Marysville Marathon E-Newsletter 6 November, 2009 – Final Information
Pre-Race Dinner
We encourage people to come along and show their support at Lilydale International 6:30-9:00 for a feed of pasta, salad and desert whilst entertained by Race Director Dr. Lachlan Fraser and two other prominent athletes, all for only $30. Email interest to marysvillerun@gmail.com and you can pay at the door.
Late Entries
Late entries can still be made up to one hour before each event, payment by cash, Visa or Mastercard. Due to unprecedented and encouraging interest in our inaugural Festival we have regrettably had to close online entries early, on Thursday November 5, to enable bib and timing allocation.
Schedule
Remember to apply appropriate protection from the sun, blisters and chaffing and bring along carbohydrate gels if you need on the longer runs. Check at the registration desk if you have not brought supplies with you. Drink adequate fluids before and during your events to cope with the predicted heat, and proceed at the pace that you have trained for.
9:00 am Marathon start – Marysville Caravan Park (8:45 briefing)
10:30 am Half Marathon start – Marysville Caravan Park (10:15 briefing)
11:00 am 10 km Run/Walk start – Gallipoli Park (10:45 briefing)
11:30 am 3 km Run/Walk start for bib numbers 3000–3300 (first 300 who registered). Gallipoli Park (11:15 briefing)
11:45 am 3 km Run/Walk start for bib numbers 3300—3999. Gallipoli Park (11:15 briefing, together with first wave)
1:00 Awards Presentation – including holiday to Townsville valued at $1500 approx. for two people, plus local accommodation packages and sporting goods prizes. Spot prizes will be allocated and available to collect after the presentation by presenting your bib number.
There will be a briefing at least fifteen minutes before each event. Bibs and electronic timing should be collected at the registration desk (which opens from 7:30 am). Enquire at some stage on race day if you haven’t been posted your t-shirt – more have had to be produced and another batch will be posted after the event. Marysville Marathon merchandise (Cool-Max t-shirts, caps and mugs) will be available on the day, and subsequently online, and we will be further fund-raising on the day (look out for the wonderful painting and mountain bike). Clothing bags will be available to leave non-valuables during your event. The registration desk would be an appropriate meeting point during the day for friends and family.
See reference to maps below. The caravan park and Gallipoli Park are a five minute walk from the main street, Murchison Street. The caravan park is at the northern end of the main street, near Marysville Tavern at Crossways. The bakery is on the corner of Pack Road and main street. Turn immediately left off Pack Road to access Falls Road and Gallipoli Park.
Event Manager Contact
For urgent problems on event day, Sunday November 8, please call to Event Manager Jeremy Francis on 0403676604. Other enquiries up to race day can be made to Lachlan Fraser, Race Director on 0438 642 426.
Town Map, Drink Station / Toilet Map, Marathon Course Notes, Altitude Profile
The maps will be available for printing from our website www.marysvillemarathon.com.au . They are also under the "Events" tab on this website
The drink stations and toilets are marked on the Marathon map, which includes the shorter events per Event Info descriptions on the website. The altitiude profile is still intended to be produced and should be on the website by Saturday afternoon. The rises are really not that bad, but will be somewhat of a challenge towards the end of those doing the marathon. Please give way to emergency vehicles should they be required on course roads.
Car Pool and Leave Early
Event entries have far exceeded expected numbers which is a great result. Competitors are encouraged to car pool where possible and leave early enough to allow for delays and time parking.
Parking
All parking areas will be signed and/or directed by the SES. Should you require disabled car parking or if you are running very late for your event, please let the SES member directing you know and they will try to accommodate your request.
3km Timing
Runners/walkers wanting an official time recorded for the 3km event are encouraged to purchase an electronic timing bracelet, for $5, at registration when collecting their race pack. Others completing the 3 km distance who want to record their time are asked to note their time on the finish gantry or wrist watches as they cross the finish line. Pens and paper will be available for personal time recording on finishing certificate.
