So, here is my reader friendly version. :) It is all very important info so read carefully!
RAGNAR RULES- READ CAREFULLY
VANS MUST CHECK IN EARLY
“Van 1 must check in at the Start Line at least one hour before their official start time. Van 2 must check
in at Exchange 6 at least one hour prior to starting their legs. When checking in, each van must present
the following items:
1. Two (2) flashlights or headlamps* (this means a team needs a total of 4 )
2. Six (6) reflective vests* (team needs a total of 12)
3. Two (2) LED tail-lights*(team needs a total of 4) (
Upon check-in at the start line, Van 1 will receive runner bibs, van numbers, safety materials, and a slap
bracelet (used as baton).
.
Upon check-in at exchange 6, Van 2 will receive safety materials and a certificate showing that they have
attended safety training. This certificate must be presented at the exchange chute for runner 7 to begin
his or her leg. (See section 14.F for info on safety training.)
9.G) Only One Race Vehicle per Exchange
Due to limited parking, only one vehicle per team is allowed to park at each minor exchange point.
Vehicle 1 is allowed at exchange points 1-6, vehicle 2 is allowed at exchange points 6-12, etc. Both
vehicles are allowed at every major exchange point (6, 12, 18, 24 and 30.) If for some reason team
vehicles need to meet, they must meet off the course or at a major exchange.
9.H) Park Only in Designated Areas
Some exchanges have limited parking and in some cases teams will be required to park along road
shoulders. In the event of roadside parking, teams’ vehicles are not allowed to park on the same side of
road as the exchange chute 500 feet before and after the chute. After the exchange point, vehicles can
park at any legal roadside that does not impede racers or traffic. Team vehicles should always stay to the right of the white fog-line when parked along the road.
9.I) Runner Drop Off
Vehicles may drop off runners at least 500 feet prior to exchange points before parking. We ask that all
runner drop-offs be brief.
9.J) Restricted Areas
Vans can stop to cheer on teammates at any legal spot along the race route that does not obstruct
runners or traffic.
9.K) Van Communication
There may be some segments of the race where cell phone coverage will be spotty. Ask a few members
of the team to bring cell phones. Make a list of all team member phone numbers and be sure that the
batteries are fully charged. Some providers will get better service than others so try to have a variety of
carriers. We also recommend the use of two-way radios.
9.L) Only 2 Race Vehicles per Team
Each team is allowed no more than two team vehicles. Spectators may park at any legal spot along the
race route or at the major exchanges. Minor exchange parking is for team vans and volunteers only, as
parking will be limited. Runners may leave and return to the course by meeting separate vehicles
somewhere off the course or at major exchange points.
9.M) Van Numbers Must Be Clearly Displayed
Teams must clearly display team numbers in both vehicles. Entrance into certain exchanges is
dependent on van number visibility. Do not create a blind spot. Tape for the numbers will be available
at start line.
10.C) Injured Runners During Race
In the event of an injury, any of the remaining runners can replace the injured runner. With the
exception of the leg in which the runner was injured, legs cannot be split in pieces. For example, if
runner 3 is injured half way through his or her first leg, any member of the team may complete the leg
for him or her. Any member of the team can also fill in legs 15 and 27. Those legs can be filled with
different runners, or one can fill in the remaining legs. A 13th member is not allowed to join the team in
order to run the remaining legs. Once a runner drops out of the race, he or she cannot enter back into
the race. If an IV is administered, the injured runner is no longer eligible to run.
10.G) Follow Correct Route, navigation is responsibility of each team
Teams are responsible to make sure that their runners stay on the course. Vehicles may wait for their
runners at critical points to direct them which way to go. If a runner gets off course, they are to return
on foot or in their support vehicle to the point where they went off course and continue from there. Do
not drive ahead to make up for the mileage that they may have added. Signage is occasionally moved;
be prudent in your knowledge of the course.
10.H) Visible Race Number
Team race numbers must be worn and visible on the front of each runner at all times while on the road.
Bib numbers must be pinned to the outer most layer of clothing, including jackets, shorts, and reflective
vests.
10.I) Use of Slap Bracelets
The team’s baton (slap bracelet) should also be worn at all times while the current runner is on the road.
Only runners wearing a Slap Bracelet will be allowed to exit the exchange chute to begin a new leg.
