The 2011 Fair Hill Classic plans are nearly complete and once again we’ve included something for everyone.

The race course has a 3 mile prolog bringing all the racers back to the starting area for a viewing (and photo op) by the spectators. There is a nice balance of single track and double track in the first 5 miles to allow racers to “find their groove” before entering the miles of great single track Fair Hill has to offer. This event is put on entirely by volunteers from the Trail Spinners mountain bike advocacy club and their friends and families. 100% of the race proceeds go into building and maintaining the trail systems in Delaware, Northern Maryland and South East, Pennsylvania. Trail Spinners is an IMBA Chapter Club and, as such, works tirelessly with local land managers to open new, responsible trail systems for mountain bikers to enjoy. We would like to acknowledge the fine support from the Maryland Park district and especially the local park management and employees. Without this support the event could not take place and in fact the trails system would probably not be here and open to cycling. We also wish to thank the other park user groups who give us access to the multi-use trail system for this event and who utilize other parts of the park on race day.

Note to Endurance (Fair Hill Fifty) Racers

Endurance racers will do 2 laps of the Expert/Elite race course. The first lap is approximately 27 miles and the second will eliminate the "Prolog" and is about 23 miles. We’re trying to be sure all endurance racers have a good chance to finish and place in this event while at the same time recognizes that a safe event for both racers and volunteers is the priority.

We will have a cutoff of 4:00 PM for all classes to finish

1. A cutoff time of 2:00 PM will be established at Water Stop #3 for endurance racers on their 2nd lap. This Water Stop is ~40 miles into the 50 mile course.

2. If you pass before 2:00 PM you will be allowed to continue to the finish line.

3. If you arrive after 2:01 PM your arrival time will be documented and you will be given a “finish place”. EVERYBODY who makes it to Water Stop #3 will be given a FINISH PLACE.

4. We will also have a cutoff of 12:00 Noon at the end of the first lap (~27.5 miles). Your time will be recorded and you will be awarded a place finish in order of arrival time but all places will be after those who complete the full 50 miles and after those who make it to Water Stop #3 (~mile 40).

5. We will be sweeping the endurance race course starting at 12:01 PM and removing arrows and course
markings. The sweep may ask you to stop if you’re not going to make it to WS#3 by 2:30 or so. Note that an average pace of 7.5 miles per hour will get you all the way to the finish of the 50 miles by 2:50 PM and to WS #3 by 1:19 PM! An average pace of 7.0 miles per hour still lets you finish both laps for the full 50 miles. We will be very generous with the time cutoffs and sweeping but we do have to clean the course before dark and maybe have time for dinner and a beer after the race so some limit is necessary.

Novice / 1st Time Racers and Kids Race MASS Racers: This is the time to encourage your spouses, friends, kids and neighbors to try racing on a course set up for 1st timers. The course is fun but challenging for newer riders. If your kids are moving up from the Kids Race but not quite ready to race a more technical course have them try the 1st time racer Novice race. The ever popular kid’s race with tee shirts, ribbons and some prizes will be held on a short course for kids from “training wheels” to “ready for Novice class”. The kids race will be held ”mid-day” so expert, sport and beginner racers can bring their family and friends and watch/help them race for fun. This race is free, but all riders must register along with a parent or Guardian. Ribbons / prizes (plus Tee Shirts to all who enter). .

Come prepared!  Bring water!  You will not be allowed to start without hydration.  Additional water stops will be on the course approximately every 8-10 miles.  We will have cups of water and you may refill water bottles at these stops.  We will attempt to have water bottles available to those who need them and limited electrolyte packs at the water stops.

NO ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED ON PARK PUBLIC GROUNDS OR TRAILS.

THIS IS A SHINE ONLY EVENT

•In July, Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area is usually quite dry so some rain before race day will not adversely affect the trails. Usually rain less than 1" and more than 12-24 hours before race start will still be fine. We do have a "RAIN DATE" of August 14, 2011 in the event the above conditions are not met and it's too wet to use the trails. Your pre-registration will also be good on the rain date! •Ample food and drink will be available for purchase in the air conditioned Walls Hall. Food will be provided by a local youth sports team as a fund raiser. As usual the food is prepared on premises and very good. Cold bottle drinks will also be available for purchase. Coffee may be provided in the morning for those of us who are addicted! Please plan to support the team. •Water stops will be spaced out along the race course since the course is a “one lap” course for everyone except the Endurance class. •Course maps will be available soon on the Trail Spinners web site (www.trailspinners.org). •All mileages published here and on other Trail Spinner documents are believed to be accurate within 5%. Your actual mileage on your computer may vary somewhat from what we publish. •The registration area is located inside Walls Hall at the main Fairgrounds Entrance. Parking will be obvious. •All prizes and medals will be as described on the registration page at BikeReg.com. •Team Tents can be set up in the parking area (we'll make arrangements for your tent and team parking nearby) on race day. •Exhibitors will likely set up near Walls Hall and are welcomed. •For up to date information this site and the Trail Spinners web site at: http://www.Trailspinners.org are the best places to check. For the last minute GO/NO GO decision please check the Trailspinners.org site after 6:00 PM on Saturday July 9, 2011. •For questions (or comments) for the Race Director please contact Bob Gaston at: FairHillClassic@Comcast.net

 

 

As most of you all know, our race is one of the largest in the east and therefore requires a lot of help to be successful. This is the clubs single largest event and yields the bulk of our budget. Without which we could not fund our projects, donate to the parks, plant trees, etc.. A small donation of your time on Sunday July 10th will make sure that we can.

Typically, it takes 60 -70 people to run this race. We have a wide range of jobs to be filled, so there is something for everyone (i.e. no experience needed). Jobs include: section leaders, 2-3 folks to work with the section leader, sweeps, help with registration, parking, water stops, etc.. For any of you out there that haven't worked a race it is a really fun day and a great way to meet some of the membership. Racing on Sunday? Sign up to help work with a section leader to get the trails in shape before hand. Friends and family members welcome to come out as well. In the past we've had families work a water stop together, lots o' fun! So give a little of your time to help out and help secure our access to these great parks we ride.

So PLEASE, contact me by e-mail: dqs21@yahoo.com or through the yahoo group if you are interested. I will need some contact info (e-mail and cell#, this will NOT be posted) and what you might like to do if you have a preference.

 

PDFs

2011 FH Beginner Race Course

2011 FH Expert Race Course

2011 FH Novice Race Course

2011 FH Sport Race Course

2011 FH Section Leader Map

KMZs

2011 FHC Google Earth KMZ