Printed Race Program
A number of these will be available at the registration area and around Gallipoli Park. They will also be available for viewing and printing from our website. You can match bib numbers to the names of runners to offer positive encouragement by name. The bibs for the different events are various colours and numbered intuitively according to the distance – 3000s for 3 km, 1000s for 10 km, 2000s for Half Marathon 21 km and 4000s for Marathon 42 km. I’ll be 4001 so sing out “Go Lachlan!” and I’ll answer to Forrest if you like!
Course Marshalling
Please follow the instructions of course marshals, or risk disqualification from completing your event. We have 2000 people entered across all events, and walkers need to leave enough room for runners to pass, usually on the right, and runners should be aware that fast times may not be possible due to the rises and numbers of entrants on the course in some sections. This is a bushfire recovery event and we want everyone to have a memorable and positive experience.
Results & Photos
I salvaged two bells from the ashes of my home in Marysville – the Mexican bell, from the East, will start each event and you can ring the Swiss bell, from the West, as you cross the finish line. Results will be available and photos to purchase online at our website in the following week.
Lilydale Radio Yacht Club
Welcome and thanks to the members who will be sailing their yachts on the lake at Gallipoli Park. Ask them if you can have a go! Remember to watch your children near bodies of water.
The Future
Marysville Marathon Festival is envisaged as an annual event, on the Sunday following Melbourne Cup Day, so look out in 2010. The inaugural event has been a huge undertaking, alongside the bushfire recovery process, organised by only a half dozen committee members (we even have an overnight shift!) and we hope you understand any shortcomings you’ve encountered. There are many agencies to work with and groundwork to be done, always more difficult in a first year. We would encourage and welcome any group to host varied events in our area, to help with the recovery process. Marysville Community website (www.marysville.vic.au) is the most appropriate for information and enquiries. We would like to see some fun runs in the region over the next year, so if you can help or host such an event do send us an email at marysvillerun@gmail.com . Come on up, be respectful but have fun, and we’ll have a great day at the Marysville Marathon Festival on Sunday November 8, 2009.
Dr. Lachlan Fraser, Race Director
This information is supplementary to the two earlier e-newsletters which follow below and should also be read if you have not already done so.
eNewsletter Number One:
Help Us Rebuild Maryville
Make the inaugural Marysville Marathon Festival a success by telling your friends to come along. Please forward this e-newsletter and attachments to your contact list,
directing them to www.marysvillemarathon.com.au
Pre Race Dinner
The Pre race Dinner will be held at 6.30pm on Saturday 7th November 2009, at the Lilydale International, 471 Maroondah Hwy, Lilydale (intersection with Nelson Rd). Guest speakers will include Dr Lachlan Fraser (Race Director). Spot prizes kindly donated by the Lilydale International will be given out and a painting by renowned artist Rose Knight will be auctioned (valued at $850) – pre-race dinner bids can be made on the web and would be appreciated to help ensure that our festival costs are covered. The dinner cost is $30 per person and can be booked online at our website or by using the paper-based entry forms. Entry will be by supplying your name at the door as tickets will not be issued. Please help us to enable this event to happen by coming along and bringing some friends. Tables of ten can be booked or just join a table on the night. You can amend your registration online or post a downloadable paper-based form.
Accommodation
For those of you planning to stay but yet to book your accommodation, the Tower Motel and Caravan Park in Marysville are fully booked, for the Saturday night, as is the Black Spur Inn at Narbethong. However, you can still find some accommodation available at Healesville or Lilydale though via www.lastminute.com.au or www.stayz.com.au
Travel Times
Approximate travel times to Marysville from central Melbourne is two hours, from Lilydale one hour and from Geelong is three hours. Allow sufficient extra time for heavier-than-usual traffic, toilet stops, parking and collecting race kits. Travel through Healesville onto the Black Spur and follow the signage by turning right after Narbethong to Marysville.
Those travelling from the north to Marysville will be required to continue on through Buxton to Narbethong first due to road closures if travelling to Marysville later than 8:30am. This diversion adds about twenty minutes to travel time.
Start/Finish at Gallipoli Park & Car Parking.
Some parking will be available at Gallipoli Park and surrounding locations. Follow the event signs to Gallipoli Park (several hundred metres from the main street), located by turning off the main street (Murchison Street) to Pack Road and then Falls Road. If parking in a residential street please be aware of driveways to allow residents to access their properties. Please respect the privacy of local residents as you travel through Marysville and surrounding areas. Parking will be directed by members of the Marysville SES.
