Hi everyone,
We have been contacted by a resident who lives near the Pick Your Poison race course and he is looking for our help.
His chocolate lab followed some bikers into the forest on Saturday and he has not returned. He is wondering if any of our runners happened to see his puppy during the race.
Please let us know by email if you happened to see a dog on the trails on Saturday.
Thanks again for supporting our race again this year.
Heather
Thank you to everyone for signing up for the 5th Pick Your Poison Trail Run.
This year’s 12.5km loop course, which is the same as last year, is going to be an interesting combination of snow, mud and perfectly dry trail. The snow only exists on the ski hill in spots FYI.
Here is a list of what is important, at least to me/us.
1) Registration is closed. Everyone has had plently of time to sign up. I am truly sorry if you missed the deadline but we need to get ready for the race from here on in.
2) Getting to us is easy: Google Maps
Directions to Race
The Heights of Horseshoe Ski Resort, Horseshoe Valley
1106 Horseshoe Valley Road
Directly across from Horseshoe Valley Ski Resort
3) The race is Saturday and starts at 9:00am
4) Race registration is in the ski chalet from 7:00 to 8:30am
5) The course is marked with orange surveying ribbon which is hung from tree branches and attached to wooden stakes. We will also have some directional arrows. When running the PYP course please follow the most logical trail/route. There is no “bushwhacking” so if you see a orange ribbon 50 feet in the forest it is not ours. Due to the time of the year and lack of leaves on trees you will see runners sometimes a few feet away from you going in the opposite direction on a different trail. Please keep your trail and do not think you are on the wrong path. If you think the runner in front of you missed a turn please tell them. If the runner in front of you misses a turn please don’t just follow them. We really do try very, very hard to have a well marked course.
6) Everyone is welcome to bring a drop bag and leave it up against the side of the ski chalet just past the start/finish.
7) Post-race food starts at 11:30, every runner is welcome to the BBQ. Family members hanging around can purchase a BBQ ticket at the morning registration for $5 (I am sorry if this seems like we are being cheap but we have to pay the Heights to make the food, that being said it is great food).
Once again we will have an 8 hr cutoff time for all racers. If you are not starting your final lap by 3:15 pm you will not be allowed to continue.
9) The amount of waste we produce every year is frankly crazy. Please bring your own water bottle to take fluids at aid stations. Don’t worry we do have some cups.
10) Please run and race smart, this is the first race of the year for a lot of people. Some maybe “trail rusty”, not quite in race shape, or super amped up. Please be friendly and respectful of everyone out on the trails, including fellow land users. Just because you are wearing a race number doesn’t mean that someone walking a dog knows to move out of the way or cares to.
11) Don’t forget to thank our wonderful volunteers. Without them this race could never be so awesome!
I really look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday. I hope you all get to us safely and have a wonderful run.
AdamH
pickyourpoisontr@gmail.com
Just a reminder that registration closes today. Thank you to all runners for making this our biggest turn out to date.
We will provide a last minute update on Thursday for any additional race day information.
PYP cleanup is coming along well. The course is in good shape, there will be snow in a couple of sections for race day which should make things fun. The 2012 course is being used but there is one reroute: The section of single track that is just under 1km past the golf course aid station. The new entrance is on the left hand side of the x-country ski trail before the big mound of dirt (you will know when you see it).
Full course marking will be not done until Friday April 26 due to past problems with marker tampering.
Thank you all for signing up, look forward to seeing everyone in a week.
Still about 75 spots left.
Any questions/comments pickyourpoisontr@gmail.com
AdamH
Hey everyone, there is still room for runners but the race will be capped at 300 (as stated in January, see below) so sign up ASAP to secure yourself a spot!!
Re-post from January 19th.
This year we will limit the number of runners to 300 total. Once again there will be 12.5/25/50 km distances using a 12.5km loop. Same loop as last year.
Race fees will be 12.5 km is $40, 25 km is $50, 50 km is $60 until April 7th then fees will go up by $10.
T-shirt’s, honey, free food all day incl. post race BBQ, and finishers socks.
Adam
Walked the PYP course today. Still lots of snow but it’s melting quickly. Judging by the weather report for the beginning of the week the snow should keep disappearing.
The race course is going to be the same as in 2012. The only issue for the full 12.5km loop is the entrance into the single track at about 9km. It needs some work due to some clear cutting and massive amount of dirt moving, this is only a 100-150 meter section to be fixed. Everything else looks great. Until the ground thaws we will not be able to fix this piece of trail.
For pre-running the course the link for Garmin Connect is your best bet. We will not be marking anything until the weekend before the race. (Why? because markers get taken down.)
Here are some photos of what we walked through today.
Hi Racers,
We have been contacted by a 50K racer who is looking for someone to carpool with from downtown Toronto. If you would be interested in helping out send us an email and we’ll put you in touch!
Thanks
The 2013 course will be the same as last year. That being said some trees maybe down, and some heavy equipment has been up near the golf course through the end of summer, so there maybe be some slight modifications.
With the never ending winter in Horseshoe Valley we still have snow on the ground but this weekend the PYP Crew are walking the course to make sure things are a-okay.
I will post any changes on Monday April 8th and a new map for Garmin Connect.
I hope everyone is running well and look forward to seeing everyone on April 27th.
AdamH
Aiming for a 1st, 2nd or 3rd. This is what we have for you. 
