It’s Going to Happen!

2004 GOVERNOR’S BAY BRIDGE RUN

IMPORTANT NEW INFORMATION AND OTHER STUFF

NEW: Because of security concerns, all runners will go through security before boarding the buses. This will be similar to the security at ballparks. All bags and fanny packs will be checked, but no metal detectors or the like. This will cause some delay for boarding buses so we must request that you arrive 15 minutes earlier than planned. Once you have gone through security and entered a bus you will not be allowed to get off the bus without going through security again. This situation has been imposed upon the Race by the authorities.

NEW: Some runners have been known to use the bushes to relieve themselves at the start area. Two ladies were actually found inside a dumpster. PLEASE, the area where you are dropped off is private property owned by the marina. They will either bring criminal charges against the violators or worse, not allow us to use the area for future races. This is only a 10k race, and there is plenty of water along the course, so it is not necessary for you to so over-hydrate before the race that you are unable to wait in line to use the port-a-pots. Thank you for your consideration.

PLEASE READ THE REST, AS IT INCLUDES SOME NEW AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

RUNNER'S PREMIUMS & NUMBERS: Bib Numbers, chips and premiums can be picked up at the New Balance Store in the Annapolis Mall on Friday, April 30th (noon-9 pm) & Saturday, May 1st (10 am-6 pm). If you purchased a commemorative chip it will be provided at that time. If absolutely necessary, a third party may pick up a runner's packet, with written authorization. Please, every year we have cases of third persons picking up a packet and then the runner comes later and their packet is gone. Needless to say, this causes real problems. So, the third person must either have written authorization from the runner, live at the same address as the runner or have the same last name as the runner. Race day packet pick-up will be at the Bus Pick-Up area race morning at Sandy Point State Park from 6 am - 6:45 am. If you plan to pickup your packet race morning – please come early!

PLACE AND TIME: All runners must ride on the buses from Sandy Point State Park across the Bay Bridge to the starting line on Kent Island. Buses will leave at 7:00 a.m. SHARP! Numbers are required to ride the bus. NOTE: the buses close their doors and start to leave promptly at 7:00. DO NOT expect to get on a bus after that time even if the last bus in line is empty and not moving. These rules have been set down by the Bay Bridge Walk authorities (who supply the buses) and there is no exception! Plan to arrive at the Park early (by 6:00 a.m.!) as there is only one road into the park and it starts to backup early (even with dozens of volunteers and the Park Police directing traffic). The Park opens at 5:30 a.m. Remember: it is better to arrive early, relax and use our fine port-a-pots than it is to be late and miss the bus! Some runners have expressed the intention to have a friend drop them off on Kent Island at the start. The Striders cannot guarantee the logistics of this plan or that you will be able to get to the start line with current security concerns.

CLOTHING BAGS: We will have bags at the start for you to put clothing in which will be returned to the finish area for retrieval. The bags are clear and you will write your bib number on the bag with a marker. Do NOT put anything of value in the bags as the Striders cannot be responsible for lost items or goods.

THE RACE: It begins On Kent Island at the foot of the Bridge, with 2 miles uphill, followed by 2 miles downhill and 2 miles on flat roads in Sandy Point State Park. Water stops will be located at mile 2 and mile 4.

THE START: The start line will be open for about 10 minutes after the official start of the Race. The chip system will record your start time and calculate your actual race time from start line to finish line. This will give you time to wait in line at the port-a-pots! Any runner starting after the start line is closed will not receive a start time and their finisher’s position will depend solely on the race time when they cross the finish line.

FINISH AREA: After you finish, you will remove your chip and we will have volunteers helping you do this and collecting the chips. We will have water and Gatorade, plus bagels, bananas, cookies, Propel, soda and beer. A live band will be there to entertain you as you cool down and enjoy your efforts. You are invited to stay awhile, relax, enjoy the party and the music instead of sitting in your car stuck in traffic trying to get out of the park after the race. Some people bring cookout gear each year and take advantage of the Park’s facilities. Also, National Running Center will be there with shoes and apparel at excellent prices so have your wallets available.

AWARDS: Awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers, and first male and female Masters, as determined by Gun-time. Age Group awards will be given for the top three male and female finishers as determined by chip time for the following categories: 13&Under, 14-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, and male 60-69, 70&Over and female 60&Over. The Awards Ceremony will take place at approximately 10 am near the band. Any award winner who does not pick up their trophy at the ceremony will be notified and must make arrangements to retrieve their award at another time.

CANCELLATION POLICY: The Run is a part of the Bay Bridge Walk. Officials of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and other State of Maryland agencies have authority to cancel the Run for public safety reasons. The Annapolis Striders and its sponsors have no input or control over their decision. The Striders and its sponsors cannot be held responsible if the Run is cancelled. In the event of cancellation prior to the first day of packet-pickup, each entrant will be provided a premium, or alternately, the Striders may elect to refund each entrant’s fee. In the event of cancellation after packet-pickup begins, each entrant who arrives at packet-pickup will receive a premium. There will be no refunds. [NOTE: The Race was canceled in 2002, for the first time, due to extremely high winds, dense fog and strong rain which prevented the safe closing of one bridge span. The Race was cancelled in 2003 due to national security concerns.]

ALTERNATE COURSE: In the event that the Bay Bridge Walk is cancelled, thus canceling the Race across the Bridge, the Striders will have a Race on an alternate 10km course beginning and ending from Sandy Point State Park. The start and end of the Race will be at the present location of the finish line. The start would be 8am. The course will be two laps of the park with about half on dirt roads and walking paths around the park and the beach. We believe the course is very scenic and you will enjoy the wildlife (including deer, geese and ducks).

REFUNDS: This Race has a “no refund” policy. This policy applies to both Race cancellations and entrants’ cancellation (runners who want to cancel because of injury or other personal reasons). In short, the Race fee is for entrance to the Race and any premium is a gift which will be distributed in accordance with the Race application.

HOTELS: For reservations please contact the Annapolis Tourist Bureau: 410-268-8687. There are a number of national-chain motels on Rt. 50 almost within eyesight of Sandy Point State Park and the Bay Bridge on both sides of the Bay.

RULES: No headphones, no wheeled vehicles, no baby joggers, no dogs, and no runners who expect to run slower than 12 minutes per mile (these runners should consider participating in the Bay Bridge Walk beginning at 9 a.m.). STRAGGLER BUS: The course will be closed before entering Sandy Point Park at a time determined to be slower than a 12 minute per mile pace and those runners reaching that point after that time will be required to take a straggler bus to the finish area (this is so that we can open the park to vehicle traffic earlier to allow the runners to leave the park following the Race). This course is not appropriate for wheelchair athletes

ChampionChip Timing System: The Annapolis Striders are pleased to again present a new electronic timing system for the Governor's Bay Bridge Run. Known nationally as ChampionChip, the system will enable us to score our runners electronically, thus providing more accurate results more quickly. At packet pickup, all runners will receive a bib number and an envelope containing a computer chip to be tied to their shoelace. ENTRANTS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED if they switch chips with another runner. Runners who do not wear the chips will not receive a time. More comprehensive instructions on the use of the chips will be provided at packet pickup. However, please note that each runner is responsible for the return of their chip after the Race, and will be assessed a $30 fee for not returning the chip.