Race Information

Introduction

Across The Years consists of three different fixed-time races.
The object is to travel as far as possible in the time allotted.

  1. The 72-hour race begins on December 29, 2012 and ends on January 1, 2013.
  2. The 48-hour race begins on December 30, 2012 and ends on January 1, 2013. You may elect to start on December 29 and end on December 31. Results from both starts will be combined in the final standings.
  3. The 24-hour race begins on December 31, 2012. You may elect to start on December 29 or December 30. Results from all three starts will be combined in the final standings.
All races begin and end at 9 AM.

Location

Across the Years will be held at Camelback Ranch – Glendale, located in Phoenix, Arizona. the spring training facilities for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox.

10710 West Camelback Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85037

Camelback Ranch is a state-of-the-art spring training facility for the Los Angles Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox.  It opened in March 2009, and features lush greenery, a lake with waterfall, and smooth dirt and gravel walking paths.  The race route is a USATF certified 1689.5 meter (1.0498 mile) loop consisting of 85% dirt paths and 15% asphalt/concrete.  The track averages 10-20 feet in width, with a minimum width of 8 feet. Gaiters are recommended.  The facility is only a few miles away from the Westgate City Center, home of the University of Phoenix stadium, shopping, and other attractions.

 

Regulations

Due to Camelback Ranch policies, no smoking and no pets are allowed on the premesis.

Driving to Camelback Ranch from Sky Harbor Airport

Exit the airport going west on the I-10 freeway.  Continue on the freeway for approximately 15 miles, then head north on the Loop-101 freeway.  Head north three miles and take the Camelback Road exit, then head west for approximately 1.5 miles.  Turn north at the light onto Ball Park Blvd.  The entrance to Camelback Ranch will be half a mile up the road.  Follow the parking lot around to the east side of the complex to the grassy field that is the runner area.  Drive takes approximately 30-40 minutes.

Runner Area

The runner area is a 170,000 square foot grassy field, where runners can set up tables, tents, and personal items for the race.  It is a perfect area to sleep during the race.  An additional dirt lot on the south side of the course is available for runners to park their cars along the course for quick access during the race.  This lot is also available for RV parking for easy access.

Showers

Shower facilities are available on-site in the visitors locker rooms, and will be open from 8 AM to 10:30 AM on December 30, 31, and January 1.

Heating Tents

Even in Arizona, winter nights can get cold.  We will have a large warming tent available for runners to get out of the cold for a while, situated near the aid station tent and runner area.

Camping and Sleeping Accomodations

Camping during the event will be allowed in both the grassy runner area as well as the dirt lot on the south side of the course.  Neither of these areas are covered, and runners are encouraged to bring their own tents.  Runners may also purchase and reserve tents and cots when registering (see below).  See the Hotels and Restaurants page for information about accommodations and other facilities in the area.

Setting up on December 28th will be allowed from 2 to 6 PM, and runners will be allowed to sleep overnight in the grassy runner area or adjacent parking lot only.  Runners will not be allowed to park or stay overnight (including RVs) in the dirt lot on the south side of the course on December 28th.  Please be aware that the facilities will not be open and no permanent restrooms or showers will be available (we will have portable restrooms).  Camelback Ranch has been kind enough to grant us these uses, but anything set up before the race will not be supervised and will be the responsibility of the runner.  Be aware that the race directors will be busy with preparations and will be unavailable to resolve personal questions.

Tent Rental

Tent and cot rentals can be reserved until December 1st.  Tents and cots will be set up and broken down for runners (available by 4 PM on December 28th).  Two tent models are available: a personal 7×7 tent with room to sleep two or one with gear ($25), and a large 8×12 family-style tent to comfortably sleep two with gear, allow the use of cots, and allow standing up inside ($60).  Cots are available at the cost of $20 each and will fit in the large tent only.

Cost

Across The Years will again feature an open registration to all runners.  Registration is open for all events until a limit of 200 runners per day is reached.

Race Until 3/31 Until 10/31 Until 12/23 Race Week
72-Hour $325 $350 $375 $400
48-Hour $225 $245 $265 $285
24-Hour $120 $135 $150 $165
Goody Bag $100 $100 $125* $125*

Goodie Bags

Goodie bag includes a duffel bag, long sleeve technical shirt, and a fleece or similar embroidered jacket.  Standard entry includes a technical long sleeve shirt only. *Goody bag order is placed on November 1st. Orders after this date may not be available at the race, but will be ordered and mailed out in January.

Kid’s Discount

We encourage the whole family to be a part of Across The Years.  It is a perfect environment for kids with parents in the race, as they can run together and take breaks whenever they’d like, and sleep at night before getting up for a few extra laps.  We would like to extend a discount to any entrants 18 years or younger.  The discounted prices are $80 for the 24 hour, $160 for the 48 hour, and $240 for the 72 hour, with an additional $100 for the goodie bag.  This discount can be obtained by sending in the mail-in form or emailing nick@aravaiparunning.com for an online discount code.

