Alley Loop 2021 FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

about the 2021 Alley Loop Nordic Marathon

This is a work in progress, and changes weekly (sometimes daily!) as conditions shift around the community, state, and country. Please check back in regularly to see if anything new comes up!

Racer Manual

  • WHY DO YOU THINK THIS EVENT IS FEASIBLE AND REASONABLE DURING A PANDEMIC?

    The state of Colorado recognizes that we are “Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors.” We believe we can mitigate the start, finish, aid stations, and all other aspects of our race so that participants can experience an athletic competition in the “Vast, Great Outdoors.” Many features of the Alley Loop make it conducive, or easily adapted, to social distancing:

    • No spectatorship permitted at Start, Finish or along course.
    • Rolling start windows eliminate gathering at Start.
    • Races are spread out over multiple days, so racers will not intersect with each other as in the past.
    • Relatively small size of racer field < 250 participants in each race distance.
    • Long distances and wide trails allow for a great deal of spacing along the course and naturally creates a trickle of racers at the finish line.

    We are further implementing additional measures to promote social distancing and hygiene:

    • Athlete health screening at bib pick-up.
    • Multiple bib pick-up times/locations, all outdoors.
    • Virtual awards ceremony
    • Virtual kids races
    • Social distancing measures will be maintained from bib-pick up to finish line.
    • Mask wearing required at Start & Finish venues.

    We’ve drafted modified event operation plans in compliance with county Public Health guidelines for allowable event sizes at Blue and Yellow risk levels. These plans will have been thoroughly reviewed and approved by these agencies before our events are permitted to take place.

  • WILL ATHLETE HEALTH BE SCREENED PRIOR TO THE RACE?

    In the week leading up to the event, athletes will be encourage to pre-screen themselves using the online CDC Self-Checker, to help guide them in deciding whether it is appropriate to attend races.

    Upon arrival at bib pick-up prior to the race, every athlete will be screened with the following Health Questionnaire. Any athlete answering Yes to a screening question will be disqualified from racing.

  • IF THE EVENT IS CANCELLED, WHY CAN’T I GET A 100% REFUND, OR DEFER MY ENTRY?

    Event Cancellation Disclaimer:

    In the event that county, or municipal special event permits are revoked leading to cancellation of Alley Loop events, Crested Butte Nordic will furnish the following percentage refund, based upon the date your registration was submitted.

    Registration made BEFORE January 23rd – 85% Refund
    Registration made AFTER January 23rd – 70% Refund

    If you choose to self-withdraw from competition for any reason, you may submit a request for partial refund at the same percentage refund stated above.

    SUBMIT REFUND REQUEST 

    Just so you know, behind the scenes, we maintain a planning apparatus to produce your race experience. Some of the costs we incur include:

    • Year-Round Race Director Salary
    • Marketing & Promotion Spend
    • Liability Insurance Premium
    • Venue & Course Equipment Assets
    • Equipment Storage Facility
    • Vehicle Registration & Maintenance
    • Permit Fees (multiple jurisdictions)

    Please refer to this article, “Here’s What Race Directors Want You to Know About Canceled Races”, for so many things we wish we could say.

  • WHAT'S YOUR REFUND POLICY IF I SELF-WITHDRAW?

    In the event that county, or municipal special event permits are revoked leading to cancellation of Alley Loop events, Crested Butte Nordic will furnish the following percentage refund, based upon the date your registration was submitted.

    Registration made BEFORE January 23rd – 85% Refund
    Registration made AFTER January 23rd – 70% Refund

    If you choose to self-withdraw from competition for any reason, you may submit a request for partial refund at the same percentage refund stated above.

    SUBMIT REFUND REQUEST 

  • HOW DO YOU SPECTATE THE 2021 ALLEY LOOP?

    Spectatorship of the 2021 Alley Loop is discouraged. Spectators are prohibited at the start and finish. If you’d like to see parts of the race, the best way to do so is to volunteer to work an aid station. The second best way is to go out skiing on the trails. Please cede the trail to racers and purchase a day pass, but otherwise enjoy the trails. Please remember, there is no walking, biking, or dogs on the majority of the Alley Loop courses.

