Dear Goat,

Calling in the herd - Penultimate Pre Event Newsletter

Ten days to go. Exciting! In this newsletter:

1. Important event communications
2. Event waves
3. Event compulsory gear & registration venues
4. Check Clean Dry - Protecting this place
5. Important: bus transport and post event BBQ tickets will close at 5.00pm Wednesday 30 November
6. Still looking for event accommodation
7. Goat merchandise
8. Goat after party (you gotta be at this!)
9. Event sponsors & deals
10. Finishing up

Event communications

As we get move into the final countdown for the event it is important that you read through this and our last e-newsletter next Wednesday. Please also look at our website for current information relevant to the event. As we are all busy focusing on our final preparations please avoid leaving phone messages or emailing unless absolutely necessary as you should be able to find the information on the website or in the e-newsletter.

For entry and event transport related queries please email entries@thegoat.co.nz . NOTE: Bus and BBQ tickets close Wednesday 30th November 5.00pm. Book now to avoid disappointment. For general event queries please email info@thegoat.co.nz

The official event waves and intro are now located on the Goat website. Be sure to check out what wave you are in at www.thegoat.co.nz . The waves will be sealed Wednesday 30th next week.

The following items must be taken by every competitor participating in the Goat. You also NEED to bring these items to registration on Friday evening (Powderhorn Chateau from 5.00pm to 10.00pm) or Saturday morning at The Park Travellers' Lodge (7.00am to 8.00am) along with your chosen FOOTWEAR for the event (see below section on Clean Check Dry) to be checked by our staff and validated so you can start the event.

• Thermal long sleeved top
• Weather barrier jacket (wind and waterproof). We will not accept ponchos, lightweight, shower-proof jackets that won't protect you when conditions change or if you got injured in a remote area. We don't expect you to go and buy top of the range garments but they need to protect you from the wind and rain.
• A survival blanket
• A thermal beanie
• Drink carrying device (Please note: there are no aid stations on the course except the last km where there will be water, nuun and coke). We recommend that you carry at least one and a half litres of fluid. You can drink out of the streams and rivers but do so at your own risk.

If you are not sure about what these items represent please check the Goat website for detail.

The Goat traverses some pretty awesome wilderness and we need to make sure nothing we do will damage or alter this natural habitat. The pristine streams and rivers within the World Heritage Park are the home of rare blue duck and will be forever changed if freshwater pests like Didymo become established.

To compete in this event you must have clean gear before you start, and clean your gear again post-race. There will be cleaning equipment available both prior to and after the race. Please have your footwear cleaned and dry before arriving at the race (otherwise you will have to have your shoes washed).

• All competitors must have well dried shoes – this means they have been dry for at least 48 hours prior to the race. If you suspect there is a risk of pest transfer there will be cleaning facilities available.
• The organisers reserve the right to implement any other Check Clean Dry precautions as they see fit.

For more information go to www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests/didymo/cleaning

Online sales through Active Network will close at 5.00pm Wednesday 30 November. A friendly reminder that the Goat is a point to point event. If you do not have someone to take you to the start and pick you up at the finish then you WILL need to book the event transport. Avoid disappointment by making your travel plans now as once the online sales close there will be no more places available. The BBQ buffet dinner at the Matterhorn Restaurant, Powderhorn is great value at $35 per person and the ideal filler for ravenous goats...

Have you still not booked your accommodation for the event? Looking for a place to stay, want to be surrounded by like minded Goaters? Don't delay call The Park Travellers' Lodge (National Park) on 0800 800 491, Powderhorn Chateau (Ohakune) Ph 06 385 888 and Station Lodge (Ohakune) Ph 06 385 8797. Also entrant Stacey Morrison is looking for like minded goaters to come and stay with her group at Kaha Lodge, Ohakune.

Kaha Lodge sleeps 20 people, with 8 rooms of different configurations, 3 bathrooms and an extensive living area. Currently there are 9 beds taken, by 6 Goaters and supporters. We have Kaha Lodge booked for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Please contact Stacey Morrison at Stacey_morrison79@hotmail.com or on Facebook if you are interested and you will be provided with further information.

There will be souvenir goat t-shirts and caps supplied by our sponsor 2XU available for sale at the event. High performance running tee with goat logo on front and I have goat what it takes on the back will be $49 and high performance running cap with goat logo on front will be $30. Combo deal will be $75. Limited stock available.

Following the BBQ buffet dinner we will move into the social side of the event to celebrate your achievements. We are pleased to announce that the official Goat After Party will be staged downstairs in the Powderkeg venue. This year the dress theme is "Retro Athletic" so we want to see all that retro running gear from the glory days. There will be a local DJ spinning the scratchy pads with some legendary tunes, prizes for best dressed retro athletic, a datashow of event photos (check yourself out) on the big screen from official event photographers Super Sport Images (www.supersportimages.com) and some drink specials throughout the evening.


