Survive the Night Relays
Athlete Guide
Welcome and Message from your Race Directors
Thank you for participating in the Survive the Night Relays and joining us for a hot night in the middle of July. The purpose of this race is to help fundraise for cancer support services, but also to encourage everyone of all ages and abilities to pursue a healthy lifestyle. All of the proceeds from this year's race will once again come right back to providing gas cards, meal cards, and hotel rooms for cancer patients. In addition, we are thankful that you have decided to come be a part of our race and hopefully it will leave a meaningful impact on your approach to your lifestyle. More importantly, we hope you will have one memorable night!
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-Jonathan and Bob
Schedule of Events
Friday, July 19, 2024
4:00-7:00 PM - Registration and Packet Pickup
(Green Lot, Kroger Field)
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Only one team member required to pickup Team Packet.
6:30 PM - PreRace Meeting for Triathlon Relay
(Green Lot, Kroger Field)
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7:15 PM - PreRace Meeting for Marathon Relay/Ultra
(Green Lot, Kroger Field)
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7:30 PM - Start of Triathlon Relay
(Lancaster Aquatic Center)
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8:00 PM - Start of Solo and Ultra Relays, Marathon Relays, and 1st Transition Runners of the Triathlon
(Green Lot, Kroger Field)
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*Marathon teams have the option to start anytime throughout the night with projected finish by 9am.
This race would not be possible this year without our Presenting Sponsor:
Registration and Packet Pickup
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Registration and Packet Pickup will begin at 4:00PM on Friday, July 19th and will run until 7:00PM.
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It will be located in the Green Lot at Kroger Field. Look for the Red Banner Flag marked "Check-In" which will be next to Gate 3 of the stadium.
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We recommend all teams in the first wave of the triathlon pickup their team packet before 6:00 PM in order to be able to attend the triathlon athlete meeting. The later times for packet pickup are mostly intended for the marathon and ultra participants.
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We like to keep things efficient, so Team bags are prepacked with each entire team's Race swag, bib numbers, etc.
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Only one person from each team (preferably the team captain) needs to come to the packet pick-up table on race day
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If you registered prior to the deadline for T-shirt orders, which was June 28th, then we will have your requested T-shirt size included in the pre-race pack.
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If you registered after the deadline for T-shirt orders, which was on/after June 28th, we will have a shirt for you. We try every year to guess the remaining shirt sizes with a reasonable count, but the estimates are never the same from year to year. We will give out sizes as requested based on availability, but we may not be able to guarantee your preferred shirt size.
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Volunteer Registration
If you have registered as a volunteer, simply go to the same registration tent 10-15 min before your volunteer time period. You will be asked to sign a waiver, and offered a Volunteer shirt. And thank you for volunteering.
Note Regarding Safety
We will have several requirements, recommendations, and/or modifications to this year's races that will make this year's race safe for everyone involved:
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This is a race that takes place at nighttime, so there are inherent risks of running and/or biking in the dark,
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We will have supplemental lighting on the course, but it is the athletes responsibility to have the following:
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All cyclists must have a lighted headlight and at a minimum a blinking tail light mounted on their bicycles. The headlight should be bright enough for you to see the road.​
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All runners will be required to have either a lighted/reflective vest or a headlamp.
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We will have light towers and quite a bit of supplemental lighting, but all participants are expected to provide additional lighting in the form of a mounted headlight and at least a blinking tail light on the bike, and runners should have either a headlamp or lighted vest during the run.
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The temperature is typically fairly warm and humid, so please monitor you fluid intake. We will have a large water reservoir at Gate 3 of Kroger Field that can be used to refill bottles, and we will also maintain several water and sports drink coolers throughout the race. Participants will be given a custom water bottle at registration that is intended to be used during the race.
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If you have any medical concerns during the event, please go to the Ironcology tent where we will be able to provide basic medical services.
Use the following Buttons to jump ahead to your respective race.
(Additional Info about food, parking, camping, etc. after Ultra section)
Survive the Night Triathlon
This year's race will be back at Kroger Field on our original course. We will once again be targeting the full distances of 2.4 miles, 120 miles on the bike, and 26.2 miles on the run. Awards will be based on total finishing time.
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All teams will start in the same swim wave which is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM.
