Thems The Rules!
CANAL CORRIDOR 100 MILE ENDURANCE RUN
2022 RUNNERS MANUAL V.1
Established in 2017, Canal Corridor 100 Mile Endurance Run starts and finishes in downtown Akron, Ohio and takes runners through portions of the exceptionally beautiful Towpath Trail in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Akron and Canton. The course is FAST, FLAT, SCENIC and INCLUSIVE and suitable for anyone looking to complete their first 100 miler or a seasoned ultrarunning veteran seeking to set a personal record. Aid stations are staffed by experienced ultra runners who know how to cater to the needs of endurance athletes.
Running Forward, Giving Back and Run To Share, two Ohio 501(c)(3) nonprofits, host and manage high-quality running events to organize the community around giving back to the people and places of Northeast Ohio. Our motto is run hard, be thankful, give more than you take.
Our events encourage runners from all over the map to experience the outdoors in a supportive, encouraging social setting while feeding the local economy and giving back to local nonprofits. Through our events just in the last year, we have contributed over $50,000 of funds to the following small, local charities:
Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition
Summit Metroparks Foundation
Cleveland Metroparks Trails Fund
Medina Battered Women’s Shelter
Girls With Sole
Conservancy for Cuyahoga National Park
Bath Parks
Canalway Partners
Edwins Leadership & Restaurant Institute
Bessie’s Angels
East Cleveland Park Association
Running2bWell
Herren Project
Feeding Medina County
Friends of Crowell Hilaka
Running Dog
Stark Parks
Our races feature the quality of a for-profit event (chip race timing, certification and sanctioning, race directing and volunteer staffing, runner support and aid, medical and therapeutic services, race swag) coupled with the unrelenting mission to build up those in the worst conditions and situations among us within Northeast Ohio. In addition, we strive to highlight local, small businesses along the routes of our races.
RULE #1: NO HATE
Seriously. There are a bunch of rules we have to abide by to keep this event safe and smooth, but the most important one is that we expect that no one involved with our race will communicate hate or act on hate. This is a race intended to be about community. We love you all. We hope that you will treat others and yourself with the same love and respect.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The start/finish line is at Missing Falls Brewery in downtown Akron, Ohio. The course runs along The Towpath Trail following the Ohio & Erie Canalway. The Towpath is a crushed limestone trail that yields to asphalt or concrete walkway and wooden bridges. The start is in downtown Akron, Ohio and runners will travel south on the Towpath to the Crystal Springs Trailhead just south of Canal Fulton, totaling 23.8 miles, then you will return north and head into the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. You can obtain aid from the start/finish line – mile 47.37 - and at your closely-parked car at this point as well. After departing the Missing Falls Brewery aid station the second time, runners will head north on The Towpath through the Summit Metroparks and into the Cuyahoga Valley National Park all the way to the Canal Exploration Center in Valley View before turning around to return to Akron, Ohio. There are aid stations approximately every 5-7 miles apart throughout the course.
NO REFUNDS, DEFERRALS OR BIB TRANSFERS
We recognize that things come up before race day that cause you to look for options for refunds, deferrals or bib transfers. Our policy is that we don’t allow refunds or deferrals, but you may transfer your bib on ultrasignup. Otherwise, if you’ve registered, it’s your responsibility to make it to the start line and give it a go. We don’t want to make case-by-case determinations about these things.
PACKET PICKUP, PARKING & THE STARTING LINE
Packet pickup will be held on Friday, October 7th from 3:00pm-8:00pm at Missing Falls Aid Station (the brewery parking lot will be occupied for setup of our start/finish line, but you’re welcome to check out the Brewery and get some photos at the start line!), 520 S Main St, Suite 2511-24, Akron, OH 44311 (Canal Place) – follow the signs to the Missing Falls aid station (you can use Summit Sports & Social or the address above in your GPS).
The start line and associated parking is at the same location as packet pickup. The start line will be right in front of Missing Falls, 540 S. Main Street, Suite 112, Akron, OH 44311. We’ll have people directing traffic starting at 5:30am before the race.
Drop bags must be brought either to packet pickup on October 7th OR by 6:00am on race morning. It is your responsibility to place you drop bag on the tarp outside by the volleyball courts labeled “Canal Fulton,” “Boston Store,” or “Missing Falls.”
