September 16, 2008
Hello Race Participants:
RE: Note Your Race Bib Number/Final Notice
There are few places as special as Run for the Toad, where 1100 participants this year will start the run/walk at the Tent City Courtyard and disappear a few kilometres later into the varied forests of the Pinehurst Conservation Area.
We regret we will no longer be able to accept request for event changes of any kind, meal orders, or cancellations. If you are unable to attend the race for any reason you can arrange to have a friend pick-up your Saucony Backpack and race goodie bag or join us as a spectator/diner and cheer on your fellow runner/walker friends. Thank you for your understanding.
Please check our website for any additional race updates prior to race day.
Arriving at the Park
On your arrival to Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area race participants and volunteers (identification badge holders) are exempt of all park admission fees. Admission fees will be charged to all others. Please Note: If you have a guest or other family members in your vehicle you must pay the admission fees as follows:
Over 14 years of age -- $4.25
Child (ages 6 to 14) -- $2.50
Children 5 years and under -- Free
Parking Marshals will meet you when entering the park interior, and direct you to assigned parking areas. No driver may simply pull over to the roadside and park. We encourage you to arrive early (carpool, if you can) to help free our parking marshals for other duties.
Race Kit Pickup: Registration opens at 6:15 a.m. and closes at 8:45 a.m. All that is required is for you to know your Race Bib Number. You can obtain your bib number on our website on the Registered Participants page. On race day when you get to the Great Forest Bistro Tent please join in the appropriate line that corresponds to your Bib Number. You will be directed to pick up your Registration Gift – a Saucony/Run for the Toad Backpack; "Sponsor Goodies" will be placed in a Vincenzo's bag: Hammer Gel, Nutriel Bars, Platinum Naturals and Epson Salts. Pita Break will be handing out some Pita Bread samples, too. Please don't forget to PICK UP YOUR CHIP!
Remember your Bib Number is also your Meal Ticket, too! If you ordered extra meal tickets they have been placed in your Bib Number envelope.
Pre-race massage is available at the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy Tent located in the heart of Tent City between the hours of 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
If Gourmet Coffee is your morning desire, join us at the Tim Hortons tent and enjoy Tim Hortons Coffee, Donuts and Cookies. Note: Young children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian while receiving coffee or donuts. All spectators may join us for complimentary coffee and donuts.
Pre-Race Hydrations Stations will be available at the Post Race Hydration Station located beside the Canadian College Massage and Chiropractic service tents. This is a new hydration station for the Athletes and Volunteers only.
Pet Rule, requesting your cooperation – Dogs are NOT permitted to be in Tent City courtyard due to the Birds of Prey Demonstrations. No Dogs are allowed on the race course. If you do bring your dog and choose to have it in other areas of the park, due to regulations within the Conservation Authority all dogs must be on a short leash at all times. Dog owners must maintain contact with their dog at all times.
Headsets – It is not a race rule, but we are suggesting people NOT wear headsets because some of the areas on the trails are single track and racers need to be able hear when someone is going to pass them on the trails – Please out of courtesy for others. Consider the options. If you do wear headsets, one ear must be unobstructed at all times while on the course.
NO Smoking Regulation: Due to numerous Tent and display structures, our fire regulations maintain the No Smoking rule in Tent City, the start/finish line area and all aid stations. Individuals wishing to smoke may do so in the parking area.
Children: Parents or guardians must maintain contact with young children at all times. Parents or guardians will not be permitted to leave children in the custody of the race volunteers. We request you know where your children are at all times. If in the event that children do stray from a parent or guardian the children can get assistance by identifying themselves to our volunteers wearing the familiar volunteer badge identification.
Kids – Don't Forget: To visit the Thunder Tree Theatre Tent, with Toad Patrol movies and for the first time, there will be an added educational hour in which the kids will be able learn about the Birds of Prey being presented by the Halton Region Conservation Authority. Other activities are planned.
Opening Ceremonies/Race Start Times
The opening ceremonies commence at 9:00 a.m. sharp. During this time, the pre-race massage will be closed and the registration area will be closed. The race Expo will be closed during this time.
The race commences at 9:30 a.m. sharp with the 25k and 50k runners. 25k Walkers will start 5 minutes after the last 25k/50k runner crosses the starting mats. Start Time approximately 9:40 a.m.
"New This Year"
Westside (Lake Side) of the race course starting line area is Restricted to Spectators. This designated Area will facilitate:
Again, this area provides a critical services function for medical and race operations. Spectators entering this area will be asked to leave unless you require medical care. Media attendees will be granted access to this area.
