Race Rules for all Southeastern Trail Runs (STR) Races:
1. All decisions of the Race Directors are final. Aid station captains have the authority to act as on-location race directors, but the RDs have final say on all decisions.
2. You may not cut the course. There are NO “bushwhacking” sections. You must stay on the marked trails at all times. It’s your responsibility to know and stay on the course. If you fail to run the course as marked you will not receive an official finish time and will not be eligible for an award – no time adjustments, no exceptions!
3. Inclement Weather: STR races are not cancelled for any reason other than events beyond our control. Such events as park closings, highways closed due to unsafe conditions preventing access to the start forest fires on or near the course. Storms are part of trail running. It’s your responsibility to be prepared for anything when you run a trail race. (This could include 6 inches of show the day before a race.)
4: Changing distances during a race:
A: We allow runners to move up or down in distance at any time during our races.
B: If you change distance, you are NOT ELIGIBLE for any place awards.
C: You are eligible for a finisher award and you do get a finisher medal where available.
D: If you change distance 24 hours before the race start you will be eligible for place awards.
5. You must complete the course on foot: You cannot receive assistance from vehicles, bicycles, skate boards, roller skates, horses or other runners to advance your location on the trail. In the event of heavy snow, skies are OK but you must carry them with you the entire race.
6. Headphones: Headphones are acceptable while on the trails. Do not wear them on any of the road sections or when crossing roads. Also, remove your headphones when approaching an aid station. We can’t communicate if you can’t hear us.
7. Road Sections: If the race has a section on paved roads always run FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. Stay in the bike lane where available. Cross over roads with caution.
8. Drop Bags:
A: We allow dropbags in all races 50 miles or longer.
B: We do not deliver drop bags to aid stations at any races shorter than 50 miles.
C: At all STR races you are welcome to leave a drop bag at the start/finish of any race.
9. Crew Access Aid Stations: (Crew members may not enter an aid station if their runner “you” are not present.)
Exception: IF your crew is waiting on you and would like to volunteer to help out at the aid station they are certainly welcome. Tell the AS Captain they would like to help. In most cases they will be glad to have extra volunteers.
A: Your Crew may meet you at designated crew aid stations only.
B: All aid stations are crew accessible unless otherwise noted.
*Access to remote aid stations (not on park roads) may require a long hike.
C: Your crew may NOT leave the park to provide aid to a runner unless there is an emergency.
D: Your crew members MAY NOT enter any Aid Station at any time, unless they are with YOU.
E: Failure of your crew to follow these rules may result in you, the runner, being disqualified.
10. Your Crew:
A: You are responsible for the behavior of your crew!
B: Your crew MUST follow the directions of the aid station captain.
C: Food in aid station is for runners and pacers ONLY!! (Absolutely no exception!)
*Be sure your crew understands they may not remove food or drink from the aid stations.
*They may accompany you into the aid station and assist you while there.
D: Children and pets ARE NOT ALLOWED in any aid station at any time.
11. Trekking Poles: We allow trekking poles in all STR Races. In fact, we encourage all runners to use them in the more difficult races. Some sections of trail are very steep. The poles help maintain stability and prevent you from sliding backward. When not in use, close or fold them to their smallest size and stow them in a pack if possible for the safety of others. When you are not using the poles, DO NOT Run with the poles fully extended! Poles may be left in your drop bag to be picked up later.
12. Pacers: ONLY 100 Mile runners may have a pacers!! - IF you are running a shorter distance and have a pacer, you will be immediately disqualified! There will be NO EXCEPTIONS.
A: All 100 mile runners may have a pacer starting at mile 50.
B: Any 100 mile runner over 65 years of age may have a pacer the entire race.
C: Pacers may start at any aid station beginning at 50 miles.
D: Pacers must check in and sign a release before pacing.
E: Pacers must notify the appropriate aid station personnel when they stop pacing.
F: Failure to do so may result in the disqualification of your runner.
G: ONLY 100 Mile runners may have a pacers!! (Did I mention this?)
13. Medical Assistance: If you require an IV or oxygen at any point during the race, your race is over. If medical personnel determines that you are not physically able to safely continue the race you must stop immediately. Aid Station Captains and Medical Staff decisions are final. Do not argue with them. This rule applies to ANY TYPE of IV. Get an IV during the race and you are GONE!!
