Our trails are not flat or smooth. Each “yard’ of 6.706km is on dirt or grass, much of it single track. The undulating terrain means you must pay special attention to your footing. You will be racing in areas where the chance of injury is a possibility. Deer, moose, coyotes are often spotted on our trails. Bears and mountain lions have been known to visit as well. Stay alert!
At Lakou you are never too far from the start/finish but vehicle access is not possible along most of the course. We will have some emergency staff available at the race, however, given the difficult terrain of this course, accessibility on some parts will prevent immediate attention. If you are not able to continue at any time, call the number provided prior to the race or ask another runner to let us know of your situation and approximate distance from the start.
In the event you notice a racer that does not look well, please do not hesitate to inform a race director, medical personnel or aid station attendant when you arrive back at the start/finish.
A runner may not be permitted to start another “yard” if, in the opinion of the Race Director and/or medical personnel, that runner is not well enough to continue.
Each racer is encouraged to consult with their own personal care physician prior to the race. Please advise the Race Director if you have any medical condition that they should know about in case of any emergency. It is important for each racer to recognize the potential physical and mental stresses which may evolve from participating in this race. Adequate training prior to the race is highly recommended.
If you have to be evacuated from the event, you will assume the sole responsibility for paying all associated financial costs.
We are not providing medical advice but merely informing you of some of the risks you may face as a result of participating in this event:
Over-hydration (aka hyponatremia) is a condition that occurs when the level of sodium in your blood is abnormally low. Sodium is an electrolyte, and it helps regulate the amount of water that’s in and around your cells. In hyponatremia, one or more factors — ranging from an underlying medical condition to drinking too much water during endurance sports — causes the sodium in your body to become diluted. When this happens, your body’s water levels rise, and your cells begin to swell. This swelling can cause many health problems, from mild to life-threatening. It is possible that hyponatremia may worsen after a race, as unabsorbed fluid in the stomach can be rapidly absorbed once you stop exercising. Signs and symptoms of hyponatremia may include bloating, nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion, incoordination, dizziness and fatigue. If left untreated, hyponatremia may progress to seizures, pulmonary and cerebral edema, coma and death.
De-hydration/Heat Stroke is caused when you do not consume the proper amount of fluids. Some signs of dehydration are extreme thirst, less frequent urination, dark coloured urine, fatigue, dizziness and confusion. Some signs of heat stroke are nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, faintness, irritability, lassitude, confusion, weakness, and rapid heart rate. De-hydration and heat stroke may progress from minimal symptoms to complete collapse in a very short period of time.
Sprains/Fractures can occur on our rough trails so be careful where you plant your feet. Conditions will vary from soft and slushy to rock-hard and slippery so wear shoes with good grips. Tripping, falling and running into things are an ever-present danger on the trails, with potentially serious consequences.
Hypothermia can strike very quickly, particularly when there is a drop in core body temperature. This can occur from inclement weather, when your pace slows down or from injury. The initial warning signs of hypothermia often include lethargy, disorientation and confusion. You will feel very cold with uncontrolled shivering and may become confused and be unaware of your surroundings. Stay well-nourished, adequately hydrated and properly clothed.
Fatigue, to varying degrees, is expected when running an endurance race. Fatigue, combined with the effects of sleep deprivation and dehydration can produce disorientation and irrationality.
