January 15, 2023
THE 2023 RACE WILL FEATURE TWO EVENTS: - INDIVIDUAL 50 KILOMETER RUN - 3 LEG, 50 KILOMETER TEAM RELAY * This year's relay will be a 3 leg relay. Each leg will be approximately 9-12 miles in length. For specifics on each leg starting and ending points as well as elevation profiles see below. |
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PRE RACE
PRE-RACE MEETING
Pre-race meeting and check in information will be updated closer to race date. TBD.
*Race tanks ($18) and Old race shirts ($10) will be available at the pre race meetings.
Pre-race meeting and check in information will be updated closer to race date. TBD.
*Race tanks ($18) and Old race shirts ($10) will be available at the pre race meetings.
RACE DAY
The 50 KM Individual & Team Relay start will be at 6:00 a.m. at Cane Bay Beach.
COURSE & ELEVATION PROFILES
INDIVIDUAL 50K:
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INDIVIDUAL 50K:
This year's course will be very similar to last year's with some slight changes. Starting and ending at the beautiful Cane Bay Beach. Runners will be treated to sunrise along the north shore for a little over 5 miles before heading into the newly created trails (thanks to the VI Trail Alliance) that will work its way up east scenic with the luxury of soft ground and shade.
At the top of east scenic runners will follow the dirt road back into the old trails all the way back to the top of the beast. Continuing down the scenic west trails runners will head down to the west end shore line via Creque Dam road. Soak up the shade along creque dam road as there are about 2.5 miles of sun exposed shoreline to run before heading back up via the infamous Crusher hill. Meeting up with the creque dam turn off, runners will briefly back track the trail back to the top of the beast.
A steep but stunningly beautiful descent DOWN "the beast" and there is only a mile to go to the finish line and a proper beach party celebration.
Relay Leg 1:
Leg 1 is the shortest of the relay legs in distance but proportionately includes the most climbing. After the first 5 relatively flat and small rolling road hills along the coast line at sunrise, runners will enter the soft ground and shade of fresh trails and switch backs leading to the epic views at the top of east scenic where you will transition to your next runner.
Leg 1 is the shortest of the relay legs in distance but proportionately includes the most climbing. After the first 5 relatively flat and small rolling road hills along the coast line at sunrise, runners will enter the soft ground and shade of fresh trails and switch backs leading to the epic views at the top of east scenic where you will transition to your next runner.
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Relay Leg 2:
Leg 2 is the longest of the relay legs in distance but also includes the least amount of climbing. After some rolling hills through rugged jeep trails (muddy after rainfalls) runner two will enjoy a beautiful ~3 mile jungle shaded downhill to reach the west end shoreline. Only ~1 mile in the sunshine and ocean breeze (we hope) before handing off to your anchor leg runner.
Leg 2 is the longest of the relay legs in distance but also includes the least amount of climbing. After some rolling hills through rugged jeep trails (muddy after rainfalls) runner two will enjoy a beautiful ~3 mile jungle shaded downhill to reach the west end shoreline. Only ~1 mile in the sunshine and ocean breeze (we hope) before handing off to your anchor leg runner.
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Relay Leg 3:
Leg 3 has a little bit of everything. Starting out along the west end shoreline, the final relay runner will quickly rejoin the scenic trails heading up the infamous crusher. While it may feel like it's never ending, I promise it will. After refreshing at the top of crusher aid station, runners will be greeted with rolling hills and scenic views leading back to the top of the beast. What goes up must come down and the steep descent DOWN the beast returns you to the north shoreline and a half mile remains before the beach finish line and party.
Leg 3 has a little bit of everything. Starting out along the west end shoreline, the final relay runner will quickly rejoin the scenic trails heading up the infamous crusher. While it may feel like it's never ending, I promise it will. After refreshing at the top of crusher aid station, runners will be greeted with rolling hills and scenic views leading back to the top of the beast. What goes up must come down and the steep descent DOWN the beast returns you to the north shoreline and a half mile remains before the beach finish line and party.
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DROP BAGS
50K-ers can leave drop bags to be available at the top of the beast
(Available at ~mile 12.5 and ~mile 29)
(Available at ~mile 12.5 and ~mile 29)
AWARDS
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All finishers will receive a commemorative finishers medal at the completion of the race.
The Awards Ceremony will take place immediately following the race finish as well as a finish line party. Additional details to follow. |
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WEATHER
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January weather in St. Croix consistently has highs around 82 - 86 ℉ during the day and humid. Lows are around 76 - 80 ℉ overnight.
While we often enjoy pleasant breezes during the winter months the temperature and humidity still result in a lot of sweat left out on the course. It is highly encouraged that all 50K runners wear a hydration vest or carry a handle held water bottle with at least 1 Liter capacity to be refilled as needed at each aid station. Sunrise is around 6:50AM. It is recommended that 50 KM and 50 KM relay leg 1 runners wear a head lamp or carry a flashlight prior to enjoying the beautiful sunrise en route. Unwanted headlamps can be left at Aid station 1 and retrieved at the finish. |
AID STATIONS & CUT-OFFS
There will be 8 Aid Stations for the 50K course between 3 and 5.8 miles apart.
The course also provides generous cutoff times, allowing 10 hours for the 50k course.
The course also provides generous cutoff times, allowing 10 hours for the 50k course.
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Location |
Mile
Marker |
Miles
to next Aid |
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START |
Cane
Bay Beach |
0 |
5.6 |
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Aid
Station 1 |
Entrance
to East Scenic Trails lower |
5.6 |
3.8 |
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Aid
Station 2 *Relay Leg 2 start |
Top
of East Scenic |
9.4 |
3.2 |
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Aid
Station 3 (same
as Aid 8) |
Top
of Beast |
12.6 |
4 |
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Aid Station
4 (same as Aid 7) |
Scenic
West Fork in the trail |
16.6 |
4 |
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Aid
Station 5 *Relay Leg 3 start |
Butler
Bay |
20.6 |
1.7 |
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Aid
Station 6 |
Turn
off to Crusher |
22.3 |
2.9 |
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Aid
Station 7 (same as Aid 4) |
Scenic
West Fork in the trail |
25.2 |
4.1 |
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Aid Station
8 (Same as Aid 3) |
Top
of Beast |
29.3 |
1.9 |
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FINISH |
Cane
Bay Beach |
31.2 |
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SPECIAL OFFERS FOR RUNNERS
Special offers for lodging, restaurants, and recreation coming soon.