Withdrawal & Refunds

Should it be necessary for you to withdraw before race day, we would appreciate your contacting us at rd@acrosstheyears.com so we can open your spot to another runner.  We will provide a 50% refund on entry fees and a full refund on goodie bag until November 1.  No refunds after November 1.

Rules and Etiquette

Races begin each day promptly at 9 AM. If you arrive late for the start of your race you may still compete, but the time you’ve missed is lost and cannot be made up. A pre-race meeting will take place each day at 8:45 AM. At the 9 AM start, you will begin circling the course. Thereafter, you will change direction every four hours (at 1 PM, 5 PM, etc.). Many runners find this helps minimize overuse injuries as weight is shifted a bit differently on the curves. Furthermore, you may feel as though the scenery has changed. You may leave the track at any time.  When you return, resume travel at the same place you left and continue in the direction you were traveling before, even if others are traveling the opposite direction.  When you pass the main timing point at the start line, continue in the same direction as the rest of the competitors.  In this way, you will always complete laps of the correct distance.  Please do not leave the track near the start line, to avoid the timing system picking up a false lap.

Remember, there are no DNFs in a fixed-time track race. The objective is only to go as far as you can (or desire) in the allotted time. Of course, the more time you spend moving forward on the track, the more distance you will accumulate. If you wish to stop completely well before the official end of your race, inform the race director, or whoever is in the timing booth at the time, that you are quitting or leaving early. The event ends at exactly 9:00:00 AM. on January 1. If you are participating in the 24- or 48-hour runs that finish before January 1, your run will be included in the results and you will be considered eligible for overall awards. Some runners will consider running early a disadvantage, and some will consider it an advantage. If you will be competing to win, you are free to weigh the differences in strategy and choose whatever start day suits your own preference.

The layout of the course of Camelback Ranch is such that the course is not always the shortest path, and the shortest path is not always the inside border. The course will be marked along the borders with cones, flags, and other markers, and all runners must stay within the race course at all times when taveleling along the course.  If you cut the curves, you will be disqualified. It is your responsibility to know the rules. They exist to provide a good experience for all runners. If you are caught cheating you will be asked to leave and will not be allowed at future ATY events. Track etiquette does not require lone runners to yield the inside lane to runners wanting to pass, regardless of whether the one being passed is running or walking at the time. It is assumed that each participant is there to do his or her best, and has an equal right to pursue personal goals. In a race of this type, it is to be expected that even the best will walk for periods of time, particularly those in the longer races. Always pass others on the outside if they are on the inside lane. An exception to this policy is the case of two or more persons running or walking together. Persons traveling around the track in groups should always leave an inside channel open so faster runners do not have to travel far to the outside to get around them. In all cases, remember to show common courtesy, and that most of us run for the enjoyment and thrill of the experience.

Some runners use their effort to raise money for charities.  Across The Years does not endorse any particular charity, but will fully support and applaud you if you do with documentation of your run. The race director would like to be aware of charity fund-raising, as it helps with public relations when we get covered by the media. We will also advertise your effort on the Charities page of our Web site.

PacING & Guest Laps

Across The Years encourages family and friends to be a part of the race and support all runners.  However, due to the policies of Camelback Ranch, limited track space/width, and respect for the participants, pacers are not allowed in the traditional sense common to fixed distance ultrarunning events.  Yet, family and friends are an important part of the race, and are often eager to see the course and do a lap with their runner.  In this spirit, the following arrangements have been made:

1. A limited number of guest bibs will be available at the race.  Family and friends wishing to do a lap with their runner may check out one of the bibs and accompany their runner for a lap, then check the bib back in.  One guest may accompany a runner at a time, and must yield to all race participants.  Any person inside the Camelback Ranch complex must be wearing a bib.

2. Pacing is not allowed.  Runners with guests accompanying them for multiple laps or multiple times a day will be asked to stop, as this is not fair to the rest of the participants.  If someone wishes to spend extended periods on the course, they are encouraged to sign up themselves!

3. Any runner seeking a record must never have a non-participant accompany them, per USATF and IAU rules.  Any runner seeking a record is encouraged to be familiar with rules regarding these matters.

Timing

Your time and distance for each completed lap will be recorded automatically using an electronic chip based timing system. It is the runners’ responsibility to have the chip on their person at all times! Laps done without a chip are not counted by the timing system. There are no exceptions!  A secondary timing system will be placed halfway around the track to verify laps completed.  Up-to-date lap totals will be displayed instantaneously when runners cross the start line, and a leaderboard will be available with places and totals for all runners.  Additionally, updates will be broadcast to the race Web site every few seconds during the race. Invite your friends to watch your progress online during your run! If you believe that you might set a state, national or international record, you may be asked to wear a second transponder as a backup.

