All athletes who want to deal with paperwork, pick up maps, etc. early and at the same time already get their rental gear, there is a window of opportunity tomorrow (Jan. 31st) from 10:30 to 12:00 in the library of the Coast High Country Inn.
For rental gear the scheduled time from 15:00 to 18:00 of course will be possible, too. Next (and last) chance for handing in missing paperwork and picking up maps, etc. is Feb. 1st from 09:00 to 12:00. Both will be in the Coast High Country Inn library
For the MYAU 2019 athletes Trackleaders.com is providing a link again to upload some info. So, all participants using a rental or private SPOT please follow this link:
https://www.jotform.com/trackleaders/yukonultra19
Not only can you upload your photo. You can also link to a blog and list your sponsors.
Since this is a standard text/tool it may be a bit confusing in some parts. So, I just want to confirm that all of our rental SPOTs are handed out with Energizer Lithium Batteries and that all our athletes need to have a SPOT as the primary tracking device. An inReach is possible as a back-up only but will not be linked to Trackleaders.com.
Today I made some further updates to the rules. This concerns Rules #5, #9, #18 and #22.
Athletes who have enquiries regarding these updates can use Facebook or email to ask questions.
The changes have not yet been translated into German. So, all German speakers please refer to the set of Rules as shown on the English part of the arcticultra.de website.
Information for all MYAU 2019 athletes regarding paperwork:
Please find below a link to a pdf-file with an overview that shows which forms I have got the originals of. So, basically if there is a “Yes” in a box it’s all taken care of. If a box has got “Copy” in it or is blank, then you need to give me the original in the Yukon. And it is very important that I have the originals of everything. Without the paperwork being settled a race start is impossible.
You may have sent me insurance information via email and I did not put “Copy” in your box. So, do not let that irritate you. Please bring whatever Insurance Information you printed out with you to the Yukon and hand it in if that box does not have a “Yes” in it.
The attached has not taken it into account if you gave or sent your original forms to Shelley Gellatly. This often applies to Canadian and specifically local athletes.
Also, just to clarify for the marathon runners, what we mainly need from you is the Application (pages 3 to 6), the “Standard Release Form Actor / Model” and the “Medical Information”. I do not insist on the “Medical Certificate” for marathon runners. However, I strongly recommend it to people who are not from the Yukon and/or anybody who is not 100% sure about their current status of health. Please keep in mind that running a marathon in very cold temperatures will be a lot harder on your body than it already is in normal temperatures!
Two emails with some news have gone out to all MYAU 2019 participants this week – one on January 21st and one on January 23rd. Just in case some of you did not get these emails I am also posting the content here:
Using private SPOTs
Some of you are using private SPOTs. Here are just a few reminders if you are one of these athletes:
SPOT tracking through Trackleaders.com
Trackleaders.com once more is the company providing the SPOT service for us. They will set up a page with all the details. The link to the tracking page is prominently placed on arcticultra.de.
Please tell your friends and family that even if you have the right batteries and are not doing anything wrong, a SPOT may not always work and send a position. Obviously, if you do something wrong it won’t work at all. So, if back home your SPOT is not moving or not sending everyone should stay calm. If they can see it, we can see it. And we will always deal with it as soon as possible.
News during the race
The place with the most frequency of news will be our facebook group. More detailed but less frequent will be the news on arcticultra.de. Apart from that, there is of course the SPOT tracking page and our detailed results table that will show everyone’s progress. This time we will also try to be more active on Instagram. We will see how that works out. Last but not least we will have our image gallery and of course Yann’s and Thilo’s videos.
Teams
All athletes who want to be also ranked as part of a team please send me a reminder of your Team Name and the Team Members. It will then be included in the results table. As a reminder all team athletes do remain individual athletes, i.e. if someone in a team as to quit, the team is a DNF but the team members who continue will still be ranked as individual athletes.
Contact information
For those athletes using a sat phone and/or Garmin inReach or similar during the race, we have a full race contact sheet available pre-race in the Yukon. Please just approach me if you need one.