We’ll have a mass start right at 7:00am. You’ll have 30 hours to complete the race.
AID STATIONS
Full service aid stations will typically include Heed, water, Coke, ginger ale, 7up, Mtn. Dew, orange juice, ice, Hammer Nutrition gels (tropical, espresso available after mile 50) and Spring (Long Haul and Awesome Sauce, Speednut w/ caffeine after mile 50), PB&J, bananas, oranges, watermelon, M&Ms, chips, pretzels, salted potatoes, fruit cups, peanuts, jelly beans, pickles, mini Paydays, and fig newtons. After 6:00pm, we’ll have ramen, coffee and other hot foods for nighttime fueling. All full aid stations will have menstrual products (tampons and pads) on the table for any runner or pacer in need. Each fully manned aid station will also have Hammer Nutrition endurolytes available. Please bring your own collapsible cup, handheld or bladder for hydration.
AID STATION DESCRIPTIONS
MANCHESTER ROAD TRAILHEAD: Mile 4.5 and 43.1.
Amenities: unstaffed water drop, restroom, crew access
Coordinates: 41.0236, -81.55072
Address: 2740 Manchester Road, Akron, OH 44314
WOLF CREEK: Mile 8.8 and 38.9
Amenities: full aid, restroom, crew access
Coordinates: 41.003814, -81.607699
Address: 33 Snyder Ave, Barberton, OH 44203
VANDERHOOF ROAD TRAILHEAD: Mile 10.9 and 36.5.
Amenities: unmanned water drop, restroom, crew access
Coordinates: 40.97811, -81.60534
Address: 2445 Vanderhoof Road, New Franklin, OH 44203
FRANKLIN: Mile 13.5 and 34.2
Amenities: full aid, restroom, crew access
Coordinates: 40.947637, -81.617644
Address: 2328 Center Rd, New Franklin, OH 44216
CANAL FULTON – ST. HELENA’S: Mile 19 and 28.7
Amenities: full aid, restroom, crew access, drop bag access, timing mat
Coordinates: 40.88777, -81.59698
Address: 123 Tuscarawas St NW, Canal Fulton, OH 44614
Please note that parking may be difficult during the day because a kids soccer event is happening in St. Helena Heritage Park on Saturday!
CRYSTAL SPRINGS: Mile 23.8 – Southern TURNAROUND!
Amenities: full aid, restroom, crew access
Coordinates: 40.846238, -81.537079
Address: 4503 Erie Ave NW, Canal Fulton, OH 44614
MISSING FALLS BREWERY: Mile 0, 47.5 and 100
Amenities: full aid, restroom, crew access, pacer access for runners headed north, access to your parked car, drop bag access, timing mat at aid station(!)
Cutoff: 9:20 pm (runners headed north)
Coordinates: 41.0705, -81.52658
Address: Canal Place, 540 S Main St #112, Akron, OH 44311
MEMORIAL PARKWAY TRAILHEAD: Mile 50.5 and 97
Amenities: full aid, restroom, crew access, pacer access for runners in both directions
Coordinates: 41.10433, -81.5281
Address: 499 Memorial Parkway, Akron, OH 44310
SECOND SOLE AKRUN: Mile 53.5 and 94.2
Amenities: full aid, crew access, pacer access for runners in both directions, portapotty
Cutoffs: 11:15 am (runners headed north)
Coordinates: 41.13471, -81.54946 (note that parking and aid station are behind Second Sole Akrun)
Address: 1466 N Portage Path, Akron, OH 44313
BOTZUM: Mile 55.9 and 91.8
Amenities: unstaffed water drop, restrooms, crew access
Coordinates: 41.159215, -81.574364
Address: 2928 Riverview Rd, Akron, OH 44313
IRA TRAILHEAD: Mile 57.8 and 90
Amenities: full aid, restroom, crew access, pacer access for runners in both directions
Cutoffs: 10:00 am (runners headed south)
Coordinates: 41.18369, -81.58208
Address: 3801 Riverview Road, Peninsula, OH 44264
LOCK 29: Mile 62.45 and 85
Amenities: unstaffed water drop, restrooms (other end of parking lot), NO CREW & NO PACERS (or else!)
BOSTON STORE: Mile 64.8 and 82.8
Amenities: Full aid, restrooms, drop bags, NO CREW & NO PACERS (or else!)
