19731 Bunker Hill Road in Woodstock, IL.
Parking and Registration 6:45 – 7:30 am – Race begins at 8:00 am (No late start)
Course & Safety Information
SAFETY: We want everyone to be safe, so please always enter and exit each obstacle as a team, being mindful of where your teammates are at all times, especially when tackling those obstacles that feature water. There are several obstacles that pose a serious risk of injury if you fall or are not a strong swimmer, so please only participate in obstacles that you are confident you can complete safely. If you don’t feel 100% safe tackling any particular obstacle, skip over it. Don’t take any unnecessary risks! You may run, jog, or even walk the entire course. Staff will be present at almost every obstacle to assist with any questions or concerns. The Harvard Fire Department will also be on-site during the race.
WATER SAFETY:
- DO NOT DIVE INTO ANY WATER.
- If you cannot swim, do NOT attempt any of the water obstacles.
- Obstacle 21: Use great caution near the waterfall. It is very shallow, with lots of rocks and stones to help prevent erosion. Don’t jump into the water at the waterfall, even from just a few feet. Volunteers and lifeguards will be able to assist in any emergency.
ROAD AND TRAIL SAFETY:
- Stay on the course and the trails, especially on the north side of the course. If you stray from the trails, you may encounter poison ivy, poison oak, poison parsnip, and ticks.
- You will cross over Bunker Hill Road to get to Obstacles 8-17. Racers will need to yield to cars. Race-in-progress signs will be displayed prominently and volunteers will be on-hand to keep things running smoothly. Please use caution while crossing the road, and run on the shoulder to the entrance of the marked trail.
- If you are prone to allergies or sensitive to airborne allergens DO NOT attempt Obstacles 8-17. The area where Obstacles 8-17 are set up contains the majority of these airborne allergens. If you with to skip these obstacles, you can wait at the water station for you team just after Obstacle 8 (but we recommend you Obstacle 9 first, then go back to wait at the water station). Your team will pass this water station on their way back to the south side of the road.
- Compression socks are recommended for Obstacle 23, which is a cable over water (with an interesting new twist).
THE COURSE: The course consists of 32 obstacles, each clearly marked, with volunteers stationed along the way to help direct you. Please stay on the designated trails and avoid any wet, soft or landscaped areas. For logistical and safety reasons, only one loop of the course is allowed.
Below is a rough, aerial map of the course, along with each obstacle’s name, which should give you a clue as to what to expect. Hopefully, we’ve included enough info to get you excited, yet left out just enough to keep you guessing or completely surprise you!
Remember, any obstacle can be skipped, and the entire course can be walked!
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Directions & Parking
PARKING & DIRECTIONS: If possible, please carpool, and don’t forget to have your team name and parking pass handy. You will enter from Bunker Hill Road (not Brookdale), 1.5 miles west of route 14 (between Tina Drive and Menge). (For your GPS – 19731 Bunker Hill Road, Woodstock, IL 60098) That will put you right about at the entrance – a gravel drive marked with orange cones. Go through the cones and follow the road all the way around over two bridges to the parking area. There will be a volunteer parking assistant to help direct you to the right spot. Only paid participants and spectators will be admitted.
IF DIRECTED TO PARK ALONG THE ROAD, PLEASE PARK TO THE RIGHT. With the soft grass, we need everyone to park with all four tires still on the gravel. Make sure there is still room for another car to get by you on the left. When ready, walk up the gravel road over the second bridge and you will be directed to registration. Bring coolers, race gear, towels, post-race snacks and any supplies you need with you to registration (NO GLASS CONTAINERS). Each person will register individually under their last name, not their team name.
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WHEN YOU EXIT AFTER THE EVENT, do not turn your car around, continue on the gravel drive toward the lodge to the Brookdale Road exit (do not turn left on the gravel service road before you get to the gate). Then go through the gate (which will open automatically) and go right on Brookdale which will take you back to Dunham Road.