"New" Frontier Popcorn
We applaud people who reach into the past to come up with today's best taste sensations. For the cost of a Toonie the Frontier Popcorn Co. crew makes old-fashioned Kettle Corn dusted with a superfine salt and granulated sugar.
Drop Bag Area (Next to Aid Station #1) Sunset West Pavilion
Aid Station #1 is now located 200 Meters from the Start Line – under the Canopy of Aid Station #1. 50k race participants may use part of this facility for drop bag purposes. Please note this area is Not Supervised.
Display your Cup Medal with Pride – This is your personal accomplishment and it's our best ever finishing medal. Remember to receive your finishing "cup medal" you must finish the event you are registered for.
Post Race Party – The final preparations are now complete for all our menu planning; we are no longer taking orders for the dinner.
Door Prizes – not to be missed, a selection of our best designer gifts from months of planning. You must be present to win.
Awards: All award winners that are unable to attend the Award Ceremony should inform the race organizers of your early departure so that you may claim your award before leaving the park. If your awards are not claimed on race day the race organizers will not be responsible for getting them to you. Category Awards are listed here.
Important Note: After Wednesday September 24, 2008 we will not be replying to e-mails or phone calls. Construction of Tent City along with the racecourse preparation commences Thursday September 25.
Imagine, 1100 race participants will toe the starting line on Saturday October 4th – that's a lot of trail runners/walkers participating under a single banner. Congratulations to all of you that will be joining us this year and we especially thank you for having the confidence in us to pull this one off. The race sold out in April 2008.
At the Toad, we're excited about the improvements we are putting in place for our race participants, volunteers and spectators. We hope you'll share our enthusiasm and passion for this entirely new experience we are creating "just for you."
Kindest personal regards,
George & Peggy
August 21, 2008
Dear Race Participant:
Race Report # 4 Work in Progress
Please Note: The Pavilion Fundraising Link is now posted on our web-site under "New" GRCA Donation Link
Tent City Expo (36 Exhibitors)
Now clocking six weeks until race day there are so many reasons to plan for the day. Whether you are joining us by family, groups of 4, 6 or more, you'll find a perfect venue to make your race and get together for an experience to remember.
This year provides a real Outdoor Expo excitement under the canopy of many tents located within a courtyard setting bordered by a 23-Acre Kettle Lake and the surroundings of a beautiful Carolinian forest. This is your opportunity to meet many people who are the driving force of trail racing.
Our Running Store Exhibitors
First and foremost you will recognize each of these stores as sponsor stores characterized by their personal flair, and proven experience in their business. They invite you to browse through their exhibits for the experience of choice, whether you are seeking value, athletic apparel or that next great running/walking tip:
Exhibitor Sponsors
Run for the Toad stands for the very best in corporate sponsorship support. It stands for a family of companies that individually have become leaders in their fields of expertise. The exhibits showcased at this year's race are among the best that racing has to offer. With a long standing tradition of welcoming guests with warm genuine hospitality:
Guest Exhibitors
How fitting that we tip our racing cap to some of the most experienced and finest leaders in the athletic business. It takes a lot of talent to compete as professionals. That's why we have assembled a fine team of guest exhibitors with spirit that drives our wonderful sport forward:
Race Supplier Exhibitors
It's knowing that your event is being seriously looked after – meet the companies we trust and know that they can deliver for you:
Medical Operations Exhibit Sponsors
Trust your race to outstanding physicians, and health care professionals who deliver those services – and of course, the people they care for each and every day. We have assembled one of the finest medical care teams in Canadian sporting events:
Our Exhibiting Partners
The Grand River Conservation Authority knows a few things about managing a park. But as good as it gets Pinehurst Park Superintendent Scott Parkinson doesn't take any unnecessary chances. Neither does his team. The Pinehurst Team is unquestionably the best in the business. The best prepared and the best equipped. It's no coincidence that Run for the Toad operates on a premier race trail system. Partners that subscribe to the same high standards and performance:
Featured Exhibits
One of the key links in the chain of learning is the children who can take the excitement of learning home and out into the community, helping to create change.
For your listening Pleasure
Britanie Cameron and James Cameron
(Presented by Ken Cameron at ReMax Solid Gold realty (11) LTD)
During the post race dinner join in while Britanie and her brother James provide a refreshing take on the classics.
