2016 Winter ATL Event Director Notes and FAQ

FAQ

What is the most important thing you want me to know?

This is a 100% self-supported race. We will provide water (and craft bear from Yeti Trail Runners) at the finish and at the Aid Station/Water Drop at Glenwood. The aid station may be manned by humans, and it may not be. If it isn’t, we will have flags in the vicinity of the water jugs. Remember, you are 100% responsible for your own well being.

What is Winter #runtheatl?

There are two distances. The Half Mary Plus One, which is somewhere between 14-16 miles. The Marathon(ish) Distance is around 26-28 miles. You will be on dirt, mud, track, train, and concrete. This journey is self supporting, which means you supply your own hydration and nutrition.

When is this year’s Winter #runtheatl?

Sunday, January 17 2016  8:00am start time.

How do I get to start of the race?/ Where do I park?

Drive-The address to put into Google Maps is Rose Circle Park. There is free street Parking on White Street and on Rose Circle SW.

Train-You can also take MARTA to West End Station. From there, you can walk .5 miles to the Registration/Info area inside Rose Circle Park.

Get Dropped Off- Use Lyft or Uber to bring you to Rose Circle Park.

What if I can’t finish and want to drop out?

You can drop out at any time. Please report back to event organizers to let them know that you are a DNF. We suggest taking a Lyft or Uber back. Or, have Lyft take you to the nearest MARTA station, then take MARTA to West End Station. From there you can walk back to the starting area and find someone to tell your fate.

Will I be timed?

You will receive a race number. You will NOT receive a timing chip. We will start the “official event clock” at the start of the event. We will mark your finisher time down when you complete your chosen distance.

Will there be water, snacks, bathrooms, fuel of any kind?

This is a 100% self-supported race. We will provide water at the finish and Mile 10. Other than that, you are 100% responsible for your own well being.

We will highlight some areas along the course that are suggested pit stops. However, we are in not in relationship with those places, and do not guarantee if they are open, if they will serve disgustingly sweaty runners, etc.

It’s a big city. You are big people. Do your best to get what you need to survive and thrive.

Will I get a shirt, a medal, or any other prizes?

As a finisher, you will receive a “one of a kind finisher token of coolness”. We may end up giving prizes for top finisher or finishers, but nothing guaranteed for now.

Important Suggestions 

  • Read directions AHEAD of where you are going. Don’t just read what’s next. Read the next 2-3 things ahead, it will make your journey easier.
  • Be respectful EVERYWHERE you go. We are guests of our fair city. You will come across all kinds of people, homes, businesses, etc. Act as a good guest as you would in someone’s home. Be polite and take all trash with you. This also means leave no trace. Do not spray paint or leave permanent marking anywhere.
  • Shoes: You will be on dirt, railroad tracks, rocks, and gravel for much of the race. One pair of your favorite trail shoes should do it. Some portions of the race are finished concrete. However, you can run next to any finished concrete at almost every step and stay on dirt. You will NOT need a shoe with large lugs, as mud is minimal.—(Winter16 update. One short section miles 1 and 3 may have heavy mud).
  • Bring a fully charged phone with Mophie (or other battery) backup.
  • Bring cash, debit cards and/or other forms of barter. This is for acquiring additional nutrition and hydration along your way on the course.
  • Using Google Map function on your phone will be essential on race day in helping find landmarks and points to cross reference on the along the way.
  • Print the course route as a back up. Your phone may go dead or you may not have internet access.
  • Run with a buddy, two heads can be better than one to keep you on course. Also, if you run with a buddy, one can keep phone off until first phone runs out of battery. Then have a fresh phone when the first runs out.
  • DO NOT PUT ON HEADPHONES. You will need to pay attention to your surroundings at all times. Be aware of other people, trains, etc.
  • Download the Lyft and Uber application to your phone. These services are cheaper than a taxi and can be ordered from almost anywhere in Atlanta. You can use Lyft or Uber to pick you up if you decide to leave the race at any time. Just make your way to an actual street somewhere. The link provided actually has free rides attached to it if are a new customer.

Additional Notes that are updated until night before the race. (Last update was 5:38pm EST on 1.16.16)

You may show up to check in/get your bib beginning at 7:00am on Sunday. 
There is NOT a bathroom at the start/finish area. So any morning “Business” should be done prior to coming or between check in and race start. There is a 24 hour Krispy Kreme at 633 Evans St SW, Atlanta, GA 30310, which may be closest, best bet for bathroom.
 
Be at the start area by 7:50am for pre race instructions. Race starts at 8:00am.
 
You will probably get off track at some point today. The sooner you accept that, the better race experience you will have.
 
Read directions a little ahead of where you are, this will help the race make more sense as you go along.
 
There are SOME red flags and red tape along the way. If you see it, you are going the right way, but If you don’t see it, it doesn’t mean your going the wrong way.
 
We told you 100% self supported. There may be people out there to guide you/ or perhaps provide water. It’s a bonus if so depending on number of volunteers. They are there to help you. This is NOT the Death Race. They will only give you good information or say “I don’t know.”
 
This is a cup free race. Any water that we give you or that you find should be put in your own personal water devices.
 
We list several places to stop, you can feel free to leave the course at ANY time otherwise if you find somewhere or a friend meets you. Just be sure to get back to the actual race course.
 
Keep your bib with you at all times. Take photos with it. There will be a prize given out for best photo,
 
We will also be giving an award for best story.
 
What to say if someone tells you to leave an area or you’re stopped or random people see you:  
Be respectful, if they seem official, agree with them, and then get back on course when it seems logical to do so.
Do not tell them you are doing an organized race.
 
What NOT to say: “IM DOING A RACE PUT ON BY MATTBDAVIS”
 
Now is a good time to buddy up with someone.
 
You will probably get off track at some point today. The sooner you accept that, the better race experience you will have.
 
Take care of yourselves and each other 
 
Call 911 if you are hurt or have any kind of emergency.
 
If you are going to DNF for any reason, please come back to the start, turn in your bib, and let us know.
 
Call Matt at 678-836-8420 should you need to get in touch with him.
  
This is not a Peachtree Road Race qualifier or a Boston marathon qualifier.