Ready! Set! RACE DAY!
APRIL 15, 2023
INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR RACE DAY
AGE LIMITS
No lower or upper age limit as long as you sign the release!
We do ask those pushing strollers or walking with children to place themselves
behind the 5K and 10K runners at the start.
The age groups (male and female) are: 0-12; 13-19; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69;70-79, 80+
REGISTRATION
Those who pre-register come to the race with beautiful smiles and a positive outlook!
If they’ve come to the cafeteria the day before, they have their t-shirts and numbers and can sleep in while everyone else is in line.
Or they can pick up their numbers and shirts in front of the high school after 9:30 a.m. and pose for pictures with other smiling happy people before the event.
Plus they have the added advantage of not having to see our stressed out registration people cry because of everyone that didn’t pre-register.
Those not pre-registered arrive in confusion and dismay. They must stand in lines to put their information on a small computer, pay, and hope to get one of the remaining shirts while the happy smiling people are already wearing theirs and posing for pictures
Bibs
The Buttercup run has been dragged into the 21st Century and are now using timing chips for the run results. The chip is locate on the back of your Bib (the paper with your number and information on it) is specifically yours, if you don’t wear it, change races, or give it to someone else you will not be timed. Please check to make sure all the information on your bib is correct.
Strollers and Accompanied Child Walkers
Young children in strollers and accompanied young walkers are welcome and are really what the event is all about… but (there’s always a “but…”)
As you can see from the photo, strollers and little walkers can present quite an obstacle to those wanting to move faster at the narrow start of the 5K and 10K runs.
We will be asking all those pushing strollers or walking with young kids to start their race behind those participants who may be attempting to win their event or better their times. Thank you.
ANIMALS?????
We love animals, just not on the run course. The past several years have been dog-free at the Buttercup, and potentially serious problems of earlier years have been avoided. Multiply a leashed or under-command dog by 10 or more and encounters with each other and with children occur. We are a family event, and want everyone to feel comfortable and safe.
The policy of no dogs continues. Thank you for understanding.
BATHROOMS
Bathrooms are available inside of the gym and on the sides of the brown building at the finish line
(see arrow).
Plan ahead, and please don’t be looking for bushes on the course, there are no porta-potties on the course.
TIME AND TIMING
Pre-announced schedules will be followed as closely as possible.
With an ever increasing number of participants, the late registration process can slow significantly and the starts can be delayed.
It is difficult, with even the best intentions, to provide speedy late registration to almost 200 or more individuals.
10K walkers start at 10:30 and 10 K runners start at 11:00.
1/2 Marathon starts at 10:00, only runners for this event, course closes at 1:00
Once again we will be using chip timing. When you receive your packet your race number will be included, the chip is on the back of your number so if you lose your number or don’t wear it you won’t be timed.
These record your time as you cross the finish line, your time and place in the run will be available shortly after you finish.
PARKING OF VEHICLES AND TIRED BODIES
Free parking is available in front of the high school and everywhere else in Arlee. Grassy areas are restricted to feet, strollers, wheelchairs, and tired bodies.
PARCHED – FAMISHED
There will be water stations on the courses.
Fruit slices and water will be available at the finish line for participants. Please remember to put your trash in the provided trash cans and not on the football field, track, or grass.
Heartier fare can be obtained at the local merchants in town.
AWARDS, MEDALS, FREE GOODIES
Medals go to the top three finishers in each age group in the 5k, 10k and 1/2 Marathon and medals to the 1st 3 males and females across the finish line in the fun mile.
Young finishers of the fun mile receive a unique participant’s medal.
We will be having a raffle this year including a quilt made of past run t-shirts. Stay tuned for further information.
You’ll have to be there to win.
CAN”T FINISH? NEED ASSISTANCE?
If you are concerned about health issues, you probably shouldn’t participate.
The Arlee Volunteer Fire Department will be available for emergency response.
In two decades of the run few have had difficulty finishing any of the events, but vehicles sweep the course for those who want a ride or seem in trouble. A cheerful wave will signal you’re okay. If you’re down and no movement is visible, someone will stop and check on you.
Course on all distances closes at 1:00, if you’re not finished we’ll give you a free ride to the finish line…
WEATHER
It’s spring in Montana, enough said.
VOLUNTEERS
We couldn’t put on this run without all of our volunteers. If you have enough breath as you run on walk by give a shout out to them.
We can always use more volunteers. Contact us at toomanybaddogs@blackfoot.net or contact us through our web page or Facebook page, we will find a job for you.