SORCAR Race Report
Team Nuckelheads—Brad and Kurt Nuckels—were first to return from the bike leg. Their strategy was clear—grab some of the close points on bike, then head out and maximize the available points on the ropes. They got all but a couple and then headed out for the trek leg.
A lot of teams tried a lot of different strategies, but in the end it was the Nuckelheads that accumulated the most points. By getting to the ropes first, they avoided any bottlenecks and maximized their efficiency. With strong navigational skills, they accumulated plenty more points on the trek navigation. In the end, they were the winners by collecting 75 of the ambitiously set 150 point course.
We want to thank all that braved the elements and supported us on our season opener. On a side note, we noticed that—due to the mud—it took us almost twice as long to break the course down as it did to set up!
Here are top results:
Overall
1st place: Nuckelheads--Brad and Kurt Knuckels 75 points
Male
1st Place: Three Strands --David Williamson, Craig Dobbs 51 points
2nd Place: MMM Adventure Racing--Chris Darling, Scott Angove50 points
3rd Place: Team Lewis--Cody and James Lewis 49 points
Co-Ed
1st Place: Bee Ringers--Carrie and Eric Beringer 43 points
2nd Place: Team Spang--Edna and Tim Spang 42
points
3rd Place: Barely Makin' It--Sarah Brogley, Jim Biskup 35 points
Female
1st Place: Wild Gingers--Kathy Mencke, Elise Stobart 42 points
2nd Place: ...Shoe Store?--Anne Freeborough, Janet Gregory 40 points
3rd Place: Honey Badger--Liz Bronson, Amber Clites 25 points
Solo
1st Place: Merrill Gregory 43
points
2nd Place: John Ralston 36
points
3rd Place: Mike Hennon 34
points
Final update for SORCAR
- Maps distributed at 8:30. Plan to strategize. Maps will be marked with red run CPs and blue bike CPs.
- Race Starts at 9:00am with a marked 1.5 mile run. Teams must travel together, and will receive their clue/punch card when both teammates are present.
- Upon completion of the marked run, you may choose which clue/punch card you want--Run or Bike. Keep in mind, however, that all Bike punch cards must be turned in by 10:30 (small change from the wording in an earlier email).
- 10:00am the ropes course will open. Weather may be a factor on the high ropes. Regardless, we will allow teams to split up on this section by providing two punch cards--(1) will be for the ropes course, (1) will be for a second trek course. Teams and solos are allowed/encouraged to work together on the ropes course.
- 12:00pm the race course closes. Any racer that is late will be penalized (1) point for each full minute.
- You are racing at a discounted price (early registration, GRASS prize, etc.).
- You are racing for free (race prize, etc.)
- You really, really enjoyed the ropes.
TURFF 2012--Website Correction
April Update
GRR Racers,
The season is off to a quick start, and here are information and dates to which you may want to pay attention:
April 21st—SORCAR-Season Opener Raccoon Creek Adventure Race.
The 2012 SORCAR will start and finish at Linsly Outdoor Center—just off of Route 168. Linsly has struck a deal with GRR to use their facilities AND their ropes course for this year’s event. We have designed a race course that fully utilizes all that Raccoon Creek State Park has to offer, and sprinkled in Linsly’s ropes for good measure. The race is a complete ROGAINE format, and racers will have 3 hours to gather as many bike, run, and ropes points as they can. Points will be awarded based on how far it is to travel to the Control Points, and/or how difficult the route of travel is to negotiate/navigate. Most points wins and ties are broken by time.
Race start is 9:00am sharp, but racers are encouraged to arrive by 6:00am so that they may participate as “extras” in the filming of “Monongahela”. We encourage anyone—even non-racers to join us for this event. There are many spectating/volunteering opportunities—and it could be fun to see yourself in a film—right?
We have a solid field registered for SORCAR, but there are still some spaces left. If you are interested in racing as a solo or team of two, go to link for information and registration options.
We’d love to see you at
SORCAR!!
May 6th—Pittsburgh Marathon.
Bethann and Frank are—once again—representing the Salvation Army in the Pittsburgh Marathon as “charity chasers”. That is, we will line up at the back of the 10,000 plus runner pack, and be the absolute last two people to cross the start line. We will then calculate how many marathon finishers we pass by looking at our placement in the results. We are looking for sponsors that want to contribute to the Salvation Army’s work by donating to our run. Sponsors can contribute a fixed amount ($5, $10, $20….or more!?) or they can contribute based on how many runners we pass. Last year we passed a combined 7,100 marathon finishers. This means a 1 cent donation grew to a $71 contribution. We want to thank all that contributed last year and want to encourage you to support us this year. Visit link for information and contribution options.
GRR will also be representing
the Salvation Army’s Most Amazing Race at the Marathon Expo. Be sure to stop by and say hello if you are
in the area picking up race packets, etc.
May 19th—TURFF-The Urban Race For Fifty.
This race is a venerable favorite and is filling up quickly. We have lots of our usual surprises for you and are looking forward to another great day. Don’t miss your chance to join us! Sign up soon by visiting link for race information and registration options.
That’s it for now. We are looking forward to seeing everyone at
the season opener. Good luck with your
training!
Frank and Bethann
March Update
Winter has seemingly faded
away (not that it ever really amounted to much this year) and has left us all
anticipating a great race season. We
have a lot of important dates to discuss for the near future, and an exciting
announcement regarding the SORCAR on April 21st.
March 15—This is the final day that teams, and solos, may register for the GRASS—four race Grass Roots Adventure Sprint Series. After this date teams will have to sign up—and pay—for each race individually. Series price for a team of two is only $350, while the price for a solo is only $250. Go to the GRASS page for registration options and information.
