here are some frequently asked questions -- and answers --
about the daytona 100...
1. DAYTONA 100: A Good First Ultra?: We get this question daily. Yes, the DAYTONA 100 and DAYTONA 50 ultramarathons are perfect for your first ultra. The course is flat, scenic, and point-to-point (which is easier for most mentally than a "loop" course where you have to cross the finish line multiple times before actually finishing). Additionally, November weather in North Florida is traditionally very nice, with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s or 60s. Dave's parents, who have lived a few blocks from the finish line in Ponce Inlet for the last 14 years, swear that November is their "favorite weather month."
So there you have it. Come run our race. Dave's parents say the weather will be great. What more of a guarantee could you possibly want?? :)
2. But Seriously. Is 8 Months Enough Time To Train For My First Ultra?: This is another question we get all the time. Yes, so long as you train purposefully and intelligently, 8 months is more than enough time to train to successfully complete either the DAYTONA 100 or DAYTONA 50. Through his Zwitty Ultra program, Dave currently coaches about 50 ultrarunners, all over the country. For Dave's thoughts -- either formal or informal -- on your training for the DAYTONA 100, feel free to contact him at your convenience, or visit Zwitty Ultra by clicking here.
3. Any Hotel Recommendations?: Logistically, this is one of the easiest aspects of the DAYTONA 100. November is not exactly "high" tourism season in North Florida (although, as Dave's parents attest, the weather is great). And with the start line in Atlantic Beach and the finish line in Ponce Inlet, you literally have dozens of hotel options within a few miles of both the start and finish, ranging from high-end boutique hotels (such as One Ocean at the start), all the way through to motels/hostels, with every major hotel chain (Holiday Inn Express, Courtyard by Marriott, etc, etc) in-between. You will have zero problems finding accommodations that are just right for you, at either the start or the finish lines.
4. How Is The Running On The Two Beach Sections?: People who live in North Florida know that the beach sections are two of the highlights of the DAYTONA 100. Both stretches (from Ponte Vedra to Vilano Beach, and then from Ormond Beach to Ponce Inlet), are spectacular beaches with very firm running surfaces. (In fact, the stretch from Ormond to Ponce Inlet is so firm that it allows cars on the beach in particular sections . . . don't worry, you won't be dodging traffic during the DAYTONA 100!). Basically, the beach sections are like running on a rubberized track (albeit with a killer view)! Here is what the entrance to the second beach section (Ormond Beach, Mile 80.5) looks like:
So there you have it. Come run our race. Dave's parents say the weather will be great. What more of a guarantee could you possibly want?? :)
2. But Seriously. Is 8 Months Enough Time To Train For My First Ultra?: This is another question we get all the time. Yes, so long as you train purposefully and intelligently, 8 months is more than enough time to train to successfully complete either the DAYTONA 100 or DAYTONA 50. Through his Zwitty Ultra program, Dave currently coaches about 50 ultrarunners, all over the country. For Dave's thoughts -- either formal or informal -- on your training for the DAYTONA 100, feel free to contact him at your convenience, or visit Zwitty Ultra by clicking here.
3. Any Hotel Recommendations?: Logistically, this is one of the easiest aspects of the DAYTONA 100. November is not exactly "high" tourism season in North Florida (although, as Dave's parents attest, the weather is great). And with the start line in Atlantic Beach and the finish line in Ponce Inlet, you literally have dozens of hotel options within a few miles of both the start and finish, ranging from high-end boutique hotels (such as One Ocean at the start), all the way through to motels/hostels, with every major hotel chain (Holiday Inn Express, Courtyard by Marriott, etc, etc) in-between. You will have zero problems finding accommodations that are just right for you, at either the start or the finish lines.
4. How Is The Running On The Two Beach Sections?: People who live in North Florida know that the beach sections are two of the highlights of the DAYTONA 100. Both stretches (from Ponte Vedra to Vilano Beach, and then from Ormond Beach to Ponce Inlet), are spectacular beaches with very firm running surfaces. (In fact, the stretch from Ormond to Ponce Inlet is so firm that it allows cars on the beach in particular sections . . . don't worry, you won't be dodging traffic during the DAYTONA 100!). Basically, the beach sections are like running on a rubberized track (albeit with a killer view)! Here is what the entrance to the second beach section (Ormond Beach, Mile 80.5) looks like:
5. I'm Running Uncrewed. What Do I Do With My Car, And How Do I Get Back To It?: For DAYTONA 100 uncrewed runners, we highly recommend parking at the start line (in Atlantic Beach). After the post-race awards ceremony/party in Ponce Inlet, we will have a shuttle that will return uncrewed runners back to the start line.
