Reminders:

• BRING HEADLAMP OR A FLASHLIGHT - The course will be well marked and there will even be candle-lit lanterns on some sections to guide you. That being said, please have with you a headlamp or flashlight since much of the course is dark.
• WEAR RACE BIBS ON YOUR BACK WITH ONLY 2 SAFETY PINS - See below
• NO PERSONAL MUSIC PLAYERS ALLOWED - The primary reason is for safety. This is a night race with a lot of things going on and we need you to always be aware of your surroundings. Also, we have worked hard to make this race about the experience – share it WITH us! You can rock out to Little Gaga and Lady Wayne on your way home.
• PLEASE TRY TO COME EARLY - This is a beautiful park with a small area for parking. We will have volunteers helping direct you where to park. This will get very backed up if everyone waits until  8:30 or later.
• WEAR NEON - There will be two areas with black lights so feel free to wear neon and/or “glow stuff” for the rest of the course.
• GETTING WET IS OPTIONAL - All 5 challenges are optional. They are meant to be fun and easy enough for almost anyone to do. Two involve some water. We suggest you bring a towel and/or warm dry clothes to change into before awards are given out.

The Poker Run:

• Race bibs will be worn on the BACK of your shirt with safety pins in ONLY the top two holes of the bib.
• There are 5 opportunities to be given a playing card - one for each of the 5 optional challenges. One of these challenges will be on the optional extended loop.
• Playing cards will be stapled to your bib which will be on the back of your shirt upon completion of each challenge.
• You may ask another runner what cards you have been given but make sure it’s someone you trust. We highly recommend you get creative when someone asks you what they have. This is poker so it’s not lying, it’s …..bluffing !
• When you come to the finish line, you may choose to use your cards to play for the best poker hand OR the best hand of 21 (where you try to get as close to a total of 21 without going over).
• There will be a chart at the finish line to show which poker hands are the best. Volunteers will be there to help you.
• Only cards still attached to your bib with our special staples will be allowed to be played.

We will see everyone tomorrow evening!!!

Sincerely,

-Team DarkHorse

PREREGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED  
SAME DAY REGISTRATION WILL BEGIN AT 7:00 p.m. Aug. 17 near the Start/Finish area.

Thank you for your interest and come early to avoid parking delays and to get one of the remaining race shirts.

 Check back tonight for a final posting with a few more race details.

August 13 update: 

Packet pickup and same day registration starts 7PM on race day, Friday, August 17. We recommend using the Reeves Road entrance on the east side of Chagrin River Park. Other entrances and parking areas are available and just a short walk to the event site at the Reeves Rd entrance. See map at the bottom of this page for directions. More info about the park is available here 
http://www.lakemetroparks.com/select-park/chagrin-river.shtml

This is a "poker run" themed 5K. 

This means you do not have to be the fastest runner to win.  

What is a poker run?...

Runners will collect a playing card as they pass certain points along the course. 
At the end of the 5K each runner will have a "hand" and play that against their competition. 
The exact "game" will be announced at the start of the race.

 The race takes place on flat, easy
trails after sunset. 

There will be lots of lighting effects including black lights, strobe lights, smoke machines, and lanterns...  however, a personal headlamp or flashlight is recommended.

There will be special challenges! 

... along the race course including a possible shallow water crossing (weather permitting). Be ready to get a little wet. There will also be an optional extended course loop for those who are looking for even more of a challenge.

If you are looking for a simple 5K to run, the DarkHorse may not be for you. If running in a park at night with music, lots of lighting effects, special challenges and  other surprises interests you, you’ve come to the right place!!

Awards!

• Top 3 male/female  fastest finishers. 
• Top ten best hands based on cards picked up along the course. 
• Random door prizes. 

Please!!

• No pets on the course!
• No littering!
• No alcohol!

Special thanks to Lake Metroparks and 

Second Sole Mentor for their support!!

Sorry, our course map not available at this time. See column on the right side of this blog for links to registration, our running club, and other useful info.

Scroll down to view Chagrin River Park map. Click on map image to link to larger PDF version. Please note there are 3 entrances to the park... we will update this post with further info regarding the best entrance to use, where to park, etc. !