WELCOME TO THE KEYS100;
WON'T BE LONG NOW!

Welcome to the KEYS100 Ultra-Family, everyone! We know you’re in for a great race on May 16-17 in the amazing Florida Keys. These islands are a joyful, very special place to run.

In this e-mail is information that will be useful to you on race weekend and in preparation for the event. Please take the time to read each item.

REGISTRATION AND PRE-RACE MEETING

For everyone except 50-mile racers**, plan to be in Key Largo at the Holiday Inn between 5:00 and 7:00 PM on Friday, May 15th, to check-in and pick up your race bag with race number, shirt, signs (2) for your vehicle and more. It’s also a great time to meet other runners from around the country. At 7:00 will be a mandatory pre-race meeting for all 100-mile runners and all relay team captains. I strongly suggest that all team members attend this meeting, too. If unable to do so, it will be the Captain’s responsibility to pick-up race packets for all other team members, and to convey completely and clearly all the race rules and safety considerations we review at that meeting. SAFETY is job one, although enjoying this race experience is right up there! Insight about the race cannot all be put on a website page or in an e-mail. Pre-race meetings are helpful and should be taken seriously.

**50 mile runners do not have to attend the Friday night meeting but are welcome to do so. A pre-race meeting of all 50-milers will be held in Marathon at the race starting area no later than 9:30 AM. Racers may pick-up their packets and signs between 8:30 and 9:30 AM. Be sure to allow enough time to obtain your materials and get organized. There will be a lot of people there and the race will start on time at 10:00 AM.

VERY SPECIAL KEYS100 COMPETITOR

Sister Mary Beth Lloyd was the recipient in June 2008 of the “Servitor Pacis Award” from the Vatican’s Mission to the United Nations for her work with AIDS orphans. This annual “Path to Peace Award” is given to the one person in the world who most exemplifies the work of those who have dedicated their lives to helping the neediest among us. On May 16th at 6:00 AM, Sister will be at the starting line in Key Largo to compete in her first 100 mile race. At age 60, she will be running along US#1 in her requisite nun’s habit. Sister Mary Beth Lloyd will be a unique and exceptional presence, and a true inspiration to all involved in the KEYS100. While this race specifically raises money to battle prostate cancer, Sister will speak to us at the pre-race meeting about the importance of running for a cause. I have heard Sister Mary Beth speak before, and her words change lives. The pre-race meeting: be there and say “hello” to this warm and very special person.

THE HEAT; THE ROAD

Heat: The overwhelming cause of failure to complete the KEYS100 is impact of the heat. This is the sub-tropics, folks! Temperatures will be in the high 80’s with high humidity. At this latitude, the sun is strong. Cover up. A hat with neck drape is recommended. Consider long-sleeve clothing. Wear ice. Special bandanas made for that purpose and worn around the neck are available in running stores or may be purchased for $15.00 online from our sponsor, www.zombierunner.com. In order to promote the race and check out the course on foot, I will be running the entire KEYS100 route again beginning this Saturday morning, April 18th. I will start wearing one of these ice bandanas early—before the impact of the heat begins to be felt—AND will also “wear” ice in a fabric sleeve on top of my head, under my hat. The melted ice will be replaced regularly. I will also stay hydrated, eat 200-250 calories per hour and replace salts and minerals lost through sweat. With that plan in place, it’s all up to my feet to carry me to Smathers Beach! But, without first paying attention to body temperature, hydration, nutrition and mineral replenishment, I wouldn’t have a chance.

Road: Much of this race is run on sidewalks, bike paths, pedestrian bridges and service roads, but nearly half is run on the road shoulder, FACING TRAFFIC. As with any road running, racers must remain alert and run defensively, especially at night. You will be close to traffic. It can be heavy and in some areas moves very fast. Be aware and be prepared. Know the race rules. Runners MUST wear reflective clothing and blinking lights between sundown and sun-up. No exceptions.

ROUTE MAP & NOTES

Detailed Route Notes appear on the race website. A copy will be distributed to runners and teams at check-in and be reviewed at the pre-race meeting. We are completing a complementary route map that will make these notes even easier for you to use. Arranged by descending Mile Marker, “Notes” include vital information about where to run, including sidewalks, bike paths and service roads that are to be used, and where to cross Overseas Highway. Locations of mandatory race check-in sites, gas stations, convenience stores, bathroom facilities and more are included. This tool is vital to a successful race and has been developed to better explain the route and what it has to offer. Become familiar with it BEFORE the race and use it to navigate DURING the race. It will help you.

BOOK HOTELS EARLY

Our race hotel deadlines are fast approaching. (See “Race Hotels” on the website.) Some rooms remain at negotiated rates, but not for long. If you haven’t made reservations, we strongly suggest you do so asap. Remember that in Key West most hotels have a 4:00 check-in time and stick pretty close to that. If you need a room early in the day, you should reserve the night before with notice of late arrival.

CREW SUPPORT

Those individual runners who have requested support in finding volunteer crew will be hearing from us shortly. There has been significant demand this year; finding people willing to commit to volunteering for such long hours takes time. Be patient. We have not forgotten you and will be in touch. If you will be racing with crew for the first time, and haven’t already read the website notes about crew support, please do so. Responsibilities each to the other are discussed in detail and you will find these notes helpful.

Relay Team As Crew: For relay teams, the inactive runners should view themselves as support crew for the active runner. Stop frequently to cheer him/her on, offer fresh water or other items and otherwise let him/her know you’re there and into it. If the runner is on a 4-mile leg, stop at two and cheer loudly as he/she runs by. If there is a road crossing to sidewalk in the other side of the highway, park, get out of the vehicle and direct your runner at the turn. Use your numbers, and those Route Notes, to advantage.

GET YOUR CREW READY

Set expectations clearly. Be flexible in case the unexpected happens. Given the heat in the Keys, plan to meet your crew every couple of miles—not every 5 or 10--even if just to check-in so they know you are okay. That is true for relay teams, too. Overseas Highway offers many places for your support or team vehicle to pull off the road--entirely off the road--to wait for you or your team-mate. Take advantage of that by doing short leap-frogs. There is no downside to frequent stops and contact.

TEE SHIRTS AVAILABLE

A limited number of long sleeve and short sleeve race shirts will be for sale at pre-race check-in at $15.00 each—cash or check only. Runners may wish to buy one for crew members. Each registered competitor will receive a shirt with “RACER” printed on the front in their race packet. A small number of 2008 shirts (limited sizes) will be offered for sale at that time, too.

Benefiting Charities

SANCTIONED EVENT

KEYS100
c/o UltraSports LLC
P.O. Box 2065
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33303

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