Mohican Trail 100, 50, Marathon Frequently Asked Questions
Posted on: 31 Dec 2012

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I retrieve my drop bags before Sunday morning?

YES. You and/or your crew etc. may go to the aid stations to
pick up your drop bags after you have finished either race - or dropped out. This includes the drop bags that are at the Covered
Bridge. While crews, etc. are not allowed anywhere near that aid station while
the runner is still in the race, you and/or crew may drive past it just to pick
up your drop bags. Drop bags will be returned to the campground on Sunday
morning - this includes the 50 miler drop bags. Anyone who plans on going home
before the end of the race for any reason (DNF, early finish, 50 mile runners)
should pick up their drop bags themselves. Drop bags will not be mailed.

Will my drop bags be taken to the aid stations if I don't
arrive until Saturday?

Drop bags for Mohican Adventures Aid station (E) should be brought to the drop bag area by racers on Saturday morning. Drop bags for covered bridge (C) will be loaded on the trucks Friday evening for
early Saturday morning delivery to covered bridge (C) aid station. Please be sure to have your labeled drop bags at Mohican Adventures by 10pm on Friday. If, due to extenuating circumstances, you arrive later, the race will still make sure your bags reach the aid stations on time. There is no need to call to inquire.

May I change my registration distance: 50 to 100 or 100
to 50?

YES. However, packet pickup on Friday is your final
opportunity to switch to a different race. You must register any change on
Friday before you receive your race number. If you have registered for the 100
mile race and decide that you want to switch to the 50 mile or Marathon
distance, you may do so before getting your packet.

Racer's switching from the Marathon to the 50, or 50 mile to
the 100, will be required to pay the difference in entry fee.

Racers switching from the 100 to the 50 will not receive a
refund of the difference in price. This is intended to allow switches but
discourage a large volume of switches during packet pickup. The “name and bib
number” list to be used at morning roll call will be printed out at the end of
packet pickup. No race changes will be made on race day or during the race.

May I switch from 100 to 50 miles or 50 miles to Marathon once the race is
underway?

NO. The two races are distinct and independent. Also note
that the Marathon, 50 and 100 mile race have different colored bibs with distinct sets of
numbers and the races start at different times due to growth. The decision to
disallow switching from the 100 to the 50 mile race mid-race is to avoid
confusing aid station help and the communications volunteers who are tracking
runners for their safety.

However, a runner who registers for the 100 mile race may
DNF at any aid station and will receive credit and recognition for any completed
miles over 50. Runners who DNFs (did not finish), but have completed at least 50
miles, should first report to an aid station captain to announce your
withdrawal from the race. All runners who make it at least 50 miles will
receive a 50+ mile medal as a recognition of your
achievement so you will also want to return to race headquarters to receive
your award.

Are there any training runs for the race?

Mohican will announce any official training runs on the official
Mohican Facebook page. Additionally, many runners train on various parts of the
course frequently. Small groups of runners often use the Mohican 100 Facebook
page to indicate their plans to run on various days – usually Saturdays and/or
Sundays but sometimes midweek as well. Most will post their planned distance,
location, meeting time and place. You are welcome to join them for all or part
of the planned run. Sometimes water and other aid may be available. Some of
those who list their training runs have finished Mohican multiple times. Others
are still training for their first finish. It is a great idea to train with
these runners. You can also post the dates you would be available to train on
the Mohican trails. It is likely that someone familiar with the trails will be
happy to run with you.

How is the course marked? Do I have to be concerned about
getting off course?

course markings: Many runners have commented that Mohican is one of the best
marked courses (“the best” according to some). The race course features 1 to 4
loops depending on which race you enter. See the map and course description
document on this website for more info about these loops. Some of the permanent
Carsonite trail posts have Mohican 100 markers about
10 inches below hiking or horse trail markers at the top of the posts. The
Mohican marker is a 3” x 3” reflective white square with a black triangle, the
words “MOHICAN TRAIL” in green above the triangle, three green trees on the
triangle and the words “100 MILE RUN”. Just above the Mohican 100 marker is a
colored, according to loop, reflective arrow indicating trail direction:
straight ahead or turn. These stickers are also posted on the permanent signs
along the mountain bike course that is included in the race. At all areas where
permanent signage is not available, 12" x 12" Mohican 100 arrow signs, 
will be added and/or orange stick flags and lime arrows. The trail marking crew spends several days
prior to the race to add lime arrows on the ground along the course. The trail
marking crew checks on the course throughout the race adding/replacing markings
as necessary. You must pay attention to the course markings especially at
night. It is possible to wander off even the best marked course, especially in
foggy, nighttime conditions, not unusual at Mohican. Sleep deprivation can also
play role causing runner's to sometimes hallucinate and/or to miss course
markings.

Do you have any recommendations for lodging?

Yes. Mohican Adventures and Mohican State Park offer sites that are located along or very near the race course. Racers are allowed to stop at their campsites during the race if located near the course at Mohican Adventures Campground. 