Setting Records

Across The Years is run on a certified course. Record setting performances will be recognized as official by record-keeping institutions if their guidelines are followed. Race results will be forwarded to the Arizona state record keeper who will then forward them to the national record keeper. The state record keeper will update or establish official state records for each of the three events. In order to be eligible for a certified record, you must do three things:

  1. Inform the race director of your intent to pursue a record. There is a place on the registration form to do this, but you may decide any time before the race begins.
  2. Start and finish the race at the designated times, though you need not be on the track when the race ends.
  3. Do not use a pacer at any time. If you have questions, please ask a race official beforehand.

Food

A full aid station will be provided during the event, as well as breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day. It is impossible to supply food that caters to every individual taste, but we will do our best. We will have most normal foods seen at ultrarunning events along with the extras Across The Years is famous for.  Previous years’ meals have included M&M pancakes, french toast, grilled cheese, quesadillas, spring rolls, sushi, lasagna, pizza, and chicken cordon bleu.  If you desire specific types of food and drink, bring them along with your normal race gear. We can make food on demand and help you prepare your food, simply ask our aid station and they will do everything they can to accommodate your needs.

Medical

You must fill out and sign a Medical History form before starting the race.There will be EMT medical staff available throughout the event.  Additionally, we have been blessed to have the medical expertise of runners Dr. Fran Mason and Chris O’Laughlin.  Both will also be running the race, and can usually be found doing laps on the course.  They are gracious enough to help runners at any hour of the day (or night!)

Weather

The Phoenix metropolitan area is blessed with mild winter temperatures. Nevertheless, daytime temperatures have been known to reach the 70s and 80s during previous stagings of Across The Years.  Fluid replacement is critical during the day. Although there will be little chance of snow, it’s not impossible, and nighttime temperatures can still dip below freezing. You will need some warm clothes — tights, gloves, hat, etc. Note: Temperatures have been recorded at the race site every six hours. The range has spanned from 20 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Some years we have had torrential rain. Plan ahead and prepare for the unexpected!

Awards

The awards ceremony will be held shortly following the end of the final race, at 10 AM on January 1.  The ceremony will be held in the main stadium (west of the runner area) by the North dugout with a catered meal for runners and crews.  There is no fee and everyone is welcome!  Runners finishing on the first or second day will have a brief awards ceremony in the runner area following the end of their race, where they may pick up their awards.  All runners are encouraged to attend the final awards ceremony on January 1 for the overall awards and recognition of each runner.

All runners will receive a finisher award.  Runners achieving distance standards will additionally receive the following:

  1. If you complete 100 miles you will receive a brass buckle.
  2. If you complete 200 miles you will receive a larger brass buckle.
  3. If you complete 300 miles you will receive a still larger brass buckle.

If you are the overall male or female winner you will receive an attractive piece of art. You may enter any race to qualify for any buckle offered. The race record for 72 hours is over 323 miles. We don’t expect to be passing out many 300-mile buckles, but it’s been done twice. As we have since 2004, ATY will continue to present progressive achievement awards to runners who have accumulated 1000, 2000, and 3000 miles total over all the ATY races in which they have participated.

Race Day Info

The morning of the race can be a busy time full of preparation before the event begins.  The following information will serve to make race morning as smooth as possible.

Setup

Runners are allowed to begin setting up their personal equipment at 6 AM on December 29th for all races.  Runners may also set up cars and RVs on the south side of the course in the dirt parking lot at this time.  For setting up on December 28th, see Camping and Sleeping Accommodations above.

Parking

The parking entrance is located on the west side of the property on 111th Ave./Ballpark Blvd. north of Camelback Road. It will be well marked for the event.  Depending on the day you arrive, some runners will have been running for days and may not be very alert. Plan to give yourself enough time to park and set up your supplies. (Don’t forget about your Medical History form!)

Checking In

Check-in will be held on December 28 at Camelback Ranch near the race start from 2 to 6 PM.  Additionally, runners can check in each morning of the race from 7 to 9 AM at the same location.  All runners must check in prior to the event start. Each runner will receive a race packet with any race goodies they’ve paid for, as well as their timing chip.

More Information

The best way to prepare for an event such as Across The Years is to talk to someone who has done it. We recommend you follow the  ATY Page on Facebook where you may talk about the race among participants both experienced and new. In addition, we have accumulated a treasure trove of stories and pictures from previous ATY events. Supplementary information for your enlightenment and edification has been provided in the FAQ. We invite you to explore, and if you are an ultrarunner looking for a unique experience, to mark your calendars and make plans to be with us at one of the greatest parties for runners in the United States. If you can’t be here to run, then join us during the race for the webcast.