    All Gunnison County COVID recommendations and rules apply, including “personal gatherings limited to 10 people or 2 households.”

  • HOW WILL THE KIDS 1K & 3K RACES WORK?

    Youth 1K & 3K competitions will be held in a virtual race format this year.

    Racers may submit as many results as they desire within the competition window – Thursday (2/4) Noon to Sunday (2/7) 3:00 PM.

    How to Participate:

    • Register to receive a bib number.
    • Familiarize yourself with the race course.
      • Flagged course starts/finishes at the Nordic Center, 620 Second St.
      • 1.5K = 1 lap & 3K = 2 laps
      • Locate Start / Finish line in front of CB Nordic Center.
    • Race the course! Have a parent clock your time.
    • Submit your result to a staff member at the CB Nordic Center – Front Window.
    • Race standings will be tabulated throughout the weekend, with leaderboards displayed at the Nordic Center.
    • Collect a Finisher Medal! These will be distributed at the CB Nordic Center – Front Window.
    • Watch Virtual Award Ceremony (Facebook Live) – Sunday (2/7), 4:00 PM to see if you won a top finisher award.

  • HOW DO THE ROLLING START WINDOWS WORK?

    No mass starts will be performed for 2021 Alley Loop events. All competitions will be self-initiated in a Rolling Start format. Athletes must begin their race by skiing across the start timing line anytime within the appointed start window outlined below. 5K competitors must conclude their course by 2:00 PM.

    Start Line Procedure
    Racers arriving to the start venue will ideally access Elk Avenue at 2nd Street. Once skis are affixed, proceed immediately up Elk Avenue to 1st Street, where the Start Timing Line will be demarcated. Your race clock automatically begins when you cross this line. DO NOT DELAY or CONGREGATE during the rolling start period on Elk Avenue.

    *** Pre-Race Warm Up Notice ***
    No warm-up is permitted anywhere on course prior to your race, including no warm-up on Elk Avenue. We suggest pre-race warm up exercises be performed on either Ruthie’s Run, or Town Ranch trails prior to your event.

  • CAN I PARTICIPATE IN MORE THAN ONE EVENT DURING THE WEEKEND?

    Yes! You can be a SUPER LOOPER and do all 4 events (41K, 21K, 10K, and 5K). If you’re a real die-hard you can jump into the 1K & 3K races, but those are really for kids. You could also mix and match. We’re working on some special award for you folks that are this special kind of crazy . . . stay tuned.

  • WHEN DO I HAVE TO WEAR A MASK?

    You need to wear a mask any time you are not skiing and within 6 feet of other folks. Masks are mandatory at bib pick-up and in the area outside the Nordic Center. Masks are also required on Elk Avenue (outdoors) and inside any business.

  • HOW WILL I FIND OUT MY TIME/PLACE AND IF I WON SOMETHING?

    Live results will be immediately viewable on the SportsStats web page.

    We will have a Facebook Live Awards Ceremony for the 21K and 42K on Saturday, 2/6 at 5 p.m.

    We will have a Facebook Live Awards Ceremony for the 5K, 10K, 1K, & 3K on Sunday, 2/7 at 4 p.m.

    A raffle drawing for all registered participants will be held in conjunction with Saturday’s award presentation.
    Raffle prizes will be drawn based on randomly chosen bib numbers.  A list of drawn bib numbers will be published post raffle.

    Event Awards & Raffle Prizes may be claimed at the Crested Butte Nordic Center during normal business hours. Awards will not be mailed.

  • WILL THERE STILL BE A COSTUME CONTEST?

    Yes! The 2021 Alley Loop Costume Contest is ON! With races all spread out, procedures are different this year. Your job? Create the best costume you can and ski your heart out. Our job? We’ll be snapping pics of adult racers on course and of kids when they finish their virtual races at the Nordic Center. Then, our judges will cull through their photos to choose their top pics. We’ll post photos to our social media so you can partake in the fun. You can post your costume to social media, too, by tagging @cbnordic and using the hashtag #AlleyLoop2021. Costume Awards will be presented at the Virtual Awards Ceremony on Facebook Live on Sunday at 4 p.m.