Firebird Trail Races

September 19th, 2020
50K - 7:00AM
13M - 7:30AM
5K - 8:00AM

Runners! Just 5 days out from Firebird Trail Races taking flight! Below is all the important information about the big event. We’re pretty sure we thought of everything, but if you have any additional questions or concerns, please let us know. 

Coronavirus Guidelines:

All runners must read the following guide regarding rules and regulations. Your safety is our priority, please take this time now and read through all points.

Donation Requirements:

Please be sure to email us your donation confirmations before the start of the race to runawaywednesdays@gmail.com. We'd ask that you donate $40 to any nonprofit of your choice (at minimum $20). Check your status here.

Thanks to our sponsors:

Our thanks to all those sponsors who have helped this race take flight, including generous donations from Clark Insurance Group, Athletic Brewing Company, HiFi Donuts and support from Windham Parks and Recreation!

Bibs Numbers & Waves:

In an effort to protect individuals from COVID exposure and limit trail congestion we’ll be starting all runners in groups of 4, each group starting 1 minute apart. Your wave/group start time won't impact your overall time (IE wave 4 runners will have 4 minutes removed from the race overall time). Your wave/group number will be written on your bib. Runners may not switch waves unless directed by race staff.

Wave placement can be found here.

Race Photos:

On-course photos will be provided to runners for free by Point A to B Photography / Alex Busack and will be posted on our Facebook Event Page a few days after the race.

Race Parking:

There will be limited parking at the Start/Finish area at the Windham Fire Department.

Overflow parking will be at Covenant Family Fellowship Church at 24 Falmouth Rd, Windham, ME 04062. This lot is 1/8 mile away from the starting area, there are NO SIDEWALKS along the road, please be very careful walking this section!

Bib Pick-up:

Day Prior: 12:00PM - 8:00PM
Race Day: 6:00AM - 6:30AM
We will be onsite at the start/finish, Windham Fire Barn, 45 Falmouth Road, Windham, ME from noon until 8pm on Friday September 18th, and we ask that you make every effort to stop by during that window of time to pick up your bib. We will be outside for bib pick up, and ask that you wear a mask, and maintain 6 feet of distance from others in the area.

Drop bags (50k runners only):

6:00AM – 6:30AM
Drop bags can be left with us on the 18th when you pick up your bib. Reminder, drop bags must be clearly marked with your name, aid station, and securely fastened. We will not ask our volunteers to be responsible for transporting bags that are not secured. Bags will be stored overnight in the Windham Fire Station Community Room, so please do not leave valuables in your drop bag. Bags will be taken to the aid stations the morning of the race. Because of COVID-19 protocols, we will be providing a limited selection of individually wrapped food items, and limited sodas at aid stations. Please plan accordingly.

The following locations are allowed for drop bags.

1) Start/Finish

2) Blackstrap Rd Aid Station, miles 4.6 & 26.5

3) Hadlock Rd Aid Station, miles 8.4 & 22.8

4) Greely Rd Aid Station, miles 13.7 & 17.4

Bathrooms:

There is a bathroom at the start/finish

There are no facilities on course for the 13 Mile event. There is a port-a-potty at the parking area on for Knights Pond on Greely Rd. at mile 16.5.

Start Times:

7:00AM for 50k
7:30AM for 13 Mile
8:00AM for 5K

The start area is located to the right as you face the Windham Fire Department, at the Lowell Preserve trailhead entrance. Runners should be assembled no less than 5 minutes prior to the start of their event for quick roll call and any final instructions.

Aid Stations:

Aid stations will be stocked with water and snacks that are individually wrapped prior to the race. THIS IS A CUPLESS RACE! Please bring your own re-useable cup. Please have face coverings with you and ware them over your mouth and nose as you approach the aid station (if you're stopping). Call out your bib numbers when you can. We will not have Tailwind, GU, or other endurance fuel available, so please bring your own particular brand of electrolyte/energy fuel mix.

13 mile course will have one aid station (hitting it twice) and two check points, and runners must check in at each location.

50k course will have three aid stations (hitting them 6 times) and four checkpoints and runners must check in at each location.

Aid Station Sheet Here

Cut off times:

50k overall cut off: 9 hours, 08 min at 17:20 min / mile pace.

Aid station volunteers will remind runners of cut off times. Aid station volunteers are empowered to pull runners not meeting cut offs from the course. Any dispute will be irrevocably decisioned by the Race Director. If a runner misses cut off, they will be provided a ride back to the Start/Finish as expeditiously as possible.

Cut Off Times Sheet Here

Pacers: 

No pacers are permitted.

Course Markings:

The course will be well-marked with orange pin flags and pink ribbon. Three orange pin flags indicate a TURN and arrow signs will be at critical turns. One pin flag and/or pink ribbon, every 3 - 4 minutes of running will indicate that you are ON COURSE.

If you do not see a pin flag or pink ribbon after 6 mins of running, you've gone OFF COURSE, you must backtrack to the last seen pin flag or ribbon.

Additionally there will be arrows at major turns and WRONG WAY signs on major trails.

The Trail:

The race course is on single track trails in Lowell Preserve, North Falmouth Community Forest, Blackstrap Preserve, Hadlock Community Forest, Rines Forest, and Knight’s Pond Preserve. Trails will be open to the public on race day, and you may share the trails with mountain bikers, horseback riders, runners, and hikers. There are a number of road crossings, please follow the volunteers lead on when it is safe to cross.

After the Race:

There will be non-alcoholic craft beer from our sponsor, Athletic Brewing Company, available to persons who are 21+. There will also be a selection of light snacks and drinks. Unfortunately we ask that runners not stay too long after the race due to COVID restrictions, while in this area everyone must be wearing a mask and stay 6ft apart.

Awards:

Each finisher will receive a handmade finishers award, made by one of our run club members! This is a grassroots, volunteer based trail event. We are keeping our costs low by asking participants to bring cups, having no swag, and being staffed by volunteers.

Course Map: 

- 5K Course: Starts at Lowell Preserve in Windham then doubles back.
STRAVA MAPS.

- 13M Course: Starts at Lowell Preserve in Windham and runs through Blackstrap Hill Preserve in Falmouth then doubles back to Windham.
STRAVA MAPS. GOOGLE MAPS.

- 50k Course: Starts at Lowell Preserve in Windham, goes through Blackstrap Hill Preserve then up and around Knight's Pond Preserve, then doubles back to Windham.
STRAVA MAPS. GOOGLE MAPS.

Final Words:
Please be even more patient with volunteers this year, we are so grateful that they are willing to come out and make it possible for this event to go forward! Please be courteous on the open use trails that make up this challenging course. We are exceedingly grateful to the Town of Windham, Town of Cumberland, Falmouth Land Trust, Royal River Conservation Trust, and the Cumberland Chebeague Land Trust for the use of these great spaces, as well as to the local communities. Reminder that the trails will be open, and as many of you know, the public has been out there this year!