Road Closures
At 9:00am road closure on Buxton – Marysville road will take place, and the road will be reopened at 12:30pm at the latest. At this time all side roads along the Buxton-Marysville Road will be closed. The section from Marysville to the golf course will only be closed from 9:00am-9:30am and again at 10:30am-11:00am maximum.
At 10:30am Falls Road from Gallipoli Park to Steavenson Falls will be closed, along with all side roads along Falls Road. Falls Road will reopen at 3:00pm.
Local residents will be able to access the roads for urgent business or emergencies by telephoning for an escort vehicle, then travelling behind it at 40 kph. In Falls Road, it would be helpful if residents park in the side streets if they foresee that they will need to use their vehicles.
Visiting Dignitaries
Tim Holding MP (Minister for Tourism and Major Events) will be participating in the half marathon event. Further announcements will be made regarding the schedule of other visiting dignitaries.
Be Sun Smart
Be sure to drink extra fluids, wear sunscreen and a cap on the day, as well as begin training well before your event to prepare for running in the warmer conditions. Free sunscreen will be available on the day.
Race Prizes
Race prizes include accommodation vouchers within the Shire of Murrindindi, Skins clothing, watches, a mountain bike and other goods, all kindly donated to support the Festival. The first 3 placegetters for each event, male and female, will get trophies which have been hand-crafted from timber collected from Marysville following Black Saturday. Award ceremony will be held at 1:00pm sharp at the main stage. All award ceremonies, event courses, entertainment and market areas will be completed at 3pm.
Public Conveniences enroute to Marysville & On-Course
Stops are available at Lilydale, Healesville and at two locations over the Black Spur. Toilets will be available at Gallipoli Park at the Start/Finish area, at the start of the 10 km and 3 km events, and when the Marathon and Half Marathon runners return through Gallipoli Park (about the 34 and 13 km mark respectively). There will be a limited number of toilets at the start of the Marathon and Half Marathon nearby at the Marysville Caravan Park, as well as approximately 2 km into the Marathon course at the golf club and 12 km into the Marathon course at the turn-around at Buxton. There are also some portaloos at the Steavenson Falls carpark, approximately four km from the finish back at Gallipoli Park.
Race Kits
Bibs and timing ankle bracelets should be collected on race day (Nov. 8) at the Start/Finish area of Gallipoli Park in the centre of Marysville. Timing information will be forwarded in the final instruction e-newsletter. The entry fee includes electronic timing for the longer events. This will be available for the 3 km Run/Walk if desired for an additional $5 on the day.
Clothing Bags & Showers
You can leave clothing bags at the Start/Finish area, and there will be a limited number of showers available after completing your event.
Show Bags
These will be available to competitors and will include magazine vouchers, energy bars and other goodies.
Kilometre Markings
The course distances will be measured accurately by GPS and distances will be marked regularly along the course. Signs and marshals will keep everyone on course, but do look out for markers appropriate to the event you are entered in.
Drink Stations
Water and sports drink (Powerade) will be available at these stations, generally less than 3 km apart. There will be some bananas and lollies at some stations, as well as some ice towards the end of each event. Individual drinks can only be left at the Gallipoli Park drink station at the Start/Finish area (approx. 32 km for the Marathon).
Ultra marathon
Competitors wishing to convert their marathon entry to ultra marathon distance are asked to notify Race Secretary Cassandra Church via email cassmax@bigpond.com.au. These competitors will be directed on a further 3km course as they cross the finishing line, the course being that of the 3km event following Falls Road. Marathon runners can also decide to cover this additional distance after crossing the finish line for the 42 km distance. Both times will be recorded, with a prize for the ultramarathon winners, but remember Awards Presentation is at 1:00.
International Competitors
We have two competitors entered to date from overseas. One from Alaska, the other from UK. Welcome to you both.