11. HOLDING TEAMS DOCUMENT
Accurate projections are critical to a successful Ragnar Relay. At any given spot along the race route we
have the course set-up and volunteers in place for 6-12 hours. Based on your projections we will start
your team in a way that will keep you within this window. If a team runs just one minute per mile faster
than they projected they will be 3 hours ahead of their projection by the end of the race. For some
teams this could mean that they will be ahead of the set-up crew.
11.A) Penalties
If your team gets too far ahead of projections we may be forced to hold your team at one of the major
exchanges for a couple of hours. If your team is held we will subtract the total time that you were held
from your overall time but your team will be issued one strike.
11.B) Policies and Procedures
Getting ahead of the set-up crew:
We understand that it is impossible to perfectly project your teams pace. We give teams a buffer zone
before forcing them to stop at an exchange. If your team does get ahead of this buffer we will hold your
team at one of the major exchanges. To avoid stopping your team again later in the race, we will
determine the amount of time to be held by taking into account your current average mile time as well
as the miles left to run. This will ensure your team stays within the blue area of the graph.
Getting behind the clean-up crew:
If a team gets behind the projection and falls behind the clean-up crew we will usually allow the team to
stay on the course and finish the race, but we reserve the right to force teams to leave the course if it
becomes a safety concern.
Night running 7pm to 6 am *** MUST WEAR SAFETY GEAR
Details to work out ahead of time ( we will get to this soon)
Communication between vehicles. Some segments of the race have limited cell phone coverage.
Ask a few members of the team to bring cell phones. Make a list of all cell phone numbers and
be sure that the batteries are fully charged. Some providers will get better service than others
so try to have a variety of carriers. We also recommend the use of two-way radios.
o What to do if runners get to an exchange and the next runner isn’t there.
o What to do if a runner and/or vehicle gets lost.
o Where to get gas.
o Where to eat. What types of food and drink to bring along.
o What types of clothing and equipment everyone should bring. Weather is uncertain; be
prepared for hot and cold weather extremes as well as rainy weather.
o Resting for the off Van.
o What to do in the event of an emergency.
o Running at night.
11. HOLDING TEAMS DOCUMENT
Accurate projections are critical to a successful Ragnar Relay. At any given spot along the race route we
have the course set-up and volunteers in place for 6-12 hours. Based on your projections we will start
your team in a way that will keep you within this window. If a team runs just one minute per mile faster
than they projected they will be 3 hours ahead of their projection by the end of the race. For some
teams this could mean that they will be ahead of the set-up crew.
11.A) Penalties
If your team gets too far ahead of projections we may be forced to hold your team at one of the major
exchanges for a couple of hours. If your team is held we will subtract the total time that you were held
from your overall time but your team will be issued one strike.
11.B) Policies and Procedures
Getting ahead of the set-up crew:
We understand that it is impossible to perfectly project your teams pace. We give teams a buffer zone
before forcing them to stop at an exchange. If your team does get ahead of this buffer we will hold your
team at one of the major exchanges. To avoid stopping your team again later in the race, we will
determine the amount of time to be held by taking into account your current average mile time as well
as the miles left to run. This will ensure your team stays within the blue area of the graph.
Getting behind the clean-up crew:
If a team gets behind the projection and falls behind the clean-up crew we will usually allow the team to
stay on the course and finish the race, but we reserve the right to force teams to leave the course if it
becomes a safety concern.
12. SAFE RUNNER
When you are the “on” runner abiding by the following rules and guidelines will help keep you safe.
12.A) Run Against Traffic and on proper surfaces
Runners are to run on the left shoulder of all roads (against traffic), using sidewalks or trails when
available, unless signs or maps direct otherwise.
12.B) Be aware of traffic and obey traffic laws
Runners are to understand that they do not have exclusive use of the roadway and are required to obey
all traffic laws. This includes stopping at traffic lights.
12.C) Running at Night
The following nighttime rules and suggestions have been developed to help insure the safety of all
participants.
o Runners starting their legs between the Official Nighttime Hours (See Page 5) must wear one
reflective vest, wear one headlamp (or carry a flashlight), AND one blinking LED on their
backside.
o Pacers may be used but ONLY during nighttime hours (See Page 5). Pacers DO NOT have to be a
member of the team. Running pacers can run with the runner but MUST run in single file. Bike
pacers may ONLY be used on trails. Pacers MUST wear the same night safety gear as the runner
(reflective vest, headlamp, and LED).
