2019 Brown Mountain Sporadically Annual Christmas Run

Please join the JPL running club for the not Always Annual Christmas run:

When: Tuesday December 24, 2019, starting at 11:45am, bring your own water
Where: Meet at the JPL East Gate starting at 11:30
What: 6+ possible distances and elevation gains to choose from (see below).
Who: JPL runners, old and new.
Questions: contact Run Coordinator (aka "race director") Melora Larson

The Brown Mountain Christmas Run is held almost entirely on dirt roads in the hills northeast of the Lab. You can run as far as you want, depending on where you decide to turn back. There is more than 2000 ft of elevation gain and loss if one runs the entire course, but there are much shorter and easier options for less gung-ho runners, runners nursing an injury, or for walkers. There is no water, shade or bathrooms along the route, and it can be it is forecast to be cold, and might also be rainy - so prepare accordingly. The course starts just outside the gate and stays entirely off-Lab, so you don't need to be a JPLer to join in. Mountain bikers and walkers are welcome to tag along, as are well-behaved dogs or other four-legged friends. All (human) participants should register in advance and sign a waiver to comply with JPL's insurance rules. Download waiver here.

Some of the more popular possible turn around points / run options are described below:

Brown Mountain Road (the traditional Christmas Run challenge) note RT distances are 1.4 miles shorter than some previous years due to starting at the East Gate:

Turnaround Point	R/T Distance from East Gate	R/T Distance on Brown Mtn Rd	R/T Elevation Gain/Loss
The Antenna	2.9 mi	1.5 mi	500 ft
Hairpin Curve at Powerlines	4.0 mi	2.6 mi	800 ft
The Saddle	6.8 mi	5.4 mi	1300 ft
Millard Campground	11 mi	9.6 mi	1900 ft
Top of Chaney Trail	12 mi	10.6 mi	2200 ft
Top Of Brown Mnt Rd	12+ mi	~10.7 mi	2000+ ft ("all" up)

There is no water, shade or bathrooms along the route, and it is currently forecasted to be cool - so prepare accordingly.

Meet at the East Gate at 11:30 am and bring some water.

The Logistics:

This is a run, not a race. You won't have the usual amenities, such as water, timing, or Running Club volunteers at the finish or along the course.

Unattended operation:

The Running Club is organizing the start of this run, but after that you're on their own.
No one from the Running Club will be waiting for you at the finish. No one will be posted at critical junctions to give directions.
We ask that participating runners stay in groups as much as practical. You're not competing with anyone, so take the time to socialize.
For safety's sake, we ask that participating runners perform the function of "trail sweep" (see further instructions below);

Registration and sign-in

Despite the unattended nature of this run, we still want to know in advance who's planning to run. So please confirm your participation by email, including your intended route option and a very rough estimate of your speed or time for your route.
To comply with JPL's requirements, everyone will have to sign a standard Running Club waiver (download waiver here). Sign it, scan it, and email it before the 24th.

Trail Sweep and other safety issues

Trail sweep function (make sure the last runner isn't left out on the course alone)
The general rule that everyone should follow is "don't let the last runner come back alone".
If you're the slowest runner, you should be aware of which other runners are running ahead of you along the road that you've selected, and turn around soon enough that you won't be the last one returning all by yourself.
If you're not the slowest runner, you should take responsibility for accompanying the last runner back. For example, you might accompany the slower runner for the entire route. Or you can run ahead and wait at the turnaround point, and accompany the slower runner downhill from there. Or you can start to return, and then after you meet up with the slower runner still on his/her way uphill, you can retrace your steps to the turnaround before finally returning downhill for good.
The faster runners can time-share trail sweep responsibilities. The only requirement is to not leave a lone runner out on the course after everyone else has finished. So always be aware of who's still out there, which route they're taking, and where they plan to turn around.