2023 FAQ – Most Common Questions

  1. What actions do I have to take to register for this event if I had previously registered for 2020?
  2. What is the refund policy this year?
  3. Can I transfer my event distance in 2022 from what I registered for in 2020? Is there a fee associated with this?
  4. Is COVID still a factor?
  5. What are the enhanced cleaning policies in place?
  6. Will there still be a fabulous lunch as in previous years?

1. What actions do I have to take to register for this event if I had previously registered for 2020? This will only be permitted IF you had contacted katherine@thelimberlostchallenge.com prior to the 2022 event. If that is the case, an email will be sent to you with a deferral code to sign up for 2023. There will be no further extensions from 2020 allowed for the race after this year.

2. What is the refund policy this year? Should we have to cancel the event, Free Deferral to the next in person event will be offered. However, there are no refunds available if participants wish to cancel their registration.

3. Can I transfer my event distance in 2022 from what I registered for in 2020? Is there a fee associated with this? Yes, you can transfer your registration to another event distance. The transfer fee will be $5.00 plus the difference between the event prices based on the price of the event on the date you wish to transfer to. No refunds are available should you choose an event that has a lower fee. **You will have to make this change directly on the race roster website in your own race roster account**.

4. Is Covid still a factor? We will continue to follow all restrictions that the Simcoe-Muskoka District Health unit requires on the day of the event.

5. What are the enhanced cleaning policies in place? The porta potties will be cleaned midday on event day. Additional hand sanitizer will be available throughout the day at various locations.

6. Will there still be a fabulous lunch as in previous years? Lunch will be available this year yes. However, we have made a change to how we offer lunch due to the large amount of waste we have experienced and the increased costs of goods. During your registration you will be asked to indicate if you want lunch at the cost of $15 per wrap. These delicious and nutritious wraps are made locally at the Muskoka North Good Food Coop. Deadline to order wraps will be June 30, 2023 (you must register by then).

General FAQ

  1. Is there a cap on registrations? May I register on race day?
  2. Where is the race kit and bib pickup?
  3. May I camp there?
  4. May I drive my vehicle on Reserve roads?
  5. I have not registered. Can I run TLC as an unofficial entrant?
  6. Is TLC walker friendly?
  7. What timing system will you be using?
  8. Will there be an early start for slower runners?
  9. Does everyone start their race at the same time?
  10. Will the course be closed to traffic?
  11. What are the locations of the Aid Stations?
  12. What are the locations of the porta-potties?
  13. Are the trails flat and smooth?
  14. Will there be bugs?
  15. What about bears?
  16. What is the scenery like?
  17. What if it rains. Is there a rain date?
  18. Can I have support on the course?
  19. Is there a cut-off time?
  20. What if I have to dropout?
  21. What do I do if I get injured?
  22. Are the results posted at the start/finish on race day?
  23. Is there real food after the race?
  24. I am entered in the race, but recently suffered an injury. Can I defer my entry until next year or give it to someone else this year?
  25. Does TLC have any affiliations with charities?
  26. I would love to help out. Do you need volunteers?
  27. Are dogs allowed on the Reserve?
  28. Are there finisher medals and awards?
  29. Is there a cut-off date for race t-shirts?
  30. What are the age limits for the event?

1. Is there a cap on registrations?  There is no cap! Online registration closes on Thursday July 5th, 2023 at 11:59PM.  We will not be offering race day registration. You can still make a change to your distance however we will not be giving out new bibs (so you run with the original bib colour as per the race you originally signed up for).

2. Where is the race kit and bib pickup? Race kit pickup is between 6:30am and 8:30am on Saturday July 8th at the Start/Finish line.

3. May I camp there? Basic camping is available on both Friday and Saturday nights. There is one camping area. We will supply drinking water and porta potties, however there will be no hydro and no firepits. Camping is $20 per person per night for adults, payable on registration. Children under 16 are free. You may swim at the beach on Clear Lake if you wish. Note – this is the only beach that participants and spectators may swim at. Please note our Dog Policy.

4. May I drive my vehicle on Reserve roads? To keep congestion down to a minimum we ask that you do not drive your vehicle on any of the Reserve roads. This applies to spectators also. They may walk or mountain bike if they wish.

5. I have not registered. May I run in TLC as an unofficial entrant? No. For safety reasons we need to know who is on the course.

6. Is TLC walker friendly? Yes it is. You may register for the 7k or 14k races, and walk the course. Leave plenty of room for the runners to pass you. Walkers will also receive a t-shirt (if you sign up before June 1st). As it will take you longer to get to the aid stations, we suggest that you carry lots of fluids.

7. What timing system will you be using? We will be using CHIP timing for all the races.

8. Will there be an early start for slower runners? There will be no earlier start for slower runners.

9. Does everyone start their race at the same time? Starts will be staggered as follows: 56km/42 km-8:00am, 28km-8:10am, 14km (Wave 1-8:20am, Wave 2-8:30am, Wave 3-8:40am). 7km begins at 9:00am and may include a wave start if numbers warrant. Pre-Race Instructions for 14-56 km events will be at 7:30 a.m. Pre-Race Instructions for 7 km event will be at 8:50 a.m. We will send out the 14km runners in 3 waves to minimize congestion. You may enter any of these waves as all results will be combined to determine award winners.

10. Will the course be closed to traffic? No. You can expect vehicles on any of the roads. None of the road sections are heavily travelled and we will have signs to warn motorists of your presence.

