1.
All runners
SHALL be nice to the volunteers, and are required to tell them "Thank
you" at every opportunity. There's a reason this is rule #1. Volunteers are using their personal time (and
gas money) to help YOU finish YOUR race.
If you haven't volunteered at a race before, I HIGHLY recommend that you
do. After you volunteer at a race come
see me if you still don't understand why this is a very important rule. We love and respect our volunteers and
they're trying their best to help you, do not be snotty with them or rude. Remember that.
2.
Races must be
run on the day they're offered. We
will no longer allow entrants to run events on days that they aren't
offered - it causes too many headaches for our timers and also the Director (no
Saturday races will be allowed to start on Friday).
3.
Stay on the
trails! They are plenty wide for two people to pass
one another. Please don't step off the
trails and do not cut corners. Desert
flora won't grow in compacted soils.
4.
Spectators &
crews are not allowed on the course during the race. Some of our permits depend
on this rule being followed. Please stay
in the vicinity of the aid stations. Our
permit(s) only allow for the runners and volunteers to be on the course, not
the crews. Please follow this rule.
5.
Be infallibly
nice to the locals that live on or near the race course. They are not used to having so many people or
cars this close to their homes, or blocking their driveways, and many have
given permission for this event to take place.
BE NICE. Runners whose crews are rude to nearby homeowners will be
disqualified from the race and will not receive any official finish results. BE
NICE.
6.
It is highly
recommended for racers to leave each aid station with a container carrying at
least 20oz’s of fluid. It got
exceptionally hot in 2015 (85 degrees!) and several runners ran out of water
between aid stations (and later that night, some got hypothermia in a
rainstorm).
7.
Race numbers must
be worn on the front of the body and be visible at all times. It may not be
covered or worn on the back, your hat, or head. WEAR YOUR NUMBER ON THE FRONT.
8.
The clock does
not stop for any reason until the race course officially closes 32.5 hours
after the designated official start time (3:30 PM on Saturday). 100-mile One-hour early starters get an
additional hour - they have 33.5 hours to finish the course.
9.
The 55K course
closes after 9.5 hours (3:30 PM). We are now starting this race at 6:00 AM
instead of 7:00. There is no longer an
early start for the 55K.
10. Cut-off times will be adhered to. Runners that
don't meet the published cut-off times will be instructed to drop out and get a
ride back to the start/finish (If the runner persists on continuing, and they
verbally state to the RD or aid station captain that they want to continue on,
they are taking their safety and welfare upon themselves. The runner also need to understand that they
will likely be proceeding without any aid.
Aid stations are instructed to shut down after the cut-off times. At this point the runner is no longer part of
the Badger Mtn. Challenge and is considered "on their own"). If you are behind pace and are not making the
cutoff times, please drop out and get a ride back to the start/finish.
11. Racers, crew, and staff must not litter, mar, or
pollute the landscape or environment. In fact, if you see litter, please pick
it up. Leave no trace!
12. Stay on the marked trails! Yes, I know I repeated this rule. DO NOT CUT
CORNERS.
13. It is important to know that some of the course is on
private land and we only have permission to be on this land on race day. The
runner must stay on the marked designated route.
14. 100-mile runners (and crew members/pacers), 100K and
50-mile runners that may be out after sunset (7:15 pm) are required to wear
reflective material facing in all four directions, and it's recommended you
have bright or blinking LED lights facing front and rear. Remember, short portions of the 100, 100K and
50-mile courses are on public roads.
15. While running on public roads, please run on the side
of the road that is flagged. Every effort has been made to keep the
runners as safe as possible, so we have done our best to minimize road
crossings. Please follow the flags and
markings while on the road. There is
only a narrow shoulder available along some of the short road sections. Keep your eyes up and your brain turned on!
If you have a pacer make this their job.
16. Headlamps are required for all runners taking the
early start (6:00 AM), or for runners that will be on the course after sunset
(7:15 PM). It's recommended that you
carry at least two BRIGHT light sources in case one of them burns out. A handheld light is helpful too. Most of the course flagging is reflective and
does not work without a light source to reflect. Sunrise is at 7:00 AM, and sunset is at 7:15
PM. You are responsible for your own
lighting and for your own safety. If the
aid station volunteer or RD tells you to leave the A/S with a light, then you
WILL leave with a light.
17. 50-mile and 100K runners are highly encouraged to have
a headlamp available to them for the last few hours of the race. You'll be able to get it from your drop bag
at the McBee Parking aid station. There is only 12-hours of daylight at this
time of year and this is a difficult course, so unless you are certain that you
can finish within that allotted time you should have a light ready in your drop
bag at McBee parking aid station! Remember
it can be DARK in that culvert.
18. Runners are responsible for both their own and their
crew’s actions; crews are responsible for both their own and their runner’s
actions. Watch out for your friends
and for your other competitors! One
of the great things about trail runners is the camaraderie and ability to help
each other when things get tough. You
are ALL in this together.
19. A crew member is defined as any individual who
provides material support to a runner (even if it's only cheering). Crews may
meet runners and assist them only at aid stations specifically designated for
crew access. Do not provide aid to any runner anywhere else but at aid stations
designated as crew-accessible.
20. Runners are not allowed to get into, or take anything
from a moving vehicle. If they do they
will be DQ'd.
