Hello everyone,
Hope you’re all doing well, healthy and safe. It took quite a while for the final permitting agency to get back to me. Unfortunately, at that time they were not issuing any event permits. The Governor has since released guidelines for outdoor sporting events, but it’s too late to pull it together for an in person race for 2020.
So, we’re switching it up to the Wallace False Virtual Run. Run the distance you signed up for on your own, at your location of choice. Run anywhere and anytime between Thanksgiving, November 26, and New Years Eve, December 31. Submit your results by January 4th.
All 2020 Wallace Falls Trail Run entrants are automatically entered in the Wallace False Virtual Run, and will receive 20% off your next Wander Bigger Running event in 2021 or 2022. Or you can choose to roll over your entry to the 2021 or 2022 Wallace Falls Trail Run. Dates TBD, but for 2021 we’re looking at early April. We’ll have to talk to the permitting agencies, and will let everyone know as soon as we can.
We will ship finisher awards, purchased shirts, etc to your Ultrasignup address, or another address you specify. We may also try to setup some sort of local pickup.
Please practice recommended Covid-19 safety precautions. Carry a face covering to wear when you’re unable to maintain adequate distance from other people. Maintain at least 6 feet distance from people you don’t live with. Wear your face covering if you’re unable to maintain distance. Minimize your contact with people you don’t live with. Wash your hands often. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
We can’t stop you, since it’s a public park. But Wallace Falls State Park is incredibly popular, and very crowded on weekends, holidays and nice days. We don’t want to jeopardize permits for future events. And it can be tough to maintain safe distance on crowded trails. Consider running somewhere else. If you decide to go there, weekdays are usually much less busy. The park is open from 8am-dusk, which is about 5pm right now, and 4:50pm on December 21. Don’t cause the staff unnecessary grief by overstaying, making them worry about people being lost or injured in the dark. There are plenty of other places to run in the dark.
Run laps around your yard, through your neighborhood, across town, local trails, a treadmill, wherever you like. Race Director Brian plans to do all three back-to-back-to-back, half-marathon, 22.4 mi and 50k, on 3 consecutive days.
There will be a Wallace False Virtual Run Facebook page, and webpage coming soon. Share pictures, videos, selfies, GPS art, race reports and whatever else you want. We’ll work on additional award categories as well to try to help make up for missing the in person race experience.
To be considered for top-3 finisher awards, you’ll need to submit GPS verification. If you’re not running for top placement, GPS verification is preferred, but we’ll go by the honor system. Submit results on the Facebook page or via email.
If you would like to roll over entry to 2021 or 2022, please let me know by December 5th.
Personally, I’ve had some hard times staying motivated this year, but I’ve created my own goals to keep me going. With so much else going on, or going wrong, running has been the one near constant getting me through. Now, it’s a dark time of year, literally and figuratively for many. The weather can suck too. Take the opportunity to stay active and try to enjoy some time in nature on these short days, or long nights.
That should be enough to get you started. I’m looking at possibly reopening registration. I’ll update the Ultrasignup page and send out more details in the next few days.
Stay safe, stay healthy, stay warm, try to stay a little dry, and happy running,
Brian Nelson