CHASING the UNICORN
This race is designed for people
as a last ditch effort to qualify for the 2020 B.A.A. Boston Marathon or for
runners who have already BQed, attempting to improve their seed time for the 2020 BAA Boston Marathon
This event has no affiliation with the BAA Boston Marathon. Any race USATF Sanctioned and run on a USATF certified marathon course is considered a BQ event
Race Date and Start Time: The Chasing the Unicorn Marathon will be held on Sunday, September 9 th, 2018.
The race will begin promptly at 7:30am. The race will run concurrently with THE Alternative Half Marathon.
Packet Pick-up:
Saturday packet pick up: Washington Crossing Historic Park at the Starting Line
Packet pick-up will be held on race day, Sunday, September 9th starting at 6:15AM at the Start/ Finish Area of General Green Pavilion in Washington Crossing Historic Park, Pennsylvania.
We strongly suggest that you pick up your packet up Saturday; this will greatly reduce the race morning stress on you and on our race staff.
Registration: We still have some space available for new participants. Race Registration is next to the start/finish line
Start/ Finish Area: If you plan to use a GPS to get to the park, use the address of Washington Crossing Inn and then follow the map provided in the Runners Guide to the parking lots.
Please take the time to verify your driving instructions prior to race day
(there is a Washington Crossing Park in New Jersey and you do not want to end up in the wrong place!)
Washington Crossing Inn, 1295 General Washington Memorial Blvd, Washington Crossing, PA 18977
Parking: Please see map in Runners Guide for available free parking. Volunteers will be assisting with parking instruction.
Lodging:
We are still negotiating for host hotel agreement.
Volunteers:
We are always in need of volunteers on the course.
There will be a link to volunteer closer to the date of the race
If you have any family or friends that would be interested in volunteering or a group interested in fund raising, please have them e-mail the race director at: pat@runBUCKS.com There are several positions and time slots available. Thank you in advance!
Head Phones:
There are a few areas of the course where it will be critical for your safety, and the safety of those around you, to be able to hear instructions given by race marshals. We will have designated areas where you will be asked to temporarily remove your headphones- please remove your headphones at those times.
We specifically ask that you wait until you reach the towpath before using your headphones. We also ask that headphones be removed from the spillway to the turn around and back.
Runner’s Etiquette:
Sections of the towpath are narrow- please stay to the right and run in single file except for passing. Remember the course is out-and-back. There will be two-way traffic on the course and the park will be open to the public throughout the race.
Baggage Check: If you have a vehicle parked on site, we strongly recommend you keep all of your personal belongings locked in your vehicle for safe keeping. Baggage check will be available at the Start/ Finish area. If you need to check your gear, please place all items in the bag provided at registration as space is limited. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Volunteers:
We are always in need of volunteers on the course. If you have any family or friends that would be interested in volunteering, please have them e-mail the race director at: pat@runBUCKS.com There are several positions and time slots available. Thank you in advance!
Runner’s Etiquette: Sections of the towpath are narrow- please stay to the right and run in single file except for passing. Remember the course is out-and-back. There will be two-way traffic on the course and the park will be open to the public throughout the race.
Head Phones: There are a few areas of the course where it will be critical for your safety, and the safety of those around you, to be able to hear instructions given by race marshals. We will have designated areas where you will be asked to temporarily remove your headphones- please remove your headphones at those times. We specifically ask that you wait until you reach the towpath before using your headphones. We also ask that headphones be removed from the spillway to the turn around and back.
Timing: ChronoTrack B-Tags (bib tags) will be used for this race. ChronoTrack B-Tag instructions are simple. Just pin the four corners of your bib to the front of your body. You do not need to return your B-Tag after the race.
Race Start: In order to make sure that every person has a great race experience, participants will be started in waves reduce any bottlenecks. Waves of approximately 50 runners will be started every 30 seconds. When the wave in front of you moves forward, please move forward to the next wave sign.
Wave assignments were emailed to preregistrants prior to the event. Direction will be given before the race start- please listen carefully to instructions which will ensure you start with the correct wave.
Weather: This event will be held in rain or shine- please be advised that wet weather may cause the towpath to be muddy. If there is a chance of electrical storm, you will be advised of alternative and evacuation plans prior to the race start.
Course Information: The Chasing the Unicorn Marathon will be a double out-and-back of the runBUCKS Alternative Half Marathon course. The course is out-and back along the historic Delaware Canal State Park towpath trail from Washington Crossing Historic Park north to the edge New Hope, Pennsylvania, near Odette’s, returning to Washington Crossing Historic Park. The first and last .5 miles are on paved surface (the middle mile will also be on this paved surface).
Course Certification: This course is certified and sanctioned by USATF. The certified course ID number is USATF #PA13037WB. Course certification (and our USATF sanction) makes this race eligible for Boston Marathon qualification.
DOWNLOAD THE MAP AT: http://www.usatf.org/events/courses/maps/showMap.asp?courseID=PA13037WB
Mile Marks: There will be signs at each mile mark. In an effort to reduce clutter on the towpath, mile marks will reflect the first half of the course and the corresponding second lap mark (example: mile 1 will also be marked with mile 14.1). Please adjust your spilt projections accordingly.
