BIGHORN COURSE RULES
- Entries are NON-TRANSFERABLE. Picture ID is required at packet pick-up. A collapsible cup (provided in the race packet) or a bottle that holds liquids, is necessary in order to start the race. Failure to show this will result in a non-start.
- No non-entered runners. People choosing to run “unofficially” in the event are considered a BANDIT. Bandits will be excluded in participating in any Bighorn event in the future. In addition, if a bandit is on course with another participant entered in the race, that participant will be disqualified and banned from participating in Bighorn in the future as well.
- Each runner’s official race number must be worn prominently on the front chest area throughout the entire race. Any deviation may result in not logging a time at an aid station CHECK-IN, or at the Finish. Runners must follow the marked trail at all times. Any runner departing from the trail must return to the point of departure on foot before continuing to proceed on the course.
- Runners must follow the marked trail. Any runner departing from the trail must return to the point of departure on foot before continuing to proceed. There will be NO exceptions or changes to a participant’s time should he/she get off the marked trail. Deviating from the marked trail without backtracking will result in disqualification from any division award.
- Each runner must complete the entire course on foot under his/her own power.
- Runners may not store supplies of any kind along the trail.
- NO MULING. Runners must carry their own supplies at all times.
- Each runner must be checked IN and OUT of all manned checkpoints.
- All cut-off times will be strictly enforced. Runners must be checked OUT of the checkpoint by the cut-off time. Cut-off times will NOT be adjusted for any reason once the 100 mile is in progress (9 am on Friday). Arguing, whining, foul language, or any form of bad sportsmanship toward an Aid Station Captain or any race volunteer will not be tolerated. Any form of this will disqualify you from returning to Bighorn in the future.
- Absolutely no injection of fluids or drugs (intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous) during the race.
- DO NOT leave your dog in the vehicle while participating in this event. If you have not made prior arrangements for pet care while participating, please leave your dogs at home.
- No littering. Pack out all trash. Use proper toileting etiquette. Runners and crews must use approved Forest Service techniques for human waste disposal.
- Smoking is not permitted at any of the checkpoints or along the trail.
- No pets are allowed on the course except on Tongue Canyon Road and River Rd. Certified service animals must be approved by Race Management before June 1.
- If a participant chooses to not continue, it is their responsibility to turn in their race bib/number to the Aid Station Captain. The surrender of the bib/race number by the runner to the Aid Station Captain serves as an official notice of a runner’s withdrawal from the race.
- The runner is responsible for any "search" costs incurred by themselves, or their pacer, crew, or family. This also includes an activated emergency search procedure for a runner classified as "lost" due to non-compliance with withdrawal procedures listed in #15.
- A pacer (pace runner or safety runner) is any individual who accompanies an entrant for any distance greater than 100 yards.
- PACERS ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO ACCOMPANY 100M RUNNERS! There are NO Pacers allowed in the 52, 32, 18 mile events. One pacer at a time may accompany a 100 mile runner from the Sally's Footbridge aid station going out (30 miles) to the Finish of the race.
- Vehicles are not allowed on the Tongue Canyon Road from the Trailhead to the Finish at Scott Park once the 100m race has started on Friday morning. ALL vehicles must be removed immediately following the start of the 100m! We encourage you to use the buses and shuttles to the start, and as your runner is coming to the end of their race on Tongue Canyon Rd. and River Rd. meet your runner by either walking, running, or biking on the road. A crew "runner" may accompany the competitor on the final course section into the park, but must only do so on foot or bike.
- Each pacer must sign a waiver release prior to pacing a runner. These will be available at the pre-race briefing and at Packet Pick-Up.
- Pacers must be at least 18 years of age. Specific exceptions to the age requirement may be made in advance of the race by the Race Director with a guardian’s signature.
- Each pacer must wear the official pacer bib of the entrant he/she is pacing. One pacer bib is provided per entrant at race check-in. The official pacer number must be transferred between pacers if duties for one runner are to be shared. If a pacer becomes unable to continue the race, the official pacer number must be given to the runner, so that subsequent pacers will be properly identified.
- Each pacer must clearly identify themselves when passing through checkpoints so that race personnel know exactly who is on the trail and where. Pacers must stay with their runners at all times, except in an emergency. If the runner withdraws from the race, and the pacer wishes to continue, the pacer must remain at the Aid Station until another runner enters the Aid Station and requests the services of a pacer. The pacer may not continue on without an official race participant.
- Pacers must enter (CHECK IN) and leave (CHECK OUT) each Aid Station WITH their runners. Runners are to carry their own supplies and pacers are to carry their own supplies. No mechanical or physical assistance may be given by the pacer to the runner at any time. This is called MULING.
- A crew member is defined as any individual who provides material support to a runner in the event. Crews may meet runners and assist them only at aid stations specifically designated for crew access or in specific crewing areas defined below. Crews must wait to assist their runner at such an aid station until after the official check-in and medical evaluation (where applicable).Crews must adhere to instructions of all aid station personnel, including requests to vacate a certain area of the checkpoint.
- Crews must stay within a 100-yard radius of the aid station while attending to their runners. EXCEPTIONS: Crews may assist runners 1) at Camp Creek Ridge on Freeze Out Road at 12.25 miles (going out only); 2) at the Bighorn Mountain Divide on Devil’s Canyon Road both at 47 and 49 miles; and 3) on Tongue Canyon Road (as long as the Crew accessed Tongue Canyon Road on foot or bike) from Tongue River Trailhead at 94.75 miles through to the Finish at Scott Park in Dayton.
- Crews are allowed to use only one vehicle per runner at each designated crew access point to minimize congestion, facilitate parking, and adhere to ecological principles. Aid Stations with a designated area parking for crews required include Dry Fork Ridge (out and in), Footbridge (out and in) (read information carefully in the Crew Access directions below), and Jaws Trailhead. Crews must never park in such a way as to block traffic, block access to the trail or checkpoint, or block other parked cars. Vehicles who are found to be blocking traffic, access, or other cars will be towed at the owner's expense.
- Crews must always drive at safe speeds! Our course access roads are curvy (many graveled) in mountainous terrain and treacherous if traversed at a higher rate of a speed than listed.
- Runners are responsible for their own behavior and the actions of all crew & family including, but not limited to, reckless driving, parking and access regulations during the race, and general “bad sportsmanship”. All crew must follow race rules mandated by the race organization. Smoking and illegal drugs are prohibited at aid stations and along the trail. Failure to adhere to all rules and regulations risk disqualification. Crew choosing not to follow rules set forth by race organizers will result in having their participant disqualified.