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All swimmers will need to complete a minimum of 50 yards (down AND back) before they can exchange swimmers
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Team captains will be given a timing sheet at the pool deck, and each team will need to provide their own lap counter during the swim. These sheets will be used throughout the event to also count the bike and run legs, and will need to be turned in at the conclusion of the race.
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Teams will be directed to have one swimmer in the water, one timer on deck, the next swimmer ready on deck, and all remaining active swimmers in the bleachers waiting for their opportunity to exchange in the pool. All remaining parents, team members that are not actively swimming or assisting with the swim are asked to remain outside of the aquatic center.
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Teams will have to complete 4000 yds, or 80 laps (down AND back).
Swim
Transition Run
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Each triathlon team will need to designate one transition runner who will complete the run from the aquatic center to the bike transition area at the conclusion of the swim segment.
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Transition runners will have a designated starting line outside of the aquatic center.
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The team timing chip for the entire race will be given to the transition runner outside of the aquatic center shortly before the start of the segment
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The run will follow the paved walking path in front of The Johnson Center, climb the steps and then head across the blue basketball courts. Runners will cross Cooper Drive in the cross walk and then enter into the Green Lot of Kroger Field.
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The distance of the transition run will be 0.4 mile.
Bike Loop
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The bike course consists of 100 laps of a 1.2 mile loop around Kroger Field
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It begins in front of Gate 2 of Kroger Field and continues in a clockwise fashion. Cyclists will stay straight and ride up the hill in front of Nutter Field House on College Sports Way. This road will take cyclists around the practice facilities and down the hill to Alumni Drive. Cyclists will stay in the outside turning lane onto Alumni Drive, and then continue until making a right turn onto University Ave, and then a right turn back into Kroger Field, which will return cyclists back to the start.
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Only one team-member can bike at a time.
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Cyclists will be asked to wear the timing chip on their ankle, and their bib number on their LEFT side/flank (see below) to help with lap counting and assure accurate timing
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All cyclists will be required to have a mounted headlight on their bike and at least a blinking tail light. Remember - the purpose of your headlight is to make it easier for YOU to see. So choose your supplemental lighting wisely.
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At the end of each loop, as cyclists return to Kroger Field, the course will split into two sections based on your intent as a rider - to continue or to exchange with a teammate.
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The exchange area will be designated with RED rope lighting to create an alley and will be labeled. Each team will have their own designated transition rack to store your teams bikes. For this year, the exchange zone will be elongated and styled similar to a Nascar Pit Zone to enable more space for teams to exchange riders. We kindly request teams to make hand-offs between teammates at their designated Pit Area.
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There will be a second staged area that will be designated with BLUE rope lighting to create an alley for cyclists who plan to continue riding beyond one lap. This exchange zone will be completely enclosed to ensure the safety of all participants, so no exchanges can be made within the blue lane.
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We will be following USA Triathlon rules which state Participants are not allowed to abandon equipment or throw trash while on the course. We will have plenty of garbage receptacles within the race staging area. We will also monitor and will not allow blatant drafting during the bike leg. Offenders will be given a warning for the first offence, and repeat offenders will have a 1 bike lap penalty charged against their team.
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Teams will have until 4:00 AM to complete 120 miles or 100 laps, and all teams will be encouraged to complete as many laps within the allotted timeframe. If we run into time s from the police, we may add a second timing chip starting at 1:00 AM to help ensure all teams are able to complete the bike section within the alotted timeframe.
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We will have a large projection screen posting live updates of each team's lap count, split, and team name.
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The final cyclist will make a short (50 yds) transition run to the end of the exchange zone and will then cross over to the run exchange zone for the start of the marathon run.
A link to the Bike Course can be found here: https://www.strava.com/activities/7116214767
Bike Support
Bicycle Face will be providing assistance with last minute repairs or bike needs for the time leading up to the start of the race between 5:00pm and 8:00pm. Look for the tent in the Green Lot by the exchange zone.
For any addition bicycle support needs and/or basic repairs later in the night, go to the Ironcology tent.
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Survive the Night Marathon
Marathon Loop
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The run course consists of 20 laps of a 1.3 mile out and back loop.
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Triathlon teams will begin the Marathon relay as soon as they complete 120 miles on the bike, OR they reach the bike cut-off at 4:00am.