Turn Around: The course is set up as two laps of an out and back run.
Turn around #1 and #3 will be just south of Odette’s and north of Water Works apartments.
Turnaround #2 will be at the Start/Finish Line at the end of Lap #1. Runners will cross the finish line timing mat, run around the course marker and proceed to run the same exact course you just completed a second time.
Narrow Sections: Built in 1832, the tow path is narrow in some sections, requiring single file travel. Please yield to faster runners in these areas. Underpasses: The towpath has several camelback bridge underpasses with low clearance. There are 7 bridge underpasses along the course, for a total of 28 under-passings. Taller people may feel the need to duck under a few of them- these underpasses have a clearing of 6’6”.
Time Limit: In keeping with the BQ spirit of Chasing he Unicorn we will attempt to close the course as quickly as possible. Boston Marathon qualifying time for women 80 & Older is 5hours 25minutes. We would like to close the course at 5 hour 35 minute pace. (12:50 per mile pace)
Hydration Stations: Hydration stations will distribute water and orange or fruit punch flavored Gatorade.
Three stations will be on the course- each will be passed 4 times:
#1 Overlook (1.2 miles, 11.9 miles, 14.3 miles, 25 miles)
#2 Stony Run (2.6 miles, 10.5 miles, 16.7 miles, 23.6 miles)
#3 DCNR Shed south of Thompson Neely (4 miles, 8.8 miles, 17.2 miles, 22.1 miles)
There will also a hydration station at each of the turn arounds:
#4 North Turn Around (6.55. 19.65 miles) * Honey Stinger gel also will be available at this station
#5 Half Way and Finish (13.1 and 26.2 Miles
Medical Information:
If you have any medical information which may be important to your care in the event of an emergency, please write that information on the back of your race bib.
We encourage all runners to run with cell phones. Should you come upon an emergency, we ask that you call this phone number:
(215) 802-2622
PLEASE save this number in your phone in advance of the event. A member of our emergency action team will answer the call. Please give the operator a description of the emergency including:
The nearest mile mark
The nature of the emergency
The number of individuals involved and a description of their clothing
This will ensure adequate care is on the way. *Please note: this number is for emergency on the course purposes only.
Basic first aid supplies such as gloves, razor blades, antiseptic, Band-Aids, and Vaseline will be available at all of the aid stations. Please do not hesitate to ask a volunteer for these supplies.
DNF:
If you decide that you would like to not complete the course, we ask that you make your way to the nearest aid station and let the Aid Station Leader know that you are done for the day. The Aid Station Leader will do their best to keep you comfortable and arrange a ride back to the start/ finish area.
Basic first aid supplies such as gloves, razor blades, antiseptic, Band-Aids, and Vaseline will be available at all of the aid stations. Please do not hesitate to ask a volunteer for these supplies. DNF: If you decide that you would like to not complete the course, we ask that you make your way to the nearest aid station and let the Aid Station Leader know that you are done for the day. The Aid Station Leader will do their best to keep you comfortable and arrange a ride back to the start/ finish area.
18-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54-55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 & Older *
(age groups are subject to change dependent on registration- however we are planning to follow the same age groups as the Boston Marathon)
Results and Photos:
Links to official race results and photos will be posted online at: www.runBUCKS.com
2017 Bucks County Marathon Series photography sponsorship is still available
Merchandise: We do have a limited amount of running style caps available for sale for $15. Sign Up on Dece 31, 2016 and you’ll receive one at packet pick-up for free. ADDITIONAL MERCHANDISE COMING SOON! Please check our website runBucks.com for Chasing the Unicorn Marathon merchandise
Beneficiaries:
Portions of the proceeds of the 2017 Bucks County Marathon Series will benefit groups helping along the race course including area High School Cross Country teams that support our aid stations
Spectators:
PLEASE REMIND YOUR SPECTATORS THAT THE SOD FARM at DAVID LIBRARY of the AMERICAN REVOLUTION is private property and they SHOULD NOT pull in there. Anyone trespassing here endangers the future of these events.
Heading north on River Road, the road crosses over the Canal Towpath. The street that is first left turn after the towpath is marked No Parking. Park at your own risk, obey traffic rules and remember River Road is a heavily traveled roadway.
Thompson Neely House at Aquetong Road is north of the turn around. Turn right and park in the first parking lot and follow the towpath to your right. The turn around is 1/3 mile south.
The north turn around is just south of Chez Odette’s in New Hope, PA. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PARK IN ODETTE’s PARKING LOT. Metered parking is available on the streets and parking lots of New Hope. Walk south along the towpath until you reach the turn around.
Merchandise:
COMING SOON! Please check our website runBucks.com for Bucks County Marathon Series merchandise.
Feedback:
Please share your experience with us! We do hope you provide your feedback on what you liked, and what we can improve on. Please e-mail: pat@runbucks.com!
A Note from the Race Director:
We’ve done a lot of planning.
We expect things to go smoothly.
We do know that sometimes “things” happen.
We do appreciate your understanding in the event “things” happen.
Be safe out there. Take care of each other. Enjoy this!
