Last Updated |  NOV 2

racer communication

The FIG 
What to Expect

It's almost race time! This will help get you ready...

❋ Read this COM first!

It has everything we wanted to share with you before race weekend.

❋ Show up at the pre-race briefing if possible.

If not, you’ll get an email and/or cheat-sheet prior to the race.

❋ You may not have ALL the information.

Probably on purpose. You’ll get the last few details on raceday.

❋ Check this page for updates before you head out.

We’ll call out any last minute updates.

If you’re signing waivers, you’re about to do something cool/dangerous. Congratulations.
These TWO waivers / be signed prior to race day. No waiver = no racing.
1) Southeast Mtn Guides
2) Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition

Remember when we all came out of lockdown and couldn't wait to get back out there? Well, we've officially tied that year's FIG registration record, with 153 of you showing up for FIG XXIV!

tHE VIA FERRATA

Take a few minutes to watch this video before race day!

It covers the equipment, techniques, and safety rules you'll need to know. Southeast Mountain Guides will go over the basics when you arrive, but watching ahead of time will help you come prepared and ready to climb.

REMINDER, COMPLETE YOUR WAIVER HERE

November 7

RACE DAY

Everything will be based out of Land of the Arches Campground. Meet at the hanger. Look for signage.

Here is the map link: Land of the Arches

All times are Eastern Standard Time

Get-Together

FRIDAY 5:00–9:00 PM

Pre-race Meeting

FRIDAY 7:00 PM

Check-In + Maps

SATURDAY 5:45-6:45 AM

Race Start

SATURDAY 7:00 AM

SATURDAY 7:00 PM (12HR) | SUNDAY 7:00 AM (24HR)

Race Cutoff

TEAM ROSTERS

You’ll need to know your Team # for check-in. Please remember it. It’ll make packet pickup go a bit more smoothly.

TEAM ROSTER
MANDATORY GEAR
RULES

race day logistics

It’s all here.

We try to remove as much of the stress as possible. We’ll have signage and staff to assist you.

Check all the info below - it’ll help you tremendously.

  • Parking and/or camping will be easy. If you plan to camp, see the self-pay kiosk as you pull in. Cash or Venmo, $10/night. Make sure to self-register and get a tag if you’re camping!

  • We’re bringing back a little of that old-school FIG feel. Since 12HR and 24HR racers will be finishing at different times, Friday night is our chance to get everyone together before the race.

    We’ll have a low-key pre-race hangout at Land of Arches Campground, with pizza & pasta available for purchase from the Cliffview Pies & Pints Food Truck, plenty of time to catch up with other racers, and then we’ll have the pre-race meeting at 7:00 PM. We decided to make this highly-suggested, but NOT mandatory.

    IF you cannot attend the pre-race meeting, hopefully one of your teammates can. If they can’t, or you’re racing solo, expect a cheat-sheet email Friday night to get you caught up.

    Come early, grab some food, hang out, and settle in before race morning.

  • Bikes - no staging required. Everybody is starting on them.

    12HR - no staging, no nothin, just show up.

    [24HR ONLY PACKRAFT]
    + Paddle Gear: drop in designated area, race morning (prior to 6:45 AM). 1 bag for solos and teams of 2; 2 bags allowed for teams of 3/4. Label bag with Team #.

    To help you decide what to put in your paddle bag(s):

    + No weight limit, no limitations, however, everything-including the paddle bag- must go with you on the paddle.

    + You’ll see your paddle bags roughly half-way through the race and your resupply duffels at the takeout.

    + There is a 5ish mile optional embedded trek within the packraft leg. Mostly on trail.

    + Here’s your elaborate race schematic: stuff > long bike > packraft > embedded trek > packraft > take out w/ duffle access > long trek > other stuff

    [24HR ONLY RESUPPLY DUFFLE]
    + One duffel per team at the paddle takeout. 50-pound weight limit - no limit on contents, only total weight.

    [24HR ONLY WATER NOTE]
    + Lots of treatable water on course. Locations with potable water are called out on the maps. You’ll pass a good one prior to the paddle. There is no potable water at the paddle takeout, however.

  • The maps are pre-plotted (meaning the checkpoints are already printed on the maps).

    Main maps are 1:24,000 scale on 11×17 sheets. Supplemental maps are 1:15,000 (with lidar-generated contours and vegetation layers) on 8.5×11 sheets.

    Race Instructions / Cluesheets are 8.5×11.

    Everything is printed on waterproof paper.

    You’ll get these during check-in.

  • You’ll be traveling through remote, populated hollers where loose dogs are part of riding in Eastern Kentucky - think of them a little like bears out West: be aware and be prepared.

    There’s some stupid ones.

    We strongly recommend carrying a dog deterrent such as pepper spray and/or an ultrasonic deterrent. Staying calm, not escalating a chase, and firm words have resolved all occurrences we've had out here.

    With that said, we’ve ridden these roads for years without incident - let's keep that streak going.

  • Please:

    • Bring your own beverages

    • Bring your own chair

    • Bring your own gloves for the via ferrata (optional)

  • Post Race Meal: You'll have earned a meal from Hop's - longtime favorites in the Gorge. It’s good stuff. Dinner for the 12s, breakfast for the 24s.

    Awards: Traveling trophy, mugs, coffee, Regional Qualifier…

CHECK BACK FOR ANY LAST MINUTE UPDATES BEFORE HEADING OUT

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CHECK BACK FOR ANY LAST MINUTE UPDATES BEFORE HEADING OUT |

Sun goes down. Headlamps come on. Adventure begins. See you out there.

— Shawn @361