14. Rude Behavior: Being rude, discourteous or otherwise annoying race volunteers or staff is grounds for disqualification. Same with being rude or annoying to other runners or anyone else on the course, such as bicyclists, horseback rider and hikers. All trails used in Blood Rock at Oak Mountain State Park and on Russell Lands are multiuse trails. Even though you are racing, horses have right-of-way. I recommend yielding to bike on the single track section. You will see bikes and might see a horse or two. Be courteous please.
15. No littering: Ever. Immediate disqualification!!!
16. Stashing Food: DO NOT stash food, drink or other supplies anywhere along the course. If the race is long enough to have multiple aid stations you are welcome to drop off a drop bag at the aid stations in any race. IF you do not pick up your drop bag after the race, it goes in the trash. For races 50 miles and longer we transport drop bags to most aid station.
17. Crew Vehicles: All crew vehicles for the Blood Rock and Lake Martin 50 & 100 must display a Crew Car Pass on the dash of the car at all times. It must be clearly visible and must show the name and number of the runner they are crewing for. Park rangers and Russell Lands Security must be able to identify crew vehicles, especially after dark. No pass is required for other STR Races.
18. Race Parking: Most of our races have plenty of space for parking. Try to park reasonably close to adjacent cars to conserve space.
19. Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated and is grounds for disqualification and may result in being barred from future STR races. A sense of humor is also always welcome. Try to smile no matter how rotten you feel. Please remember, some of those volunteers have been working at the AS longer than you have been running. If you are not happy with something, do not get angry with or yell at volunteers EVER! They might just throw you out of the race. Any objections or complaints must be made to the Race Directors, ME, not volunteers. You can find me at the start/finish after you finish.
20. Drug Policy: Southeastern Trail Runs has a zero-tolerance policy regarding the use of performance enhancing drugs. If you have ever violated any anti-doping rule or policy, whether of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), or any other national sports federation you are ineligible to run in any of our event – no ifs, and, or buts. Not only that, but we reserve the right to conduct pre and post-competition testing for any and all performance-enhancing drugs listed on the current WADA Prohibited List and entry into our race constitutes consent to such testing. If you refuse to submit to testing you’ll be disqualified and will be subject to a lifetime ban.
21. Government ID Verification: We now check ID’s at race check-in to verify age and gender. Runners must compete in the age group and the gender indicated on your ID. NO EXCEPTIONS!
1. All decisions of the Race Directors are final. Aid station captains have the authority to act as on-location race directors, but the RDs have final say on all decisions.
2. You may not cut the course. There are NO “bushwhacking” sections. You must stay on the marked trails at all times. It’s your responsibility to know and stay on the course. If you fail to run the course as marked you will not receive an official finish time and will not be eligible for an award – no time adjustments, no exceptions!
3. Inclement Weather: STR races are not cancelled for any reason other than events beyond our control. Such events as park closings, highways closed due to unsafe conditions preventing access to the start forest fires on or near the course. Storms are part of trail running. It’s your responsibility to be prepared for anything when you run a trail race. (This could include 6 inches of show the day before a race.)
4: Changing distances during a race:
A: We allow runners to move up or down in distance at any time during our races.
B: If you change distance, you are NOT ELIGIBLE for any place awards.
C: You are eligible for a finisher award and you do get a finisher medal where available.
D: If you change distance 24 hours before the race start you will be eligible for place awards.
5. You must complete the course on foot: You cannot receive assistance from vehicles, bicycles, skate boards, roller skates, horses or other runners to advance your location on the trail. In the event of heavy snow, skies are OK but you must carry them with you the entire race.
6. Headphones: Headphones are acceptable while on the trails. Do not wear them on any of the road sections or when crossing roads. Also, remove your headphones when approaching an aid station. We can’t communicate if you can’t hear us.
7. Road Sections: If the race has a section on paved roads always run FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. Stay in the bike lane where available. Cross over roads with caution.
8. Drop Bags:
A: We allow dropbags in all races 50 miles or longer.
B: We do not deliver drop bags to aid stations at any races shorter than 50 miles.
C: At all STR races you are welcome to leave a drop bag at the start/finish of any race.
9. Crew Access Aid Stations: (Crew members may not enter an aid station if their runner “you” are not present.)
Exception: IF your crew is waiting on you and would like to volunteer to help out at the aid station they are certainly welcome. Tell the AS Captain they would like to help. In most cases they will be glad to have extra volunteers.
A: Your Crew may meet you at designated crew aid stations only.
B: All aid stations are crew accessible unless otherwise noted.
