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RACE RULES
RUN FARTHER THAN YOU EVER HAVE
Race Officials have the right to remove any runner from the course deemed necessary for their safety and the safety of all others.
All participants/attendees/pacers/crews must adhere to the following rules:
– Numbers must be visible on the outside and front of runners’ clothing.
– Any runner dropping out of the race must notify a volunteer at a manned Aid Station. The athlete will be responsible for paying a large bill if a Search and Rescue team is sent out on their behalf and they are not on the race course.
– All Runners: It is your responsibility to check in at each Aid Station.
– Absolutely no littering. If you or your pacer abandons anything (e.g., drink cups, gel packets, banana peels, clothes, etc.) on the race course, you will be disqualified and banned from entering any future Endurance Challenge events. Bury human waste at least six inches deep, 200 feet from water sources and 50 feet from any trail. Recycle bins, trash cans and bathrooms are readily available and accessible throughout the course. – No weapons, personal alcohol, glass bottles, smoking, illegal drugs or pets will be permitted on the premises. Violating any of these rules will result in runner disqualification.
– Only attempt to pass another runner when it is safe for both you and the other runner to do so.
– When passing another runner, make every attempt to pass on their left, unless it is unsafe. Announce your intention to pass by saying, “passing on your left” (or right, if it is unsafe to pass on their left).
– Provided it is safe to do so, you must yield to any runner who announces his/her intention to pass, by stepping off the trail.
– Be prepared to share the trail with runners coming from the opposite direction.
– Violating any of these rules will result in runner disqualification.
– No smoking is allowed at the Endurance Challenge Aid Stations or Finish Festival.
– Each runner must complete the course under his/her own power. No physical aids are allowed including ski poles, walking sticks or crampons.
– There will be no unofficial runners allowed on-course.
CREW INSTRUCTIONS
A crew member is defined as any individual who provides material support to a runner during The North Face Endurance Challenge event. Crews must follow all rules and regulations set forth by The North Face Endurance Challenge. Crew members must comply with all instructions from event staff and volunteers at all points along the trail. Failure to comply will result in disqualification of the runner.
RULES FOR CREW
– Crews must administer support only at specially designated, crew-accessible Aid Stations (see Gore-Tex® 50 Mile or 50K participant guides for your region).
– Crews must check in at designated Aid Station and follow the direction given by Aid Station staff on where to set up and assist their runners.
– Crews are limited to one vehicle per runner at all Aid Stations.
– No smoking is allowed at any of the Aid Stations.
– Littering of any kind is strictly prohibited.
– Runners are held responsible for the actions of their crew.
PACER INSTRUCTIONS
A pacer is defined as a trail companion that may accompany a runner along designated sections of the Endurance Challenge course. Pacers must follow all rules and regulations set forth by The North Face Endurance Challenge. Pacers must comply with all instructions from event staff and volunteers at all points along the trail. Failure to comply will result in disqualification of the runner.
RULES FOR PACERS
– Pacers are not allowed on the course prior to mile 27 (thus, no pacers in 10K or Half Marathon races).
– Pacers cannot meet runners at locations other than those designated (See Gore-Tex® 50 Mile or 50K participant guides for your region).
– Pacers must check in and sign a release waiver at designated Aid Stations when joining their runner.
– Pacers must wear a bib number provided by Aid Station staff.
– Pacer numbers must be visible on the outside and front of clothing.
– All pacers must clearly identify themselves when passing through Aid Stations. – Runners can be accompanied by only one (1) pacer at a time.
– No “muling” (pacers carrying runner’s gear or nutrition/fluids).
– No vehicular or bike pacing allowed.
– Pacers are responsible for their own transportation to and from the aid stations.
– Runners are held responsible for the actions of their pacers.
HEADLAMPS
For safety reasons all Gore-Tex® 50 Mile competitors are required to have headlamps at the start of the race and have in their possession until one (1) hour past sunrise, approximately 6:15 a.m. Failure to comply will result in disqualification.
RULE VIOLATION PROCEDURE
Alleged rule violations must be formally reported to the Endurance Challenge event staff. The protest period for each of the four race distances at each Endurance Challenge Series event ends 15 minutes after the overall course cutoff times (see the Participant Guides for cut-off details).
To file a protest with the Endurance Challenge, runners should adhere to the following protocol:
– Only registered runners may submit a formal protest.
– Report the issue verbally to the next Aid Station Captain on course.
– Report the issue in writing at the Race Information tent located at the Finish Festival.
– The protester’s name and contact information must be included in the verbal and written statements.
– If the protest involves another race participant, their race number must be included.
Endurance Challenge Series race officials will assess the situation and communicate the determined outcome to all parties involved in the protest.
