**this is not an official race** This challenge will open August 1st and close December 31st.
You will sign up and receive an orienteering style map of the greater Swannanoa Valley Area that shows a Start/Finish area at Vertical Runner Black Mountain along with 30 checkpoints throughout the valley. Some G2G checkpoints are located on mountain trails and some are located within town limits.
The goal is to get to every checkpoint and back to the finish as quickly as possible. The checkpoints can be visited in any order. If you make wise choices, your route could be as little as 32 miles even if you stay on trail/road the entire time. Make a bad choice? Who knows, maybe there will be an award for the biggest mistake. Mistakes happen, but signing up for G2G means you have unlimited attempts at the challenge. Your best times supersede your slower times.
How does the timing work? We will be using a smartphone app (we will post instructions about how to download and use this app) that’s been programmed with the checkpoints. Live results will be kept up in real-time throughout the challenge timeframes. More to come, but you need a smartphone and a way to keep it going the whole time, at least 12 hours.
Why? Two main reasons. One is that we live here and want to share some local gems with people from abroad. The second is Coronavirus, participants are able to attempt this challenge alone (or in small close-knit groups) whenever they want over a long period of time. Since this isn’t a ‘real race’, the checkpoints can be in whatever order you wish, and there is no start time, it is the ultimate social distancing competition.
Swag: everybody is going to get an awesome buff (neck gaiter, whatever) with the G2G logo when they register. Sub-12 hour finishers of the challenge will receive an awesome technical running hat from BOCOgear. Top 3 male/female times for the year will get something awesome to be disclosed later.
Registration will open July 27th and the first official day to attempt the challenge will be August 1st. The challenge will remain open for the remainder of the year.
Maps and swag can be picked up at Vertical Runner, which is the start and finish. If you want to pick up outside of regular business hours, spur of the moment, etc, please reach out to me at mike@relentlessrunning.com.
DETAILS
This is not an official race, certified, permitted, or insured event. What you are purchasing is a map, information about setting up and using the app UsynligO app, and a neck gaiter. While you will not be required to participate in any illegal activity, it is understood that you are taking part in this Challenge voluntarily and responsible for your own actions.
This Challenge is intended to be attempted solo. Small, close-knit groups are welcome to attempt the challenge together but will be excluded from receiving any prizes that may be awarded. Keep in mind, one registration gets you one set of maps and one neck gaiter.
Side Note: Swag has been delayed and will not be guaranteed until September 1st. If you’re local and see Mike Guyer or shop at Vertical Runner in Black Mountain regularly, pickup at a later date is easy. If you plan on traveling from abroad to give G2G12 a try, you may want to wait until September or make arrangements to have swag shipped to you. Feel free to register so we know how many maps to print, though!
The Challenge will be open to attempts from August 1, 2020, at 12:00am until December 31, 2020, at 12:00pm. Challengers may attempt G2G12 as many times as they like in order to improve their times. At the conclusion of this window, prizes will be awarded to the top 3 male and female performances listed in the UsynligO app.
UsynligO. This app is essential to the event, and it is required. It is free, ad-free, and available for use on iPhone and Android devices. You will need a method of keeping your smartphone charged for the duration of the challenge. A link to the app will be provided with your map. More info about this app and how to use it available here.
This app will also provide us with a lot of fun information to look back on after the challenge has closed, including playback of everyone’s route choices. Will we all praise you for making the best route choice, or will you win the mistake of the year award?
Waiver of Liability – initial required at registration to indicate that you have read and agree to these terms.