May, 2009
Hello GMR participants,
Thanks again for signing up to participate in the 4th Annual Green Mountain Relay. As there are more options for this type of race popping up, I appreciate you giving the GMR a try. Some are organized by corporate entities and centered around major metropolitan areas, some are organized by individuals like myself. I admit I'm biased, but I truly believe the GMR is one of the most beautiful courses of the existing relay races - a scenic, rural route is my primary goal when I design the courses of my relays. I figure you fight traffic every other day - why would you want to do it during a relay?
Since there are about 45 days to go, here is the first of several emails leading up to the race. This is being sent to all the email addresses currently in the GMR database, but I know that some participant's addresses are duplicates of others, so captains, please make sure you share this information with your team.
CAPTAIN'S RESOURCES PAGE UPDATED
I've added or updated quite a few files for downloading that you will need on the Captain's Resources page:
- The updated GMR Leg Map Handbook (the individual maps for each leg on the website are also updated)
- The 2009 GMR Relay Handbook will be available soon - I'll email Captains when it is ready
- All forms that you will need including the Waiver, Time Sheet, and Team Roster/Running Order sheet
- Links to all letters sent to GMR participants are also located here, so if you are recently registered, please take a look at the earlier emails so you are up-to-date.
GMR DATABASE
Remember, the GMR database closes Sunday evening May 31st. Any changes or additions to your team after this will need to be submitted with the Substitution Form (located on the Captain's Resources page) and will have a penalty fee of $10/change. Also, review the category your team is entered in. Make sure that has not changed (sometimes you start out hoping to be "Mixed" but don't end up with enough women so you are really "Open"). There is no penalty fee for changing your team name or category. Also, please double check that your 10k times are accurate as your start time will be based on your team's average 10k time. Once a start time is assigned, there will be a $75 fee to change it.
VAN RENTAL
Do you need to rent a mini-van or SUV? The GMR has a partnership with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Reservations can easily be made online with the GMR rates. Rates are good throughout most of the North East.
LODGING START & FINISH
Suggestions for lodging/camping for Jeffersonville and Bennington are also listed on the website. If you plan to stay in Bennington after the race, plan ahead as lodging could be tight due to college graduations.
VOLUNTEERS WITH A PURPOSE
Our VWAP program, which involves local non-profits in the GMR as a fundraising opportunity for their organization, has reached $9,990 in donations - a new record! Thank you very much! Organizations that have confirmed they will be participating in the GMR staffing exchanges are: the Barre Tones, two chapters of Habitat for Humanity, Manchester Lions Club, Health Connections of the Upper Valley, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. This is a unique program for relay events - your donations are greatly appreciated by the participating organizations, especially in these tough economic times!
TEAM SUPPLIED VOLUNTEERS
For those volunteers that teams are supplying - within a couple days after registration closes on May 31st, an email will be sent out to each team captain and the volunteers in the database explaining when the link to select your exchange assignment online will become active. It will be a set date and time. Remember, it will be first come - first serve. Notes on the exchanges will be updated shortly on the GMR website under the Volunteers menu. The reporting and estimated closing times, and the number of volunteers of each the exchanges may change between now and the signing up period as it all depends on the number of teams that sign up and the number of volunteers available. So check back periodically. The exchanges that will be covered by the non-profit groups are listed in red.
SUMMARY
Thank you again for choosing to participate in the 4th Annual Green Mountain Relay. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
We'll see you soon!
Paul Vanderheiden
Race Director
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