Your race, your day, the PCTR way!

There is no greater goal for any event planning company than to produce a remarkable event. TEAM PCTR, and all the volunteers will do their best to make your “race day experience” memorable from the time you arrive to the time you cross the finish line. 

Each of the PCTR races have one thing that sets them apart from the other race organizations that produce multiple races every year – a post-race vibe that is focused on you and your trail running friends, new and familiar, all relishing in your finish. Make sure you pack a chair and a change of clothes/shoes  so that you can relax and enjoy some hot food and endless beverages from PCTR co-owner and Food Network Star, Chef Yaku Moton-Spruill. While you’re kicking back, cheering others through the finish, and listening to the music coming from our swag and timing tents, you may hear your named called by the Race Director to come up and grab your podium or age group award.
Whether the finish line is on a beach like Montana de Oro Trail Run, staged on a west coast bluff with ocean breezes at Salt Point Trail Run, or tucked under the canopy of our favorite redwood trees at The Groves in the Santa Cruz Mountains, you will be glad you made time to hang out after your race.

 

KNOW YOUR COURSE:

It is every runner’s responsibility to learn and know the course. Although the course will be marked with signs and flags, it’s not uncommon for vandals to remove course markings. It’s also very easy to run past a turn. The better you know the course – the less likely your are to find yourself off course. 

Make sure to study the map, elevations, course descriptions, and turn sheets provided. Save the GPX file to your watch or phone.  Search out blogs, reviews, videos and photos from our runners. Study the weather forecast and prepare as if it could be worse than predicted.

CRITICAL GEAR:

Shoes

The most important gear are your shoes. A popular question asked has to do with shoes, “Road or Trail”. Ten plus years ago the race director may respond two ways. 1. If the course isn’t technical at all, then what you find to be comfortable. 2. If the course is technical, then definitely wear trail shoes. Today, because “trail running shoes” are so technically advanced, I always say “Wear Trail Shoes”.

Hydration Systems

Cup-free racing is now an industry standard: although they have plenty of water and electrolytes, aid stations do not carry cups, therefore it is CRITICAL to bring either a pack or hand-held bottles

Other Clothes

Finally, your clothes. From socks and shorts to shirts and hats, this especially takes time to get right. Be patient, you will find the kit that works for you. Note to those that like to have their photos taken by our on course photographers. If you wear bright colors, your pictures will pop and be favorable for social media. Below is a checklist for you to consider to make your race great.

GEAR CHECKLIST:
1. Shoes, Socks, Shirts, and shorts (compression shorts option too)
2. Hydration Pack and/or Hand Held Device. AID STATIONS DO NOT CARRY DISPOSABLE CUPS
3. Portable Chair and change of clothes for post race celebration
4. Sunglasses
5. Hat , beanie,  head band, earmuffs, or Visor
6. Gloves
7. Compression Sleeves for calves
8. Arm Sleeves for warmth or compression
9.  Portable First Aid Kit
10.  Headlamp or Flashlight
11. Sunblock and Chapstick
12.  Portable water filter
13. Print course map
14. Watch
15. Extra Fuel and Electrolytes
16. Food and beverage to cater to your diet and muscle recovery
17. Light Jacket for wind
18. Waterproof jacket for poncho for rain
19. Anti Chafing products for groin, thighs, breasts, armpits, shoulders and more.
20. Vaseline for feet and toes.
21. Foot repair kit for blisters and toenail issues.
22. Battery Pack for your smartphone.
23. Spare key to your car.
24. Drop Bags (if applicable for the race)
25. Finish line bag with all or some of the stuff mentioned above.
WHAT ABOUT HEADPHONES?:

We are fond of music and those that enjoy music while running. However it is not allowed to wear headphones IN BOTH EARS while on single track trail. This is a matter of courtesy and safety.  We understand that you can turn your volume down, but other runners do not know this. We kindly ask you to wear only one ear while on single track trails. When you cross a road or enter the vicinity of an aid station, we ask you remove them for safety and as a respect for our volunteers.

PLAN YOUR TRIP:

We understand that getting to a race can be challenging for some. Planes, trains, automobiles, and even by bus or bike. With so much technology available for travelling please make sure you know where the event will be staged and go from there. With most PCTR events, the address on our registration platform is just a location for either a park that we have a permit for, or a nearby address that accepts mail from the US Postal Service. On race morning, it’s important that you planned earlier in the week on how you will travel to the event. Your race director mentions this on Monday with the “It’s Race Week!” email. 

ALLOW ENOUGH TIME TO GET TO THE EVENT:

Please plan to arrive at least 45-60 minutes before your start. You will need time to park, walk to the starting line, pick up your bib, use the restroom, warm up, and listen to the race directors pre-race instructions.

PARKING:

You will find that some of our parks have entrance fees to park. Entrance fees to parks are not included in your entrance fee.  Cash is easiest for parks to receive. Always try to have exact change to speed up the process. If there is a parking fee, then the race director will let you know. Sometimes, there is no attendant at the gate to collect fees. We kindly ask that you honor the manual system of placing cash into a provided envelope and place it in the “iron ranger” (fee collection equipment). Experienced runners know to get to the event early. They may even arrive before runner check-in opens. They can take a nap  and relax a bit after a long drive to be ready for the start of their race.