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Hi {First Name} -
We are 5 days away from the 18th annual XTERRA EX2 at the gorgeous Rocky Gap State Park in Flintstone, MD. Rocky Gap offers a beautiful venue and an awesome course. It's going to be a fantastic weekend and we are excited to see you!!
Here is the schedule for race weekend:
Saturday, July 9, 2022
- Run and bike courses marked by 2pm
- XTERRA clinic 4pm
- Check-in/Packet Pick-Up from 4pm-7pm
Sunday, July 10, 2022
- Check-in/Packet Pick-Up open from 7am-8am
- Transition area opens at 7am
- Pre-Race brief from 8:15am-8:30am
- Racers assemble at start @ 8:45am
- Races Start @ 9am SHARP (2 wave starts for the triathlon followed by a single duathlon wave start)
Please take a few moments to review the following important details about race weekend.
Start List
The start list as of 7/4 has been posted to the EX2 website.
Registration
Online pre-registration closes at 8pm on Thursday, July 7th. If you have friends or family that would like to race or team members that need to join your team, please have them sign up by then. We will also have registration available race weekend.
Volunteers
We would love a few more volunteers for this race. If any of your friends or family can help out (even for just the time you are racing), please ask them to sign up on our website. Volunteers help with check-in, aid stations, course marshaling, timing, food distribution, and course sweeping. Times vary from 6:45am to 1:00pm and shifts are usually 2-4 hours. Volunteers receive free food, a cool race t-shirt, $15 off a future EX2 race, and our sincere appreciation. Plus, volunteering at EX2 races is fun!
Relay Teams
Please view the start list to ensure your team members are correct. Please complete your teams by the close of online registration at on Thursday, July 7th. If you have any trouble, please send me an email or give me a call at 703-338-3965. All team members must be present to check in.
Accommodations
There are several local hotels close to Rocky Gap with reasonable rates. As of today, the campground is sold out.
Directions
Rocky Gap State Park is located in western Maryland, 6 miles east of Cumberland in Allegany County. The park is approximately 2 hours from the Baltimore and Washington metropolitan regions. Coming from the east, there is often a speed trap just before the park on a long downhill section of road, so please drive carefully and control your speed.
Rocky Gap State Park
12900 Lake Shore Drive
Flintstone, MD 21530
Parking
After the exit from Interstate 68, follow signs to the Rocky Gap Day Use Area. There will also be EX2 Race Parking signs directing you. Please follow volunteer and park staff instructions when parking. Rocky Gap State Park charges for entry but your race registration already covers this fee. Spectators will be required to pay for entry to the park ($4 - MD state resident and $6 - out of state resident).
Check-In/Packet Pick-up
Check-in will take place in the Mountain View Pavilion in the day use area near the beaches. Check-in will be open on Saturday, July 9th from 4pm - 7pm and on race day Sunday, July 10th from 7am - 8am. If possible, checking in on Saturday is recommended. If you are checking in on Sunday, please leave plenty of time to get to the park, check-in, and set up your transition gear. ALL athletes must bring their ID to check-in. ALL athletes must check in in person and relay teams must have all team members present to check in.
USAT Sanctioned Event
This is a USA Triathlon (USAT) sanctioned event. ALL athletes (including each person on relay teams) were required to purchase a 1-day license or have an annual license during registration. ALL athletes must have a photo ID at check-in (minors without a drivers license are exempt).
Transition Area (TA)
The TA is located near the Mountain View Pavilion in the day use area near the beaches. The TA will open at 7am on race day. Bike racks will be designated for relay teams and for duathletes. The rest of the racks can be taken by solo triathletes on a first come, first served basis. Each bike rack will accommodate 5-6 bikes so please be courteous and take only the appropriate amount of space when setting up your gear. You must show your body marked number or run number to take your bike/gear out of the transition area. For security and safety, spectators are NOT permitted in the transition area.
Body Marking
Body marking will take place near the transition area. PLEASE GET BODY MARKED BEFORE APPLYING SUNSCREEN. Bib numbers will be marked on both shoulders for all swimmers (all solo triathletes and the swimmers on relay teams). Your age group (ex. 25 for 25-29) or Relay (R for relay) will be marked on your right calf. Duathlon competitors will also have a D marked on their calf.
XTERRA Clinic
Saturday at 4pm we are hosting an XTERRA clinic at the Mountain View pavilion (where check-in is located). It's a great place to ask questions about XTERRA, the XTERRA EX2 course, etc.
