Saturday morning we will be running a half-marathon Ekiden…here is the info.
Legs: This will be a five-leg Ekiden. Leg 1: 5km. Leg 2: 2 miles. Leg 3: 3 miles. Leg 4: 2 miles. Leg 5: 3 miles. The exchange zones, and parking, are described in the attached document.
Exchange Zones: There is no contact between runners–no batons. When the incoming runner enters the exchange zone, the outgoing runner leaves…NO CONTACT! Please keep a 6′ distance from other runners at all times!
Location: The Ekiden will be an out and back on the Los Gatos Creek Trail. The first two legs will head North on the trail, the third leg will be an out-and-back (1.5 miles North, then flip around and head back South to the starting point), the fourth and fifth legs back South 0.1 miles short of the starting point, for a total of 13.1 miles.
This is not a controlled course, you will be sharing the trail with joggers, walkers and bicyclists, so please show respect and courtesy to everyone on the trail!
Starting times: The first leg will start at approximately 7:30am on Saturday, so the lead off runners should be warmed up and at the start by then. For the other legs, you will be able to estimate your relay teammate’s times also, but for planning purposes I suggest that the 2nd runners are warmed up and waiting at their exchange points by 7:45am, the 3rd by 7:55, the 4th by 8:10am (boys) 8:15/8:20am (girls), and the 5th by 8:20am (boys) and 8:25-40am (girls). You can also text each other progress after each leg if you carry phones.
Mask rules: Everyone should run carrying a mask. When you are waiting for your incoming teammate, please keep your mask on. When you see the incoming runner, take your mask off–you can pull the mask down, or pull it over your arm, or tuck it in your shorts. As soon as you are done with your leg, walk away from the exchange zone and give yourself some space and as soon as you have your breath back, please replace your mask. When you are ready to warm down, you can remove your mask again.
Good luck and have fun!