Ouachita Trail 50 Mile and 50K Information

Date:                       April 17, 2010

Location:               Maumelle Park, Little Rock, Arkansas, Pavilion # 8            (see map and directions)

Starting Time:       6:00 AM (Prompt) for both races.  Runners must check in at the pavilion between 5:00 and 5:45 AM.

Packets:                 Race packets may be picked up at Pavilion #8 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, April 16, or between 5:00 and 5:45 AM race morning.

Course:                  A picturesque climb over Pinnacle Mountain followed by an out-and-back along the shore of Lake Maumelle. Course includes six miles of asphalt and the remainder on scenic, rocky, single-track trail.  Pinnacle Mountain trails will be utilized on the “out” portion only.  Several highway crossings will be involved. There will be no traffic control. Please be responsible and be careful!

Trail:                       The Ouachita Trail is a single track foot path on which no bikes or motorized vehicles are allowed. The trail is permanently marked with blue blazes. Turns are marked with two blue blazes. Additional markers (blue ribbons) will be out.

Aid:                        Eleven staffed aid stations for 50-mile; seven for 50Km.  (See mileage/aid station chart.)  Carrying at least one fluid bottle is HIGHLY advised.

Crew access:         Crews can meet runners at East Pinnacle Parking Lot, West Summit Trailhead, Northshore, and the Hwy 10 turnaround only.

Drop Bags:            Drop bags will be taken to the 16 and 36-mile aid station (Northshore), and to the turnaround point for the 50 mile (Highway 10).  Please label dropbags with your name and “Northshore” or “Hwy 10” to avoid confusion.  Bring all bags to the race check-in between 5:00 and 5:45 AM.  Bags will be returned to the finish area after the race.

Cut-off Times:      There is a 13-hour time limit for both races.   Runners registered in the 50 Mile have the option to change to the 50Km during the race.  To continue in the 50 Mile race, a runner must exit the Northshore aid station by 10:15 AM (out-bound) and 3:30 PM (returning), and the Hwy 10 Turnaround aid station by 12:50 PM.  These cut-off times will be strictly enforced.

Awards:                 Finishing awards to each 50K and 50 Mile finisher.  Overall awards to first male and female finisher in the 50K and 50 Mile.  Awards will be presented as you finish..  Cool-max shirts to all entrants.  Food will be provided at the finish – hamburgers, hot dogs, etc.

Race Director:       Chrissy Ferguson, e-mail (Preferred)  OT50@RunArkansas.com ; phone 501-329-6688

Race Rules and other general information

All runners must wear assigned race numbers.  It is the runner’s responsibility to ensure his/her race number is recorded at all manned aid stations.

Average temperatures on race day:  low 52 degrees, high 75 degrees.

Aid station fare includes water, Gatorade, Heed, Coke, Sprite, Mountain Dew, chips, cookies, crackers, candy, peanuts, beef jerky, PB&J sandwiches, bananas, oranges, and Hammer Gel.  No Advil, Aspirin, or other pain relievers will be supplied at aid stations. 

Runners receiving aid from crews outside the designated crew access points are subject to disqualification.

At no time may a runner ride in or on a vehicle of any kind.  Violators will be disqualified.  If you get off the official course, you must return on foot to the point at which you left the prescribed race route.

Medical personnel, the race director, and aid station captains have the right to pull a runner if they feel they are a danger to himself/herself.

If you have to drop from the race, make sure that a race official at an aid station is notified.  Failure to do this could result in search and rescue, which could be at runners expense.

Please do not litter on the trail.  Violators will be subject to disqualification.

Accommodations

Maumelle Park is a Corps of Engineer park on the bank of the Arkansas River.  Tent camping and RV spaces are available for a fee. 

All spaces have water and electricity, and up to two tents are allowed per space.  Campsite reservations may be made by visiting www.recreation.gov or calling 1-877-444-6777.

PLEASE NOTE:  No camping is allowed at Pavilion #8.

There are numerous motels/hotels within about eight miles of the start, near the intersection of I-430 and I-630.  Here is a partial list:

Race Parking

Every effort will be made to accommodate all parking needs at pavilion number 8.  Your early arrival and cooperation will help us achieve this.  If overflow parking is required, please use the parking provided inside Maumelle Park by the boat launch ramp (see map below).  It is critical that you DO NOT park along Pinnacle Valley Road.

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