|
Lower Potomac River Marathon
Sunday, March 14, 2010 by Chesapeake Bay Running Club |
| Course Information | ||||||||||
|
Start/Finish at Paul Hall Center, Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship, Piney Point, MD. Enjoy a post-race hot meal and a waterfront view in the well-appointed dining room of the Paul Hall Center, and linger at your table for the awards presentation. Showers available.
Medals to all finishers. Cash prizes ($250, $150, $100) to the top three men and women overall. Awards to the top three finishers in ten-year age groups. Race Start: 7:15 a.m. Reminder - Daylight Saving Time starts at 2:00 a.m. on March 14, so you'll be losing an hour the night before the race. Don't forget to set your clock AHEAD one hour the night before. Packet pickup will be held on Saturday, March 13, from 2:00 to 6:00 pm at the Paul Hall Center, Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship. You may pick up your packet at the venue on race morning beginning at 6:30 a.m. Scenic course (course overview map / USATF certification map), mostly flat (see elevation profile), offers wonderful views of the lower Potomac River from charming St. George Island and Piney Point, and a fast out & back route past farms and fields on a rural highway. There will be water/aid stations approximately every two miles, and portable toilets on the course. Boston 2011 Qualifier - USATF Certification Number MD04016JS. Safety: There are no road closures. Traffic is generally very light on Rte 249, St. George Island, and Lighthouse Road. Rte 249 has 12' wide, paved shoulders to safely accommodate runners. Runners will run on the left side of the roads, facing traffic, throughout the marathon course. St. George Island and Lighthouse Road are residential. The roads are paved, but have no shoulders. Stay to your left at all times. Course marshals will be on hand to direct any traffic to ensure unimpeded passage by the runners. A police officer will be stationed at the north turnaround point to ensure that runners cross Rte 249 unimpeded by traffic. Bicyclists will also patrol the course. Although you head out and back on Rte 249, please consider this segment of the course a loop, and DO NOT CROSS RTE 249 except at the policed crossover at Mile 18.8. There are ample water/aid stations, so you shouldn't need to cross the highway for water or drink. If you absolutely must cross in an emergency, please remember that there are no road closures, and exercise caution - look both ways! Please, no headsets/earbuds or other portable listening devices, pets, strollers, baby joggers, bicycles (other than official bicycle marshals), Sherpas, unregistered runners, or rollerblades/skates on the course. Water/Aid: There will be water/aid stations approximately every two miles, and portable toilets on the course. Lemon-flavored Ultima Replenisher® is the official hydration beverage. Energy gels will be offered at the aid station at Cedar Cove Lane, approx. at mile 14.6. Special Needs Tables: Do you concoct your own special marathon drink? Do you crave a banana at Mile 15 or (like me) a Diet Coke at Mile 23? We'll indulge you by having your special need available for you at the Cedar Cove Lane aid station, Mile ~14.6, or the one across from it at Mile ~23. You provide the item, and for a small donation, the club or charity in charge of special needs (to be determined) will place it at the designated aid station. Bring your special item(s) to the Special Needs desk on race morning, and we'll do the rest. Time Limit: We have set a time limit of 5 hours and 45 minutes. Our road permit stipulates that the course closes at 1:00 pm, and that the deputy sheriff directing traffic at the Rte 249 crossing may leave his post at 11:30 am. This is to ensure that all runners finish in time to enjoy the post-race hot buffet at the Paul Hall Center's dining room, and to ease the workload on our dedicated volunteers. (The buffet must close at 1:15 pm so the crew can begin preparing the evening meal.) All runners must make the crossing at the Rte 249 turnaround (~18.8 miles) by 11:30 am, and reach the aid station at the corner of Drayden Rd (~21.8 miles) by 12:05 pm. Runners who have not reached these checkpoints by the cutoff times may be 'swept' at the discretion of the Race Director and/or Director of Course Operations, and provided transportation to the finish. Weather: Average temperature for race day is 49° F. Click here for the local forecast.
COURSE SUMMARY: Mile ~8 to ~11, Rte 249 and Lighthouse Road: Continue north on 249 for approximately .9 miles; turn left on Lighthouse Rd. and run approximately 1.1 mile to the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum. Turn around and return to Rte 249. Mile ~11 to ~18.8, Rte 249 and Batman's Head: Run north on Rte 249. There's a gradual climb to around Mile 16, then a gentle downhill (Batman's ear) to the crossover at approximately Mile 18.8. Mile ~18.8 to the finish: Run south on Rte 249, back over Batman's ear. It's a gentle downhill slope from here, and a straight shot back to Harry Lundeberg School. Around Mile 26 you'll sight the course marshal who'll wave you left, back through the same gate where you started, and to the finish line!
|
||||||||||
| Entry Fees | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||
| $10 discount to Chesapeake Bay Running Club, Pax Velo, So MD Tri, and SIU members. Entry fees are non-refundable. | ||||||||||
| Directions | ||||||||||
|
Piney Point is in St. Mary's County, a little over an hour south of the Capital Beltway. St. Mary's County is served by the three airports serving the Washington, DC metro area: Baltimore-Washington International (BWI), Reagan National (DCA), and Washington-Dulles (IAD). Although limo service is available, we recommend renting a car.