Cutoff: 7:50am (runners headed south)
STATION ROAD BRIDGE: Mile 69.3 and 78.5
Amenities: Full aid, restrooms (across bridge), crew access, pick up your pacer
Coordinates: 41.31999, -81.58613
Address: 13513 Station Rd, Brecksville, OH 44141
CANAL EXPLORATION CENTER: Mile 73.8
Amenities: Full aid, restrooms, crew access, pick up your pacer
Cutoff: 5:10 am
Coordinates: 41.37262, -81.61296
Address: 7104 Canal Rd, Valley View, OH 44125
RESTROOMS
At the start line and at each fully manned aid station, there will either be a permanent restroom or a portapotties and hand washing stations devoted to the race. There are many other locations along the Towpath with permanent restroom facilities as well.
RUNNER TRACKING
Runners must wear a timing chip around their ankle, which will read their progress at Canal Fulton, the Southern Turnaround at Crystal Springs, Missing Falls, Boston Store and the Northern Turnaround at Canal Exploration Center.
DROP BAGS AND CREW
We have three drop bag locations this year, but we also encourage you to bring a crew member to assist you along the course if you have special needs related to nutrition or hydration or aid.
Drop bags must be brought either to packet pickup on October 7th OR by 6:00am on race morning. It is your responsibility to place your drop bag on the tarp by the volleyball courts at packet pickup labeled “Canal Fulton,” “Boston Store,” or “Missing Falls.”
Drop bags will be located at the following aid stations:
Canal Fulton (St. Helena)
Boston Store
Missing Falls
Please give us reasonably sized drop bags. No large coolers or bags larger than 22” in any direction. Mark your bags with your bib number in large print. We’ll organize drop bags by bib number at each drop bag location.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Packet pickup and check in at Missing Falls Brewery Aid Station (520 S. Main St, Suite 2511-24, Akron, OH 44311) on Friday October 7, 2022 from 3:00pm-8:00pm.
Race Starts at 7:00 AM on Saturday, October 8, 2022 in Akron, Ohio.
There is a 30 hour time limit.
The finish line is back in Akron, Ohio. The race ends at 1:00pm on Sunday October 9, 2022.
Friday, October 7
3:00pm – 8:00pm : Check-in & packet pickup
8:00pm: Deadline for Drop Bags
Saturday, October 8
STARTING LINE – Akron, Ohio
5:30am – 6:00am: Runner Drop Bag dropoff for Late Arrivals
7:00am SHARP: Mass Start
FINISH LINE – Missing Falls Brewery
Sunday, October 10
1:00am: Missing Falls Brewery closes for a few hours.
6:00am: Missing Falls Opens for brunch!
1:00pm: Race Closes / Awards
CUTOFF
30 hours calculated from the time you start (an 18:00 pace finishes in 30 hours). Aid stations will close at the times listed beyond this pace. If you continue on past the 30 hour cutoff pace at an aid station, you do so at your own risk and with knowledge that aid will not be available beyond the 18:00 pace/30 hour finish. If you do not finish within 30 hours, you will not receive a buckle and will receive a DNF in the official results.
DIRECTIONS TO THE START/FINISH & PARKING
The start/finish is located in the parking lot in front of Missing Falls Brewery, Canal Place, 540 S. Main Street, Suite 112, Akron, Ohio 44311. There is plenty of parking in the Canal Place complex right along our race route. We’ll be directing traffic into the parking area as early as 5:30am on race day.
From Cleveland
Take I-77 South to Main St/Broadway, Exit 22A. Turn left on Broadway. Turn left on Thornton St. Turn right on S Main St. Missing Falls Brewery is on the left.
From Youngstown, Kent and other points east
I-76 West to Main St/Broadway, Exit 22A. Exit right on to Broadway. Turn left on Thornton St. Turn right on S Main St. Missing Falls Brewery is on the left.
From Canton and points south
I-77 North to Main St/Broadway, Exit 22A. Exit right onto Broadway. Turn left on Thornton St. Turn right on S Main St. Missing Falls Brewery is on the left.
From Stow/Hudson via Route 8 South
Exit at Perkins Street. Turn right on Perkins/59. Follow to High Street and turn left. Turn right on Selle Street (go slow or you’ll miss it!). Turn left on Main Street. Continue to Missing Falls Brewery on the right.
