Happy Holidays GRR Racers!

 We have been very busy here at GRR, but wanted to take a moment to wish you and your families a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year!

 While we have your attention, we would also like to update you on all the latest news regarding the 2011 GRASS results, the 2012 Two Below Duo, and the 2012 GRASS.

 2011 GRASS Results:  The 2011 Grass Roots Adventure Series was a very exciting one.  The early leaders—Warren’s Momma’s Makin’ Meatloaf (Eric Fadale and Chris Darling) showed promise and seemed poised to take the series.  However, the MAD was dominated by fellow Warren racers—Brandon Kellogg and Chuck Keeports of Team Allegheny Cyclery—and the two never looked back after winning that race.  With another exciting and dominating performance at the HVAC Series Finale, Keeports and Kellogg clinched the series but only after sprinting to the finish line with only 2 seconds left on the clock!  Our hats are off—once again—to the community of Warren for their support and for adding so much competitiveness to our events.

Here are the GRASS winners and their prizes for the upcoming season:

First place Overall—Allegheny Cyclery—Brandon Kellogg and Chuck Keeports. 205 Points. Free team entry to the 2012 GRASS.

Second place Overall—Momma’s Makin’ Meatloaf—Eric Fadale and Chris Darling. 148 Points. Half price team entry to the 2012 GRASS.

Third place Overall, and First place CO-Ed—Team Spang—Tim and Edna Spang. 136 Points. Half price team entry to the 2012 GRASS.

 First place Male Solo (and 11^th place overall!)—Eric Ash  56.5 points.  Half price Solo entry to the 2012 GRASS.

First place Female Solo—Janet Gregory (HVAC was only race!) 22 points. Half price Solo entry to the 2012 GRASS.

Congratulations to all that competed in one or all of the GRASS races, and we look forward to seeing you all next year.  

 2012 Two Below Duo January 28-29: The 2BD is returning to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort with a newer, more exciting format!  Once again the race will be a 3 Stage event but results will be based on points using the following format….

Stage 1—Biathlon—Run/Shoot: Racers will run a 1 mile lap and take two shots at two clay pigeons per racer.  There will be no limit on the number of laps that racers may run, but there will be a limit of 8 shots/clay pigeons.  The stage will be run in a ROGAINE format in that there will be ninety minutes given to complete as many laps as possible and to take 8 shots per racer at 8 clay pigeons. 

Points will be awarded as follows:

Running: Teams must travel together at all times. Racers will be awarded (1) point for each lap completed.  Racers may complete as many laps as possible, but will be penalized 1 point for each full minute that they exceed the 90 minute time limit.  Racers may stop at any shooting station but can only stop once per lap. 

Shooting:  Racers may take 8 shots within the 90 minute time limit.  No more than two shots can be taken per lap and both shots must be taken consecutively at one stand.   Racers are not required to shoot, but 2 points will be awarded for each shot taken.

Clay Pigeons:  Racers will be given 8 targets to shoot—2 per lap.  There will be 4 stands from which to shoot these targets, and racers may choose which stand to use.  This decision may be based on traffic and ease of target.  Racers are not required to shoot at, or hit targets—but 3 points will be awarded for each target that is hit.  The shooting instructor at the stand will be the judge and will determine whether a “bird” is hit.  Again—there are no penalties for misses, only awards for hits.

Stage 1 will start at 9:00am at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort Shooting Academy.  To reduce congestion, teams/solos will be started on an interval—with two teams/solos starting every minute.  Racers will have 90 minutes to complete course based on starting time.

Stage 2—Nighttime Navigation: Stage 2 will start Saturday evening at 6:00pm at Nemacolin’s “Wildside”—meet and start indoors.  This event will be a ROGAINE, and racers will have three hours to collect as many control points as possible.  A plotted topographical map will be provided, and CP’s will be located on terrain features.  CP’s will carry varying point values and the racer that collects the most points in the shortest time will be the winner.  Points for this stage will be awarded according to the number of points collected on the course combined with overall placement for the stage.  A short awards ceremony will take place afterwards for Stage 1 and Stage 2 awards.  Pizza will be provided, and refreshments and other food will be available to purchase.

Stage 3—Duathlon—Run, Bike, Run:  Stage 3 will start Sunday morning at 10:00am at Nemacolin’s Wildside— meet and start outdoors.  This race will contain very simple navigation with 11 control points.  Control Points will be placed in obvious locations and a Nemacolin map will be provided.  Racers will be responsible for plotting CP’s on their map by transferring them from a plotted “master map”.  Map plotting will take place indoors.  The stage will start with a fast 1.75 mile run/ski.  Racers will then transition to a 10 mile bike leg, and then back to a final 4.3 mile run/ski.  For this stage, all control points are mandatory and there is no cut-off time.  Points will be awarded based on placement, and a final awards ceremony will take place afterwards inside the Nemacolin “Wildside”.

Registration for the Two Below Duo is only $125.00/team or $70.00/solo until midnight Jan. 1. After that, registration is $150.00/ team or $85.00/solo until January 27^th.  Sorry—we cannot accept race day registrations for the 2BD.

Register by mail using the website mail-in registration form, or register on-line at active.com by using this link:  Two Below Duo Registration

2012 Grass Roots Adventure Sprint Series:  We hope to have registration for the 2012 GRASS open shortly.  As stated earlier the schedule should be similar to the 2011 season with the following races slated to be on tap:

April 21,2012  SORCAR--Season Opener Raccoon Creek State Park 

May 19, 2012  TURFF--The Urban Race for Fifty 

August 18, 2012 MAD--Moraine Adventure Dash

October 20, 2012  HVAC--Hidden Valley Adventure Challenge Season Finale

The costs should also be similar with solos racing all 4 races for around $175 and teams for around $250—early registration.  However, we would like to take this opportunity to announce a very special offer.  We have packaged the Two Below Duo and the GRASS for a low, low price of $200 per solo, and $300 per team of two.  For a team of two, that is at least a $100 savings!  But you need to act quickly.  We need your registration no later than January 15^th!  If interested in taking advantage of this offer, simply write to grassrootsracing@rootsrace.com, and we will send you the registration form.

That’s it for now!  Looking forward to seeing you all in January at Nemacolin!!

Frank and Bethann