| Race Facts & FAQ |
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Each team with one or more team members residing within 50 miles of any point along the PALM100 course, must provide one or more volunteers to work a combined minimum of eight hours on race weekend. Tasks will be assigned by the Race Director. Volunteers will be identified by each Team Captain, be at least 16 years of age and provide their own transportation to and from assigned locations. |
Self-Supported Race:
Like most team relay races, the PALM100 is self-supported. That means that each relay team is responsible for its own needs throughout the race. This includes water and sports drinks, nutrition, ice, clothing and gear. Recommended crew vehicle is a mini-van, SUV or full-size,15-passenger van. (Small camper conversions of no longer than 22 feet are allowed). Sufficient room should be available on board to store and organize (with ready access) all drinks, food, ice and gear for the entire team. There should be room for team members not actively running to stretch out and rest. Non-active runners need to stay appropriately hydrated, take-in sufficient calories and deal with the physical effects of the heat if that is a factor on race day. [Return to TOP]
Relay Team:
Get ready for a lot of fun--and some very good competition!The PALM100 Team Relay will have 6-runner teams covering 100 miles. Each Team will decide how many miles each Team Member will run per leg, and how many legs each will run overall. Teams may include fewer than 6 runners, but no more than six. Teams may be all male, all female or co-ed at the Team's discretion. Each Relay Team will be self-supporting during the race. Only one runner per Team may be on the course at a time during daylight hours. Each runner must register independently to participate in the PALM100. Please refer to "Relay Team Tips" in the section titled "Tips on Running Ultras". [Return to TOP]
The Course:
Well over half of PALM100 will be run along Florida State Highway A1A in Broward and Palm Beach Counties on the barrier island between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. An opening race segment through downtown Fort Lauderdale, scenic side road segments, Intracoastal bridge crossings and some waterfront streets in West Palm Beach complete the course. Teams should become very familiar with "Route Map", and use it as a primary resource on race day.The race will begin and end at the intersection of Las Olas Blvd. and State Route A1A in Fort Lauderdale Beach. The vast majority of the route will be run on sidewalks with the balance facing traffic on the road shoulder. There are three segments where the shoulder is very narrow to non-existent, and these are clearly indicated in the Route Map. Always when running on road shoulders, pay close attention to traffic and be cautious at all times. In that regard, when running on the road shoulder, racers MUST run facing traffic. ANY TEAM FOUND BREAKING THIS SAFETY RULE WILL BE WARNED THE FIRST TIME, AND DISQUALIFIED FOR A SECOND INFRACTION. NO EXCEPTIONS. (See "Race Rules".) [Return to TOP]
Parking for PALM100:
Parking at the beach in Fort Lauderdale is limited, and may be costly. For team members leaving cars for the day, teams are encouraged to meet and park away from the beach and drive to the start in the team vehicle. For short-term parking at the race start, park in the municipal lot across from the beach at Las Olas Blvd. and A1A. For anyone wishing to park longer than a few hours at the beach near the start/finish line, AND FOR THOSE SPENDING THE NIGHT AT THE COURTYARD HOTEL, the least expensive and most convenient overnight parking lot is an independent lot located just to the north side of the Courtyard property. The lot is sandwiched between the large municipal lot at the corner of Las Olas Blvd. and the Courtyard Hotel. This surface parking lot has one entrance. It is located opposite the 7-Eleven on the left (East side) on Southbound A1A (A1A is called "Seabreeze Blvd." at that point), just south of Las Olas Blvd. after the entrance to the municipal lot. Cost is $15.00. The lot is open 24 hours a day. If you park there between 5:00 and 6:00 AM on race day, you do not have to leave until 11:00 on Sunday morning! Pay with a credit card or cash at the machine at the lot entrance if an attendant is not on duty to collect money. The lot manager, Steve Walker, provided this information. This lot does fill-up on weekends, so may not be available later in the day on Saturday, March 28.Please note: the municipal parking lot at Las Olas and A1A has a limit of 10 hours. The municipal lot (Intracoastal Lot) under the Las Olas Bridge has a time limit of 6 hours. Parking is available at Beach Place and at area hotels, but all are more expensive and not as convenient. [Return to Top]
Check-in Stations and Cut-Off Times:
Racers must check-in at the PALM100 race station at approximately Mile 30 at Anchor Park in Delray Beach, the turn-around at Currie Park in West Palm Beach, and the check-in at approximately Mile 80 at Anchor Park in Delray Beach. Limited emergency water supplies will be available at each check-in station. The active team runner must be checked in within the following time limits at each station or the team will be considered “DNF” (“Did Not Finish”):Station at approximately mile 30 in Delray Beach — First check-in at Anchor Park, Delray Beach, at approximately Mile 30, no later than 12:00 noon.