From Medina and other points west
Take I-77 South to Main St/Broadway, Exit 22A. Turn left on Broadway. Turn left on Thornton St. Turn right on S Main St. Missing Falls Brewery is on the left.
PACERS
Runners are responsible for their pacers conduct. Only one pacer per runner at any given time. Pacers may start at mile 47.6 (Missing Falls) and every fully staffed aid station after mile 47.6 with the exception of Boston Store. Please note that the Towpath provides numerous access opportunities for pacers and crew to see their runner. However, pacers and crew may only assist their runner within 100 feet of aid stations. The Towpath is also bikeable, but runners CANNOT use a cyclist as a pacer. Note that runners may use a bicyclist as their crew. The difference is that a bicyclist acting as a pacer follows closely behind, beside or in front of their runner – this is prohibited and will result in disqualification of the runner. A bicyclist who is crewing should handle their runner within 100 feet of an aid station, but may not closely follow.
Pacers cannot start at the Lock 29 Trailhead because it is unstaffed and cannot join their runner at any unstaffed aid station. If pacers are unable to keep up with their runner for whatever reason, the pacer needs to stop at the next aid station. The race is not responsible for transporting pacers. Pacers cannot mule (carry things) for their runner. Pacers may not give their runner any aid, clothing, food, water unless it is an emergency situation, in which case the runner may be disqualified. The role of a pacer is for safety, not for aid or gaining an advantage over fellow participants. Runners are only allowed one pacer at a time. Pacers may have food at the aid stations. Pacers are expected to review, sign and submit a waiver to participate. Waivers will be available at all staffed aid stations starting at Mile 47.6.
CREW
Crew can access their runners and provide aid within 100 feet of any aid station. Crew CANNOT ride a bike alongside, closely behind or in front of their runner. Please note that there are many places along The Towpath where crew can see their runner, but only the area around the aid station is an allowable place to receive aid. A violation of these rules will result in disqualification of the runner. A Crew Guide is available.
COURSE MARKINGS
The entire course is marked in confidence blue flags with CC100 logos and surveyor ribbon attached to clothes pins or reflective hunter safety reflection pins at least every mile. If you don’t see a confidence ribbon or flag in the course of a mile, you are either off course or someone has tampered with our markings. Arrow signs with the Canal Corridor 100 logo will be placed along the course where needed. There will be a strip of reflective tape on each marker to aid you in navigating at night time. The Towpath is already well marked by permanent signage of several park systems. However, there are a few tricky spots that we’ll use signage for. Please be careful at road crossings! We will have caution signs for vehicular traffic at road crossings, but it is your responsibility to be aware of your surroundings at road crossings.
LEAVING THE COURSE
You must inform an aid station captain that you are leaving the course. No riding in cars or other means of transportation is allowed during the event. Runners must re-enter the course exactly where they left it. The parking lot at the start/finish is accessible to runners (even though off-course) at mile 47.6. Please cross the timing mat before going to your car and then re-cross on your way out to continue your race.
MAPS
The course map and aid stations are available here.
WEATHER
Daily average temperatures on October 8:
High: 66.8 Record: 88
Low: 46.8 Record: 29
Day average: 56.8
Sunrise/Sunset Times for October 8
Sunrise: 7:30 am
Sunset: 6:56 pm
LODGING
Courtyard by Marriott, Akron Downtown and Blu-tique Hotel by Marriott are the closest options to the start/finish (probably around 5 minutes away). 41 Furnace Street, Akron, OH 44308 and 1 South Main Street, Akron, OH 44308, respectively. We have a group rate of $129-149/night in both locations from October 7-9. Use these links to get the group rate: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1650916161081&key=GRP&app=resvlink
and https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1642700038397&key=GRP&app=resvlink
There’s a Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn and Sheraton within a reasonable driving distance to the start/finish as well.
LAST MINUTE SUPPLIES
Visit our sponsor Second Sole Akrun at 1466 N Portage Path, Akron, OH 44313 for nutrition, hydration and gear needs. Their staff is packed with talented runners who know The Towpath and running gear inside and out. They are also located at the Second Sole Akrun aid station location of our course and are supplying Heed hydration and all the supplies for the aid station. https://www.facebook.com/secondsoleakrun/