2010 Races

The Races

Across the Years 2010 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, 2010 and ends on January 1, 2011.
2. The 48-hour race begins on December 30 and ends on January 1. You may elect to start on December 29 and end on December 31. Results from both starts will be combined in the final standings.
3. The 24-hour race begins on December 31. You may elect to start on December 29 or December 30. Results from all three starts will be combined in the final standings.
   
   All races start and end at 9:00 a.m.

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.

Tent The manor grounds include a 60-foot by 100-foot tent that will be 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 large grassy areas next to the track where you can pitch your tent.

With so many runners in the various events, space in the tent is cramped. Please limit yourself to a single small tent or double up with another runner if possible. 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

Note: The lottery for the 2010 race ended on April 30, and selected runners are now in process of registering. The following information is preserved here for reference only.

Race	Standard Cost	Without Goodies
72-Hour	$380	$300
48-Hour	$280	$200
24-Hour	$180	$100

Note: Once you have registered and made payment for a race, fees are 50% refundable until November 15, and non-refundable thereafter. This policy represents a change from what was originally announced.

Registration / Withdrawing Before the Race

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 a chip based 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 Web site 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 the ankle. If you believe that you might set a state, national or international record, you may be asked to wear a second transponder as a backup.

Note: When you finish your race, you must return your transponder chip to one of the race personnel in the timing booth! 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 a.m. 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 a.m. At the 9:00 a.m. start, you will begin circling the track counter-clockwise. Thereafter, you will change direction every two hours (at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 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. Details regarding how this works with the changing directions will be explained at the pre-race meeting.

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 booth at the time, that you are quitting or leaving early and remember to turn in your chip!

The event ends at exactly 9:00 a.m. on January 1, 2010. 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. (But not after you have been selected for a race!

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 run 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. Do 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 70s and 80s 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 larger brass buckle.
3. If you complete 300 miles you will receive a still larger 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 follow the ATY Page on Facebook 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.

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. If you can't be here to run, then join us during the race for the webcast.