Introduction These observations are intended to augment, not replace, the excellent advice already prepared in the calling page. Read that page first. The notes here are more in the line of personal reflections after six successive years of crewing for Reston Runners at the JFK50. They were prepared  to guide the author's brief remarks as a part of a pre-race panel discussion. Your comments and suggestions are welcome; send them to Will Fraize .

Tracking your runner(s) It's vital that you be at the rest stops where your runners expect to see you. Use the pacing charts, modifying them as you observe how well your runners are holding up and what pace they seem to be settling into. Adjust this at every stop and tell your runners where you'll next see them. Be sure to get there 15 minutes or more before you expect them to arrive

Picking your spots Not all rest stops are created equal; check with your runners if you decide to skip one so they'll not be disappointed. Here's my assessment of each of the allowed crew gathering spots:

1. Start/Boonsboro (0 miles). Assuming you'll be at Boonsboro HS for the start (a necessity if you have to meet your runner(s) there so you can get last minute instructions and pick up their run and finish line bags), I strongly recommend that you park outside the school grounds on Rt. 40 so you can make a quick escape after the start without getting caught in HS parking lot traffic. Here's another tip I learned from Tim Ettridge with whom I first crewed JFK50 in 2001: Leave Boonsboro as soon as you can after the starting gun is fired so you can get to Crampton Gap with time to find a good parking spot. Since the field of runners blocks the main road (Rt. 40) for the first two miles until they enter the AT, you need to take Rt. 34 S out of Boonsboro center (where the start line is) to a left on King Rd. Follow King Rd. for a couple of miles as it twists and turns until you reach a stop at Rt. 67. Turn right there and you're on your way to Crampton Gap and Weaverton Cliffs with no pesky runners to get in your way.
2. Crampton Gap (9.2 miles). Many people choose not to stop here, preferring to head straight for Weaverton to be assured of finding a parking spot. But, Crampton Gap offers a beautiful setting (early morning sun on a large grassy sloping meadow) to greet your runners and, perhaps help them shed clothing, as they come down from the first ridge. Parking is best if you arrive early and park on the right side of the road heading back down to the main highway (Rt. 67). Be sure to bring a chair to sit in while you wait.
3. Weaverton Cliffs (15 miles). The most exciting spot on the whole course, including the challenge of finding a parking spot (watch for signs that usually prohibit parking on the main highway'the state police don't hesitate to issue tickets there). All Reston Runners gather around the soup wagon located just where the runners leave the parking lot to continue down to the C&O towpath. Here it's important that you have a chair for your runners to sit in while they change their footware and grap a cup of soup (or they could do as Anna does and blow you a kiss as she breezes by). As they reach this spot, your runners are usually elated that they made it, hopefully without the drawing of blood, and that the rocks and hills are behind them and only the boring flat of the towpath awaits them. Do not worry if your runners arrive a bit behind schedule here; there's plenty of time and distance for them to pick up the pace, and they all will; so estimate their subsequent pacing accordingly.
4. Antietam (27.1 miles). At this stop and the next, Taylor's Landing, you'll be looking at a long linear parking lot along the road side of the (dry) canal bed. But, I've always found a spot; you may have to walk a bit. You should try to set up your aid stop ahead of the race-provided station unless your runners know in advance that you'll be beyond the official stop; otherwise, they'll want to stop at the official station. If your runner has given you a water container to refill, feel free to use the water at the aid station before your runner arrives.
5. Mondell/Taylor's Landing (38.4 miles) The approach by car to this station is a bit tricky because you'll be traveling along very narrow (literally single lane) sections of road just before you reach the stop area. Your runners will likely be their most tired at this spot, so be prepared to stroke and feed and offer encouragement here.
6. Downsville (46.0 miles), For many people, this is an optional stop but one I wouldn't miss because of the beaming faces you're apt to see here. Usually your runners will have found new energy once they are off the towpath and on the road to the finish. Parking here is tight and is best found along Downsville Pike (Rt. 632), usually within a block of the intersection where the runners turn the corner onto Spielman Rd. (Rt. 63). Here you may want to have whatever warm clothing your runner provided (jacket, L/S shirt, hat, gloves) at the ready because the majority of runners will be passing this spot after sundown.
7. Finish Line/Springfield Middle School (50+ miles). Parking and even access to the school grounds is awkward; you may end up parking in the cemetery opposite the school entrance. Here you'll need to have your runner's finish bag in hand as you watch for them to go through the chute; bring a handkerchief--it's an emotional scene! Wait in the school while your runner heads tor the showers and grabs some food, generally fit to eat only if you've just run 50 miles, so don't feel let down that crew people are not invited to partake.

Navigating The on-line map pack is an essential tool, even for those of us who have driven the course many times. Print it out and have a copy in your car. It's best to go in pairs so you have a navigator to read the maps while another crew member drives. A car with a navigation system may offer a big advantage but is certainly not a necessity; the maps are really good (thank you, Al Rider!)

Caring for your runner(s) Your runners will leave you their "run bag" with all their trail necessities (food, drink, shoes, sox, pain meds, etc.) Have it with you at all times. You should anticipate the need for band-aids, Vaseline, and other first-aid items to care for blisters or scrapes from a fall; use your own judgment here. A chair for your runners is highly desirable; and the best bet is to provide one for yourself that you relinquish to the runners when they arrive. Above all, offer encouragement but listen carefully to them for any signs they may need extra help or may be reaching a crisis (injury or illness-related) where they may need to drop out.

Caring for yourself You'll have several hours, total, of waiting time; don't expect to do a lot of reading or puzzle solving because you'll have plenty to keep your interest up as you cheer on the many RR shirts and bodies you'll be seeing while you wait for yours. Food and drink for yourself are a must; you'll not find any stores, except possibly in Shepardstown between Antietam and Taylor's Landing. Toilets don't exist anywhere except as port-a-potties at the rest stops, and using them is allowed as long as you're quick about it and you're not holding up a runner; so look around carefully before you enter. There always are the woods at Weaverton, and there may be a gas station in Shepardstown.

Handing off If you and your crew mates are caring for two or more runners whose paces begin to diverge, talk with other RR crew around you to look for a crew team that can pick up one of your runners; similarly, be prepared to accept other runners who are moving at your runner's pace. Be sure to let your runner know if a hand-off is to be made so they'll know whom to look for at the next station.

Transporting your runner(s) Needs here vary with the runner. If your runner(s) drive to the school at Boonsboro, tell them  to arrive early; the lot fills up and there's very little overflow capacity. If your runner leaves a car in Hagerstown, then you may have to drive the runner back to the hotel after the race. Assuming the runner parks at Boonsboro HS, then there are two options: You, the crew, drive the runner back to Boonsboro and from there you both can easily get to Rt. 70 to head for home; otherwise, the runner can take the free bus that shuttles back and forth between the start and finish.