Gear check
After my last update I have not received an email from anybody who would like to do the gear check as part of option #1 on Feb. 1st from 17:00 – 21:00 during an outing. That is absolutely fine. If by January 28th I still do not have anybody wanting to join this, it will be cancelled. And all athletes who are not part of one of the survival courses will then get their gear checked on Feb. 2nd 11:30 – 14:00 Coast High Country Inn (Library and Room B).
The trail
The Canadian Rangers have sent in a first trail report. To sum it up, it has been challenging for them due to lack of snow in some places. That is affecting dog teams more than it is affecting us. It has been particularly challenging where the trail comes off a lake or river. Without enough snow the Rangers can’t prepare a smooth and gentle slope. That makes it very difficult for mushers and their dogs. Therefore, the Quest has changed the route for the YQ 300. The YQ 1000 stays on the regular trail. Unless of course something new happens and the Quest organization decides to make changes here, too.
So, right now, we are on the regular trail. No changes. The going for the guys on foot should be good. For bikes it should be very good and for xc-skiing it’s tough. HOWEVER, we still have some time left and we will hopefully see some more snowfall. If at the same time temperatures remain cold, we are all set to go.
UPDATE: Shortly after I had sent this email, the Quest did decide to also change the trail for the YQ1000. Mushers and their teams will take the regular route to Braeburn but will then be transported to Carmacks where their race re-starts.
At this point we are keeping a close eye on any further developments and we will inform all MYAU athletes if we will also be forced to make changes.
Transfers for local marathon runners
Could all local marathon runners please send me a quick email to let me know if they need a transfer from the finish line back to Whitehorse?
Visiting Muktuk
As you all know Muktuk is the finish line for our marathon. Locals are more than welcome to visit. To local athletes, please tell your friends and family who want to greet you at Muktuk the following:
Changes at Muktuk CP
I believe I did already inform about this but just in case I want to repeat it here. Last year all athletes were allowed inside at Muktuk. That was of course nice. However, it also caused some issues, e.g. moisture in clothing and shoes that was not too much of a problem outside, turned everything wet once inside the warm house. Also, as hard as having to stay outside is, in previous years it had served as an early reminder what it means to sweat and then being forced to stop. Therefore, all athletes, except for the marathon runners, have to stay outside at Muktuk. We will have a very close look at how sweaty/icy the ultra-athletes arrive. If we notice that stopping outside at Muktuk gets you in trouble, we will only let you go again if you have shown us that you can handle the situation. This may include an enforced stay of up to 4 hours; time that will not be credited.
Remember: Try to avoid sweating and have enough spare clothing as drying things during the first 100 miles will be very difficult.
Gear check
As you likely all have seen there are 2 options for the gear check this year. If you are doing one of the 4-day survival courses you do not need to come to either. You get your gear checked as part of your course. All other ultra-athletes not doing a course can join us for option #1 on Feb. 1st from 17:00 – 21:00 (meet in front of Coast High Country Inn Lobby) for a little outing, i.e. you bring your full sleeping system and stove (that is what will be checked) and whatever else you want to test. Obviously, you need take whatever is important to stay warm as we will be outside for about 2 to 3 hours. Since this gear check may require a transfer, please send me an email if you want to join.
Option #2 is Feb. 2nd 11:30 – 14:00 Coast High Country Inn (Library and Room B); i.e. this gear check does not involve us going anywhere. You bring your full sleeping system and your stove and we check it at the hotel. Stove lighting will of course be outside – MYAU crew will show you where.
Travelling drop bag
The 300 and 430 mile athletes, please remember that this year we will have a travelling drop bag, i.e. you will have access to one and the same drop bag at Braeburn, Carmacks and Pelly Crossing (300 milers)/Pelly Farm (430 milers). This drop bag can have max. 80 litres volume. A second (and smaller!) drop bag you can hand in and it will be brought to the finish line in Dawson City.
Insurance
I have received a lot of insurance paperwork and will get more in Whitehorse I am sure. I just want to remind you that I won’t be able to read all the small print. I get your insurance certificates and that means I can tick the box. It remains your job to make sure that your respective insurance is the right one for the participation in an event like the MYAU.
Please also remember to have your insurance information with you when you need to go to the hospital in Whitehorse. Also, you will need your credit card!
Labelling your food
Please remember to label all your food items with you race number.