Station turn-around in West Palm Beach — Turn-around at Currie Park in West Palm Beach, no later than 4:30 PM.
Station at approximately mile 80 in Delray Beach — no later than 9:00 PM on Saturday
Finish at A1A and Las Olas Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale — no later than 2:00 AM on Sunday [Return to TOP]
Medical support:
The PALM100 will be supported by a crew of Emergency Medical Technicians who will be available during the race. The intent is to make medical support as reasonably available as possible for emergencies, and non-emergency questions and assistance. Additional details will be provided in advance of the race. A dedicated medical phone number for this medical team will also be distributed for use during the event. Teams should bring with them a first aid kit that should include items to treat blisters, headaches, abrasions, effects of the heat, etc. Most running injuries are soft-tissue related and usually helped with ice and rest. In case of emergency, if race medical personnel are not immediately responsive, dial 911. Do not rely on any one resource in times of emergency.Hopefully, the following will never be an issue. However, all Emergency Evacuation costs for participants and volunteers will be borne by that person or his/her heirs. The race organizers are in no way liable or responsible for emergency evacuation. Please refer to “Accident Waiver and Release of Liability" form for related details. [Return to TOP]
Weather:
Sunny and warm is the likely scenario in late March in South Florida. Average high temperature in March in West Palm Beach is 79 degrees; low is 62 degrees. However, the heat can be a challenging factor for the unprepared, especially if accompanied by high humidity. To minimize the impact of the heat, insure adequate fluid and salt/mineral intake, and sufficient nutrition before, during and after the race. Consider using ice in hats or neck bandanas liberally to keep cool. If it is particularly hot, begin using ice before becoming overheated. The primary reasons for people not completing our races are overwhelmingly heat related. Train and plan accordingly. [Return to TOP]Prostate Cancer and Charitable Giving:
Prostate cancer affects 1 out of every 6 men in the United States and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men. As such, the disease directly or indirectly impacts most families in America. For over 20 years, The Richard J. Fox Foundation, based in Washington, DC, has been raising and donating money--over $2 million at latest count--for research, education and free prostate cancer testing at the Lombardi Cancer Center at Georgetown University. In addition, for the past five years, The Foundation has teamed with UltraSports LLC to raise money in South Florida for education, outreach and free screenings. Detecting this disease early is an important factor in long-term survival and in maintaining quality of life, and maximizes the number of treatment options available. (Just ask the Race Director, Bob Becker, who is, himself, a prostate cancer survivor.) The screening process is a simple one, but a crucial component in the fight to save lives. For 2010 as in previous years, individual donations may be designated to any of the specific charitable beneficiaries. These organizations will be named soon for 2010. Funds are collected by The Richard J. Fox Foundation, an IRS-designated 501c(3) organization, and are tax deductible. In turn, donations are distributed to the selected prostate cancer-oriented charities. [Return to TOP)Race Sign-in, Packet Pick-up and Pre-Race Meeting:
Each team member or team captain must pick-up his/her race packet, including race number and tee shirt, as follows:On Friday, March 26, between the hours of 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM, at a location to be announced in Fort Lauderdale. Immediately following check-in at 7:00 PM will be a short, mandatory meeting for all Captains. Team members are invited and encouraged to attend. Any registered team that is unable to attend the meeting must notify the Race Director, Bob Becker, in advance to make alternate arrangements. Any team not represented at the pre-race meeting or having made alternative arrangements with the Race Director wil not be allowed to compete in the race. [Return to TOP]
Race Start—Timeliness:
On race day, all team Captains must check-in at the starter’s table at least 30 minutes prior to race start.At 5-10 minutes before the race begins, first runners will be marshaled to the starting line. THE RACE WILL BEGIN PROMPTLY AT 6:00 AM. at Las Olas Blvd. and A1A in Fort Lauderdale Beach.[Return to TOP]