Bad news… One of our trail markers just reported back that the “cedar gnats” or noseeums are out on Gooseberry today. They weren’t there yesterday, must have hatched today. I knew that we would be safe on Smith mesa because they don’t hatch until the first week of June up there and I assumed we’d be safe on Gooseberry since elevation is only slightly lower. They’re out during the hottest time of the day normally and shouldn’t be in the lowlands, hopefully just limited to hot hours on Gooseberry. We’ll have repellent at aid stations, but if you have a favorite brand, you’ll want it in your drop bag at aid station 5 or 6. They tend to leave you alone if you keep moving, so maybe that will help your finishing time out a little bit…
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I Have been running in paradise (Gooseberry Mesa) for 10 years. The gnats do not bother me as long as I am moving. But if you are standing around, look out. When I am working in yard I wear long pants, long sleeves, gloves and a face net. Good luck to everyone.
Maybe this event would work better in March?? I am excited to give it a go.
Serious winter storms in March that would deem it unrunnable. Smith Mesa road is often impassible. We’re looking at April for 2013.