2008 Races

The Races

Across the Years 2008 consists of three different fixed-time races.
The object is to travel as far as possible in the time allotted.

1. The 72-hour race begins on December 29, 2008 and ends on January 1, 2009.
2. The 48-hour race begins on December 30th and ends on January 1. You may elect to start on December 29th and end on December 31st. Results from both starts will be combined in the final standings.
3. The 24-hour race begins on December 31st. You may elect to start on December 29th or December 30th. Results from all three starts will be combined in the final standings.
   
   All races start and end at 9:00 AM.

Location

Across the Years will be held at Nardini Manor in Buckeye, Arizona, owned and operated by ultrarunner Rodger Wrublik. The physical (not mailing) address is

Nardini Manor
5601 S. Jackrabbit Trail (a.k.a. 195th Ave)
Buckeye, AZ 85326

The race route is a USAT&F-certified 500-meter running path around the perimeter of the manor, that Rodger built for our use in 2003. The track averages eight feet in width, and the surface is mostly well-packed crushed gravel, ideal for running. Gaiters are recommended.

Here's an overhead satellite picture.

Driving to Nardini Manor from Central Phoenix

NOTE: DO NOT GO TO MAPQUEST.COM FOR DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS. Because of a territorial dispute where Nardini Manor is located, neither Mapquest nor Google Maps know where it is, and will send you miles in the wrong direction! The Google maps that follow will get you there.

Nardini Manor is about forty minutes drive west of Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix. Here are some driving directions from Phoenix International Airport. The target destination is actually S. Jackrabbit Road and W. Southern, which is the distance of a cotton field to the south of the manor. If you view these directions using Google Maps and zoom in on the target location you will be able to see Nardini Manor clearly on the east side of the street, unmistakeable because of the maze that can be seen on the east side of the property, with the canal running right by it to the north. If you're coming from the north and hit Southern, you missed it, but that would be hard to do.

Facilities

Nardini Manor is a country mansion situated on five and a half acres of land in an area that consists mainly of farmland, several miles from any stores or conveniences. The closest store is a Circle K four miles north on Jackrabbit Trail, just north of the I-10 freeway.

Heated Tent The manor grounds include a 60-foot by 100-foot tent that will be heated and available for our use during the race. You can erect your own tent inside, or just lay a mat or sleeping bag on the floor. The floor is hard, so mats are recommended. There are also a couple of large grassy areas next to the track where you can pitch your tent.

With over one hundred runners in the various events, space in the heated tent is quite limited. Please limit yourself to a single small tent or double up with another runner if possible (if everyone brought a 10'x10' tent, there would only be room for 24 people.) Your crew may share your tent, of course, but otherwise should plan to set up their tent on the lawn.

Note: The tent is intended for runners to rest during their event, so noise should be kept to a minimum. However, people will be going in and out of the tent at all hours, and some of the medical facilities are in the tent, so runners should not expect complete quiet.

See the Hotels and Restaurants page for information about accommodations and other facilities in the area.

Cost

Across the Years gives runners a great deal for their money. Despite this, we have bent over backwards to keep entry fees as low as possible. With the higher food and propane costs in the last year or so, though, we have no choice but to raise our fees for 2008. However, we still want the race to be affordable to those that are on a tight budget, and we'd like to give a break to those that don't care about all the extras. Therefore, you can choose to pay the full fee and get everything, including the awards and other race goodies, or pay just a basic fee for a race bib and transponder.

Goody Bag The contents of the goody bag vary slightly from year to year, and have historically had a value in excess of $150. For this year, goodies include a bib holder, duffle bag, and gloves, and a high-quality technical shirt and sweatshirt from our generous sponsor The North Face. In addition, all runners receive any items donated by other sponsors.

Race	Full Fee	Basic Fee
24-Hour	$160	$80
48-Hour	$240	$160
72-Hour	$320	$240

Note: Once you have been accepted into a race and payment has been made, race fees are non-refundable, so please do not take a registration spot with the thought that you can simply release it later and get a full refund. If you register and are not selected in the lottery your check will be returned or destroyed soon after the lottery date. If you elect to be on the waiting list but do not get into a race, your check will be returned or destroyed in early January, 2009.

Registration / Withdrawing Before the Race

The only way to register for ATY 2008 is online, using our registration program. At the end of the process you will need to print the final page and mail it in with payment in the form of a check.

Complete registration instructions are in the Registration Help file, which is also linked to in the navigation bar.

New this year is a "buddy" registration, whereby any number of runners may register to be considered together for entry, though they need not run the same race. The buddies are given a single entry in the lottery. If that entry is drawn, all the buddies get in. If not, none of the buddies get in. Note: this does not increase your odds of being drawn! Please see the registration instructions for more details.

Should it be necessary for you to withdraw before race day, we would appreciate your contacting us at register@acrosstheyears.com so we can fill your spot with someone on the waiting list.

Lap Recording

Your time and distance for each completed lap will be recorded automatically using the AMB i.t. timing system. Up-to-date lap totals will be posted hourly on a board near the aid tent, and will be broadcast to the race website every few seconds during the race. Invite your friends to watch your progress online during your run!

Each runner will wear a small transponder chip on a velcro strap around their ankle. If you believe that you might set a state, national or international record, you will be asked to wear a second transponder as a backup. No manual lap recording will be done.

Note: When you finish your race, you must return your transponder chip to one of the race personnel in the timing tent! The transponders cost upwards of $80 each, and you are responsible for the cost if you don't return your chip.

Rules and Etiquette

Races begin each day promptly at 9:00 AM. If you arrive late for the start of your race you may still compete, but the time you've missed is lost and cannot be made up.

