CHALLENGE-

Please check the badwater ultra website for the current Rules and Regulations at www.badwaterultra.com as they do change from year to year.

2002  General Race Rules

1.) There are three starting times for the 2002 Badwater Ultramarathon (6am, 8am, and 10am on July 23, 2002), but all racers in all groups are competing in the same race. Runners may attend only their assigned start time. Runners must check in at the start line, ready to race, 30 minutes prior to their start time. Starting Groups are assigned by the race director and are non-transferable. Split times will be collated throughout the race to maintain overall standings. There are only two divisions: men's and women's. The racer to arrive at the finish line in each division with the lowest overall time, based on their starting time, will be considered the winner.

2.) The official race bib/jersey/number and bracelet must be worn unmodified and visible at all times while on the course.

3.) The clock does not stop for any reason until the race course officially closes 60 hours after each designated official start time.

4.) Running must always be single file, on the far left side of the road or off the left side of the road, facing traffic (pacers, too).

5.) Racers must make their presence known at all Time Stations located in fixed locations along the route. Runner times in and out of the Time Station will be recorded. Racer locations, time splits, and places will only be revealed at Time Stations.

6.) The race ends at the Mt. Whitney Portals. If you choose to hike to the summit, please remove any official race logos. Be sure to have the appropriate permits from the National Park Service.

7.) Racers, crew, and staff must not litter, mar, or pollute the landscape or environment.

8.) All racers, crew and staff must display courtesy, good taste, decorum, and sportsmanship at all times. Nudity is specifically not allowed.

2002 Legal and Bureaucratic Issues

1.) All racers must follow and complete the entire application and entry process, filling out all forms and paying all necessary fees.

2.) All racers must sign the Entrant Contract.

3.) All racers and crew must sign the Liability Release / Agreement to Terms and Conditions.

4.) All racers and crew must sign the Release of Name and Likeness.

5.) All race vehicles must meet the minimum requirements of property damage and personal injury liability automobile insurance for the state of California. All vehicle drivers must be fully licensed.

6.) All racers and at least one crew member for each entrant must attend all of the Pre-Race Meeting. Those racers who do not attend the meeting will not be allowed to participate. No exceptions.

7) All racers must be willing to submit to a drug urine test before, during, or after the race. If any banned substances are detected, the racer will be disqualified from competition and the final standings of the race itself.

8) No TV, film, or video crew, person, producer, director or other broadcast media representative may accompany or cover any racer or the race itself without the specific written permission of the Race Director. All film crews must sign a Non-Exclusive Licensing Agreement and pay a Rights Fee. Additionally, Death Valley National Park will require payment of a filming fee and signature of a filming agreement.

9) All racers and crew must pay the Death Valley National Park Entrance Fee of $5 per person. Proof must be brought to Runner Check-In on July 22 or racers will have to pay the entrance fees for the entire group at that time.

10) All entrants must bring one U.S. dollar in a sealed envelope to the pre-race meeting. Please write the runner bib number on the envelope.

2002 Support Crew

1.) Each racer must have a support crew comprised of at least one four-wheeled motor vehicle and two crew members at all times. Each racer must have his or her own support crew and vehicle; crew and support vehicles may not be shared, except informally in the spirit of the event, i.e., crews may lend assistance to other racers or crews.

2.) Runners must progress under their own power without drafting, helping, pushing, supporting, or any other type of physical assistance. Crewmembers may not carry an umbrella or shade cover for a runner.

3.) Runners may not be accompanied by more than one pacer, either on foot or bicycle, at any given time. Additional crew members that are handing off supplies to the runner and/or pacer must be off the roadway at all times (i.e. left of the white line on the shoulder).

4.) Runners must not run abreast with other runners or with pacers on the roadway. All running must be single-file on the roadway. If runners or pacers want to run next to one another, they must be OFF the roadway, i.e. left of the white line.

5.) Crewmembers may not use illegal drugs, stimulants, or dope, as well as alcohol of any kind, during the race or at any race events or activities.