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Marathon teams can begin as early as 8:00PM on Friday night, but can also begin any time during the night providing sufficient time for a staged finish close to or before 9:00AM on Saturday morning.
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It begins in the Green Lot of Kroger Field and will be running in a clockwise direction around the lot.
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Runners will start the loop at the running arch marked with rainbow rope lighting to create the exchange zone. Runners follow the designated loop in a clockwise direction, heading towards College Sports Way. THey will make a right turn onto College Sports Way, and then stay to the left at the 3-way intersection in front of Nutter Field House. Runners will climb the hill and continue straight until they reach the baseball stadium, where they will turn LEFT onto Wildcat Way, head towards the soccer and softball complexes, and then make a rounded turn to head back to the stadium. Once arriving back to the 3-way intersection in front of Nutter Field House, runners will continue straight into the Green Lot, and then follow the course back to the exchange zone.
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The minimum distance that a teammate must run will be 1.3 miles, or one lap.
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Exchanges must occur within the designated exchange zone.
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Runners are asked to wear their bib number on the chest at all times while running and to wear the timing chip on their ankle.
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Runners are required to wear additional lighting - one of the following: headlamp, lighted vest, belt, etc.
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When the final runner completes their 20th lap, the entire team is encouraged to join together, and run the final "short loop" - about 200m which will leave the exchange zone and complete a partial lap around the Green Lot before returning into the finisher's chute.
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Teams will have 5 hours to complete the full marathon which will be 26.2 miles.
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We will have a large projection screen posting live updates of each team's lap count, split, and team name.
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IMPORTANT: The marathon course will overlap with our Ultra course, but the ultra course is intended to take runners off pavement and onto the trails at the top of the hill. The marathon course will be marked using GREEN cones with GREEN lights. Marathon runners will need to follow the signage and listen to the volunteers on the course.
Here is a link to run loop: https://www.strava.com/activities/7116214306
Survive the Night Ultra
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This will be our second year hosting an ultra relay, but that doesn't mean we don't have a ton of collective experience participating in Ultras!
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The course will feature both on- and off-road terrain, but the off-road components are essentially a groomed cross country course with very little if any technical terrain.
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The Ultra Event will last 12 hours.
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Ultra runners will start at 8:00PM within the Running exchange zone in the Green Lot of Kroger Field. This will be marked with a Blue arches and rainbow rope lighting. Ultra runners will likely also be starting along side some Marathon Relay teams.
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The Ultra run will start the same direction as the Marathon relay, and will exit the lot in a clockwise fashion heading towards College Sports Way. Runners will turn RIGHT and head to the 3-way intersection in front of Nutter Field House. Runners will stay to the LEFT and climb the hill. At the top of the hill on College Sports Way, Ultra Runners will turn LEFT and follow the Pink rope lighting to head under the arch to the trail. Runners will then follow the tree line which will lead them to the student recreation field, where they will then complete a large clockwise loop around the perimeter. Runners will stay on the grass with exception to a short section on the running path along Alumni Drive. Runners will then make a right turn before the softball stadium to begin their return towards Kroger Field. Once they pass the softball stadium, runners will be directed up the short steep climb above the soccer practice fields. Runners will follow the ridge which will take them back to the trail entrance. They will then make a right turn onto College Sports Way, stay straight through the 3-way intersection in front of Nutter Field House before returning to the running start.
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We will have a large projection screen posting live updates of each team's lap count, split, and team name.
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We will also have a designated aid station at the exchange zone reserved for Ultra runners, which will be stocked throughout the event.
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Runners are required to wear their bib number on front, carry additional lighting in the form of a lighted vest, headlamp, or something similar. This is strongly encouraged to consider your additional lighting such that it enables YOU to see. The course will be closed to any and all traffic.
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We will have course markings consisting of traditional marking tape, yard signs, PINK cones, and PINK glowsticks to denote the Ultra course. The marathon loop will be marked in GREEN.
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Runners will aim to complete as many laps as they can within the 12 hour timeframe.
Here is a link to the ultra loop: https://www.strava.com/activities/6856475028
Our official Sports Medicine Provider will be onsite throughout the race not only competing, but also ready to help keep all of our athletes going. Visit their tent to learn more or for some foam rolling, stretching, and basic physical therapy assistance.
