Abe’s Army Announcements
The Big Day is Almost Here!
The big day is approaching. Are we ready? Here are some details that will help relieve the pent up anxiety for the upcoming event – The Abe’s Amble Race.
Leaders – Leaders thank you for your 12 weeks of dedication to this program. This race is yours to race if you so desire. Run for your time and enjoy the course.
Leaders – The director of Abe’s Amble would like those of you who return to run your group into the finish area, not run them up into this area. Please stop at the corner of the grand stand and encourage your people to bring it on in. The practice of running the recruits on into the finish area causes problems/confusion with the timing even if the chips have been removed. The Abe’s Amble Director says, “Their cooperation would be appreciated!
Thank You’s – Volunteers are just that – volunteers. As you past a volunteer, thank them for their time. Make their day a little special; they are making yours special by donating their time.
Participants – Everyone this is your day to fly. You have trained for 12 weeks and probably thought that this day would never come. You have been taught all the fundamentals to cover a 6.2 miles race course. This is your day – FLY and enjoy.
Unless the leaders in your group have arranged to be with the group throughout the race, you will accomplish this task on your own.
1st Packet Pickup Option – Location: Prairie Heart Institute, 619 East Mason (same location as your initial orientation). Time: Saturday, August 21 from noon-4:00pm.
2nd Packet Pickup Option – Location: Bud Tent behind the Pork Building. Time: Sunday, August 22 Race Day, 6:15 am – 7:15 and no later than 7:15 am.
Race Time: Start time 7:30 am in front of the Grand stand (as practiced). The faster runners will be in the front of the pack. Remember to line up according to your pace.
Arrival Time: It is best to get to the race early. There will be over 1000 participants entering through one gate – Gate 8. Come early. 6:30ish is not too early to arrive. Give yourself time to park, take in the excitement of the morning, plan time for your restroom stop, and also allow time to let your body warm up and settle in. All this helps in calming the nerves.
Chip: What is a chip? You will receive a little round type object to be placed on your shoe. This is called a chip and it is used for your “official” finish time. Those women who participated in the Women’s Distance Festival used a chip for timing. Lace the chip around your shoe string on the top of your foot. Feel free to ask anyone on race day how to place the chip on your shoe and they will be glad to assist. The chip will be removed by a volunteer after you go through the finish line.
Course: The finish line will remain open until all finishers have returned. The Springfield City Police, Park Police and State Police require us to re-open roads within two hours to assure safe traffic circulation for the State Fair. All runners or walkers still on the course after the two hour time period are directed to move to the sidewalks and observe all safety and traffic rules for crossing in the crosswalks.
Like in any other race, you are encouraged to complete the course, after the two hours, at your own risk which means you are responsible for your safety at intersections and cross traffic.
Amble Awards: Awards will begin after the two hour closure and finishing results have been calculated which is standard race procedures.
Abe’s Army Medals: Medals are provided for “paying” Abe’s participants. A canopy tent will be set up in the front, right hand corner; east side of the Bud tent arena area.
Medal Engraver: My Medals Company is coming from DeKalb, IL to engrave the back of your finisher’s medal. Two line engraving costs $8.00 which is the date and time. Three line engraving costs $10.00 which is the date, time and name. Support the engravers who traveled to make your day special.
Photo Ops – Bring your personal camera to take group pictures or personal pictures next to the “finishers” sign.
Thank you all for participating in the 2010 Abe’s Army training program. The committee hopes you all had a good summer and learned a few tricks during your season.
Best of luck
Your 2010 Abe’s Army Committee
Sneak Peek at Finisher Metals
All paying recruits will receive an Abe’s Army finisher’s medal at the Abe’s Army Tent just inside the Bud area of the finishers/award tent.
This year is the first year that we have an engraver available for on-the-spot engraving just for our Abe’s Army recruits. The “My Medal” company is traveling from DeKalb, Illinois to be part of our “big” day.
Let’s support the engravers and personalize your finisher’s medal. This is a nice way to capture your summer accomplishments.
The cost of engraving is as follows:
- Three line engraving – date, time, and name – $10.00
- Two line engraving – date and time – $8.00
An example of the product will be at the picnic for all to see.
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Photo Opportunity to Commemorate Your Race
Isn’t this picture great! You can have a similar picture with your training group this year. All you have to do is bring a camera, gather the group, stand in front of the finisher’s poster, and have someone snap a shot.
The poster will be at the Abe’s corner of the finisher’s area of the Bud Tent.
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Leaders’ Training Tips – There was a shortage of this sheet at Orientation. Download a PDF here.
Need More Information?
[2010 Abe's Army Logbook in PDF Format]
Click here for more detailed information about the program
Questions may be directed to Diana Nevitt at wildrose@springnet1.com . You may also post questions or comments in the SRRC’s Abe’s Army Forum [link to forum].
