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PATH OF THE FLOOD HISTORIC RACES 2015
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I register for the race?
Our preferred method of registration is through the Active Network at:
https://endurancecui.active.com/event-reg/select-race?e=12661852
You can also obtain a paper registration form at the Johnstown Area Heritage Association
Discovery Center, 201 6th Avenue, Johnstown, PA 15906; via email through Melody Tisinger at
[email protected] or phone at 814-539-1889 x315
Where is packet pick-up and when?
Packet pick-up will be Thursday, May 21 and Friday, May 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the
Peoples Natural Gas Park Oilhouse, 90 Johns Street, Johnstown, PA 15901.
May 23 Day of the Race packet pick-up will be at the same location starting at 5:30 a.m.
What happens if I entered and cannot participate?
There are no medical comps, rollovers, nor registration transfers. You may contact the Race
Director at [email protected] if you find that you need to change the distance of
race that you signed up for.
Can I register Day-of-Race?
There will no day-of registrations. This is due to the logistics and planning required for bussing
participants to the race start points and to ensure that all participants receive their goodies.
Can someone else pick up my packet?
Yes. They will need to provide your confirmation print out or a note signed by you giving them
permission to pick up your packet for you.
Will there be a pre-race dinner?
Yes. There will be a pre-race pasta dinner and race briefing Friday, May 22nd at the Peoples
Natural Gas Park Oilhouse from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. for a nominal fee.
What will you have as premium for the runners?
High quality technical short sleeve shirts for all participants and volunteers that will be unique
for each race, Souvenir pint glass for all finishers (with one free drink of choice courtesy of Vons
Beverage), Awards for top finishers, a great tour through Johnstown history, and a fun-filled
post-race party at Peoples Natural Gas Park.
The Course
Where can I find a course map?
Maps can be interactively viewed online:
5K - http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6296256
10K - http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6495129
Half Marathon - http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6296244
Although water always flows downhill and all three courses overall descend from their
respective starting points, there are ascents on each course that will have to be negotiated.
How are the races being timed?
Chip Timing for all three races is being provided by PA Runners, Integrity Sports.
Can I walk the course?
Yes, but if you opt to walk the half marathon course, you must be prepared to self-support. Aid
stations and traffic controls will remain in place to support a 15:00/mile. Anything slower than
that will not be guaranteed on course support.
What are good locations for spectators and cheering?
Spectators who wish to watch the start of the Half Marathon can purchase a bus ticket for
$10.00 (children 10 and under are free) to ride to the start line with your runner, receive a
return trip to the finish area and also receive a ticket for one free drink at the post-race party.
As the course traverses many of the communities affected by the 1889 flood, cheering from
along the course should be easy. Remember that traffic controls in place for the event may slow
or delay your moving around in the areas of downtown Johnstown during the race. Franklin
Borough offers a spot to see all three race distances.
Will there be medical professionals available?
Yes. There will be EMT support near just prior to Mile 6 of the Half Marathon (near the start of
the 10K course) at the Staple Bend Tunnel parking lot. There will also be EMT/medical support
at the race finish.
Will there be aid stations along the course?
Half Marathon. There will be water, replenisher and gels available at the starting area plus five
water/aid stations with porta-johns along the course. These will be at the Start area, Mile 3
South Fork, Mile 6 Staple Bend Tunnel, Mile 8 Tunnel exit, Mile 10 Franklin Ballfield, and Mile 12
Woodvale. They will provide water, replenisher, gels, and light snacks.
10K. There will be water, replenisher and gels available at the bus drop off point (Staple Bend
Tunnel parking lot) as well as porta-johns. This is approximately 0.9 mile from the official 10K
start. There will be additional water/aid stations at Mile 1.5 Tunnel exit, Mile 3.0 Franklin
Ballfield, and Mile 5.3 Woodvale. They will provide water, replenisher, gels and light snacks.
5K. There will be water, replenisher, and gels available at the starting area with porta-johns.
There will be one additional water/aid station at Mile 2 Woodvale with water, replenisher, gels
and light snacks.
Will the course be marked?
Yes. There will be markers at each mile along the route. The course is fairly intuitive but we will
have guides for traffic control and painted marks for “steering” at the few points that they are
required.
What is the course terrain and surface like?
The 5K is all on paved surface and flat except for a short section along State Route 271 that
climbs the Col. Tominac Bridge into Woodvale.
The 10K starts on the crushed gravel (rails to trails) surface of the Staple Bend Tunnel trail and
remains on this surface until nearing the halfway point. The remainder of the course is described
above for the 5K.
The half marathon course is roughly a fifty-fifty combination of paved road and crushed gravel
(rails to trails) surfaces. Although the flood waters of the Little Conemaugh all ran “downhill,”
there will be portions of the course that will offer ascents – most notably the first two miles of
the course into and around South Fork, PA.
Where can I learn history of the course to make my experience greater?
The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough is the most comprehensive book on the 1889 flood.
Also visit the following sites:
www.nps.gov/jofl/
www.jaha.org/FloodMuseum/history.html
Race Day
How do I get to the Starting Line?
All participants will park in designated lots near the finish area. There is no parking available at
any of the race starts. Participants will be bussed to their appropriate starting area, commencing
approximately 6:15 a.m. Bussing will be adjusted based on the number of participants and may
be continuous shuttle service until 15 minutes prior to the 8:00 a.m. start time or single wave
departure. Local participants who are able to coordinate a drop-off at their race start area may
do so, as long as the driver knows they will not be able to park there.
Will there be somewhere for me to leave gear to be retrieved post-race?
Yes. There will be a designated indoor area at Peoples Natural Gas Park (race finish area) for
participants to leave gear they would like to have following their event. There will also be
designated drop off points at each race start area for gear that you would like delivered to the
finish area. Please mark your gear appropriately so it can be quickly returned to you.
Post-Race Activities?
Runners and their supporters are invited to enjoy the music, food, and beverages following the
race at the finish area in Peoples Natural Gas Park.
Are there showers available?
Runners will be able to use the Johnstown YMCA shower facilities at 100 Haynes Street,
Johnstown, PA 15901. This is just under one mile from the race finish area. You will be required
to show your race bib for admittance.
Awards?
Although we view this race as an opportunity to recreate a piece of Johnstown and national
history, there will be an award ceremony at Peoples Natural Gas Park following each race. A
local artisan will be creating the awards that will be presented to the top three male and female
winners of each race.
Can I…?
Wear an MP3 player? Yes, but please do so as to not pose a safety risk to yourself or others.
There are portions along the Path of the Flood Trail that do not have cellular coverage – be
prepared to “lose your groove” if you are streaming your music!
Use a baby jogger/stroller? Yes, on the 5K course only. These modes of conveyance will not be
allowed on either the 10K or Half Marathon course as the terrain does not support their safe
use.
Volunteer to help on race day? Yes, volunteers are greatly appreciated and are the backbone of
a successful event. Please contact JAHA at 814-539-1889 x315 to sign up.