Marshalling
Both lanes of the Buxton-Marysville Road and Falls Road will be closed to vehicular traffic, and will be available for runners and walkers. Please keep to the left side, limiting how many travel abreast and allowing room for runners, particularly the faster ones, to pass on the outside to the right. Keep alert, listen out and follow the directions of the race marshals and at the briefing ten minutes before each event. The course has some rises and some gravel sections so fast race times will be difficult to achieve for the distance. Please approach this as a fun day which helps our town recover from the bushfires with this inaugural event. Be aware that snakes are occasionally seen on some of the course tracks.
Spectators
Spectators will not be allowed beyond the end of Falls Road into the Steavenson Falls Reserve. Otherwise spectators are welcome, and can use the roads which are open to access vantage points, being aware of runners on the road. A race schedule will be available on the day, with the race numbers and names of runners so you can encourage them by name.
T-Shirts
Due to the large number of entries a further run of t-shirt printing is underway. Those who have not yet received their t-shirt are asked to collect it at registration on the day of the event. This applies to our international competitors also.
Cool Max t-shirts will also be available for purchase on the day, there are limited numbers of these so you will need to get in quick. Do wear your t-shirt to help us advertise the Festival before November 8.
Volunteers
Volunteers will receive briefing information and job allocations shortly. We appreciate all the offers of help, and could still use some more volunteers. There may be the possibility to run your event and help if you are able. Send us an email via the website. Thank you for any offers of help if we have not been able to reply to date – it’s a huge undertaking for a small committee.
Sponsorship
We are still looking for some corporate sponsorship or private donations to Marysville Marathon to help make the event succeed, which will further enable our emergency service fund-raising and allow us to run this as an annual event. After the event we will publish a treasurer’s report and we have registered with Consumer Affairs Victoria to raise funds for our charities. All contributions are welcome, and naming rights are available for the runs, with provision for prominent advertising and acknowledgement. We are expecting over 1000 participants and up to 3000 in total to attend, with media coverage on TV, newspapers and radio. Email or phone contact can be made via the website information.
Come and have a great time and please invite your friends to join us at the Pre-Race Dinner on Sat 7th as well as the Festival events on November 8th.
eNewsletter Number Two:
WELCOME WESTPAC
The Marysville Marathon committee are pleased to announce that this week Westpac (Chirnside Park) have joined us as a major sponsor of the Marathon race, now the Westpac Marysville Marathon. As well as helping our Festival succeed, Westpac are also generously donating $5000 to Marysville SES. Thank you very much.
PRE RACE DINNER
Bookings remain open for pre race dinner to be held at Lilydale International on 7th November. $30 per head, for pasta and dessert. Guest speakers include Dr Lachlan Fraser. Auction on night, including Rose Knight painting valued at $850. Pre dinner bids would be most helpful to marysvillerun@gmail.com .
LONG RANGE WEATHER FORECAST
Weather for 8th November is currently predicted to be partly cloudy with a top temperature of 23 degrees in Marysville. Do try to get some training done in the heat. Now revised to be 31 degrees (2nd November).
SUNSCREEN
Free sunscreen will be available at the event. Please remember hats and plenty of fluids to maintain hydration during your event.
MERCHANDISE
Coolmax Marysville Marathon t-shirts and singlets will be available for purchase next to registration area for $25 each. Mugs and caps will also be available for sale. Online merchandise purchasing will be available 8th November. Gu energy gels for $3 and the book “Marysville – In Loving Memory” for $20 will be sold at the merchandise area.
MARKET AREA
There will be a market area beside the main event area. The market will include displays by CFA and SES with giveaways for kids. Various food stalls will cater on the day. The usual Marysville Market will be participating in the marathon market area, which includes fresh produce, crafts and plants. A masseur is available to tend both competitors and spectators for long sessions, near the market area.
Richmond Run For Your Life Emporium and 2XU will be holding sales areas also.
VOLUNTEERS
Over 100 volunteers will be assisting around the run courses and within the central event area. Volunteers will be identifiable by their blue Marysville Marathon Shirts and name tags.
REGISTRATION
Registration will be open from 7.30am on event day to collect bib numbers, timing ankle bracelets, t-shirts and giveaways. Due to the overwhelming number of entries there are limited numbers of show bags, but all competitors will receive a giveaway in some form. Those who have not received their t-shirt in the mail are asked to collect it at registration.