The knee-humping drink-from-the-toilet TrailDawgs proudly present the 3nd annual Stumpy's Marathon a 26.2 mile run for pack supremacy 7AM Sunday, September 12, 2004 Newark, DE

You'd think they would learn by now... but the old adage is true: you can't teach old dawgs new tricks, or stop them from licking themselves wherever they want.  The park rangers tried.  Their spouses tried.  But it's going to happen again.

The "course" (if you want to call it that) will be mostly the same as last year's, spanning 3 parks and 2 states, including gently undulating hills, at least one creek crossing, educational historic markers, single track trail, dirt/gravel roads, and expansive level stretches where you can open up that dawgie stride.  For those who like to run pavement, the trail crosses a few paved roads. Don't expect a PR marathon time, just a lot of fun.  

Race amenities include:  a scenic race course with many barely-visible directional markings, a place to start, and a clearly defined finish where we will actually record your finish time.  All finishers will receive a handshake plus signed certificate of completion from Stumpy himself.  Numerous water stations have been designated, and we hope to actually have water at some of them.  However, you should carry at least 20+ oz. of your preferred beverage in a refillable container, since the maximum distance between water stations may range from 5 to 26.2 miles.

Our motto is, “It’s not a trail race if nobody gets lost.”  You enter this race at your own risk, and are solely responsible for your own welfare and safety at ALL times.  Don’t blame any race volunteer or organizer if you wander off trail, can’t find a porta-potty in time, run into trees, trip over rocks or roots, fall down, get attacked by local fauna, get run over crossing a road, drown in the creek, or otherwise injure your body or self esteem.  The race course may include: dirt, bugs, water, dirty bugs, dirty water, mud, rocks, roots, fallen trees, vicious squirrels and other animals (maybe even a cougar), the guys from Deliverance suggesting you make a noise like a piggie, snakes, unamused park rangers, and lots of other icky, dangerous things.

Last year’s race was kind of a let-down for the organizers, but an unparalleled and unexpected success for the runners.  You could actually see some of the trail marks, aid stations had actual people handing out stuff , it was a beautiful day, the rangers didn't arrest anybody, no one was hospitalized, nobody got lost (or maybe they did, but we didn't hear from them again).  But this year we are expecting torrential rains, with trail marks washed away or sabotaged, aid station volunteers opting to go for beer instead, and lots of other screw-ups to make this year’s event much more thrilling than last year's.  

Registration is free, simply email Stumpy! (57599@udel.edu) or regular mail to Stumpy's Marathon, c/o Stewart Dotts, 812 Branch Road, Newark, DE  19711

PLEASE PRE-REGISTER!

Mrs. Stumpy will be hosting a pre-race pasta feed chez Stumpy the night before,
you must pre-register to be officially invited though!

Stumpy's Marathon--Participant Waiver: I know that running a trail race is a potentially dangerous activity.  I certify that I am medically fit and properly trained for this event.  I acknowledge that the course will include dangerous footing, traffic at road crossings and other hazards, and I assume full responsibility for all risks I incur in running on it.  I understand that such risks include, but are not limited to: injuries from falls, collisions with people and/or objects, heat, humidity, dehydration, getting lost, ticks, insect bites, poison ivy, physical exhaustion.   Knowing these facts, and in consideration for being allowed to participate in this event, I hereby for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and other claimants on my behalf, agree to hold harmless, waive my right to sue and exempt from all liability any member of the TrailDawgs, any county or state park agency or employee, the race director, any course official, volunteer, sponsor, or anyone else associated with this event, for any personal injury, death, damage or loss of property or other harm that I may suffer from this event.  In plain English, if I get injured in any way by participating in this run, it’s entirely my own damn fault and I’m not going to blame or sue anyone else for it.  BY MY SIGNATURE BELOW, I ATTEST THAT I HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO THIS WAIVER: Signature:__________________________________    Date:____________

Race Start/Finish Location:  Main parking lot of New Castle County’s Middle Run Natural Area, Possum Hollow Road. See: http://www.traildawgs.org/dawgs_meeting_spots.GIF

Directions From MD, VA on I-95N:  Take Newark/Elkton exit (last MD exit before DE toll) east into Newark.  After ~3 miles, Elkton Rd. narrows and merges onto Delaware Avenue.  Go through UD campus, then left at Burger King onto Chapel Street.  Go straight through and out of town, Chapel St. becomes Paper Mill Rd., go ~2 miles up long hill and turn right at Shell Station onto Possum Park Road.  Look for immediate left onto very narrow Possum Hollow Road at the Korean Church sign.  About .1/2 mile in turn left onto long dirt/gravel driveway into Middle Run Natural Area.  Follow driveway to the end, park at run.

Directions From NJ & PA on I-95S:  Take DE I-95 exit 4 onto Route 7 NORTH.  Go ~3 miles on Rt. 7 through any turns & traffic lights.  Turn left onto Rt. 2 (Kirkwood Hwy).  Go ~3 miles, turn right at Wendy’s onto Possum Park Road.  At top of long hill, turn right onto narrow Possum Hollow Road at the Korean Church sign before you reach the traffic light at Shell Station   About 1/2 mile in turn left onto long dirt/gravel driveway into Middle Run Natural Area.  Follow driveway to the end, park at run..

Local Accommodations:
 

Best Western Delaware Inn 260 Chapman Road (I-95&273)  Newark   (302) 738-3400 1-800-780-7234 reservations	Red Roof Inn 415 Stanton-Christiana Road (I-95&7N)  Newark   (302) 292-2870 1-800-THE ROOF reservations	Fairfield Inn Newark/Christiana 65 Geoffrey Drive Newark   (302) 292-1500 1-800-228-2800 reservations
Courtyard Suites by Marriott 48 Geoffrey Drive Newark   (302) 456-3800 1-800-321-2211 reservations	Comfort Suites 56 Old Baltimore Pike Newark   (302) 266-6600 1-800-228-5150 reservations	McIntosh Inn of Newark I-95 & Route 273 Newark  (302) 453-9100 1-800-444-APPLE reservations
Embassy Suites 654 S. College Avenue Newark   (302) 368-1000 1-800-EMBASSY reservations	Comfort Inn 1120 S College Avenue Newark   (302) 368-8715 1-800-441-7564 reservations	Christiana Hilton Inn 100 Continental Drive Newark   (302) 454-1500 1-800-HILTONS reservations
Sleep Inn 630 S. College Avenue Newark   (302) 453-1700 1-800-SLEEP INN reservations	Howard Johnson Hotel & Suites 1119 South College Ave. (896&I-95) Newark   (302) 368-8521 1-800-I GO HOJO reservations

This is an organized “fun run” with our friends--no fee, no prizes, no wimps, no whining.
This is an authentic, deep-fried, certified and sanctified Trail Dawgs event (accept no substitutes!)...
basically what we do every weekend with our Dawg friends.  www.traildawgs.org

:	Stumpy’s Marathon  c/o Stewart Dotts 812 Branch Road Newark, DE 19711 57599@udel.edu