*Access to remote aid stations (not on park roads) may require a long hike.
C: Your crew may NOT leave the park to provide aid to a runner unless there is an emergency.
D: Your crew members MAY NOT enter any Aid Station at any time, unless they are with YOU.
E: Failure of your crew to follow these rules may result in you, the runner, being disqualified.
10. Your Crew:
A: You are responsible for the behavior of your crew!
B: Your crew MUST follow the directions of the aid station captain.
C: Food in aid station is for runners and pacers ONLY!! (Absolutely no exception!)
*Be sure your crew understands they may not remove food or drink from the aid stations.
*They may accompany you into the aid station and assist you while there.
D: Children and pets ARE NOT ALLOWED in any aid station at any time.
11. Trekking Poles: We allow trekking poles in all STR Races. In fact, we encourage all runners to use them in the more difficult races. Some sections of trail are very steep. The poles help maintain stability and prevent you from sliding backward. When not in use, close or fold them to their smallest size and stow them in a pack if possible for the safety of others. When you are not using the poles, DO NOT Run with the poles fully extended! Poles may be left in your drop bag to be picked up later.
12. Pacers: ONLY 100 Mile runners may have a pacers!! - IF you are running a shorter distance and have a pacer, you will be immediately disqualified! There will be NO EXCEPTIONS.
A: All 100 mile runners may have a pacer starting at mile 50.
B: Any 100 mile runner over 65 years of age may have a pacer the entire race.
C: Pacers may start at any aid station beginning at 50 miles.
D: Pacers must check in and sign a release before pacing.
E: Pacers must notify the appropriate aid station personnel when they stop pacing.
F: Failure to do so may result in the disqualification of your runner.
G: ONLY 100 Mile runners may have a pacers!! (Did I mention this?)
13. Medical Assistance: If you require an IV or oxygen at any point during the race, your race is over. If medical personnel determines that you are not physically able to safely continue the race you must stop immediately. Aid Station Captains and Medical Staff decisions are final. Do not argue with them. This rule applies to ANY TYPE of IV. Get an IV during the race and you are GONE!!
14. Rude Behavior: Being rude, discourteous or otherwise annoying race volunteers or staff is grounds for disqualification. Same with being rude or annoying to other runners or anyone else on the course, such as bicyclists, horseback rider and hikers. All trails used in Blood Rock at Oak Mountain State Park and on Russell Lands are multiuse trails. Even though you are racing, horses have right-of-way. I recommend yielding to bike on the single track section. You will see bikes and might see a horse or two. Be courteous please.
15. No littering: Ever. Immediate disqualification!!!
16. Stashing Food: DO NOT stash food, drink or other supplies anywhere along the course. If the race is long enough to have multiple aid stations you are welcome to drop off a drop bag at the aid stations in any race. IF you do not pick up your drop bag after the race, it goes in the trash. For races 50 miles and longer we transport drop bags to most aid station.
17. Crew Vehicles: All crew vehicles for the Blood Rock and Lake Martin 50 & 100 must display a Crew Car Pass on the dash of the car at all times. It must be clearly visible and must show the name and number of the runner they are crewing for. Park rangers and Russell Lands Security must be able to identify crew vehicles, especially after dark. No pass is required for other STR Races.
18. Race Parking: Most of our races have plenty of space for parking. Try to park reasonably close to adjacent cars to conserve space.
19. Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated and is grounds for disqualification and may result in being barred from future STR races. A sense of humor is also always welcome. Try to smile no matter how rotten you feel. Please remember, some of those volunteers have been working at the AS longer than you have been running. If you are not happy with something, do not get angry with or yell at volunteers EVER! They might just throw you out of the race. Any objections or complaints must be made to the Race Directors, ME, not volunteers. You can find me at the start/finish after you finish.
20. Drug Policy: Southeastern Trail Runs has a zero-tolerance policy regarding the use of performance enhancing drugs. If you have ever violated any anti-doping rule or policy, whether of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), or any other national sports federation you are ineligible to run in any of our event – no ifs, and, or buts. Not only that, but we reserve the right to conduct pre and post-competition testing for any and all performance-enhancing drugs listed on the current WADA Prohibited List and entry into our race constitutes consent to such testing. If you refuse to submit to testing you’ll be disqualified and will be subject to a lifetime ban.
21. Government ID Verification: We now check ID’s at race check-in to verify age and gender. Runners must compete in the age group and the gender indicated on your ID. NO EXCEPTIONS!