21. Runners (and their pacers) must make their presence
known at all Aid Stations located along the route. Please announce your bib number when arriving
at an aid station. If you do not you may
be considered "missing".
22. If a runner withdraws ("DNF"), he/she or
his/her crew must contact Race Headquarters, or the RD, or notify an Aid
Station captain immediately. Name, reason for withdrawal, time of
withdrawal, and miles completed must be stated.
All runners who drop are strongly encouraged to come to the finish line
for both post-race events to greet and celebrate with their fellow racers and
crew. There is no shame in DNF-ing! Lord knows I've done my share.
23. This rule is a biggee, so PAY ATTENTION. 100-mile and
100K runners that decide to drop down to the 50-mile race MUST inform the race
director and/or the aid station volunteers that they are stopping at 50-miles
at the 50-mile aid station (Trailhead Park).
At that point they will receive a medal and an official 50-mile finish
time and their day is done! If the
runner leaves the 50-mile turnaround and proceeds beyond 50-miles and drops on
the course before finishing the 100-miler (or the 100K if they entered that race), it will be considered a
DNF. At that point he/she WILL NOT
receive an official 50-mile finish time, or a 50-mile finishers medal. In other words, if you entered the
100-miler (or 100K) and decide to drop down to the 50-mile race, you MUST stop at
the 50-mile turnaround A/S and nowhere else!
24. 100-mile and 100K runners that drop down to the
50-mile race are NOT eligible for podium finishes in the 50-mile race. So, if
you are running in the top 3 in the 50-mile race and a 100-mile (or 100K)
runner passes you and then drops down to the 50-mile race at the start/finish
they can't take your podium finish from you.
100-mile and 100K runners that drop down distances are NOT eligible for
podium finishes.
25. 100-mile runners can drop down to the 100K race, but
MUST state so at the Start-Finish line
(at the 50-mile mark). 100-mile runners cannot
leave the 50-mile turnaround and decide to drop to 100K without stating so at
the 50-mile turn, there are logistical reasons for this (see next rule). If they do drop to
100K without stating so at the 50-mile turnaround, they will be a DNF. Also, 100-mile
runners that drop down to the 100K are not eligible for 100K podium
finishes.
26. Attention 100K runners! Your race runs the 50-mile course, then when you return to the Start-Finish you are required to check-in with the Race Director. He will give you a unique page number. You will then head back out and run to the top of Candy Mtn. When at the top of Candy, find the book, tear the correct page number out of the book, and return to the finish with that page. This is required in order to officially finish the 100K race!
27. 50-mile runners are not allowed to drop down to
shorter distances. If they quit before
finishing 50-miles they are considered a DNF.
28. 55k runners are not allowed to drop down to the 15k. If they quit before finishing, they are
considered a DNF.
29. Read the "Getting lost at Badger" tab on
this webpage. click on it, and read it. If
you still get lost, the RD will laugh at you and tell jokes about you.
30. Remember, there is NO shame in DNF-ing. Sometimes it's the smart thing to do,
especially if you're risking injury (I've DNF'd repeatedly!)
31. All Emergency evacuation costs for participants
(and/or crews) will be borne and paid for by the racer and/or their heirs. The
race organizers are in no way liable, or responsible for emergency evacuation
costs.
32. No sleeping in the porta-potties. No matter how cold
or windy it gets. Yes, this has happened.
33. Yes, dogs are allowed to accompany runners provided
the runner takes responsibility for their dog's actions, and the dog is
well-mannered and does not interfere with other dogs or runners. Please be aware that it's the policy of the
"Friends of Badger Mountain" and Benton County that all dogs on
Badger Mtn. be on a leash and that you clean up after them. Finally, a word of warning: as you know there
are a LOT of people on the mountain on race day. I'm sure your dog is very well-mannered but I
worry that while you are passing another entrant or another person is passing
you that your dog may get tripped over. The
trail is wide enough for two people so please take that into consideration. If you're comfortable doing it with your dog
then she/he is more than welcome.
34. The Race Director has the authority to overrule any
rule posted, or invent a new rule based on extreme or extenuating or unforeseen
circumstances. The Race Director has ultimate authority in regards to all
rules, their interpretation, and their enforcement. There is no “appeals
committee” or “appeals process". This
statement is here to protect the racers, the volunteers, and the public's
safety.
35. The Race Director has the right to cancel the race at
ANYTIME in order to preserve the runner's and volunteer's safety.
36. All crews shall follow ALL rules of the road while
driving. DRIVE SLOW AND STAY OFF YOUR PHONE. Watch out for other runners and cars too!
Directions to the crew accessible aid stations can be found on the respective
pages. Click on the tab above to go there.
37. Most importantly, keep smiling and have fun!
Temperatures along the race course have ranged from 25 degrees up to 85
degrees in the month of March, but the average temperatures range from 40's at
night to 60's during the day. Please
come prepared for ALL weather conditions.
Remember, it can rain or snow, and can be very, very, VERY windy in the
Columbia basin in spring! One of the
unique "challenges" of the Badger Mountain Challenge is the weather. Come prepared!
We have posted these rules for your safety, the safety of the other
runners and their crews, the safety of the public, the safety of our race
staff, AND for our wonderful volunteers! These rules are the same for all
runners. Please understand that failure to abide by any of these rules is
grounds for disqualification.
