Dec 5-6,
2015
The Hitchcock Experience
50 and 100 Mile Endurance Runs
Greater Omaha Area Trail Runners
(G.O.A.T.z)
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2015 Hitchcock Experience 50 and 100 Mile Endurance Runs
Race Date: Saturday, December 5, 2015
Race Start: Hitchcock Nature Center, 27792 Ski Hill Loop, Honey Creek, IA 51542
Start Time: 100 Milers - 5:00 a.m. / 50 Milers – 7 p.m.
The Hitchcock Experience:
The Hitchcock Experience 50 and 100 Mile Endurance Runs are created by the Greater Omaha Area Trail Runners
(G.O.A.T.z) with the support of or generous sponsors and most graciously, that of the Hitchcock Nature Center and
Pottawatamie County Conservation Board. We aim to be strong and proud supporters of the natural resources our area
has to offer while providing events such as the Hitchcock Experience which help to support our mission. The Hitchcock
Experience extends our reach within the “Greater Omaha Area” to the other side of the river.
Hitchcock Nature Center overlooking the Missouri River valley is the venue for this inaugural race. The trails at Hitchcock
will provide a stern challenge to even the most prepared runner. Both Hitchcock Experience races take place entirely on
Loess Hills soil within the nature center and adjoining private property.
About Hitchcock Nature Center:
The Hitchcock Nature Center exists to develop and
foster appreciation and understanding of the Loess
Hills as a globally significant landform through land
management, environmental education and lowimpact recreation.
Acquired by Pottawattamie County in 1991, Hitchcock
Nature Center (HNC) currently consists of 1,268 acres
located in the heart of the globally significant Loess
Hills.
Travel:
The drive to Hitchcock Nature Center from anywhere in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro area is no longer than 45
minutes. The drive from downtown Omaha is approximately 30 minutes and approximately 20 minutes from Council
Bluffs, IA.
Lodging:
We have not contracted with a host hotel, however, there are a number of lodging options in the Omaha/Council Bluffs
area within reasonable driving distance of the nature center. See http://travelcouncilbluffs.com/ or
http://www.visitomaha.com/ for lodging options and other activities to do while in town.
Limited tent camping and RV pads are available at Hitchcock. Contact us at [email protected] if you
are interested in camping on race weekend.
Packet Pickup:
Friday, December 4 from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Canfield’s Sporting Goods
8457 W Center Rd, Omaha, NE 68124
(800) 333-2263
Course:
All runners run the same course which consists of four, 12.5 mile loops for 50 milers and eight, 12.5 mile loops for our
100 milers. Elevation change is approximately 4750 feet per loop for a grand total of 19,000 feet for your 50 miles and
38,000 feet for the 100. To put it mildly, you WILL get a workout. There are no exceptionally long climbs, however, there
are many, and most offer short, steep climbs and descents. Don’t fret though, it’s not all climbing and descending, there
are several optimally placed, relatively flat stretches.
Race start times:
100 Miler: 5:00 a.m. (34 Hour Cutoff)
50 Miler: 7 p.m. – (18 Hour Cutoff) You read that right. P.M. is not a misprint. The time was selected deliberately and
with the intention that 50 milers will have the benefit of the shorter distance with the experience of the 100 milers.
*** Headlamps required
It’s not technically winter yet, but it’s close enough, which means the days are short and nights are long. Sunrise is 7:30
a.m. and sunset is 5:00 p.m. Both races start in the dark. Most 100 mile racers will see two sunrises, and many 50 milers
will see the sunrise on the 6th. This means you will not only need a headlamp or other light source, we require it.
Weather:
Weather in December in the Midwest can be unpredictable. Average temps are highs in the mid to upper 30’s and lows
in the mid to upper 20’s, however, you should come prepared for any temperature range and any weather condition.
Aid Stations:
Each 12.5 mile loop contains three, count ‘em three fully stocked and manned aid stations.
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The Lodge aka Beacon of Hope/Despair (start/finish). Drop bags, crew access, pacer pickup
Ralph’s (the campground) at approximately 3.65 miles. Named in honor of Ralph Hohneke, who has so
graciously allowed us to run on his property on race weekend. Crew access and pacer pickup is available here.
The Oasis at approximately 6.75 miles. The Oasis will be manned by our good friends and title sponsors from
Canfield’s Sporting Goods and is located at the end of short out and back on the west edge of the nature center.
Note: there is absolutely no crew access at the Oasis.
It is almost 6 miles from the Oasis to the start/finish. Leave here fueled, hydrated, and packed for this section of
each loop.
Our aid stations will make every effort to limit waste. Cups will be limited to soft drinks and hot soups or
drinks. Because of this all runners must carry a bottle or hydration pack. This is not optional. 100 milers will
receive an insulated 23 ounce Orange Mud Purist valued at $20.
