Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Directions to Race Start

The race starts and finishes at the Clinton Lake Recreation Area north fork boat access lot. The IL Department of Natural Resources has a map of the area. I've also created my own Google map of the start (balloon is the race start). On my Google map you can zoom in/out and even ask for directions to/from that spot.

Timeline for race day activities:
6:30-7:45am = packet pick-up
7am = early starters
8am = regular start of race
8:01 = Chris the RD becomes Chris the runner*
4pm = race course closed down
(Runners are not allowed to start 3rd loop after 2pm.)

* Wes, a great buffalo runner, will take over as RD until I finish

Directions to race start from I-74:
Take I-74 to the Farmer City exit (exit #159), then onto Illinois 54 south through Farmer City to Parnell. As the main road curves left at a pair of big grain elevators, follow the curve to the left and stay on state highway 54. Keep on Hwy 54 and you will pass DeWitt, then you will come close to the big blue Clinton Nuclear Power Plant (plant entrance is on the left side of the road). There is a big white AmerGen sign at the entrance to the plant, but don't turn toward the power plant! Instead, turn right (north) onto county road 1650 E (Power Road), cross the railroad tracks, and go a short distance to county road 900 N (North Fork Road) turn left (west) follow road to North Fork Boat Access parking lot, approximately 1 mile. The race starts and finishes at this main boat access parking lot. Estimated travel time from I-74 exit at Farmer City to the race start is 16 minutes.

NOTE: Race parking is limited. Please carpool if possible. There is another small dirt parking lot a short walk from the main boat access lot (and still on the race course). It's just up the road, maybe a tenth of a mile west, from the main lot.

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