September 18, 2018

Drop Bags-What You Need to Know

Vermont 50 Drop Bags-Dos and Don’t

Drop bags ARE NOT returned to the Finish Line BEFORE an Aid Station Closes-What this Means

Drop Bags-Which Aid Stations

There are Aid Stations on Course where you can have a DROP BAG.
50 milers you can have drop bags at: #3 Skunk Hollow, #7 Greenalls and #10 Johnsons.
50 Km you can have drop bags at: #2K Ralphs, #7 Greenalls and #10 Johnsons.

Use Your CREWS!

If you have a CREW, you must register their vehicle at the Parking Permit Table at the BIG TENT on Saturday. They can meet you at #3 Skunk Hollow, #7 Greenalls and #10 Johnsons displaying an Official Race Parking Permit, otherwise they will be turned away. They can ONLY meet you at these three aid stations-anywhere else on course and you are subject to disqualification.

They can TRANSPORT your DROP BAGS!

They can give you aid at the three designated aid stations but they can ALSO transport your drop bags so you won’t have to wait for our volunteers to return them to the finish line.

Label Your Drop Bags

Bags should be labeled with Your Last Name, First Name, Bib Number (lists will be online soon) and the Aid Station Name and number.

Drop Bag Check-In

All drop bags that are to be transported by our volunteers need to be dropped off at the DROP BAGS Table before 8 pm on Saturday, September 29. They will be checked for size-no bigger than 9″ x 9″ x 16″ and weighed-no more than 10 lbs. If the are bigger or weigh more they will not be transported.
NO BOXES, RUBBERMAID CONTAINERS, SUITCASES etc will be accepted as Drop Bags!!

Drop Bags back to Finish From Aid Stations

Drop Bags are not returned to the Finish Line until an Aid Station closes.
So bags should be back to the finish line: (times are approximate)
11:30 AM for #2K Ralph’s
11:30 AM for #3 Skunk Hollow
3:00 PM for #7 Greenalls
6:30 PM for #10Johnsons

Clothing and Other Items Dropped at Aid Stations

You can drop jackets, pants, headlamps etc at any aid station EXCEPT Garvin Hill and Cady Brook. Like SUMMER CAMP-label them well with your first and last name and they will be returned to the finish line ONLY after that aid station closes-not before. Be sure to check the closing times of the Aid Stations and add about 1/2 hour to when you can expect items to be returned to the finish line.

From Our Website

Download a Drop Bag Info Sheet

A small backpack or gear bag, on the order of 9”x 9” x 16” is appropriate if shoes, a top garment and bottle are included.
Weight not to exceed 10 lbs per bag. We will weigh them!
Your bag must be soft-sided (no plastic storage boxes please)
Be securely closed
Labeled clearly with your name and most importantly your bib number
Also include the name of the aid station to avoid confusion by you or by us.
Make your drop bag as unique a possible within our stated guidelines.

Drop bags are allowed at: Aid Stations #3, 7 and 10 for the 50 Mile and #2K, 7 and 10 for the 50 Km.
We will deliver drop bags from the start/BIG TENT to aid stations

Ralph’s #2K (50 Km Only)
Skunk Hollow #3
Greenall’s #7
Johnson’s #10

Be sure to label your bag with the name of the aid station you want it dropped at, your name and most importantly, your bib number.
Remember do not drop any clothing at: Garvin Hill or Cady Brook. You may drop clothing during the race at any other aid stations.
Drop bags must be accepted at the Information Table in the BIG TENT before 8 p.m. Saturday night.
Drop bags will be returned to the BIG TENT ONLY after each aid station closes, not before! You will have to wait at the BIG TENT to pick up your drop bags–we WILL NOT mail them to you!!
This is your property and it is your responsibility to pick up your bag at the BIG TENT at the end of the race.

What should I put into my drop bags?

Extra pair of shoes at the first drop station, if you think there’s a chance you may need to change. Most folks never do.
Clean, dry socks
Skin lube, band-aids; If you are prone to blisters include a small ‘kit’ in each bag (i.e. band-aids, sterile wipes, talcum powder)
Electrolyte caplets or dissolving tablets, if you use them
Gels or Blocks or Stingers Gels. Gels will not be provided at the aid stations
Non-liquid snacks if your system, due to allergies, cannot tolerate items provided at the aid stations
A light waterproof or resistant layer top and lightweight cap if there’s rain in the forecast (a small pouched poncho is perfect and takes up little space)
A light jacket and even lightweight gloves if the forecast is for cold weather
I challenge you to gather the above-listed items together to see exactly how small a volume they really occupy.

What NOT to include:
Anything that could break if dropped from a height of 4 feet.
No Glass Containers
wallets
cell phone (There’s no reception anyway)
purse
watches
GPS
jewelry, etc.
Don’t ever put anything in a drop bag that you aren’t prepared to part with permanently. We are not responsible for lost or stolen articles or drop bags left behind at the end of the race.

The following items can be carried in a small pouch by itself, or as part of a water belt, or a backpack:
band-aids in a small plastic baggie
electrolyte caplets and Advil, also in a baggie
gels or chews
Runners if you wear Race Ready Shorts, you can carry most of the above and even a few more gels in them. On a decent weather day therefore, you would have no need for drop bags.

Bikers can carry these items on their backs in their packs or in shirt pouches.