Lexington Park is the commercial center of St. Mary's County, and is an easy 20-minute drive from the race venue. Hotels, chain restaurants, office parks and shopping centers are located on Rte 235, the main thoroughfare, near the Patuxent River Naval Air Station.
From Points North: From 395: Take 295 South to Suitland Rd. Exit 3A, then take the Branch Ave/Rte 5 South exit just past the Naylor Rd. Metro Station. You'll be about 3 miles north of the Beltway. Continue as above. From Annapolis and North: Take Rte 2/4 south, following signs to Prince Frederick. Continue past Prince Frederick on Rte 4 south. About 20 miles south of Prince Frederick, you'll pass the town of Solomons. Continue on Rte 4 on the Thomas Johnson Bridge across the Patuxent River to St. Mary's County. About five miles later, Rte 4 crosses Rte 235. Turn left on Rte 235 and head south for about 1-1/2 miles to Chancellors Run Road (Hickory Hills Shopping Center on your right). Turn right at Chancellors Run Road and continue to the end at Great Mills Road (about 3 miles). Turn right on Great Mills Road and follow it to the end at Rte 5 (about 1 mile). Turn right at Rte 5 and go north about 1-1/2 miles to Rte 249 (Shell Station on corner); turn left and go 7.3 miles. Turn left on St. George's Avenue. The entrance to Harry Lundeberg school is 1/10 mile on your right.
From Points South: |
||||||||||
| Relay Details | ||||||||||
|
The relay event has been eliminated. If you’d like to run a shorter distance race on the marathon course we offer the Lower Potomac River 10-Mile Run in October. Stay tuned to our website for details.
|
||||||||||
| Volunteer | ||||||||||
|
Volunteers are needed as course marshals, bicycle escorts, water/aid station crew, and for various duties at the finish line, such as handing out medals and serving "immediate replenishment" food and drink to the finishers. Volunteers will receive a commemorative race t-shirt and effusive thanks from the runners and race organizers, and are welcome to join in the post-race festivities.
Volunteering is a fun and rewarding way for non-runners to get involved in road racing. Runners, if your support crew wants to do more than cheer from the sidelines, we'd love to have them help out. They can staff a water/aid station in the early miles of the course, and return to the finish line in time to give you your finisher's medal. We also need volunteers for pre-race activities such as bag stuffing (bib #'s, t-shirt, and course info) and registration. If you're an EMT, or CPR or Basic First Aid certified, you're especially needed at an aid station on the course, or at the finish line. Volunteers can also win an award without running on race day. A prize will be given to the best water/aid station based on spirit (loud cheering!) and efficiency. We'll provide the water, sports drink, and gels - you provide the cheers, and anything else that runners might like - Gummi Bears, M&M's... This is a great opportunity for sports teams, scout troops, charitable organizations, or any group of friends to show support for our runners and give them a Southern Maryland welcome! We'll train you for your race-day duties. If you're interested in volunteering, contact Liza Recto at lizalasagna@hotmail.com or by phone at (301) 863-8431. We'll put you on the volunteer list and keep you updated. |
||||||||||
| Sponsors | ||||||||||
|
Thank you to our 2010 Gold sponsor:
|
||||||||||
| Application | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Hotels | ||||||||||
|
Hampton Inn and Fairfield Inn are the official host hotels of the 2010 Lower Potomac River Marathon and offer a group rate of $109/night King (plus tax). These two hotels are located within 1/4 mile of each other on Rte 235 southbound in Lexington Park, an easy 20-minute drive from the race venue.
Both hotels offer complimentary breakfasts with hot items and continental fare starting at 6:00 a.m. Mention the Lower Potomac River Marathon when making your reservation.
