This is the final advance word regarding the race.

I hope your training has gone well and you are prepared for the challenge of the Bluff. The wet / windy weather this past weekend couldn't have provided better race conditions, the course will be covered with a fresh blanket of damp leaves - it is going to be slick and in places the trail underfoot might be hard to see! The course will be marked with red and white stripped tape, plus picnic plates with direction arrows at key intersections. You shouldn't need to carry a map, but you will need to concentrate on keeping an eye out for the markers! The forecast for next weekend is also wet. Remember in trail racing there are no rain dates - it is what it is, I suggest you keep an eye on the forecast during the coming week and plan to dress accordingly on the day. One thing is for sure with the amount of wet weather we've had, you are very likely to get wet feet during the race. There is a section through Geneese that gets particularly wet and you'll be running it twice!

Relay runners, please remember that we will be transporting you to the changeover location. It will be OK to leave warm clothing in the vehicles for you and your partner to dress in before / after your run. There will be no provision for runners to leave drop bags on the course.If you have friends or family members wishing to see you during the race, directions to the aid stations can be found here: http://www.mrbimble.com/BimbleBluff/BluffCourseDescription09.pdf Supporters, please respect private property when parking at the aid stations.

Registration will open at 6:30 am on race day in the school sports hall and a race briefing will follow at 7:30 to go over any last minute details regarding the course - you are strongly advised to be there. Don't be one of those saying "...I should have listened..." later during the day! If you would like to collect your race number the night before, we shall be at KC's Pub http://www.kcspub.com at 725 Boston Post Rd, Guilford, CT 0643 between 5 - 8 pm. The venue is a new venture managed by Kelly Carney, the daughter of one of the runners. She will be providing a special Bite of the Bluff pasta dinner that night and runners will be eligible to a 20% discount on their check (please notify your server when you order). If you are in town, please consider joining us on Saturday evening.

All runners must check in on Sunday at registration, even if they collected their race number the night before, we must know exactly who crosses the start line.

There will be nearly 30 volunteers helping to make the event a success. The Bluff simply couldn't manage without their support, they are there for your safety please respect any instructions and thank them for being there. The course passes through several different trail systems, please stay on the marked trail and while I'm sure no one will deliberately discard trash, if you do see a lonely gu packet on the ground, it would be appreciated if you could pick it up and deposit it at the next aid station. Calls of nature - we all know they can happen on the trails - should be avoided in the Genesee Preserve. This is a designated watershed area and my home is supplied from city water - need I say more! The Regional Water Authority also doesn't allow dogs on their properties, please do not bring dogs with the expectation of having them run with you.

Aid station 1 will have drinks for those who need them, it is only 3 miles from the start however. The other stations will have Heed, Gatorade, soda, water and a range of snacks. The section from aid station 4 to 5 is probably the longest, so I suggest you do make a point of replenishing at Renee's Way. This aid station is set away from the main trail on a short out and back path, checking into this aid station is MANDATORY so we can keep track of where everyone is on the course.

Proceeds from the race will be donated to the Guilford Land Conservation Trust http://www.guilfordlandtrust.org and the Watershed Fund http://www.thewatershedfund.org the work of both of these organizations includes the land that the Bluff 50k uses. Once again this year's race sold out, the limited number of places is a constraint imposed by the Regional Water Authority. Next year however, we may be able to increase the number of places as the most of the race course is about to formally become part of the New England National Scenic Trail extending from Guilford to Royalston, MA. More details can be found via this link: http://www.newenglandnst.org

The race has also received support for several organizations, please consider supporting them in the future for your running / fitness needs:

Try and find time to visit our primary sponsor PORON® cushioning before, during or after the race. They will be on site doing a demonstration which will be sure to impress you as well as handing out insoles, hats, t-shirts and other great schwag. In addition, they will be collecting names and raffle off two pairs of shoes following the race. For more info about the brand, visit http://www.poroncushioning.com or contact Angie Walters at angela.walters@rogerscorporation.com

Elm City Cross Fit Gym http://www.elmcitycrossfit.com, will be manning the Old Archery Range aid station.

Hammer Nutirtion http://www.hammernutrition.com have provided product samples and Heed electrolyte drink.

Injinji Performance Socks http://www.injinji.com have provided product that will be distributed during the race brief.

2Toms http://www.2toms.com have also provided product samples.

Fellow runner, artist, photographer and designer Cathi Bosco http://www.canddstudios.com designed the shirt logo and the finisher award.

Finally, photographer Chris Renda http://www.chrisrenda.com should once again be out on the course taking pictures that will be available after the race via his web site.

That's it. Enjoy the rest this week, I look forward to seeing you bright and early next Sunday.