Runner Email #1 (2-7-24)
Hello Pistol Runners
Thank you for registering for the Pistol party. We look forward to seeing you and over 400 of your closest running friends in a month. We can’t wait to be there to cheer you when you toe the start line, encourage and support you on the course, and then celebrate your finish with you at the finish line arch!
We have several things to cover in this first email, so let’s get started.
1. This will be the 11th official running of the Pistol. Start/Finish Area: Springbrook Pool Center, 636 Vose Rd, Alcoa, TN 37701
2. We are excited to have Two-Time Barkley Finisher John Kelly as our Keynote Speaker for 2024 Join us at the Hilton Ballroom to Hear John! If you know of anyone who hasn’t signed up yet, let them know to sign up today at www.pistolultra.com. John is scheduled to take the stage tentatively at 6:30 pm.
3. We need volunteers to help all support all our ultrarunners. Especially Saturday night and Sunday. Even Pistol runners can volunteer before or after they run. In addition to the cool Pistol volunteer swag, all volunteers will receive race credit towards another event. Plus you’ll score lots of good karma, and most importantly, help lots of runners be successful! Please encourage anyone you know to help. A huge thank you! Click Here To Volunteer
4. Need to change distance? You can easily do so via this event website link: https://runsignup.com/Race/ThePistolCreekRun/Page/EventTransfer
5. Friday check-in for all distances will be at the Hilton Inn Cove Convention Center again from 2 - 8 PM. Address is 2001 Alcoa Hwy, Alcoa, TN. They are right next to the Knoxville Airport. They are also one of our host hotels, so if you are already staying there, you’ve got it made. See the website schedule for full schedule details: Click Here To Learn More
6. If you need a little “tune-up” (taping/stretching/massage) or some medical/coaching advice before the race, our Ultra Doc (Dr. Jeanne Williams) will be at Packet Pickup at the Hilton on Friday, the 8th for mini-sessions. You can schedule those here: Click To Schedule. Walk-up sessions are available if not scheduled, but book in advance to guarantee your session!
7. All medical and physical therapy needs will be handled by our Ultra Doc, Dr. Jeanne Williams, and her Quest Health & Performance team. They will be back again at the main aid station to provide all your medical needs and help you to achieve your race goals. Jeanne is a doctor of physical therapy, certified run coach, and crazy endurance athlete herself; so bring all your questions and concerns! She gets it and can help you save your race! She has saved MANY other runners races, so be sure to see her if you are having any issues or considering dropping. She can work miracles! During the race, medical services will be available on a first come/served basis (priority to runners still on course) at no additional cost to you. Don’t hesitate to come see them during or after your race! They’re easy to spot…just look for all the purple!
8. Live tracking. We are providing free RaceJoy tracking for all runners who want to carry their cell phones and participate. We strongly encourage you to use it. You or anyone else will also be able to scan the QR code on your bib to immediately see your results, track your progress, see where you are at, and lots of other helpful things. The link will be up on the event website shortly. In the meantime, be sure you have downloaded the app and are ready to rock and roll!
a) iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/racejoy/id596132953
b) Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.racejoy.racejoy&hl=en_US
9. You all are going to really be spoiled with aid station support again this year! The Long Run staff is hosting the Start/Finish Aid Station again, then there's Lucky's Aid Station (Little River Trading Company, and others) again a couple miles are so down the course, then you come to the legendary Woody's Near World Famous Aid Station which will be staffed by (East Coast Adventures Team) just before you reach the far end of the loop and again as you start your return. So you might be able to put in your order on your first stop, then pick it up a few minutes later on your return. How sweet is that? A bit further along on your way back, on the spur (Aluminum Avenue) at the Turnaround we will have a unmanned Aid Station with Water, Tailwind & Pickle Juice, here you will cross timing mats and get your timing split, then you’ll pass by Lucky's Aid Station again before you hit the Start/Finish and complete your first loop. So, you’ll pass an aid station every 1-2.5 miles or so. Talk about being spoiled!
10. Onsite food trucks! We have scheduled two awesome food trucks to feed y’all. Everyone registered for any of the ultra distances gets a free meal (up to $11) on us! Just present your bib tear-off stub. We have requested vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options in addition to all the other tasty goodies they’ll have for you. Meals can be purchased directly from the food trucks on site for the half/full marathoners and anyone else.
a) Saturday 11 AM to 6 PM: Knox Bun
b) Sunday 11 AM to about 3 PM: Waffley Good Knoxville
c) *Times are approximate
11. If you have questions, please search the website first: https://www.pistolultra.org Pro tip: Go to the page you’re looking for the info on, press Ctrl and F to bring up a search box. Type in the keyword you’re looking for and viola!
12. If you still need to connect and want accurate answers, please respond to this email or reach out via the website contact portal: Click Here To Email Us Posting them on Facebook is not recommended since we are working hard to get everything ready for you and likely won’t have the time to be surfing Facebook and waiting to answer questions or post comments. While it may take us a bit, we’ll do our very best to respond to emails as quickly as possible. Please do it before race week as we will be hard at work getting things ready to go for you the week of and may not have time to respond.
13. Schedule:
Friday, March 8, 2024 (The Cove @ Hilton Knoxville Airport, 2001 Aloca Hwy, Alcoa, TN 37701)
2:00-8:00 PM EDT: All race distances check-in/packet pickup and day of registration. 6: 30 PM - John Kelly takes the Stage at The Hilton Ballroom, Race Briefing will follow. 6:45-7:45 AM EDT at the Springbrook Pool Center location as noted below.) Get your shirt, bib, swag, and any applicable sales/add-ons. PLEASE HELP US AVOID LONG LINES BY PICKING UP EARLY.
Saturday, March 9, 2024 (Springbrook Pool Center, 636 Vose Rd. Alcoa, TN 37701) PLEASE BE SURE TO PARK IN YOUR ASSIGNED PARKING AREA AS SHOWN HERE.
(Sunrise ~6:49 AM EDT; sunset 6:42 PM EDT)
6:30-7:30 AM EDT: Bagels, bananas, drinks, etc available at The Long Run Aid Station (Start/Finish) for runners. Also late arrival check-in/packet pickup and day of registration. THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO CHANGE YOUR RACE DISTANCE AND STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A FINISHER’S AWARD!
7:45 AM EDT: Pre-race welcome, recognitions, and announcements, then the national anthem and race start!
7:55 AM EDT: 50K races start (equal starting room for both genders)
8:00 AM EDT: 100K and 100 mile races start (equal starting room for both genders)
11:30 AM EDT to Sunday 4:00 PM EDT: Food, drinks, and chocolate milk available for free for all runners and their pacers in the awards area in the tent.
7:00-7:45 PM EDT: 50 mile race packet pick-up and day of registration.
8:00 PM EDT: 50 mile race starts
Sunday, March 10, 2024 (Springbrook Pool Center, 636 Vose Rd. Alcoa, TN 37701) PLEASE BE SURE TO PARK IN YOUR ASSIGNED PARKING AREA AS SHOWN HERE.
6:30-7:30 AM EDT: Half and full marathon packet pick-up and day of registration.
8:00 AM EDT: Half and full marathon starts (equal starting room for both genders)
4:00 PM EDT: All races end
That’s it for this email. Good luck as you get ready for the big dance! We’ll be in touch again in a few days with your next email update. We can’t wait to see you at the Pistol party!
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The Pistol Team
Runner Email #1 (2-7-24)