11. What are the locations of the Aid Stations? Full aid stations are at 4.4 kms, 11.4 kms and the Start/Finish. There will also be a water only aid station at 9.2 kms at Buck Lake. The fully stocked aid stations will have electrolyte, water, pop, sweet & salty snacks, fruit and ice. There will also be an aid station for the 7 km runners at the 2.2 km mark.

PLEASE NOTE: As in the past at the TLC there will be no cups provided. You must bring your own. Our friendly volunteers will help you fill your cup or bottle. We have enjoyed a clean race every year so please help us continue that reputation by not littering. Thank you. Please, no littering on the course. The usual and necessary rule is ‘If you litter, you will be disqualified‘.

12. What are the locations of the portapotties? There will be plenty of porta-potties on site: At the start/finish area, the camping area and at each of the aid stations.

13. Are the trails flat and smooth? Not really. It is a rolling course and for most of it you are either going up or down. Most of the trails provide good footing and plenty of room for passing. Some have rocks and roots. There are a few creek crossings and likely some mud in other areas. The nimble should stay dry! Limberlost is considered one of the more challenging courses in the Ontario Ultra Series. When deciding which race to enter, we suggest that you keep that in mind.

14. Will there be bugs? Probably – but you can outrun them!

15. What about bears? Wildlife do their best to avoid contact with humans. Once the race starts it is unlikely that you will see anything bigger than a squirrel.

16. What is the scenery like? Phenomenal. Words can’t describe it.

17. What if it rains? Is there a rain date? There is no rain date.

18. Can I have support on the course? As it is a 14km loop with three aid stations it is probably not necessary to have a support crew out there. Sorry, no pacing. There will be a tent at the Start/Finish that is specifically for drop bags

19. Is there a cut-off time? For the 56 k race, your last loop must start before 7 hours (3:00pm). For most people, ultra running is about going out there to complete the event. Don’t push yourself beyond what your body can safely handle. We reserve the right to pull you from the course if we feel that it is medically unsafe for you to continue. On race day we will have qualified medical people who can make that decision.

20. What if I have to drop out? If possible, drop out at one of the Aid Stations. We can give you a ride back to the start/finish area in the next sweep vehicle. You must let the medical team know that you are dropping out of your race.

21. What do I do if I get injured? If this happens between Aid Stations, stay where you are. Let another runner know that you will need assistance. We will have several qualified medical personnel on the course, and will get to you quickly. We take runner safety and first aid very seriously and have an effective Emergency Plan in place.

22. Are the results posted at the start/finish on race day? The timing company will have a QR code displaced at the finish line for you to access the results page.

23. Is there real food after the race? TLC will continue to offer an excellent lunch at the cost of $15 per person. Please sign up for this when you register for the race on Race Roster. We have made this change to reduce waste and deal with rising food costs. Please remember to bring a fold-up camping chair to enjoy your lunch. There will be chicken, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options available to choose. Folks need to sign up by June 30th to choose an option. Beverages available will include juice, pop, water. There are no extra meals available for spectators.

24. I am entered in the race, but recently suffered an injury. Can I defer my entry until next year or give it to someone else this year? We’re sorry. Unfortunately, entries are non-refundable. However, you can transfer your registration to another runner for a fee – you will do this directly on the race roster site using your race roster account.

25. Does TLC have any affiliations with charities We will be making a donation to a few groups following the race. The principal recipient will be the Trails Youth Initiative (www.trails.ca). Their mandate is – ‘Take a group of vulnerable kids from the inner city, bring them to a school in the middle of the forest, provide them with respect and opportunity and they will become a part of the community. So begins a four year journey.’ The Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve is their northern campus. In fact you will see many of their ‘Leaders in Training’ helping out on race day. Each year they do an outstanding job of manning the aid station at Langmead Cabin on Lake Solitaire.

26. I would love to help out. Do you need volunteers? Definitely! As you know, it takes a lot of people to make an event like this a great experience for everyone. There is always lots to do. Email us at neil@thelimberlostchallenge.com Let us know what time of day you will be available. All volunteers get a t-shirt and lunch.

27. Are dogs allowed on the Reserve? You may bring your dog if your dog is good with people and other dogs. It must be kept on a leash at all times. Do not leave your dog in your vehicle. Dogs are not allowed on the race course nor in the Food Tent. Service dogs exempted.

28. Are there finisher medals and awards? There will be finishers medals for everyone. Plaques for First, Second and Third for Male and female, all events. (i.e. no age group plaques)

If you are an award winner and plan to leave early, please let us know so that we can give you your well-earned plaque.
Awards schedule is:
10:15 AM – 7K Awards
11:15 AM – 14k Awards
1:00 PM – 28k & 42k Awards
3:15 PM – 56k Awards (1st overall, and 1st/2nd/3rd in Age Groups)
4:15 PM – 56k Awards (age groups not finished at 3:15pm)
5:00 PM – 56k Awards (age groups not finished at 4:15pm)

29. Is there a cut-off date for race t-shirts? YES! T-shirts are guaranteed to everyone who enters by June 1st, 2023. Beyond that, check with us on race day. Please note that we also have a no t-shirt option. If you choose the no t-shirt option, the equivalent value of the t-shirt will be donated to our charity partner.

30. What are the age limits for the event? The Limberlost Challenge observes the following age limits:
7 km – The limit is 10 years old on race day. Runners between 10 and 12 must be running with an adult friend or relative for the entire race.
14k and up – The limit is 12 years old on race day.
Note: These limits are applied at the discretion of the race directors, and are not based on medical concerns.