Sunset 6/12/24 Hour Endurance Challenge

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13th Annual Sunset 6/12/24 Hour Endurance Challenge

Friday and Saturday, November 29 – 30, 2024

Ultra Trail Series Race: #6
any distance 26M & over. UTS-Lite race #5
any distance, but not over 6hrs.

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Links to the online and printed entry forms are below.

Links to past race results and photos are at the bottom of the page.

IF YOU ARE COMING, PLEASE REGISTER IN ADVANCE so we will know how many people to prepare for.

The deadline for registration is Wednesday, November 27. If you register, but later are unable to come, PLEASE CANCEL your registration as soon as you are aware. You can email us at SalineStriders@gmail.com. Failure to do so may result in some bad karma!

We are planning to chip time all three races. All chips must be returned when you are finished.

(You may run, walk, hop, skip, jump, or crawl for as long as you want within the time limit, and stop whenever you have had enough fun.)

Location

Sunset Lake, Benton (see directions & and parking info below)

Start Times

The 24-hour run will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 29.
The 6 and 12-hour runs will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 30.

Check-in will start 45 minutes before the start time of the event you are running.

Course

The course will follow a one-mile paved loop around Sunset Lake
(The certification has expired but the certified distance was 1.015 miles and the course is unchanged.)
There will be lighting on part of the trail loop after dark
but it is recommended that the 24-hour runners bring a flashlight or headlamp
unless they are comfortable running/walking in the dark. We will change directions periodically except possibly during the 6-hour race.

Entry Fee

None – Donations will be gladly accepted to help offset costs which include $290 pavilion rental plus food and drink. You can donate on the day of the race or via Venmo @salinestriders.

Please register in advance so we will have an idea of the number of people to prepare for and minimize race day computer entry as well as make it easier for the volunteers, especially Saturday morning since the 24-hour race will be going on during check-in for the 6 and 12-hour races.

Granted, if you pre-register and do not come, you will be out the entry fee, but since the fee is $0 you are only out the two minutes it takes to cancel! We encourage online registration, which will be faster and better than using the form, but we have a link below to the print form. If you have registered and will not be coming you can let us know online, preferably by e-mail at SalineStriders@gmail.com.

Entrants will receive a confirmation e-mail a few days before the race with further details and any additional pertinent information.

There will be a waiver for all participants to sign on race day if one has not been completed online.

The deadline for pre-registration is Wednesday, November 27.

ON LINE ENTRY Print Form (PDF)

This printed form, or the information on it, may be submitted by e-mail to salinestriders@gmail.com

Support: Food and Drink

Water, Gatorade, coffee, broth, and soft drinks will be provided along with a few other items such as cookies, crackers, chips, and bananas. We will also have the famous Babbitt mashed potatoes in a bag for easy handling along with quesadillas and Ramen.

If you want something else, feel free to bring it either for yourself or to share.
Runners are encouraged to bring a water bottle and/or another personal container either marked with their name or carried with them to minimize the use of disposable cups, thus avoiding unnecessary trash.

There is room to set up your gear, ice chest, chair, etc., along the course south of the pavilion.

AWARDS: In-person awards at 7:30 PM Nov. 25 after the 3 races. Awards will be given to the first male and female of each of the three races i.e. 6 hour, 12 hour and 24 hour. The female and male with the most miles in their designated race will receive an award.

Other

No DNFs – Runners will be credited with the total number of miles completed (completed full loops only) regardless of how long they run (or walk, hop, skip, crawl, or a combination thereof).

Runners may stop at any time they decide they have had enough fun! Runners are free to take breaks whenever desired and for however long desire. If leaving the lake area, runners are asked to turn in their chips which can be reclaimed when they return.

Runners who switch to a different race after the race start will not be eligible for an award.
Runners are welcome to bring someone to help with the race or crew, or just cheer them on.

Mileage credit will be based on completed laps.

The weather in prior years has been hot, has been cold, has been wet, has been windy, and sometimes several of these.

Parking

There is limited parking on the left side of Fairfield Street by the restrooms near the bottom of the hill. Just past there, at the end of Fairfield Street, there is a gravel parking lot with lots of room. Please do not park in the upper parking lot next to the dog park, in the National Guard parking lot, or next to the fence along Henry Street.

Directions – Map

Coming from Little Rock and points farther north and east away, take westbound I-30, take the Sevier Street exit (Exit 116), cross the bridge, turn right, and go down to the frontage road. Turn left on the frontage road and go just over 3/10 miles west. You will pass Holland Chapel Church and the Saline County Fairgrounds. Turn left on Fairfield Street which is just past the fairgrounds. You will pass the National Guard Armory on your right and then you will see Sunset Lake on your right.

From eastbound I-30, take the Sevier Street exit (Exit 116). Bear left on the frontage road. Turn right onto Fairfield Street which will be the first right after you enter the frontage road. Stay on Fairfield Street to Sunset Lake.

If you trust your GPS, use the address 924 Fairfield Road, Benton.

Questions may be referred to salinestriders@gmail.com