See the Camping and Lodging document in the Race Information
section of this website. Area motels frequently fill up rapidly so we recommend
that you book lodging as soon as possible.

What type of weather should I expect during race weekend?

This is Ohio, mid-America. There is a saying here: “If you
don’t like the weather, hang around a minute.” In June, you can expect almost
anything except ice and snow.

Trails:

Most of the course flows through shaded forest. However, there are some sections that
include open sun. The forest trails can be shoe-sucking mud in places, baked
mud hard as a rock, or just soft enough to pamper your feet.

Temperature:

Advice: Some years have been sweltering with temperatures close to 100 degrees and very humid. Other years have been very pleasant in the 70s with a cool breeze. There have been thunderstorms, cooling drizzle, extremely strong winds, or stagnant air. Night may stay warm in the high 60s or drop down into the 30s. People who have gotten wet during the day have suffered from hypothermia at night.

Our
Advice?
Bring all types of clothing with you: change of shirts,
socks and shoes; jackets, rain gear. When you see the weather forecast for the
race days, you can decide what to wear throughout the race. However, be
somewhat cynical about any forecast that you hear – it may change in a few
hours. Have something warm at the finish line, especially if you plan on
finishing before the sun warms the air. When you stop running you can chill
rapidly. Family and crew also should have a variety of clothing available. Some
family members were so cold one year that they bought sweaters at a local
store. You can learn more about the weather in some of the previous years by
reading the articles on this website about previous Mohican races.

What is the distance between the aid stations?

Aid Stations are located approximately 5 miles apart throughout each race course.

 

Which airports are close to Loudonville / Mohican area?

There are three major airports within 100 miles of
Loudonville and the Mohican area.

CLE - Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is in a south
west suburb of Cleveland which is north of Loudonville. It is very close to
highway I71 which is a good route south towards Loudonville, exiting at the
Ashland exit.

CMH - Port Columbus International Airport is south of Loudonville.
It is very close to I270 which can be taken to I71 north towards Loudonville,
exiting at highway 97 and traveling east to highway 3.

CAK - Akron Canton Regional Airport is north east of
Loudonville. It is close to a major highway 30 which can be taken west to
Wooster. Highway 3 can be picked up in Wooster and taken south into
Loudonville. For more detailed directions to the start / finish of the race see
Driving Directions under Race Information.

Where is the start/finish of the Mohican race located?

Start line: Mohican Adventures pavilion, opposite the Campground, will be the location of packet pickup and the start and finish of the race. Mohican Adventures is located just one mile from Loudonville on State Route 3 South.

What are the Mohican 100 mile records?

The overall and age group records for both men and women
along with a list of those who have earned the 1000 mile 10 time finisher
buckle are listed under the Results under "Previous Records"

Do I need a flashlight, headlamp, etc.?

If you are running the 100 miles, you definitely need a
light source: flashlight, headlamp, etc. The forest trails have no lights. Even
if you are out of the forest before night arrives, there are very few lighted
areas on the roads back to the finish line. Be prepared with extra light source
and batteries. You can have these in drop bags. If you have entered the 50 mile
race, remember the race takes place during the summer solstice, the longest
days of the year. The race starts at 5:00 AM. It will still be dark then but
soon get lighter. You might want to carry a cheap flashlight that you can
abandon at the first aid station after the sun comes up. You should be back at
the campground by 8:00 PM well before dark falls. However, if you intend to
stay around and walk in the area, e.g. to your campsite, a flashlight, etc.
will make that easier. If you’ve done a lot of running in limited light, you
may be able to omit your own light and just follow the lights of the other
runners at the beginning of the race until the sun comes up.

Why has the course changed this year? I like the old
course.

Which old course do you like? The original consisting of two
identical loops with the 50 mile mark at the campground? The one containing
that frustrating section where you were within yards of the Hickory Ridge Aid
Station but on which you had to run another mile before you reached that
station? The one where you ran along the road in order to reach the Grist Mill
Aid Station? The course has been changed over a dozen times since the inception
of the race. The Mohican Forest, Park, and surrounding areas are dynamic. New
trails are built. Old trails are closed for various reasons. Bridges are
destroyed or built. The trail master adjusts the trail to accommodate all these
changes. The difficulty of the course remains relatively constant.

What Type of Shoes Should I Wear

The Mohican Trail 100 Run course includes sections of
pavement, dirt road, and single track trail. The trail can range from muddy to
dusty to rocky to rooted. As a result, you will see experienced runners wearing
shoes ranging from light weight training shoes to hardcore trail shoes. Many
people will take several pair of shoes and put them in drop bags to wear on
different sections of the course. Other people might wear the same shoes
throughout the entire race. Of course, weather plays a huge factor from year to
year so the same runner may opt for a different shoe strategy from one year to
the next. Obviously, the biggest factor in determine your shoe strategy is to
figure out what works best for you. Questions like "what type of shoe is
best for the Mohican Trail 100 Mile Run" will likely generate as many
different answers as there are readers of your question. Please contact <a
href="mailto:info@mohican100.org">info@mohican100.org if you have
additional questions.