Runner and Event information!

We’re excited to offer fast races for all in a festive atmosphere. Grab a PR, and then grab an Aslin beer!

• We do expect some scattered showers. If lightning strikes within ten miles, we will pause the meet and take cover inside the GMU fieldhouse.

• All ages are welcome to run. Registration is open on RunSignUp. You will be asked for a “seed time” use any recent time or you can estimate your current ability.

• We will thoughtfully arrange the heats based on entry times with the fastest runners in our Select heats.

• Open races will be men and women combined (expect for the steeple because of the barrier height), and select races will have women's races first, followed by men's.

• The facility will open at 3:30pm

• The GMU Fieldhouse will be open as well

• Food and drink will be available for purchase, including Aslin beer.

• Any person not competing, volunteering, or pacing will need a GA spectator ticket

• Children four and under get in free.

• You can leave and re-enter the facility.

• No outside food or drink besides water or sports nutritional items is allowed. Bags are allowed.

HEATS/SECTIONS

• Preliminary heats will be released on the Friday before the meet

• The open 5k will have one sections; you must be able to run 30:00 or faster

• The open mile will have 5 sections; you must be able to run a 10:00 mile or faster

• The open 800 will have 4-5 sections; you must be able to run 4:00 or faster

• The open steeplechase will have separate sections for Men’s and Women’s (due to the steeple barrier height). The time cutoff for both is 8:00 pace or 10:00 in the 2k and 15:00 in the 3k

• The DMR comprises four legs: 1600, 1200, 800, and 400 - the overall cutoff is 7:00 average pace or 17:30 total

CHECK-IN PROCEDURE

• Please check-in as soon as you get to the meet and pick up your bib number & hip number. If you do not check in, you will be scratched.

• 15-minutes prior to your race return to the tent next to the check-in area to get your final starting assignment and race information. Secure your hip number with safety pins. Be RACE READY at this point.

• After your final check-in, you will head as a group to the track for your race. As soon as one race finishes, the next one begins.

BAG DROP AREA

• We will have an official bag drop near our check-in area. Your bib will have ad adhesive tear-away strip for your bag.

OPEN RACES

• Our open races are for anyone who can maintain a 10:00 pace or faster mile, 30:00 or faster in the 5k, an 8:00 pace in the 800, an 8:00 pace in the steeplechase, or a total team time of 17:30 in the DMR (7:00 average pace)

• You’re guaranteed a fast, flat course with no 90 or 180-degree turns! Whether you’ve never run a track race before or you’ve run a hundred, you are welcome here.

• You will be placed in a heat based upon your seed time with our fastest runners in our select races.

• Open heats will run slowest to fastest and will be men and women combined.

YOUTH MILE

• Open to any child 13 & Under who can maintain a 15:00 mile or faster. Registration will open soon

• We’ll run one section and combine boys & girls

• Be sure to get $5 GA Tickets for your runner(s) and family

SELECT RACES:

We are building up our fields for the select races! We are anticipating winning times around the following. We will update this as entries and commitments continue to come in.

• Women’s 800: Sub 2:00 (current cutoff 2:12)

• Women's 5000: Sub 16:00. This will be a men’s and women’s combined section. (current cutoff 18:50)

• Women's 3k Steeplechase : Sub 10:00 (Current cutoff 11:00)

• Men's 800: Sub 1:50 (current cutoff 1:52)

• Men’s 5000: Sub 13:50 (current cutoff 15:50)

• Men's 3k Steeplechase: Sub 8:30 (Current cutoff 9:20)

AWARDS

• Puglsey 3k Steeplechase: $350, $100, $50

• DMR: Top men’s (or co-ed) and women’s teams: $400 winner take all

SPECTATOR TICKETS

• If you’re not racing, coaching, pacing, or volunteering, you will need a spectator ticket (including all youth mile runners). Children under 4 get in free. We may reach capacity this year - buy your tickets ahead of time and secure your spot!

• $5 General Admission tickets are now on sale - price increase to $10 on the day-of and at the gate. Buy them now & save!

• Now introducing Trackside Seating! Limited to 60people, get up close to the action. Tickets are $20 and include track access, a complimentary beer (or another beverage), a free koozie, a private bar area, plus your own seat.

• Get your tickets here

DIRECTIONS / PARKING:

• 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22030 - the outdoor track and field complex is behind the fieldhouse. Enter “George Mason University Fieldhouse” into your GPS

• Parking available adjacent to the track

• Check out driving directions and construction/traffic alerts.

• The nearest airports to campus are Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Washington Reagan Airport (DCA). Shuttles are available through private companies, as are cabs.

• George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus is accessible via Metro Bus and Cue Bus (Fairfax City bus). Mason is also located near the Vienna/Fairfax/GMU Metro stop, and Mason provides regular shuttles from the Metro stop to campus. Check out shuttle and bus information.

PROHIBITED ITEMS:

• Any food or beverage except for water or sport nutritional food or drink.

• Weapons (including, without limitation, pocket knives), fireworks and other illegal drugs and substances

• Animals (except service animals)

• Beach balls and other inflatable items

• Laser pens and laser pointers

• Skateboards, hoverboards, scooters for non-ADA use, and wheeled footwear

• Drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles

• Toy guns or toy knives (including, without limitation, water guns)

• Any other item deemed dangerous or inappropriate

Not ready to race, but would like to volunteer to help or pace? Email us at lighthorsetrackclub@gmail.com

Pacing duties needed for all races, from the select fields to 10:00/mi pace

• Coaches, volunteers, and pacers all get in free!