March for the Fallen 2018: Detailed Logistics Outline and What to Expect

We are 5 weeks away and the March for the Fallen living memorial is about to begin.

Here are the links to prior updates if you’d like to review:

• Minimalist Training Program
• Training Rules
• Workout Plans
• Footwear and foot care
• Uniform/Gear
• Nutrition
• Secret Weapons

Action Item: Sign up and fill out the following sheet.

Here’s a detailed timeline and logistics plan. Updates to follow as additional details become available.

Thurs 9/27 (For out of towners in early)

What: BBQ/Chow @ 1730

Where: Alpha Architect Global HQ, 213 Foxcroft Road, Broomall, PA 19008

Details:

• Be sure to allow at least 15 min to check in with security and pick up your visitor ID. (joking)
• Wes/Katie have offered up the great hall at Stately Gray Manor for overnight stays.
  • Warning: Don’t be frightened if you wake up and see a taxidermy leopard hovering over you and/or 3-year old playing Legos on top of you.

Fri 9/28 — Pre-Event Day

You are heading to the Pennsylvania Army National Guard Training Center.

• Plan to arrive between 1600-1900 (later is okay).
• Registration pick is available from 1600-1900 (can pick up on race day if you can’t make it).
• Chow (pasta/spaghetti) will probably be served 1800-2000.
• Pre-event outline and speakers: 2100-2145
• Lights Out: 2200

The military base location:

• 87 miles from Broomall
• 147 miles from the White House
• 152 miles from the New York Stock Exchange

Here is a link to the location from AA HQ. Or enter Scheld Ave, Grantville, PA 17028 in Google Maps. (Near the USO).

We’ll carpool from Broomall HQ (~every hour on the hour past 12pm EST) and I should have the barracks open by 1500. Folks will be coming out NYC area as well.

• Hit up Twitter to coordinate on carpooling. (hashtag #MFTF)

If you need supplies, there’s a Wal-Mart sort of on the way in Lebanon, about 25 min from the Gap.

Here are some images to help orient you to the location once you are close (which is in the middle of nowhere!):

Figure 1. Ft. Indiantown Gap Overview

Here are the details on the specific location:

Figure 2: Zoom in on the location of barracks and March for the Fallen start.

We have Barracks 13-160, 13-161, and 13-162 (female). Look on the buildings for the “address”. (Note that the image above has the female barracks location incorrect).

Here is what the barracks will look like (may not be exact):

We will only have one key for the barracks. We are expected to keep it locked if we are not in the barracks.

We also have to lock it when we head out on the March.

What you see is what you get. Think Full Metal Jacket, or Stripes, depending on your mood. We get a mattress and should have sheets, blankets or pillows. Bring what you will need (bring a sleeping bag, if easy).

If you regularly frighten children and small animals while sleeping, or you’ve been kicked out of bed by a significant other, or said significant other has filed a noise complaint against you, please select a bunk on the second floor.

We won’t have a scale in the barracks so if you want your pack to weigh 35lbs, know your load before you arrive.

Sat 9/29  — Event Day

*Note time change from 0800 launch to a 0700 launch.

0500: No official wake up. No official breakfast. No official pre-march inspections. Control your sector and get yourself and your gear squared away. Feel free to keep things in the barracks since you will be returning to them after the March.

0530: Team photo outside the barracks.

0545: Head over to Strickler Field to pick up registration and/or last minute preparations.

0600: Opening Ceremony, Strickler Field. We don’t have to be standing in formation at 0650, but last year the opening ceremony was pretty cool. It’s a good opportunity to reflect on the larger purpose of the event and thank the people who put it all together.

0700: Event starts

• It’s a loop course so we finish where we start. Everyone starts fast and the first few miles are on pavement. Eventually, people slow down and the real course begins. Slow and steady wins the race. The course has 15 water points spread out over 28 miles. Your choice on how much to carry and how often to refill. Medical stations are also located along the course. Portable toilets are available along the course as well. Lines may form at the toilets. If you decide to step off the course stay professional and keep in mind there are plenty of women on the course. If you reach your personal finish line prior to 28 miles, you can request transport from one of the water points or aid stations and they’ll get you back to Strickler field. Easy day.
• Carry a rucksack of your choice or none at all. Official Heavy Division is 35lb, plus food and water. Only the top 3 finishers will have their pack weighed. Check out more FAQ here.
• With 100 to 200+ people on our team, I expect we’ll get spread out along the way. Enjoy the adventure.

1400 – 1700: Likely finish for most participants. Head back to the barracks and get cleaned up, shower, rest, etc. You can take all day if you want, “As long as there is continuous movement, participants will be permitted as much time as necessary to complete the course.” So keep moving!

Course elevation map is posted below (h.t. T. Patton):

1800-2000: Chow and a post-event speech at the Fort Indiantown Gap Community Club

The community club is down the road from the Barracks. Theoretically “walkable”, but my guess is most people will want to drive after the event :-).

2000: Head back to barracks to sleep.

Sunday 9/30  Break Camp

0700: Wake up. Clean out barracks. Head back to respective locations.

This is going to be an incredible experience and I’m looking forward to hearing a ton of stories over our 28 miles. Sometime during the weekend please find me and introduce yourself. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone.

What to Bring?

This can get tricky depending on whether or not you are doing the pack version of the event.

I recommend that you review the following post on gear.

Here is a laundry list of items that come to mind, aside from the basics described in the post above:

• Towel and toiletries
• Sleeping bag (optional, but recommended)
• Nutrition/energy (on course, but everyone has favorites)
• crocs/flip-flops (something to wear besides shoes)
• Morning caffeine. If you are an addict, recommend you bring your drug for the morning of the event — coffee isn’t easily available.

NOTE: You do not need to bring food/water for the March. The event is fully supported with nutrition/water throughout.