A pre-race meeting will take place each day at 8:45 AM. At the 9:00 AM start, you will begin circling the track counter-clockwise. Thereafter, you will change direction every two hours (at 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, etc.). Many runners find this helps minimize overuse injuries as weight is shifted a bit differently on the curves. Furthermore, you may feel as though the scenery has changed.

You may leave the track at any time. The timing system will record your down time, and you don't need to report to race officials. If and when you decide to continue, you must return to the track at the same place you left it, and complete the lap you were on when you stepped off the track, in the same direction as you were going, regardless of the direction other runners are moving when you return. This ensures that you are credited with the correct number of laps.

Remember, there are no DNFs in a fixed-time track race. The objective is only to go as far as you can (or desire) in the allotted time. Of course, the more time you spend moving forward on the track, the more distance you will accumulate.

If you wish to stop completely well before the official end of your race, inform the race director, or whoever is in the timing tent at the time, that you are quitting or leaving early and remember to turn in your chip!

The event ends at exactly 9:00 AM on January 1, 2009. If you are participating in the 24- or 48-hour runs that finish before January 1, your run will be included in the results and you will be considered eligible for overall awards.

Some runners will consider running early a disadvantage, and some will consider it an advantage. If you will be competing to win, you are free to weigh the differences in strategy and choose whatever start day suits your own preference.

Some runners use their effort to raise money for charities. Across The Years does not endorse any particular charity, but will fully support and applaud you if you do with documentation of your run. The race director would like to be aware of charity fund-raising, as it helps with public relations when we get covered by the media. We will also advertise your effort on the Charities page of our Web site.

NO CUTTING THE CURVES. You must must STAY OUTSIDE the cones or markers on the curves. The layout of the track at Nardini Manor is such that you would have to be pretty devious to cheat. Nonetheless, if you cut the curves you will be disqualified.

It is your responsibility to know the rules. They exist to provide a good experience for all runners. If you are caught cheating you will be asked to leave and will not be allowed at future ATY events.

Track etiquette does not require lone runners to yield the inside lane to runners wanting to pass, regardless of whether the one being passed is running or walking at the time. It is assumed that each participant is there to do his or her best, and has an equal right to pursue personal goals. In a race of this type, it is to be expected that even the best will walk for periods of time, particularly those in the longer races. Always pass others on the outside if they are on the inside lane.

An exception to this policy is the case of two or more persons running or walking together. Persons traveling around the track in groups should always leave an inside channel open so faster runners do not have to travel far to the outside to get around them.

In all cases, remember to show common courtesy, and that most of us run for the enjoyment and thrill of the experience.

Setting Records

Across The Years is conducted on a certified course. Record setting performances will be recognized as official by record-keeping institutions if their guidelines are followed. Race results will be forwarded to the Arizona state record keeper who will then forward them to the national record keeper. The state record keeper will update or establish official state records for each of the three events. In order to be eligible for a certified record, you must do three things:

1. Inform the race director of your intent to pursue a record. There is a place on the registration form to do this, but you may decide any time before the race begins.
2. Start and finish the race at the designated times, though you need not be on the track when the race ends.
3. Not use a pacer at any time, though you are allowed to team up with another participant in the race. If you have questions, please ask a race official beforehand.

Food

A full aid station will be provided during the event, as well as breakfast and dinner each day. It is impossible to supply food that caters to individual tastes. If you desire specific types of food and drink, bring them along with your normal race gear. A microwave oven will be available for your use.

Since 2003 Across the Years has been able to provide several catered meals. We hope to be able to do the same this year.

Food and Beverages Provided (subject to change)

Water, cola, pretzels, oatmeal, tortillas, cheese, sports drinks, M&M's, graham crackers, coffee, potatoes, soup, fresh fruit, peanut butter, cookies, etc.

Weather

The Phoenix metropolitan area is blessed with mild winter temperatures. Nevertheless, daytime temperatures have been known to reach the 70's and 80's during previous stagings of Across The Years. Fluid replacement is critical during the day. Although there will be little chance of snow, it's not impossible, and nighttime temperatures can still dip below freezing. You will need some warm clothes — tights, gloves, hat, etc.

Note: Temperatures have been recorded at the race site every six hours. The range has spanned from 33 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Some years we have had torrential rain. Plan ahead and prepare for the unexpected!

Awards

Your award depends on the distance you cover and whether you choose to pay the full or basic fee.

If you choose to pay just the basic fee, you will receive a certificate.

If you choose to pay the full fee:

1. If you complete 100 miles you will receive a brass buckle.
2. If you complete 200 miles you will receive a silver and brass buckle.
3. If you complete 300 miles you will receive a larger silver and brass buckle.

If you are the overall male or female winner you will receive an attractive piece of art and a buckle, regardless of the fee paid.

You may enter any race to qualify for any buckle offered. The race record for 72 hours is over 323 miles. We don't expect to be passing out many 300-mile buckles, but it's been done twice.

As we have since 2004, ATY will continue to present progressive achievement awards to runners who have accumulated 1000 miles and 2000 miles total over all the ATY races in which they have participated. These awards are given regardless of the fee paid.

More Information

The best way to prepare for an event such as Across the Years is to talk to someone who has done it. We recommend you join the ATY Discussion Group on Google Groups where you may talk about the race among participants both experienced and new. In addition, we have accumulated a treasure trove of stories and pictures from previous ATY events. Any answers and questions will also be posted to help prepare you for the big event.

Supplementary information for your enlightenment and edification has been provided in the FAQ.

We invite you to explore, and if you are an ultrarunner looking for a unique experience, to mark your calendars and make plans to be with us at one of the greatest parties for runners in the United States.