A word about our Sponsors
In addition to all the volunteers who help with the event, our sponsors are involved year-round as either vendors or sponsors. Work on the Toad never stops. Our sponsors are truly involved. As one sponsor recently stated "it's not about selling product as much as it's simply a chance to interact with the community by providing an exhibit or letting consumers know about new opportunities and products associated with our company. It really is a partnership and every year there is always huge excitement surrounding the race event".
See you race day!
Kindest personal regards,
George & Peggy
August 18, 2008
Dear Race Participants:
Preparation for Race Day
Lots of excitement continues with Run for the Toad. Most notably we have just completed our annual training day run/walk. Combined runners, walkers and volunteers, 302 attended the day. Participants from Trenton, London, Toronto, Mississauga, Burlington and local areas of Kitchener Waterloo, Guelph and Cambridge took to the trails that are ideally suited for Run for the Toad and year round activities.
This year's training event marked the launch of an exciting new project for visitors to Pinehurst – a "New 3,200 ft Pavilion" to be built near the run area.
Our goal is to raise $80,000 from corporations and the running community to complete the proposed Pavilion. This great new space will be used at each year's Run for the Toad, but it will do so much more as space for groups visiting Pinehurst to enjoy year-round. We will be updating our web site next week with details.
We have been working diligently on the plans for our Expo during race day. Run for the Toad stands for the very best in corporate and sponsorship support. It stands for a family of companies that individually have become leaders in other fields as diverse at biotechnology, sports medicine, printing, sport, footwear, machine tools and others. Their link is the Run for the Toad tradition of excellence. The Run for the Toad exhibitor list including our invited guest exhibitors has grown to 34 for 2008. Please stay posted for a complete update of the expo exhibitors.
We are very proud to announce the 2008 special guest speaker John Craig, Director of Marketing and Administration, Ontario Track and Field Association. John was five time champion in middle distances; former Canadian record holder over 1,000M indoors, member of Canada's 1978 Commonwealth team; 1979 Pan Am team; 1980 Olympic team; 1981 World Cup team. John was the former race director for the Toronto Marathon 1985-1995, Editor of Athletics Magazine 1997 to present; member of provincial sport organization council; member of More for Sport committee. John is affiliated with the Toronto Olympic Club.
Many of the Toad's participants have children and related friends involved in the sport of Track and Field activities throughout Ontario. As an added opportunity for parents looking for information relating to their children's general framework of athletic development you can visit the Ontario Track and Field guest exhibit at this years race.
If you are like most people who have recently been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis (OA) you've probably got a lot of questions. At the 2008 Run for the Toad you will find answers to some of those commonly asked questions. We are excited that our sponsor Genzyme Corporation will be exhibiting at the 2008 Expo. Genzyme is recognized by some of the world's most prestigious organizations for scientific innovation. In 2007, Genzyme was awarded the U.S. National Medal of Technology and was named a top employer of scientists by the journal of Science and the American Association of the Advancement of Science. Genzyme representative from their orthopedics and biosurgical specialties business will be on-site to discuss Synvisc, Genzyme's local injection therapy to lubricate the knee joint for the relief of Osteoarthritis (OA) pain. For those of you concerned about those weight bearing joints particularly in the knee area you may want to plan a visit at the Genzyme exhibit.
So, we want to continue and keep things fresh and we are looking to ways to make Run for the Toad an even stronger part of Canadian trail racing.
Stay tuned for more race updates.
Kindest personal regards,
George & Peggy
June 18, 2008
Dear Race Participants:
Join the Toad in Training, Saturday, July 26, 2008.
Back by popular demand, this once-a-year training run/walk is followed by some trail racing technical discussion and snacks.
The Training Day at Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area will start at the Beach Area (Sunset Pavilion) at 9:00 a.m. sharp. The race course trails will be blazed with our usual orange flag markers. We will provide electrolytes and light snacks prior, during and after your training. Some other treats will be available, too.
Please tell the Park's Staff at the Gatehouse you are participating in the Toad Training Run/Walk – there will be a $10.00 charge to cover the cost for the park admission and refreshments/treats.
Directions for Parking: Follow the signs to the Beach Area, but DO NOT Park in the main parking lot – you will be directed to Park in Group Campsites 4 & 5 area.
Please Note: If you are planning on attending the Training Run/Walk please send an e-mail to sarson@toadpatrol.com before July 18th. This will help us plan a special training day for you – many thanks!
Kind regards,
George & Peggy