Run for the Road vs Vulture Bait

[Andes]

I really want to do a 25K trail race this fall - which is a better experience in your opinion? I would probably be crazy to go with the Toad since I am running the STWM half the week before, but I keep getting intrigued by the hype.

Are both courses doable for beginners? My point of comparison is Hilton Falls - how much harder are these courses? Based on looking at finishing times I am assuming that I could be adding 1 min/km to my road half marathon time. Thank you in advance for any info or advice you can provide!

[bruyere]

I really want to do a 25K trail race this fall - which is a better experience in your opinion? I would probably be crazy to go with the Toad since I am running the STWM half the week before, but I keep getting intrigued by the hype.

Are both courses doable for beginners? My point of comparison is Hilton Falls - how much harder are these courses? Based on looking at finishing times I am assuming that I could be adding 1 min/km to my road half marathon time. Thank you in advance for any info or advice you can provide!

The Toad is sold out now, so that might help your decision.

[Andes]

I really want to do a 25K trail race this fall - which is a better experience in your opinion? I would probably be crazy to go with the Toad since I am running the STWM half the week before, but I keep getting intrigued by the hype.

Are both courses doable for beginners? My point of comparison is Hilton Falls - how much harder are these courses? Based on looking at finishing times I am assuming that I could be adding 1 min/km to my road half marathon time. Thank you in advance for any info or advice you can provide!

The Toad is sold out now, so that might help your decision.

True, but there are bibs available from other runners.

[bruyere]

I really want to do a 25K trail race this fall - which is a better experience in your opinion? I would probably be crazy to go with the Toad since I am running the STWM half the week before, but I keep getting intrigued by the hype.

Are both courses doable for beginners? My point of comparison is Hilton Falls - how much harder are these courses? Based on looking at finishing times I am assuming that I could be adding 1 min/km to my road half marathon time. Thank you in advance for any info or advice you can provide!

The Toad is sold out now, so that might help your decision.

True, but there are bibs available from other runners.

Ah. Cool. I thought they didn't allow that for this race. Guess I didn't help your decision then!

If it helps any... I did my first 50K in Portland this year and I found it quite easy. I have been told that the Toad is an easier race. (I've never done it, so I have no clue for sure, but that's what I've been told...)

[Andes]

I really want to do a 25K trail race this fall - which is a better experience in your opinion? I would probably be crazy to go with the Toad since I am running the STWM half the week before, but I keep getting intrigued by the hype.

Are both courses doable for beginners? My point of comparison is Hilton Falls - how much harder are these courses? Based on looking at finishing times I am assuming that I could be adding 1 min/km to my road half marathon time. Thank you in advance for any info or advice you can provide!

The Toad is sold out now, so that might help your decision.

True, but there are bibs available from other runners.

Ah. Cool. I thought they didn't allow that for this race. Guess I didn't help your decision then!

If it helps any... I did my first 50K in Portland this year and I found it quite easy. I have been told that the Toad is an easier race. (I've never done it, so I have no clue for sure, but that's what I've been told...)

Heh heh - I hope one day I will be able to tell stories about a 50K trail race that I found "quite easy", but I definitely have some training to do first! Thanks for the input.

[rune163]

I really want to do a 25K trail race this fall - which is a better experience in your opinion? I would probably be crazy to go with the Toad since I am running the STWM half the week before, but I keep getting intrigued by the hype.

Are both courses doable for beginners? My point of comparison is Hilton Falls - how much harder are these courses? Based on looking at finishing times I am assuming that I could be adding 1 min/km to my road half marathon time. Thank you in advance for any info or advice you can provide!

The Toad is sold out now, so that might help your decision.

True, but there are bibs available from other runners.

don't think they allow bib transfers though. they never have in years past...

[bruyere]

I really want to do a 25K trail race this fall - which is a better experience in your opinion? I would probably be crazy to go with the Toad since I am running the STWM half the week before, but I keep getting intrigued by the hype.

Are both courses doable for beginners? My point of comparison is Hilton Falls - how much harder are these courses? Based on looking at finishing times I am assuming that I could be adding 1 min/km to my road half marathon time. Thank you in advance for any info or advice you can provide!

The Toad is sold out now, so that might help your decision.

True, but there are bibs available from other runners.

don't think they allow bib transfers though. they never have in years past...

Ah. So I did hear or read that...

[Cupcake Girl]

Bib: If you don't care about your name being associated with your finish time, buy a bib. However, your finish time will be credited to the original bib owner.

Vulture Bait vs Toad: I did the training run earlier this year for the Toad and ironically, the Vulture Bait people were there. I asked the exact same question and they said VB was WAY easier.

Hope that helps.
Sandy

[MINITEE]

Toad allows bib transfers, as long as you do it well before the race. Rabid bought an RM bib last year and we had no problems changing it.

George & Peggy are pretty accommodating, as long as you are reasonable about your request

[Mid_Packer]

I've never done a trail race before, but have signed up for Toad based on all of the prior year reports. Did the training run in July, only had enough time for 1.5 loops. I do zero training on hills---no hill in sight in my area--but did not find the slight rolling hills of Toad to be too hard, with the exception of the one that is short but very steep---very much light climbing 2 flights of stairs.

Really enjoyed the training run, but the humidity was taking its toll on me. I was soaking wet at though I just got out of the pool.

Don't have any trail shoes and felt that the terrain didn't requie them, however my group (none of who have ever done a trail race), all agree that it would be quite different if it was wet/muddy/splippery --we were fortunate for the July run , the rain came after the event and not before.

Would consider vulture as a follow up to toad, assuming toad went ok but vulture timing conflicts with my fall marathon.

If you haven't done a trail race, then you should mark your calendar for a a follow up in about January to register for toad. One advantage of toad over vulture is that it is 4 loops of 12.5 whereas vulture si 2 loops of 25. Prior to sigining up for fall marathon I had considered racing 2 loops of toad, remove chip and then if all was feeling ok, would run a 3rd loop easy as a way to wrok my way up towards an future 50k.

dave

[Andes]

Mid_Packer, that's a great idea on trying out 3 loops of the toad to test a longer distance. I will think about that for next year - thanks!

With respect to the bib issue, it sounds like the race organizers are ok with people transferring bibs, but they will not change the registration to update the participant name. Not a deal breaker, but it is something to factor in.

[jonovision_man]

Does VB sell out? I'm considering it as a post-Ironman thing, but don't want to commit until I know how I feel.

jono

[Doonst]

Does VB sell out? I'm considering it as a post-Ironman thing, but don't want to commit until I know how I feel.

jono

No, I don't think it ever has. There is a limit of 300, last year 200 runners did it total of 25 and 50 K.

[jonovision_man]

Does VB sell out? I'm considering it as a post-Ironman thing, but don't want to commit until I know how I feel.

jono

No, I don't think it ever has. There is a limit of 300, last year 200 runners did it total of 25 and 50 K.

Great, thanks. Very much looking forward to trying it, if my body is able!

jono