 Directions from Hampton Inn to Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship: Turn right from the hotel parking lot onto Rte 235 south. Go about .8 miles to No. Shangri-La Drive and turn right. Go about .2 miles to Great Mills Rd and turn right. Take Great Mills Rd to the end, about 3 miles, and turn right on Rte 5. Go 1.4 miles and turn left at Rte 249 (Shell Station on the left). Go 7.3 miles and turn left at St. George Avenue. The entrance to Harry Lundeberg School is 2/10 mile on your right. Other Options: There is a new hotel on St. George Island, just over the bridge from the mainland, at approximately Mile 1.5 and Mile 7.5. The River Creek Lodge offers a 10% discount off the room rate for groups of 5 or more. Visit their website at www.rivercreeklodge.com. If you don’t mind roughing it, there’s Camp Merryelande on St. George Island, with beach cottages (bring your own linens and towels) and a campground. It’s at the Camp Merryelande Road turnaround at approximately Mile 5.5. They have special winter rates from November through April. Visit www.campmd.com for details. Call 301-994-1722 or 800-382-1073, or e-mail escape@campmd.com. |
||||||||||
| Marathon Weekend Pre-Race Activities | ||||||||||
|
Saturday, March 13, 2010
3rd Helping of the Patuxent Pi Mile Trail Run, 9:00 am, Patuxent High School Stadium. Warm up for the marathon with a jaunt over Patuxent High’s cross-country course. If you’re arriving early from out of town, maybe your support crew would like to squeeze in a weekend race. Pre-Race Packet Pickup, Sponsored by The Good Earth Natural Foods Co.: 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., Paul Hall Center, Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship Pick up a Clif® Bar, compliments of The Good Earth Natural Foods Company, at pre-race packet pickup, Saturday, March 13, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Paul Hall Center, then take the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the course. Drive over St. George Island and visit the Lighthouse Museum at the end of Lighthouse Road. You might catch a beautiful sunset! Please observe the posted speed limits. Note: Please do not bring pets inside the Paul Hall Center. If you can’t attend packet pickup on Saturday, you may pick up your packet at the venue on race morning from 6:00 to 7:00 a.m. The Piney Point Lighthouse Museum Park will be open on Saturday afternoon just for you! The museum is at Mile ~10.5 of the marathon. You won’t get to see the lighthouse as you run by on Sunday morning, so stop by between 12:30 and 4:00 p.m. to learn the history of the Potomac River’s oldest lighthouse, enjoy the views from the top of the lighthouse, and do some souvenir shopping in the museum gift shop. The museum and park are closed for the season so take advantage of these special hours. Drop-in Pasta Dinner: 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., Nicolletti’s Restaurant, Lexington Park, MD Join us for an informal pasta dinner starting at 6:00 p.m. at Nicolletti's, on Rte 235 Southbound at Chancellor's Run Road, about 1-1/2 miles north of Hampton Inn in the Hickory Hills Shopping Center. It's a sit-down restaurant, but order your food at the counter as soon as you enter, and they'll give you a numbered marker to place on your table. Go to your left to the party room and meet other runners and their supporters. Pasta dishes are generally under $10, and the menu also includes pizza, calzones, salad bar, etc. Directions: From Hampton Inn, Fairfield by Marriott, and Days Inn: Head north on Rte 235. From Hampton Inn, it's about 1.5 miles to Chancellor's Run Road (Sheetz gas station on the left corner), turn left, then right at the driveway of Hickory Hills Shopping Center. From La Quinta Inn and Super 8 Motel: Go south on 235 for about 1/4 mile to Hickory Hills Shopping Center. From Packet Pickup: Go north on 249 to Rte 5; turn right on Rte 5 and continue to Chancellor’s Run Rd. (traffic light just past Great Mills High School); turn left on Chancellor’s Run Rd. and proceed to the end at Rte 235. Make a U-turn and turn right at the first driveway into the shopping center.
Race Morning Packet Pickup and Special Needs Check-In: 6:00 – 7:00 a.m., Paul Hall Center, Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship If you have a special item to be placed at either the Cedar Cove Marina aid station (Mile ~14.6) or the station across from there (Mile ~23), please bring it to the Special Needs Check-In table. The Special Needs staff will assist you in bagging and labeling your item for pickup. Any unclaimed items from the Cedar Cove aid station will be moved across to the Mile ~23 aid station. Race Start: 7:15 a.m., near the anchor on the driveway running west between the pond and grass field. After a short briefing, the start will be signaled by whistle or voice command. There are no road closures, but there is sufficient room to run on the 12-foot wide shoulders. Although we cannot close the course to non-racing pedestrians and cyclists who are not involved with the race, we do not allow companion cyclists/Sherpas/squires/ladies-in-waiting, pets, strollers, or rollerblades/skates. Regarding spectators/support crew: Vehicular traffic is generally light on the course, and we’d like to keep it that way. Please instruct your supporters not to cruise alongside you while you run, and to please avoid pulling over repeatedly on the course. It is especially dangerous to be pulling over at aid stations, and parking is limited there. We encourage spectators to cheer from areas where there is ample parking, such as the St. George Island Bridge (Mile ~7/10 and 8), Lighthouse Museum Park (Mile ~10.5), and Valley Lee Post Office (Mile ~16). The use of portable listening devices while in the race is strictly prohibited. The race staff reserves the right to disqualify any runner found to be in possession of a portable listening device while in the race (including via post-race photos). This is a safety issue – please comply. Runners must maintain pace to finish by 1:00 p.m. (13:10/mile pace). Runners not reaching the turnaround point at the top of Rte 249 by 11:30 a.m. will be swept from the course and provided transportation back to the Paul Hall Center. “Immediate replenishment” snacks (drinks, pretzels, candy) will be available at the finish line, but save your appetite for the… Post-Race Luncheon: Dining Room, Paul Hall Center, 11:30 a.m. The culinary staff at the Paul Hall Center serves a sumptuous buffet in the well-appointed waterside dining room. This is a restaurant setting, so swap your singlet for a shirt, or put a shirt on over it. Showers are available at the Paul Hall Center. The buffet closes at 1:15 p.m. to allow the galley staff to prepare for the evening meal. Awards Ceremony: 12:15 p.m. during the luncheon. |
||||||||||
P.O. Box 635
Solomons, MD 20688