Agenda

Best you print this and the course description off if you don't want to get lost! Go to the bottom of this page and click on "printer-friendly version" for best results

Course

Despite the detailed description and warnings (e.g. If in doubt, read the directions!!), people get lost on the course every year. Consider it a rite of passage.

This is an informal, environmentally-friendly event. Be sure to print this agenda and the course description and bring them with you on the first of January as there are no flags, marshalls or other directions. (I recommend you put them in a plastic baggie, as they will otherwise surely turn to mush.) Better yet, train on the course and bring the directions.

Getting to the Start

The start and finish is at Brockton Oval in Stanley Park in downtown Vancouver. Follow the signs as if you were going to the aquarium. Just past the aquarium, take the road to your right and follow it to Brocton Oval. Best to park in the lot nearest the change rooms, as that's where the start is. Note that it's pay parking.

What to Bring?

• bring your New Years resolutions. (Use the New Years athletic resolution logger to keep yourself honest... and maybe win a prize, too!)
• if you want a race number, bring one (for example, your favorite or most exotic race)
• bring your own aid (if you don't know what that is, better wait another year)
• bring your own official timing system (a watch will do, even if the second hand doesn't work)
• bring a change of clothes and shower stuff for afterward
• Freeze Your Fat Ass 50. Celebrate surviving the Fat Ass 50 and kick-off the new year with a 50 second (or longer) "polar bear" swim in Burrard Inlet. Bring a towel and, if you want, a bathing suit.
• there's no cost to enter if you're a member of Club Fat Ass, but bring a few bucks to pay for parking, to buy yourself some junk food along the way and for the finisher party

Post-Run Brunch

• runners, friends and family are encouraged to meet afterwards for brunch and beverages at the Mosquito reek Grill...about 10 minutes from the finish in North Vancouver.
• From Brockton Oval in Stanley Park, drive down to the water and turn left (you can't turn right!) Go to the very end of the road, up the hill and onto Lions Gate Bridge heading toward the north shore. Stay in the right lane (North Vancouver) then turn left at the first set of lights (Capilano Road.) Go straight about a kilometer then go right onto Highway #1 East. Take the first exit (Westview) and go to the shopping mall on the north side of the street where you will find the Mosquito Creek Grill. (Call 604-983-3083 if you get lost.)
• Great runner food. Liquor license means no kids, sorry. May be some draw and recognition prizes. Manager Kelly Nielson has offered up a free pint for all runners and crew, so bring a thirst!

Notes

• it's not a race, but I do keep track of your times so you have something to compare to next year
• I hope everyone will run the same course, but won't disqualify folks for getting lost and running extra distance
• this event is not sponsored, sanctioned, permitted or anything else that would qualify it as an official event
• parking, showers and change facilities (08:30 to 16:00) are available at Brockton Oval. It's pay parking: 2 hours for $1 or all day for $3. The machines take credit cards. The showers are lukewarm, but seem hot after you've been for a dip in the ocean
• results will be submitted to the the media for the sake of posterity. We often get coverage on the television news. It seems a lot of people think we are nutbars because we do this
• expect rain, maybe snow, some trails, some pavement, some old friends and maybe some new

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