This is also the final date for early registration for the Raccoongaine, hosted by the Western Pennsylvania Orienteering Club. This is a great event to complete if you are planning to compete in the upcoming SORCAR since we are using the same venue, and the same maps. Go to www.WPOC.org. for more registration and race information.
March 25—Raccoongaine at Raccoon Creek State Park, Meet and Start at Recreation Hall. Here’s the word from race directors:
129 people registered. Three days left before late fee. Still some room left for more people. It doesn't get better than this: fifty checkpoints, two map sheets of 11"x18" dimensions, one large 4-mil plastic bag with ziploc closure, every participant gets a map, hot and freshly cooked meal served after the event, 100-seat capacity indoor rustic cabin style with fireplace. Take advantage of what public state lands have to offer, and what this dedicated group of volunteers have prepared for your enjoyment. Some stuff by REI, Dick's Sports, and Zanfel to top placers. www.WPOC.org. Raccoon Creek SP. March 25. 10 AM.
We hope to see you there!
April 19—Registration closes for SORCAR—Season Opener Raccoon Creek Adventure Race. Prior to this date teams of two can sign up for $90, while solos can register for $65.
April 21—SORCAR—Season Opener Raccoon Creek Adventure Race. The first installment of the four race GRASS—Grass Roots Adventure Sprint Series—is always a favorite! This year we plan to make it bigger and better than ever. We will be introducing more elements of strategy and will again be using maps provided by WPOC. The big news is that the race will start and finish at the Linlsy Outdoor Center—in the heart of Raccoon Creek State Park—and will include some parts of both their high and low ropes courses. As in prior years, we will be using a ROGAINE format, and the race will start at 9:00am and end at 12 noon sharp. There will be hot food and dressing rooms available so you can get out of your wet muddy clothes.
Go
to SORCAR for registration information and options.
May 6—Pittsburgh Marathon—Again, Grass Roots Racing will be working with the Salvation Army and the “Run for a Reason” program. Runners that are interested in helping raise funds for children programs in the Pittsburgh area while competing in this event should contact Donna Fencik at "Donna Fencik" onna.Fencik@USE.SalvationArmy.Org">Donna.Fencik@USE.SalvationArmy.Org
Stay posted for information
regarding Bethann and my own participation in this event as “Charity Chasers”
again this year!
May 19—TURFF—In conjunction with the Venture Outdoor Festival, GRR will once again host The Urban Race For Fifty. This three hour ROGAINE formatted urban adventure race is a venerable favorite, and will once again include biking (road bikes are permitted), trekking, and paddling—all while navigating the city streets to locate point weighted “check points”. Go to TURFF for registration information and options.
That’s it for now. We look forward to seeing you all at the SORCAR in April!
Teammate Finder
Teammate Finder
It is unanimous. Despite the growing popularity of the solo
category at Grass Roots Racing events, most racers prefer the camaraderie of having
a teammate. Face it—this is what Adventure
Racing is all about! If you, or someone
you know, is looking for a teammate—please feel free to post any information
you have at this site.
Things to consider including are:
- Who you are—age gender etc..
- Your “race goals”—to place on podium, to finish the course, etc.
- Where you live and train.
- Your experience in Adventure Races and other races.
- Race or races that you need a teammate for—these do not have to be limited to GRR events.
Thanks! And good luck!!
Frank
February Update
February Update
2/25-26—The weekend of the 25th is busy with two events taking place. One is a well organized Land Navigation Challenge produced by Soggy Bottom Boys Racing in Virginia. If you can make the drive, this event will give you the opportunity to choose a 3, 6, or 12 hour course and test your skill against some of the best on the East Coast.
The other is a fundraiser for children in Honduras being held at the Titan Traverse Climbing Wall at Westminster College. It’s called Climb-a-Thon and you can find more information at their facebook page (search Climb-a-Thon).
5/6—Pittsburgh Marathon—Many of you have probably
already registered, and many of you have probably found out that this event is now
sold out. Regardless, you can all
run this race for a reason and join Bethann and myself as we fundraise for the
Salvation Army. Doing so will entitle
you to run for free, and enjoy many other privileges at the marathon. If interested, contact Donna.Fencik@USE.SalvationArmy.Org for more information.
Frank and Bethann
LHAC Registration is now open!
Registration
is now open for the LHAC, potentially hosted by Nemacolin Woodlands Resort! Register your team of two for only $50.
Or register as a solo for only $35. But
hurry--this offer expires Sunday Feb. 5th at 9pm!!
This race is the
last in our four race series and is a great introduction to longer race formats used in the sport of
adventure racing. Go to active.com for
on-line registration, or click here for a mail-in registration form: LHAC Mail-in registration form . This page will serve as the spot for
race updates so be sure to check back as we get closer to race day!
MAD Registration is now open!
Registration
is now open for the MAD--Moraine Adventure Dash at Moraine State Park! Register your team of two for only $50.
Or register as a solo for only $35. But
hurry--this offer expires Sunday Feb. 5th at 9pm!!
This race is the
third in our four race series and features the most technical mountain biking of the races we produce. Go to active.com for
on-line registration, or click here for a mail-in registration form: MAD Mail-in registration form . This page will serve as the spot for
race updates so be sure to check back as we get closer to race day!
TURFF Registration is now open!
Registration
is now open for the TURFF--The Urban Race For Fifty at Point State Park! Register your team of two for only $50.
Or register as a solo for only $35. But
hurry--this offer expires Sunday Feb. 5th at 9pm!!
This race is the second in our four race series and is a great introduction to the sport of adventure racing since it takes place in an urban environment. Go to active.com for on-line registration, or click here for a mail-in registration form:TURFF Mail-in registration form.
This page will serve as the spot for
race updates so be sure to check back as we get closer to race day!