13.A) Safety Officer/Navigator
Each van will be required to have a safety officer/navigator that is awake and alert at all times. The
safety officer is responsible for helping the team behave safely during the race. He or she must be
seated in the front passenger seat and must have the safety guidelines and rules within reach at all
times. The safety officer responsibilities may be rotated between team members. The safety officer
must be someone other than the driver.
13.B) Exiting and being outside the vehicle
Remember that these are open roads. Adhere to following rules and guidelines
Every member of the team (including drivers) must have his or her own reflective vest. Everyone that is
out of the vehicle on the course at night must wear a reflective vest. This includes exchanges, shoulders,
roadways, and parking lots adjacent to the course. Reflective Vests must be worn during the Official
Nighttime Hours (See Page 5). From DUSK TO DAWN, KEEP YOUR VEST ON. Other than the driver,
everyone must exit the vehicle on the passenger side. We also encourage you to wear bright colored
clothing at all times of day and Light/Bright clothing at night. Dark clothing is very hard to see at night.
13.C) Road Crossing
Any team member crossing the road must do so with an orange crossing flag, day or night (This applies
to the support crew – not the “on” runner) Teams will be given flags at the safety briefings. (See section
14.F) Three flags will be provided at the start to Van 1 and three flags will be provided at Exchange 6 for
Van 2. A credit card deposit of $15 is required for each flag, but that amount will not be charged to the
cards if they are returned at the finish.
o Obey all traffic/pedestrian and j-walking laws
o Cross at crosswalk if there is a crosswalk within sight
o No crossing if there is a median
o No crossing roads with more than two lanes. (One lane in each direction)
o Roads with a total 3 lanes or more may be crossed at cross walks.
13.D) Vans
Teams’ vehicles are to obey all traffic laws, which include but are not limited to:
o Obeying speed limits (both minimum and maximum speed limits)
o Not Stopping in the roadway
o No Illegal U-turns
o Pulling off the road completely when stopping/parking
o No parking in non-legal parking areas
o No following runners to illuminate the road for them, or to pace them
When parked, please turn off headlights so as not to blind oncoming traffic
o Leave parking lights on so that the vehicle is visible to regular traffic
o Please do not stop or slow down in places that will impede traffic or runners and do not turn
your hazard
13.E) No Van Support Leg Rules
If a leg along the course is labeled as a “No Van Support” leg (legs are labeled in the RagMag), team
participants need to obey the following rules:
o Team members are not allowed out of their vehicle on the roadway. This includes the lane of
traffic and the shoulder. Team members are allowed to get out of their vehicles in safe locations
that are off the roadway (parking lots, parks, etc.)
o Teams are not allowed to provide water or food to their runner during these legs
o Teams vehicles may pull over where it is legal, to cheer and monitor runners but must obey all
traffic laws and not impede traffic in anyway, and be out of the lane of traffic. If there is no way
to exit the vehicle without walking or standing on the roadway (lane of traffic or paved
shoulder) the support crew must remain in the vehicle.
o If a runner is in distress and there is a safety concern, teams may assist their runner or a runner
from any other team, but must obey all traffic and pedestrian laws in doing so
Special Note: On ‘no van support’ legs runners need to make sure they are well hydrated before starting
their leg and should carry water with them to insure proper hydration throughout their run. All “no van
support” legs are labeled as such in the RagMag. All ‘no van support’ legs over 4 miles long will have at
least one water station. ‘No van support’ legs over 8 miles long will have at least two water stations.
14. SAFE RACE
Help us keep the race safe by abiding by the following safety rules and by helping other teams to
behave safely.
14.A) Prohibited Items on the Course
The following items are not allowed on the race course: rollerblades, unauthorized bicycles, dogs or
other animals, baby joggers/strollers, scooters, skateboards, and any other device that may endanger
others or put a runner at an advantage over the other participants.
14.B) Alcohol
While participating in the race, the consumption of alcohol is not allowed at any point along the course.
Alcohol may be responsibly consumed at the finish line when city ordinances and permits allow.
14.C) Van safety items
During the mandatory safety meetings, teams will be given a Safety Guideline Hanger to hang from their
rear view mirror and a Safety Guideline Window Cling to hang on inside back-seat passenger-door
window. These items must be properly hung in the support vehicle for the duration of the event.
14.D) Sleep in designated sleeping areas
Sleeping/resting must be done inside the support vehicle or inside designated sleeping areas. Major
exchanges 12, 18, 24, and 30 will have designated sleeping areas. No one is allowed to sleep on the
ground in any parking lot