Pre-Race Brief
The pre-race brief will be held from 8:15am-8:30am race morning near the transition area. Important course, logistical, and safety information will be presented, so please plan on attending.
Start Line Up
For safety reasons, we physically account for all athletes before entering the water (or starting the first run for duathletes). Please be ready to race and at the line up area by 8:45am.
Race/Wave Start
We will begin the race in three waves. The first two waves will be swim only waves and the third wave will include all the Duathletes. We will start solo tri males 49-Under at 9:00am and at 9:03am we will start all solo tri females, solo tri males 50+, and all tri relays. Finally, at 9:06am we will start all solo and relay team duathletes.
Relay Procedure
Each relay team may be comprised of two or three racers. Each athlete on relay teams must complete at least one FULL segment of the race, either the swim (run#1 for duathlon), bike (both laps), or run (run#2 for duathlon). Racers will "tag" each other at the bike rack where their bike is placed and exchange the timing chip (velcro ankle strap). For two person teams, one racer must complete two FULL segments and the other racer will complete one segment. Relay racers may not race the same segment together.
Course Marking
The bike and run portion of the course will be marked by Saturday at 2pm. The swim course is ONLY open during the race (please do swim outside the defined beach swim areas before the race…the park rangers will come and get you). The run course will be marked with red arrows and the bike course will be marked with blue arrows. Blue mile markers are for the bike course and red mile markers are for the run course. Yellow caution tape will block off trails that are not part of the course.
Aid Stations
It will likely be hot on race weekend so please hydrate before and on race day. There will be five (5) Aid Stations located out on the course, which you will pass a total of 11 times during the race. Each aid station will be stocked with water and Gatorade. Emergency communications and first aid kits will also be available at each aid station.
Course
This fun and challenging course consists of a 2-lap swim totaling .75 miles, 13 miles of semi-technical mountain biking, and 5 miles of trail running. The duathlon course will replace the swim portion with a 3 mile trail run at the beginning of the race. The rest of the duathlon course is the same as the tri course.
Swim Course (Triathlon Only)
The swim will take place in the clear warm waters of Lake Habeeb and will be staged on the Western sandy beach of the day use area. The water temperature in mid-July is usually 80+ degrees. Athletes will complete two laps of the 600 meter course. Athletes will start knee to waist deep in the water. After the first lap, athletes will run on the sand approximately 50 meters before jumping back into the water for their second lap. After the second lap of the swim, athletes will run on grass for approximately 100 meters to the transition area.
Wetsuits
Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wetsuit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wetsuit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wetsuit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit.
I will take a water temperature Friday afternoon and send an update. Historically, the water temperature has been above 78 degrees for this race.
Trail Run Course (Duathlon Only)
The duathlon competitors will begin near the swim start and run in front of the lodge/casino down the park road then onto the lakeside hiking trails and onto the dam. After crossing the dam, duathletes will head into the woods for less than 1/4 mile before climbing up Evitt's Revenge. From the top of Evitt's Revenge racers will run down a steep, rocky, very technical descent to a beautiful stream crossing (the bridge is out so your feet will get wet) and then STRAIGHT UP to the top of the gorge (you are going to love this climb...and you get to do it twice in this race!). Racers will head down a hill to the aid station then around on the road to the transition area.
Mountain Bike Course
After the swim (or run for the duathlon), racers will transition onto the bike and complete two laps of the 6.5 mile mountain bike course. The mountain bike course offers a great mixture of terrain including twisty single-track trails, wide fire roads, smooth pavement, open fields, several technical rock gardens, and three technical rocky descents. About 5 miles of the mountain bike course skirts the lake, so there is not too much elevation gain or loss. The other 1.5 miles, however, include several tough short hill climbs and fast descents. Not including the TA aid station, there are 3 aid stations positioned along this 6.5 mile course. Please ride in control and use EXTREME caution on the rocky descents.
Trail Run Course
The trail run course takes racers in front of the lodge/casino down the park road then onto the lakeside hiking trails and onto the dam. After crossing the dam, racers will head back into the woods through a combination of twisty single-track and wide fire roads before climbing Evitt's Revenge. From the top of Evitt's Revenge racers will run down a steep, rocky, very technical descent to a beautiful stream crossing (the bridge is out so your feet will get wet) and then STRAIGHT UP to the top of the gorge (you are going to love this climb!). Racers will head down a hill to the last aid station then around on the road to the finish line. Not including the TA aid station, there are 4 aid stations positioned along this 5 mile course.
