 1:00 PM CUT-OFF TIME

Station #7 -- Tapia parking lot:  28.1 miles (see TAPIA NOTE below) CREWS PERMITTED.  Fully stocked (water, Gatorade, HEED, Hammer Gels, coke, fruit, candy, pretzels, salt) -- 2:45 PM CUT-OFF TIME

50K -- DROP BAGS:   Permitted at aid station #4 for the 50K only.  Please label your drop bag with your last name and bib number and deliver to the drop bag area near the bib pick up table.  Drop bags will be returned to the finish line at approximately 11:00AM.

50K CREWS:  Please note directions to the Tapia station:

~ From Malibu Creek State Park:
~ Turn right onto Las Virgenes Rd.                                                                                                   
~ Drive 1.5 miles to Tapia Park entrance on your right.
~ If you come to Piuma Road, youve gone too far.

25K -- THE COURSE:  Start and finish at base camp.  Single loop course totaling 15.7 miles per 2001 Tom Harrison Maps.

Station #1 -- Bulldog lateral intersection:  4.0 miles (CREWS NOT PERMITTED) Fully stocked (water, Gatorade, HEED, Hammer Gels, coke, fruit, candy, pretzels, salt) -- 11:45 AM CUT-OFF TIME

Station #2 -- Corral Canyon:  7.5 miles (CREWS NOT PERMITTED) Fully stocked (water, Gatorade, HEED, Hammer Gels, coke, fruit, candy, pretzels, salt) -- 1:00 PM CUT-OFF TIME

Station #3 -- Tapia parking lot: 13.1 miles (CREWS NOT PERMITTED) Fully stocked (water, Gatorade, HEED, Hammer Gels, coke, fruit, candy, pretzels, salt) -- 2:45 PM CUT-OFF TIME

PLEASE READ THE RACE RULES (http://www.trailrunevents.com/bd/rules.asp):  BY ENTERING THIS RACE, YOU AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:

~ No race day registration.     
~ No baby joggers on the course.
~ No dogs allowed in base camp or on trails.                 
~ Runners under age 18 are not permitted to participate.
~ No alcohol permitted in the park.
~ No smoking in base camp or at aid stations or anywhere within the park boundaries; this includes crew and family.                           
~ No race switching after midnight on 8/10.   
~ Bibs are not transferable to another runner or deferrable to another year.             
~ No early starts are permitted.
~ No race switching during the event.
~ No pacing of runners via bicycle or un-bibbed runners.  Illegal pacing will result in disqualification of the runner being paced.
~ 50K runners must report their bib number upon leaving each aid station on the second loop.
~ YOU WILL CARRY AT LEAST ONE BOTTLE FOR FLUIDS OR HYDRATION PACK; ITS AUGUST PEOPLE!!!
~ The use of audio devices at the Bulldog Runs is discouraged.  For your safety and the safety of your fellow runners, please be sure you are always able to hear runners, cyclists and emergency vehicles approaching from behind.  Likewise, you are responsible for hearing the instructions given at the start line, finish line, and at aid stations on the course.
~ You will run at your own risk. You assume any and all financial responsibility that may be incurred in the event you require emergency evacuation from the racecourse, including but not limited to air evacuation. 
~ In the event that you drop from the race, you are responsible to notify race volunteers and turn in your race bib tag at the nearest checkpoint or the finish line.  50K runners who choose to drop after one loop should return to base camp and turn in their bib tag but should not cross the finish line.
~ In the event you must leave the trail for any reason please leave something on the trail (ie.; water belt, bottle, hat, shorts), so the course sweepers know you are off trail and will not pass you up.
~ LITTERING ON THE COURSE IS PROHIBITED.  IF YOU OBSERVE ANY RUNNER DROP LITTER ON THE COURSE, YOU AGREE TO CHASE THEM DOWN AND GET THEIR BIB NUMBER TO REPORT TO RACE OFFICIALS AT THE NEXT AID STATION.  OFFENDING RUNNERS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM THE RACE AND WILL BE BANNED FROM PARTICIPATION IN FUTURE BULLDOG RACES!
~ Aid station personnel have authority to remove you from the race due to rules infringement, runner safety or for missing a cut-off time. 
~ Runners who are rude or offensive toward our race volunteers will have their bib numbers recorded and will be DQd.
~ NEW RULE:  COMPASSION OVER COMPETITION - Ive said this before, and Ill say it again.  If you come upon a sick, bonked, fallen runner; please stop to help!  If someone clearly needs assistance, please accompany them to the closest aid station, even if that means going backwards on the course.  Please do not leave someone out there alone who may be in trouble.  Its not up to the next person who comes along; it is up to you!  Being compassionate brings more honor to you than does being competitive.
~ BRING PROOF OF REGISTRATION to the bib-pick up table.  This can be your Active.com confirmation letter or a cancelled check.
~ WEAR YOUR BIB NUMBER on the front of your person.  Runners not displaying their bib number on the front of their person will be considered as bandits.
~NEW RULE: No wearing of old race bibs.  Runners who wear a bib number that is out of sequence will be DQd (yes, this has happened in the past).
~ NEW RULE: Finishers who do not have a bib tag on the bottom of their race bib will not be official finishers.
~ OLD RULE THAT NEEDS REINFORCING: Must run with hydration pack or one bottle at a minimum- NO EXCEPTIONS!
~ 50K RUNNERS: All 50K runners must report their bib number to each aid station on the second loop, beginning with station #4.
~ NEW RULE: 50k Support crews and race spectators will not be permitted at Corral Canyon Station.  Support crews for the 50K will only be permitted at Tapia Station #3/#7 (miles 13/28).  Non-crew spectators are permitted at Tapia and at Station #4 inside MCSP.  Crewing for the 25K is not permitted at all.
~ Violation of any of the above rules will result in your disqualification, aka DNF.
~ All rules are non-negotiable and there are no exceptions to the rules. The race officials and aid station volunteers reserve the right to enforce rules and/or to create new rules, as necessary, up to and including on race day.

EVENT FEATURES:   
~ T-shirt pick up at race check in or at the finish line. 
~ Award ceremonies after the races -- Please bring a chair and cooler, and relax! 
~ Completion awards (medals) to all finishers.
~ Age division awards (first through third place in 10-year divisions) -- Awards must be claimed at presentation; they will not be mailed.  You are required to present your race bib when claiming your award.
~ Complimentary light lunch to all registered runners (please have friends/family bring their own picnic).

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Overnight camping at Malibu Creek State Park.  For reservations call (800) 444-7275.

GOOD NITE INN:   3.5 miles from base camp.  For reservations call (818) 880-6000.

RENAISSANCE HOTEL, AGOURA HILLS:  8 miles from base camp.  For reservations call (800) 228-9290 or (818) 707-1220.

FOOD, GAS & ICE:      Available at Las Virgenes Road near the 101 freeway.

For additional information about the races (crew directions, course maps, etc.) please go to our website: http://www.bulldogrun.com.   

Thank you for supporting the Bulldog Trail Runs.   

Please have a beautiful and safe run... See you at the finish!

Happy Trails, Nancy
http://www.trailrunevents.com