Aid stations will have the following food and drink options:
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Water, Gatorade, Heed, Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale, miscellaneous hot drinks
Hot soups, broth, quesadillas, turkey and peanut butter sandwiches, chips, fruits
Honey Stinger gels
Note: we will do our best to provide you with a variety of food options throughout your race, however, all items listed
here may be not available each trip through. Please understand and adjust to what is available at the time you visit. We
cannot accommodate special dietary needs for each of our runners. If you have a special requirement, please be sure to
keep it in your drop bag or with a crew member.
Remember, our aid station workers are volunteers. Many of them have agreed to spend most if not all of their
weekend to serve you. Please thank them for their time and service, over, and over again.
Drop Bags:
The lodge is the only drop bag location. We will not transport bags to any other aid station location. Crew may meet you
at Ralph’s aid station if necessary.
Crew access:
As noted above, crew access is available at the start/finish (at main lodge) and at Ralph’s (campground) only. DO NOT
attempt to meet your runner at the Oasis aid station.
Pacers:
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Allowed after 50 miles for 100 mile runners only.
Required to wear a pacer bib during while with their runner. Bibs may be picked up at the start/finish area
May eat and drink at the aid stations.
May join their runner at either the start/finish (at main lodge) or at Ralph’s Canteen (campground). Please do
not attempt to join your runner at any other course location.
Muling is not allowed. Runners must continue carrying their own supplies even after you have joined them.
Course marking:
Course markings will consist of 36" stakes consisting of reflective PVC, and bright orange ribbons, yellow signs with black
arrows, and flour arrows for ground markings (weather permissible). The stakes will be placed close enough that you
should always be able to see the next trail marker. You should never have long stretches of wondering if you’re going in
the right direction. Intersections and turns will be marked with signs, arrows, caution tape, and pennant flags. Lastly,
areas which require two way traffic will be marked with signs labeled "two way traffic begins" upon entering and "two
way traffic ends" upon exiting. These areas should also provide great opportunities for you to put your “high five” hand
into action!"
Bibs:
Each runner will receive two reflective, cloth bibs with their packets. One with your racer number, and another with the
Hitchcock Experience logo and elevation chart. Aid station volunteers will check you in every time you arrive at each aid
station. For this reason, it is imperative that the bib with your number is worn on your front and visible at all times. The
secondary bib is yours to keep as a souvenir of the race or place on your back as a reflective reference point for other
runners to use when approaching you from behind.
Timing:
The races will not be chip timed this year, but we will collect your arrival times at each aid station and upon exiting the
start finish. You must ensure we have checked you in every time. Racer times will be updated throughout the race on
our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/hitchcockhundred
DNF / Drops:
100 milers who wish to drop after 50 miles will be shown as “dropped to 50”, credited with a 50 mile finish and their 50
mile time entered into the results.
Awards:
All 100 milers who finish within the 34 hour time limit will receive a custom finishers buckle and 100 mile medal. 100
milers who finish after the time limit will still receive the medal. All 50 milers or “Dropped to 50” receive a custom 50
mile medal.
1st Place Overall Male and Females in each race will receive a custom made award, fabricated by CS Iron Works of
Crescent, IA.
Required Items:
Headlamp or illumination device
Water bottle or Hydration Pack
Recommended Items:
Extra shoes (screws highly recommended - http://skyrunner.com/screwshoe.htm), clothing (multiple layers), wet and
cold weather gear, special dietary needs
Lost and Found:
We understand drop bags and other items are forgotten after your race, however, we will not ship any items left behind.
They will be donated to a local charity.
Littering:
Pack it in, pack it out. It’s that simple. If you have trash, hang on to it until you reach the nearest aid station. It reflects
poorly on us and you.
Attitude:
We have thoroughly enjoyed organizing the inaugural Hitchcock Experience 50 and 100 Mile Endurance Runs. Our
volunteers will bring their A games and usual positive attitudes and see to it that you have every opportunity to leave
Hitchcock successful. We hope your run the first weekend of December are challenging, memorable, and enjoyable.
Feedback:
We welcome your feedback and take the input of our runners seriously. It is through your constructive input that we are
able to grow and improve our races from year to year. Please let us know how your race was by sending race reports or
comments to: [email protected]
Thank You
Sponsors: Canfield’s Sporting Goods, Red Dirt Running Company, Handyman Joe’s, Nebraska Orthopaedic Hospital,
Mama’s Pizza, AC Nelsen RV World
Special thanks to the staff at Hitchcock Nature Center and to the Pottawatamie County Conservation Board for their
cooperation and willingness to work with us and allowing us, and you to take over the park for a weekend.
And to our volunteers, it can never be said enough how valuable they are to a successful G.O.A.T.z event. We’ve said it
before and we’ll say it again, there are none better.