Updated course maps are available on the EX2 website.
Restrooms/Showers
A bathhouse with showers and plenty of toilets is located near check-in and the transition area.
Weather
It will likely be hot on race weekend so please check the forecast before race day and come well hydrated and prepared for the elements. Remember…get body marked BEFORE you apply sunscreen in the morning.
NO EARPHONES or LOUD AUDIBLE MUSIC
The use of EARPHONES or LOUD AUDIBLE MUSIC that restricts hearing is not permitted during any EX2 race. Why, you may ask? Well, for the following three reasons:
Safety - we need to look out for each other! Our courses are held on trails in remote areas. If someone gets injured out on the trails, we rely on racers to notify us so we can activate emergency response. So, we need racers to be alert and able to hear calls for help.
Courtesy - trail races are very different than road races. Passing is usually not a problem in road races but passing can be a challenge on single-track hiking trails. To pass safely, trail etiquette suggests using audible signals such as passing on your left. Passing someone who can't hear you is difficult and frustrating.
Community - at EX2 Adventures we strive to build community. Please use your time with EX2 to unleash yourself from your device, enjoy the sounds of nature, talk to people, make some friends, and have fun.
Results
Results will be posted as they become available on race day. Results will be posted on our website within one or two days of the race.
Post-Race Food/Drink
Post race food includes pizza, bananas, cookies, candy, chips, trail bars, water, Gatorade, and soft drinks. Post race food is available free for all racers and volunteers.
Beer
For this race, we have a permit which allows racers 21 and over to consume beer in the EX2 pavilion area. We will also have some Athletic Brewing non-alcoholic craft beer on hand. Please drink responsibly.
Kids "Race"
We'll do a short out and back run near the transition area for any kiddos ages 2-11 before the awards ceremony. Each child can pick a toy from the EX2 treasure box.
Awards
Please stick around for the awards ceremony. The awards ceremony will be held at 1pm. The top five solo tri and du finishers from each age group will receive awards. The top five tri and du relay teams in each division will receive awards.
Sponsor Giveaways
Below is a rundown of all our sponsor giveaways. We will randomly select winners for the giveaways using a variety of different methods. We have a lot of swag to give away but you must be present at the awards ceremony to win. So, please plan on sticking around to join in the fun!
Baseball Bonanza
Extra, Extra, Get Your Nats Tickets at EX2! How cool is this? All EX2 sponsors chipped in to buy tickets to the Washington Nationals - so we could give them away to you. We have a pair of tickets to randomly give away at every EX2 race this year!
Baird Automotive $100 Benjamin Bash
Benjamin, C-note, Hundie, Charlie, 100 Clams, Big One?..call it what you will but it all means the same thing...$100 of cold hard cash. You could win a crisp $100 bill, generously furnished by longtime EX2 racer and all around good guy, Joey Baird of Baird Automotive.
Integrated Financial Partners
At all races, fellow racer and IFP Financial Advisor, Erik Scudder will give away $50 in gift cards!
Athletic Brewing
Athletic Brewing makes awesome craft, non-alcoholic beer! It's perfect for athletes to avoid the effect of alcohol, but still enjoy great-tasting craft beer. First-time purchasers save 20% off your first purchase at athleticbrewing.com by using the coupon code “EX2” at checkout. Cool, huh!! Oh...and we'll have some on-hand at the race!
Race Photos
The best photographers in the business from Swim Bike Run Photography will be at the race to capture the spirit of adventure and friendly competition. FREE digital downloads will be available to all racers. Wait...what? Yes, FREE downloads for all racers. Please share your photos with your friends and family and tag @ex2dventures and hashtags #XTERRAPlanet and #RaceWithEX2. The photos will go online within 7 days of the event and a link to the gallery will be available from the results webpage. You will also receive an email when the photos are posted.
Contact Information
Race staff will be on-site at Rocky Gap starting on Friday afternoon, July 8th. If you have a question and cannot find the answer on the EX2 website, please call or text me at 703-338-3965.
Thanks for participating in the 18th annual XTERRA EX2. Good luck and see you soon!
Andy
Andy Bacon
Race Director
EX2 Adventures
703-338-3965
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