For DAYTONA 50 runners, we recommend parking at the finish, and we will have a shuttle take you to the start line in Marineland on race morning.
6. What Do I Do If I Register And Later Decide I Won't Be Running The 2015 DAYTONA 100?: If circumstances/training/etc dictate that you cannot participate in the race as originally planned, you have two options. First, we will allow you to defer your entry and run in the 2016 DAYTONA 100 or DAYTONA 50. Second, you can transfer your entry to another runner. Both options will be available until two weeks prior to race day.
7. I'm Running the DAYTONA 100. What Happens If I Decide To Drop Out Early, Yet I Make It More Than 50 Miles? Will I Be Considered An "Official" 50-Mile Finisher? If it just isn't "your day" out there, you can still hold your head up high. This is a tough sport; DNFs certainly happen, and for all sorts of reasons. (Just practice the "Tao of Taylor Swift," "Shake it Off," and move on...) :)
If you decide to drop, however, you will not be awarded with an "official" DAYTONA 50 finish. (It just would not be fair to the runners in the DAYTONA 50 race; they are running with and against the others who start in Marineland at Mile 50 of the course, not people starting in Atlantic Beach. That being said, you still did run 50+ miles, which is a heck of an accomplishment, "official" finish or not.
8. When Will Registration Close? When Will The Race Sell Out?: This is another question we have gotten a lot over the past few days. The simple answer is that registration will close when the race reaches its capacity (250 runners for the 100-miler, and 150 runners for the 50-miler). On just the first day alone, we had over 100 runners register, which is very high for the initial launch of a first-year event. So we anticipate that the race will reach capacity. If you are thinking of signing up, therefore, it's probably better to sign up sooner rather than later. If/when registration does close, we will create a wait list.
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9. I Don't Really Like Running Road Races. Do You Have Any Good Recommendations For A Great Trail Race Around the Same Time of Year?: Okay, okay, that one really isn't a "frequently asked question" that we have received. We do, however, recognize that (primarily) road races are not for everyone, so we wanted to take the opportunity to highlight another Florida ultra that is being run the weekend after the DAYTONA 100: the Wild Sebastian 100, held on Nov. 14-15, 2015. It is a 25-mile loop trail course that is run through the St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, near Fellsmere, Florida. The race's motto is "It's Flat, Not Easy!"
Dave is actually the course record-holder at the Wild Sebastian 100, and has become friends with the WS race directors, Kristen and Mike Beck, over the years. They are wonderful people who put on a first-class event. For more information about the race, click here. |
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10. Speaking Of Belt Buckles, What Can We Expect For The DAYTONA 100 Buckle?: Dave has been a distance runner for over 15 years now, starting with dozens of marathons, and then turning to ultras. He has currently run 18 races of 100 miles or longer (sometimes much longer), all over the country and the planet. He has seen every make and model of belt buckle imaginable, and Dave definitely appreciates the value of having a symbol to be proud of; one that recognizes just how amazing of an accomplishment it is to finish a 100-mile race.
So, believe us, the DAYTONA 100 belt buckle will be substantial, and it will be an item you will want to proudly wear and/or display prominently. The buckle is currently in the design stage right now, but when it is complete, we will immediately share what it looks like! But trust us: you will not be disappointed!!!
Okay, thanks for taking the time to visit our site and this page. If there are any other questions we can answer for you -- about registration, the course, training/preparing, accommodations, logistics, recommendations, whatever -- please do not hesitate to contact us.
In creating the DAYTONA 100, Dave essentially designed his "dream race," took the best aspects of all of the other ultras he has run, and combined them into one package. We are very proud of this race and course, and we know you will absolutely love it. We cannot wait to see you in November!!
So, believe us, the DAYTONA 100 belt buckle will be substantial, and it will be an item you will want to proudly wear and/or display prominently. The buckle is currently in the design stage right now, but when it is complete, we will immediately share what it looks like! But trust us: you will not be disappointed!!!
Okay, thanks for taking the time to visit our site and this page. If there are any other questions we can answer for you -- about registration, the course, training/preparing, accommodations, logistics, recommendations, whatever -- please do not hesitate to contact us.
In creating the DAYTONA 100, Dave essentially designed his "dream race," took the best aspects of all of the other ultras he has run, and combined them into one package. We are very proud of this race and course, and we know you will absolutely love it. We cannot wait to see you in November!!
