| 2010Team for Autism Awareness NJ Marathon FAQ Welcome to the 2010 Team for Autism Awareness FAQ Page First, we cannot thank you all enough for helping us to achieve the vision that was started just a few short years ago. What follows may seem to be a lot of information but it is very important that you take the time to read it all so that you are comfortable and prepared for this years event. We have tried to anticipate as many questions that you would have nd hopefully provided you with what you will need to enjoy the experience. So here we go………….. Race Date: Sunday, May 2nd – Rain or shine Official Race web site: www.njmarathon.org http://www.njmarathon.org/FAQs.html Race Location: - Long Branch New Jersey along the beautiful Jersey Shore - The race starts and finishes along the boardwalk and winds through Long branch and some other small Jersey Shore towns. Race Course Details: - It is a 2 loop course consisting of approximately 2 Half Marathon distances of 13.1 miles. http://www.njmarathonmap.com/ Race Start Time: -Official gun set to go off at 9:00 am -Runners should start to gather at the start area around 7:00 am. Arrival time: - Full Marathon - NO Later then 6:30 am - Half Marathon – NO Later then 6:30 am - 1st and 2nd legs of the Relay Teams – NO Later then 6:30 am - If you are the 3rd and 4th legs of a 4 person relay or the 3rd leg of a 3 person relay you need to arrive no later than 8:15 am in order to get to and be ready at the transition area. Please try to be early so there is no rushing> Transportation: Parking: If you are running the Full Marathon, the Half Marathon or on of the first two legs of a Relay Team and plan on taking your car it might be beneficial to try to carpool and still arrive no later than 6:30 am. For additional Parking information and more please visit the official Race web site: http://www.njmarathon.org/FAQs.html Later arrivals: If you are running either the 3rd or 4th leg of a Relay you do not need to be on site prior to the start of the race but do expect to have difficulty finding parking close to the starting area. You can park in the surrounding neighborhoods side streets but many roads will be closed. Again arrive no later then 8:30 am. Transportation alternative: Take the TRAIN: A great alternative to driving and finding parking is to take advantage of NJ Transit that has a stop .7 miles from the starting area. There will be NJ Marathon volunteers at the Long Branch Station providing directions to the race. Visit www.njtransit.com Please Read ON! Team for Autism Members Where to report: Team Tent - All Team for Autism Awareness Team members are asked to report to our Team Tent area (there will be 3 royal blue tents) to please sign in. The tent will be located just yards south of the races Start/Finish area that is over looking the boardwalk. We will be set up on the only hill in the area that is located directly behind The Ocean Palace Resort Hotel. - We will have 2 tents designated for all runners and family. The 3rd tent will be The JT Foundations information and merchandise tent. Runners will be able to leave their belongings at one of the 2 team tents and they will also serve as shelter. Fundraising: I want to thank all of you who have gotten the word out to your friends and family as donations are coming in all the time. Please be reminder that there is still time to get out a few more email's to your family and friends in order to ask or remind them to them to make a financial donation on behalf of your efforts. If you want to see who donated to thank them check out the Official fundraising link. http://www.active.com/donate/njnjmarathon2009 You do not need to set up your own page, simply forward them the following link and let them do the rest. http://www.active.com/donate/njmarathon2009 They can make a donation at the pre set Silver, Gold or Platinum levels or at any amount they feel comfortable. 100% of ALL monies raised through YOUR efforts will be donated to Autism Organizations that are Making a Difference. So if you are willing to fundraise this is the perfect time to GET the WORD OUT!!!! THANK YOU. Family and friends: -Have all family and friends accompany you to the Team area and they are more then welcome to make it their home base there as well. There will be a lot of kids and other Team supporters to meet and hang out with. We will also be looking for friends and family members to volunteer and go out on the course to spend time at one of our (4-6) Support Stations. What to wear - TEAM SHIRT- A major part of our mission is to raise awareness and the main tool to accomplish this is our Royal Blue shirt. If you participant last year, please bring you Team shirt. If you are not able to locate your Team fro Autism shirt we will have shirts available to all race participants for our cost. All Team members are asked to wear the official team for Autism Awareness Royal Blue hi- tec shirt. It is a moisture resistant wicking shirt and is very light weight. Again if you are new to the Team we will have Team shirts available at the tent. You will get your shirt when you sign in at the Team tent prior to the race. - The typical forecast for early May is between 55 and 60deg. You will be also be setting up and spending time along the ocean which can be a bit cooler. We recommend you wear warmer clothes, in layers, to keep warm prior to and after your run. I suggest you pack a large trash bag to put your belongings in case of rain or the moist ground. - You should look to pack an “Under Armor” or a high teck shirt if you have one to wear under the Team shirt: We will be distributing all Official NJ Marathon race packets and shirts at the Team Tent prior to the race. Bathrooms: Bathrooms: using the bathrooms at events like these are always an adventure. The race director informed me that they doubled the Port-o-potties this year but expect long lines. It is my recommendation that you try to use the restroom before you get to the race and try to eat and drink things that will not increase you needing to use the restroom. The worst time at the Port-o-potties is just prior to the start. If you have never experience the Potty dance it is a site to see. Race Bib and time chip pick up: Race packages containing the race bib numbers and the timing chips will be available to pick up at the Race Expo on Saturday from 3:00 to 7:00 pm or Saturday from 9:00 until 7:00pm. All full marathon and ½ Marathon entrants will need to pick up their own packages and 1 representative for each relay team can pick up the entire teams. Packages for Team Relay members: (signed up through The JT Foundation only) -To make things easier we have arranged with the race director to pick up all the relay packages with your race #’s and official T shirt and have them available at our team tent to give out the day of the race. - However I do recommend that someone from your team does visit the Expo as it is all part of the Marathon experience. The Expo has tons of displays, information booths and that sell all kinds of running stuff at reduced prices. All should try to attend. Volunteer Teams: As important as the runners are to what we are doing it is the teams of volunteers that can make the difference. The JT Foundation takes pride in providing its athletes with the best support possible. So will also be having and looking for Team members to work the Team Tent Area and also to go out on the course to man one of our 3-4 Cheer/Support stations. Race participants are also welcome and encouraged to help out prior to and or after their event. These Cheer Teams are an awesome and fun way to get involved and to be a part of the event. For the runners, when you are out there and you hear your name and hear people cheering for you……well you’ll see…..It will give you chills. Tent Area: At the tent we are looking for people to help sell Team and Autism merchandise, talk to people about our Foundation and keep our runners organized and ready to go. Cheer/Support Teams: We are looking for any (loud mouth) family, friends and Team Members that will not be running but are willing to give some time to get out on the course to cheer and support our runners. We will have coolers and other items at each station to assist and encourage team members. The idea is as our Blue shirts approach we make as much noise as possible and cheer and assist all team members. Also we will communicate via walkie talkie-cell phone to the next station to let to the other Support team know that someone is coming. We will also be looking to take pictures of team members for the scrap book! So if you are interested or know someone who would like to help out please contact us at thejtfoundation@aol.com OK I hope I have been able to provide enough information so you are comfortable and ready to go. Lastly, I honestly can not thank you all enough. Many of you have your own challenges and are giving up your free time to support me, JT and the many thousands of families and children that are and will be dealing with this Disorder we call Autism. So when your feet and legs are tired and if the weather does not cooperate and you are uncomfortable take a look at the front of your shirt and your pain and discomfort WILL go away. |
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