Our official timer, since this race started has been 3WayRacing. We couldn't imaging working with anyone else. Skip has rebranded the company as Bluegrass Timing, but he is once again helping to time a fairly complex event, so please tell them thanks for their hard work and dedication.
Cancer Survivor Awards
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The whole purpose of this race is to encourage everyone to lead a healthy lifestyle, experience multisport and triathlon, and to use those to give back to cancer patients.
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We therefore want to celebrate our cancer patients more than ever.
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We are very excited about cancer survivor awards for this year, and we hope you will be too.
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They are once again sponsored by Park Community Credit Union, in memory of the late Christian Shadburne.
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We plan to do things a little different this year, so we are going to give our cancer survivor awards out early this year and during the 1st Wave Team meeting at 6:30 PM at the Green Lot of Kroger Field. We hope all will attend.
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If you are unable to make this first wave meeting to accept your award, simply go to the Ironcology tent when you arrive and we will present you your cancer survivor award.
Participant and Overall Awards
All participants who complete the Triathlon, Marathon, and Ultra running races will receive a custom Survive the Night Finisher's medal.
We will have overall team awards for each event consisting of the top 3 teams for Female, Male, and Co-Ed, Corporate, and 17 & Under. We will have specific awards for the Ultra participants based on the total distance completed if they surpass 50k or 50 miles.
We will make every attempt to distribute the awards as we receive them (and potentially as you cross the finish line) rather than holding a designated awards ceremony late in the morning on Saturday.
What's for Dinner and Breakfast?
We always try our best to feed our participants. For this year this is certainly no different. We will have Little Caesars Pizza and Cheesy Bread, and baked potatoes from McAllister's Deli for dinner on Friday night, plus additional snacks, fruit, and handhelds.
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Throughout the night we will have coffee from Boiling Point Coffee Company here in Lexington, plus additional handhelds and snacks.
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In the morning, we will have Donut Days Donuts, assorted fruit, and yogurt.
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Participants can also enjoy a complimentary Cider from Pivot Distillery who will be onsite. Please do not drink and Ride, and while participating in our event, we prefer if you enjoy your Cider after you have completed your segments.
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Food will be located in the outdoor pavilion next to the Theater Lot, and there will be one separate food tent accessible only from the Run Exchange that is for participants in the Ultra run only, since they will be completing the course solo and therefore will be remaining on course. We will have additional tables adjacent to both the bike and run exchange zones which will remain stocked with Water and hydration drink.
Getting to Kroger Field
For directions from Regional Cities, follow this link: HERE
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Check-In for all races will begin on Friday, July 19th at 4:00PM. All teams and solo participants are encouraged to complete Check-In BEFORE 6:30PM. This will allow you sufficient time to park, get oriented, set-up camp, etc.
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All participants will be asked to enter Kroger Field from Cooper Drive and parking in the Red Lot. There will be signs designating where to park.
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If you plan on bringing an RV or larger vehicle, we kindly ask that you either arrive early to park in the Red Lot, or park in the Red Lot area that we designated in the image below as "Overnight." There will be plenty of space for everyone to park, but this area will be closed off during the bike section so you will not be able to drive in and out between the hours of 8:00pm and 3:00am.
Camping
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Participants ARE ALLOWED to camp onsite.
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You are more than welcome to select your area to setup a tent beginning at 8am on Friday 14th
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There is plenty of space for everyone to put up a tent at Kroger Field, but location will be on a first come first serve basis.
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If you plan on bringing an RV or other mobile camper, please park in either the K-lot or in the Red Lot as directed above.
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UK forbids the use of fire pits or any open fires.
Ironcology Planning Team
Jonathan Feddock
Bob Callen
Mary-Beth Naumann
Kevin Compton
George Van Meter
Segment Captains
Swim - Shannon Florea
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Bike - Asher Feddock
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Run - Zac Workman
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Run/Ultra - Frank Howatt and Bob Callen
Please say hi and thank our team if you are having a good time! Especially our volunteers!
Be sure to smile on the course as we will have Jeff and Abby Laub back taking your photos on course.
Special Thanks to All of our Sponsors
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Last but not least, this race is managed and directed as a joint partnership of the Bluegrass Runners and Ironcology.
