Participant Information - Homestead Challenge

Check-In

The Homestead Challenge will take place rain or shine. Upon arrival at the Springdale High School, first stop at the table next to the parking lot on Marion Avenue to pick up your ID tag and map. You may optionally pick them up Friday evening in North Park, in which case you can go directly to the starting queue to be scanned out. When you have your tag, you'll need to have it scanned before starting. Please pin the tag on your right side at waist level so it can be readily located. Memorize the number on the tag as it will be called out when it is scanned. You are responsible for ensuring your tag is properly scanned! Registration opens at 9:30 AM.

Starting

To reduce trail congestion, the Challenge has no group start time. You may start anytime between 10 AM and 10:30 AM. Make sure you stop at the table and let the volunteers scan your tag so we know you've left and have an accurate start time. Registration closes at 10:30 AM.

Checkpoints

There are two checkpoints on the Homestead Challenge, each water, Gatorade, snacks, first aid, portable toilets, and radio communications. You must pass each checkpoint by the indicated cutoff time or you may be required to drop out.

Elevation Profile

Total Ascending 3546 ft. Total Descending 3329 ft.

Course Map

Covid-19 Protocol

Please carefully review these rules and be prepared to comply with them. Covid-19 is a serious disease so it's critical that no one deviates from the protocol in order to keep everyone safe.

The operating principle is that the primary transmission vector is the air and infection is a function of exposure quantity ("viral load") and time. That means constraining individual emissions (via masks) and minimizing time spent in close proximity.

If you simply behave as though you are infected and don't want to infect anyone else, all these rules will come naturally.

General

• Masks are required while on the shuttle bus, at check-in, at the start, at each aid station, and the finish. Masks are not required while on the trail.
• Maintain at least six feet separation when near other people for more than a few moments.
• Wear a mask which covers your mouth and nose when around other people.
• Turn away from people when exhaling heavily, even when wearing a mask.
• Masks and hand sanitizer will be available everywhere. If you don't see them, ask.

Afternoon Shuttle Bus

• Everyone must wear a mask.
• Staggered seating will be used as shown here. Please fill the bus front-to-back back-to-front and sit in the proper place based on the position of the person in front of behind you.
• During the bus trip, please sit quietly and refrain from talking.
• Weather permitting, please lower the bus window next to your seat.

Start

• While in the starting queue, maintain a safe distance and wear a mask.

Aid Stations

• Everyone must wear a mask within the aid station area.
• Only volunteers are permitted to touch the fluid dispensers. Volunteers will operate the valve while the participant holds their hydration pack or bottle underneath.
• Cups with water, Gatorade, and soda will be placed on the table for participants to take.
• Gels, PB&J, fruit, candy, etc. will be individually packaged and dispersed on the table for participants to take.
• Only participants and volunteers are permitted near the aid station tables.

Finish

• Food will be provided by volunteers on plates for participants to take.
• Canned soda, water, chocolate milk, Gatorade, and cups with ice will be provided by volunteers.

Transportation

There is no shuttle service to the Checkpoints! If you drop out at a Checkpoint and cannot arrange your own ride, volunteers will do their best to assist you in securing transportation. However, this is not guaranteed and you will almost certainly be required to wait, perhaps for several hours, for someone to take you. If you drop out between Checkpoints, you will need to find transportation yourself or wait by the trail for the Trail Sweeps to come through and they will assist you as best they can.

ID Tags

You must turn in your ID tag in order to receive your t-shirt. If you drop out and don't make it to the finish, please give the tag to the supervisor of the closest Checkpoint. If you do not return your tag you will be charged a $5 replacement fee.

T-Shirts

The t-shirts are distributed at the finish in North Park. You will be required to turn in your ID tag in order to receive your shirt. If you drop out, be sure to stop by the finish and collect yours. And while you're there, enjoy the cookout!

Parking

The Homestead Challenge is a point-to-point course, not a loop. When you finish you will be 18 miles away from where you started. You have two parking options:

1. Make arrangements to leave a car at North Park (the finish) Friday evening or early Challenge morning. There will be no morning shuttle service this year. The parking area is at the swimming pool (map).
2. Park at Springdale High School (the start), do the Challenge, then wait for the shuttle to take you back from North Park. The drawback is you will need to wait for the shuttle after you finish the Challenge (also note that the shuttle starts running at 1 PM). However, there will be food and drink at the finish for you to partake while waiting.

Afternoon Shuttle Itinerary

The afternoon shuttle bus will start running from North Park at 1 PM. The bus will make these stops, depending on passenger needs. When you board, please let the driver know where you need to go.

• White Oak Farm
• Springdale High School parking lot
• Harrison Hills Park Bobwhite shelter parking lot

Directions

• To North Park Harmar Shelter: From Pittsburgh, take I279 North to the McKnight Road exit and travel 6.4 miles north. Take the North Park/Ingomar Rd. exit east and turn right at the third traffic light onto Babcock Blvd., then the next left onto Hemlock Drive, then left again into the swimming pool parking lot. Map

• To Shaffer Run Road Checkpoint: Follow Route 910 along the Yellow Belt to 1/2 mile west of the Saxonburg Blvd. intersection and turn onto Cedar Run Rd. Travel about 1 mile (stay left onto Shaffer Road at fork) to a wide area in the road where you may park on the left. Map
• To Log Cabin Road Checkpoint: Take Route 28 to Exit #12. Turn right at the end of the ramp, then right at the stop sign onto Little Deer Creek Road (aka Russellton Road). Travel about 1.5 miles and turn right on Log Cabin Road. Park about 100 yards ahead on the right. Map
• To Springdale High School: Take Route 28 to Exit #12A (Pittsburgh Mills). At the end of the ramp, turn away from the mall on the main entrance road, then turn left onto Tawney Run Road. At the first stop sign, turn right onto Butler Road and follow it 2.0 miles. Turn left on Marion Avenue; the parking lot is on your left in about 1/4 mile. Map

Advisories

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Drink lots of liquid in small amounts at a steady, frequent rate. You should be carrying at least two quarts.

• Water and snacks will be available at each checkpoint, every 7-8 miles.
• Wear a hat and use a high-SPF sunblock. You'll be outside all day.
• Watch the weather forecast closely to know what gear to bring; the Challenge will happen rain or shine.
• Stay on the trail. Shortcuts may not be fair to other participants and can upset landowners.
• Backtrack to find the last trail blaze and reassess your direction if you haven't seen a blaze in a hundred yards or so, as you may have missed a turn.
• Resist forging ahead or spending time trying to "hook up" with the trail if you lose it; this rarely works to your benefit.
• Respect private property! Much of the Rachel Carson Trail crosses privately owned land and the owners graciously allow us there; do not impose upon any landowner you may encounter.
• Clean up any trash you bring and any you encounter along the way. There are trash receptacles at each checkpoint.
• Stop if you feel sick! You won't be alone, plenty of participants don't finish.
• Check in at each checkpoint. This is how we keep track of you! You must have a time recorded at every checkpoint or your finish time will be disqualified.

Volunteers

We need quite a few volunteers to help us stage the Challenge. Please cajole and/or coerce your friends, relatives and co-workers into helping! Check out the Volunteers page for details.