Registration & Preparation Information
If a team member is missing, or a change has been made to your team, please email Ashley Ochse as soon as possible – Ashley@BHCharities.org
Check-In Procedure – Volunteers from Bunker Hill Charities and our partner agencies will be handling check-in and handing out goodie bags. If you haven’t marked your racer number on your arm and leg before you arrive, an area will be set up before check-in. Please stop by this area and mark one arm and one leg with your racer number-markers will be provided, but please mark yourself before checking in. Once you are checked in, please continue to the lawn area where you can stretch, have a drink and get ready with your team. Please reserve any non-race-related questions until after the race so that we may quickly process everyone in time for the start.
We want to thank all our volunteers and partners in advance. Our excellent volunteers and partners are a huge part of making this a fun and safe event!
SCHEDULE: Registration/check-in is at 6:45 am to 7:30 am. Please allow enough time to park and walk to the registration. We will start the race at 8:00 am and the post-party will wind down around 11:00 and conclude by 11:30. No same-day registration or late starts will be allowed. Video and photography will be taken. Please be mindful of drones along the course, and don’t forget to smile for the camera!
START WAVE TIMES: Your starting wave time is listed in your email. Please start at the proper time.
WEATHER: We will monitor the weather closely and send any necessary updates or changes to you by 6:00 am the morning of the race. If there is a weather emergency during the race, a horn will sound and you will be directed to the nearest shelter.
WHAT TO BRING: Bring a towel, perhaps a change of clothes, and any food or beverage that you will want after the race. There will be plenty of space to put your cooler and bags after you pass through registration. Water and snacks are provided throughout the course. Please NO GLASS CONTAINERS. Use garbage cans at course stations and throughout the start/finish area. We appreciate your cooperation in respecting the property, landscaping, and golf course greens and fairways. There will be designated changing areas.
WHAT TO WEAR: Dri-fit clothes (especially shirts) are highly recommended. A trail shoe that drains is preferable, but gym shoes will work just fine. Gloves are optional but not necessary. Compression socks (that go to the knee) or some other protection to the knee is recommended (and probably necessary for the cable pull over the water). We know that compression socks aren’t exactly high-fashion, but in this case we think they’re a must, especially to help protect you from ticks, poison oak, and poison ivy.
FACILITIES: We will have porta-potties and hand-washing stations at the start/finish and two different locations on the course, all of which will be marked. We will also have soap and shampoo for washing off in the lake afterwards if you like. You may also bring your own, but please make sure it doesn’t contain any phosphates. There is also an outdoor shower on the back side of the lodge, just a few steps from the brick path from the garage to the beach. You are welcome to walk up to the lodge to use this. It drains right into the lake so mud is not a problem. Please leave the temperature controls where they are. Pull the chain to turn the water on. Again, no shampoo or soap containing any phosphates, please.
SPECTATORS: Spectators must be registered and over 21 years of age. Spectators must go through registration with their teams (where they will also receive a goodie bag).
We suggest that spectators watch the start, then take the short course route to Obstacles 3 & 4 and venture over to Elsa’s Hill # 6 to watch the shenanigans happening over there. After that, we suggest venturing over to Obstacle 24 (where you are welcome to participate – you’ll see what we mean). From the hill off to the side, you can view Obstacles 23, 24 & 25, but be sure to follow your team to 27 & 28. You won’t want to miss your team’s reactions and the comedic twists we’ve thrown into the course.
The real muddy stuff is at Obstacles 3 and 13, but obstacle 14 will be the messiest for sure! Although these make for good viewing, they are at the furthest point in the course. To maximize your exprience and avoid the risk of poison ivy, poison oak and ticks, we highly recommend you do not walk to Obstacles 13 & 14.
After you see your team finish 27 & 28, you will want to head back towards the start/finish to grab a cold one on the beach to watch your team finish! We anticipate some of the first racers will be coming through the finish line starting around 9:30 am.
For any additional questions, Ashley Ochse can be reached at Ashley@BHCharities.org.
Thank you!
See you on Sunday.
Thank You To All Of Our Sponsors!
Contact Information
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