May, 2008

Hello GMR participants,

Thanks again for signing up to participate in the 3rd Annual Green Mountain Relay. As there are more options for this type of race popping up, I appreciate you giving the GMR a try. I admit I'm biased, but I truly believe the GMR is one of the most scenic courses of the existing relay races - a beautiful route is my primary goal when I design the courses of my relays.

Since there are less than 60 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 2008 GMR Relay Handbook
• 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 on May 31st. Any changes or additions to your team starting June 1st 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 your starting time.

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 passed $10,000 in donations! Organizations that have confirmed they will be participating in the GMR staffing exchanges are: the Barre Tones, two chapters of Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society of Chittenden County, 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!

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 are now available 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.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY DURING THE GMR

This is not the most comfortable topic for a race director to talk about, but experience has taught me that it needs to be mentioned.

Unfortunately, there are individuals who, because they "paid for admission," believe they can do anything they want. The GMR is only possible with the cooperation of many towns, businesses, and individuals. They have given us permission to use their property for the runner exchanges. As we are guests, it is critically important that participants act in an appropriate manner - no littering, and no "calls of nature" anywhere except in the portable toilets.

I know you want to cheer on your team's and other runners, listen to music in your van, and are excited when you arrive at an exchange. But it is critical that you are aware of your surroundings and to respect the QUIET ZONES as noted on the Leg Maps. Better yet, between 10 PM and 8:00 AM, be courteous and cognizant of any noise you are generating. Many homes are feet from the road. The last thing we need are noise complaints. There are a limited number of possible exchange locations in rural Vermont. There are many exchanges that if we lose permission to use them, there will be no Green Mountain Relay.

Also, for safety purposes, and as it is the requirement of our Insurance carrier, the wearing of headphones or earbuds (i.e. running with an iPod) is prohibited. The course is not closed - you will be running on the shoulders of the roads with traffic. There wild animals in Vermont. So running down the road with your ears shut off from reality is one of the most unsafe things you can do. Thus, as the rules state, headphones/earbuds are prohibited and violators will have their entire team disqualified. I know this policy is not popular, but think of it this way - not only are you endangering yourself and your teammates, but you are also endangering the event, and jeopardizing the livelihood of the race director. So please act responsibly.

NEED FOR SPEED AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FUNDRAISING PROGRAM ANNOUNCENTS

Please consider taking part in the Avon Foundation's Need For Speed Against Domestic Violence fundraising program. All funds raised will go to The Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (www.vtnetwork.org) - a minimum grant of $1,000 will be awarded by the Avon Foundation

About The Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence

The Vermont Network was founded in 1988 as a statewide coalition of domestic and sexual violence programs, with a state office in Montpelier.

The 16 Member Programs are located around the state and provide direct services and advocacy for and on behalf of victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence in their communities. All adhere to basic standards of service as a prerequisite to their membership in Network, and out of a deep, shared commitment to victims and survivors.

Network member programs are independent entities with their own governing boards and policies. All adhere to basic standards of service as a prerequisite to their membership in Network, and out of a deep, shared commitment to victims and survivors. The 16 member programs provide comprehensive domestic and sexual violence services to each community in Vermont. These services include: 24 hour toll free hotlines, Shelter, Crisis Support Services, Legal Support, Peer Support, Support Groups, Prevention Education, Awareness Activities, and Training's.

About the Need For Speed Against Domestic Violence Fundraising program

Dedicate your Race to Charity - - Become a Need for Speed Fundraiser! The Green Mountain Relay is honored to be one of the seven relays in the US to be part of this worthwhile fundraising program. The recipient of your fundraising dollars will the the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence organization that is based in Burlington, VT.

Want to make your race even more meaningful?

Join thousands of runners from across the country who are dedicating their participation as “Need for Speed Fundraisers”. Need for Speed Against Domestic Violence is a program of the Avon Foundation that raises funds and awareness for children who are victims of or witnesses of domestic violence. Eight partner relays, including the Green Mountain Relay are offering their runners the opportunity to give back to this important cause.

START TODAY!! Just go online here to start a fundraising team, join a fundraising team, or just fund raise on your own! Once you sign up, you can set up your own fundraising webpage, where you can post photos, email your friends and family and send messages to your teammates. Please note that you must be an officially registered participant of the Green Mountain Relay to sign up as a Need For Speed Fundraiser.

Raise money for the cause & win great prizes

All participants are asked to raise or donate at least $50 to help children of domestic violence. Just $50 can provide an hour of counseling for a young child in need. Funds raised will be disbursed to a local domestic violence agency in each race community. For more information about the Avon Foundation, please visit www.avonfoundation.org

Individual Fundraising Prizes:

$75 - Green Mountain Relay 11" x 17" race poster
$150 - Long-sleeved Need for Speed Technical Shirt
$500 - $50 Gift Certificate to a sports store
$2,000 - GPS training system

Team Prize:

The first team to raise at least $2,500 will win a free entry into the 2009 Green Mountain Relay.

Need for Speed Questions?

If you would like further information about becoming a Need for Speed Fundraiser, please feel free to e-mail: info@needforspeedrelay.org or call 888.NFS.RELAY. If you would like to learn more about the Avon Foundation please visit www.avonfoundation.org.

SUMMARY

Thank you again for choosing to participate in the 3rd Annual Green Mountain Relay. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the GMR office.

We'll see you soon!

Paul Vanderheiden
Race Director