Racers,

February is upon us and it will be only a couple short months before the race season starts.  This email is to alert you to some small changes in how we hope to communicate with you all in the future, and to notify you of some important upcoming dates and events.

GRR monthly updates-It is our hope to reduce the number of unwanted emails in your in-box, and to streamline the communication process on our end.  So in the future you can expect to receive one monthly email update from GRR.  All other updates will be posted here on the GRR blog.  This way, you have the choice-you can periodically visit the blog to get any needed updates, or you can subscribe to the blog and receive all postings when they occur.  Just click the "subscribe" button at the bottom left.

Important upcoming dates and events-

February 15-Deadline for reduced registration rate for entry to GRASS-Grass Roots Adventure Sprint Series.  Current price is $250 per team of two or $170 per solo.  After 2/15 you can expect to pay $300 and $225 respectively.  To register on-line, or by mail-go to the GRASS page and click on your choice of registration options.

Saturday March 12-Raccoon Ramble 50K at Raccoon Creek State Park.  This race is small scale and FREE-just plan to bring some food or beverage to share with the other runners.  Great chance to check your fitness level before the season ramps up. 

Contact: David Micklo at david.micklo@ang.af.mil if interested.

Sunday March 27-Raccoongaine at Raccoon Creek State Park sponsored by the Western Pennsylvania Orienteering Club.  This ROGAINE is split into 3 and 6 hour long events.  Last year's race was a huge success and there has been even more interest generated in this year's event. This is a great way to get a preview of the SORCAR in April as we will be using the same maps.

April 1-deadline for early registration for the SORCAR.  Register before April 1 for $65 for a team of two, or $40 for a solo.  Go to the SORCAR race page for on-line and mail-in registration options.

April 16^th-SORCAR Season Opener Raccoon Creek Adventure Race.  This race is the first in our four race sprint series and is a great introduction to adventure racing. It will include trail running (4-6 miles), mountain biking (8-10 miles), and orienteering using maps produced by the Western Pennsylvania Orienteering Club. The bike leg will be primarily on marked course, the orienteering will occur during the run leg. We anticipate this race to be 3-5 hours long and will end with a great post race party.

Go to the SORCAR race page for more information and registration options.

Race Rule changes-We want to take a second to remind all racers of some simple changes that should make 2011 an easier year to race:

1. All races are now accepting solo racers.  If you do not have a partner, you can now register for individual races-or for the entire 4 race series-as a solo competitor.  Prizes for the solo division will be for 1^st place overall for both the individual races and for the GRASS (Grass Roots Adventure Sprint Series). 
2. Teams of two that are "chasing" the series now have two options regarding scheduling conflicts/injuries:
1. Teams of two are allowed one racer substitution per season.
2. A team of two may race as a solo and may receive/apply the points earned as a solo to their team's total.  The same may be said for a race in which one teammate has a mechanical issue or injury within the event.  Note: Solo points are approximately ½ of the team of two points for a similar finish.

For more details on rules and scoring, go to the GRASS page on the website.

That's it for now.  Hope to see all of you soon! Until then, train smart!!

Frank and Bethann