Introducing Goat sponsors

The Powderhorn Chateau in Ohakune has rooms available at $165 per night (minimum Fri and Sat night stay) for goat competitors. The Powderhorn is basically where it happens for the Goat (off the course that is) and have really nice rooms supported by great restaurants, bars and a very relaxing hot pool for after the event. Ph 06 385 8888 or email info@powderhorn.co.nz

The Park Travellers' Lodge at National Park Village has a range of modern, affordable accommodation for the event (from $35 for a bunk bed in a share room through to hotel rooms from $120 per night) and is the venue for Saturday morning registration and a pick up point for event transport from National Park. The Park is offering 20% off all accommodation offerings for goat competitors and their supporters. Ph 0800 800 491 or email bookings@the-park.co.nz

It's great to have the world's foremost trail running shoe – Salomon on board for the Goat this year. Famously worn by New Zealand's most acclaimed off-road runner and multiple World Mountain Running Champion, Jono Wyatt; Salomon shoes are perfectly suited to the terrain of the Goat. Salomon's XR Crossmax, the official shoe of the event is available from leading outdoor and adventure sports retailers throughout New Zealand www.salomon.co.nz. Holly Cater (Salomon NZ) will also be at the event.







This offer is only valid at Shoe Clinic stores www.shoeclinic.co.nz and the 2XU Performance Centre 190 Broadway, Newmarket www.2XU.com  upon presentation of this advertisement. 2XU compression recovery tights are highly recommended post event for aiding and speeding up your recovery. I highly recommend them.




Macpac is very pleased to be involved with The Goat Alpine Run for a second year. Make sure you head in store pre-race to kit yourselves out. Macpac has all the multi-sport and adventure racing clothing & gear you need to ensure your race is a good one! Check out our website for more details or better still, head into your local Macpac store
www.macpac.co.nz


Hydration

NUUN is the NEW official hydration of the Goat. I tried NUUN cola flavor a couple of months back when I was doing a 5 hour mountain bike into the Whanganui National Park. Unlike others I found NUUN to be palatable without being sickly sweet and with the convenience of dropping the tablets into my Macpac hydration pack - the consistent taste and sustained effort was evident throughout the ride. We will have NUUN at the finish area for recovery and there will also be a sample in your event goody bag. Words of advice though – try it before the event. Never introduce anything new on the day.



Staying well hydrated no longer needs to be a tasteless chore. NUUN (pronounced "noon") tablets contain electrolytes fortified with sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium for optimum hydration - and they make your water taste good, which means you'll want to drink more!

Simply pop one NUUN tab into 500ml of water, wait for it to dissolve, and rehydrate! No mess, no fuss. The resulting drink has a light refreshing taste and is efficiently absorbed faster than water alone. And unlike traditional sports drinks NUUN is sugar free, with less than 8 calories per serve.

Now available in eleven different flavours, each portable and recyclable tube contains 12 tablets, enough to flavour 6 litres of water.

Phone (09) 306 7217 for stockists. RRP is $15 per tube.
www.nuun.co.nz


Celebrate with premium wines from Lone Goat Vineyard

Lone Goat Vineyard is our wonderful wine sponsor from Canterbury. Lone Goat currently have a special Christmas offer of six premium wines for the festive price of $110. RRP is normally$140.

Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc 2009 - Plump and fruity and great depth of flavor
Canterbury BSR Chardonnay 2008 - Stylish and opulent, fruity and rich
Canterbury Riesling 2008 (Gold Medal) - Wonderful purity of fruit
Canterbury Pinot Gris 2010 - Fun, funky and fruity, a great summer wine
Canterbury Pinot Noir 2008 - Layers of flavour, Pinot Noir at its best
Canterbury Gecko Pinot Noir 2006 - Layers of flavour, Pinot Noir at its best
Marlborough Pinot Noir 2008 - Big concentration of fruit, smooth & mellow Offer is for Mixed Cases Only, Discounts and Special Pack Prices. This offer ends on 31 December 2011. For those north island goats – mail order is available.

Contact marion@lonegoat.co.nz or visit the website to order - www.lonegoat.co.nz

In the words of Ella, the infamous Lone Goat, “When it comes to fine wine we don’t kid around”. We are hoping to get Ella into the event next year... if she accepts our offer.

Check out our fantastic sponsors at www.thegoat.co.nz. There will be $15,000 in giveaways and prizes at the event.

Final event newsletter will be sent out next Wednesday 30th November with a few final tips before you leave for the event. Lastly, be sure to check out the NZ Herald sport section this Saturday 26th November where there will be a one page feature on The Goat by leading multisport journalist Pete Thornton with some useful insights into the event. Happy reading and have no fear! Take it easy... the hard yards should be done now.

Cheers

Jason C
Goat


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