Bicycles?
Are bicycles allowed on the course? My friend would like to be my support crew by bicycle.
Bicycles are not permitted on the course for any purpose. Due to the nature of the course and the event, the presence of bicycles could pose a safety hazard to both support vehicles and runners. Sorry.
Water?
Will there be water on the course?
Water and Heed sport drink will be available to ultrarunners at all 11 Ultra Feed Zones on the course. Bottled water for relay runners is provided at 4 transition zone locations on the course: Whipple Dam State Park (TZ 3), Alan Seeger Natural Area (TZ 5), Colyer Lake (TZ 9), and Bear Meadows (TZ10/11). It is not logistically feasible to provide frequent water stations for relay teams on a course of this length. However, teams are reminded that runner hydration is a critical component of performance and safety for distance events. Teams are encouraged to bring additional water and any food or other support items with them in their support vehicle.
mOUnTaiNBACK Event Booklet?
I have heard the mOUnTaiNBACK has an event booklet with descriptions of each leg and course photos. How or when are booklets available?
Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK event booklets are provided to each team and ultra participant after the registration deadline. Booklets include event rules and guidelines, a full-size course map, course leg and transition zone descriptions with photos, and team rotation/mileage tables. All of this information is also available at the race website.
Trails?
Are there any trails on the course?
No. There are a number of trails through the Rothrock State Forest, but the mOUnTaiNBACK course is run 100% on the forest roads. (There is one section of about 0.4 miles on Leg 11 that resembles a trail terrain.) There are directional arrows on the course that prominently point the way. However, be forewarned that there is always a chance that some unscrupulous person could turn directional arrows in the wrong direction or toward a trail head, so we're underscoring this point. Stay on the roads. Know the course. No trails!
Support Vehicles?
Are there any rules for support vehicles?
Yes. Specific rules for support vehicles are provided in the Race Rules and Regulations. Relay teams are limited to one vehicle only (no exceptions), so larger teams should plan ahead to have a van, pickup truck or other vehicle that can transport the full team and supplies. Ultra and Relay support vehicles must travel ahead of their runner to the next aid station or transition zone and wait for the runner to arrive. This is a critical safety consideration, and for relay teams this allows the team's next runner to be prepared to run the next leg.