6.) Runners may not be accompanied by pacers or moving crew members between Badwater and Furnace Creek.

2002 Support Vehicles

1.) The support vehicle may not be wide than 78" in width, as stated in the manufacturer specifications. Small Cars, Minivans, and SUVs are recommended. All motorhomes, RVs, oversize SUVs, vans, and trucks, or other types of oversize vehicles are strongly discouraged, even as a secondary support vehicle. Also, if a racer has only one support vehicle, it may not be wider than 78".

2.) All support vehicles must have their headlights on whenever the engine is running, 24 hours a day.

3.) All race vehicles must have highly visible signage on the back of the vehicle stating "CAUTION RUNNERS ON ROAD." This type of sign can be made, for example, using yellow , white, or pink adhesive shelf paper with at least 6 inch letters. Magnetic, reflective, professionally made signs for this purpose can be made to order by your local sign shop.

4.) All support vehicles must have their racer's name and race number easily visible on all four sides. This type of sign can be made, for example, using yellow, white, or pink adhesive shelf paper with at least 6 inch letters.

5.) Vehicle windows may not be blocked or obstructed with any signage.

6.) Only one support vehicle is allowed for each racer at the Start Line before the race and between the Start Line and Furnace Creek during the race. This support vehicle may not be an RV or motorhome. No RVs or motorhomes are allowed between the Start Line and Furnace Creek.

7.) No RVs or motorhomes are allowed between the Lone Pine and the Finish.

8.) Vehicles must "leapfrog" the runner at all times. Attempt to make each "leapfrog" at least one mile or more in length. Racers may not be "shadowed" or "caravanned." Driving may never be at the speed of any racer. Driving must be done at the speed of traffic, not slowing down to encourage, talk to, or lend assistance to any racer while moving. All assistance must be provided by pedestrian crew members - handing off of supplies from the vehicle is not allowed.

9.) Vehicles must be parked completely off the road surface whenever they are stopped (with all four tyres right of the white line). Many areas of the route have very little shoulder for parking so care must be taken in choosing stopping places. When stopping/parking, vehicles may not stop on the left side of the road. All stopping/parking must be on the right side of the road.

10.) All vehicles must obey the vehicle code laws of California at all times.

2002 Safety and Medical Issues

1.) Remember, at all times and in all situations, safety is the most important issue. This means safety for racers, crew, staff, and the general public. The roads are not closed for this event and are, in fact, quite busy with tourist and local traffic.

2.) I.V.s (intravenous fluids) are not permitted during the race. If a racer receives an I.V. during the race, for any reason, then that racer is disqualified and may not complete the course officially.

3.) Racers and crewmembers/pacers must wear reflective material facing in all four directions, as well as blinking LED lights facing front and rear, at night. Racers and crewmembers are encouraged to wear reflective material during the day as well. We recommend the outstanding products from 9Lives Products, Inc. These can be ordered through our secure online store and picked up at Runner Check-In on July 22. (We will not ship them to you in advance. Orders of these products will be available for pick-up at the race only.)

4.) Racers are responsible for both their own and their crew’s actions; crews are responsible for both their own and their racer’s actions.

5.) Always look and listen both ways before crossing the highways. Remember that drivers will not expect to encounter a racer or parked vehicle out on the course. Remember we are on public roads. Racers should not cross over the highway more than necessary; crew should cross the highway carefully to bring assistance to their racer.

6) All entrants and crew must study "Medical Risks in the Badwater Ultramarathon" and "The Dangers of Hot Weather Running".

2002 Leaving the Course or Withdrawing

1.) Every inch of the course must be traveled by each racer. In the event of a routing error, e.g., wrong turn, the racer may be driven back to the exact original spot where he/she left the course and continue running from that location. There will be no allowance made for lost time or miles run in the wrong direction.

2.) If a racer needs to leave the course, his/her crew must note the exact location with a numbered stake in the ground. This numbered stake must be visible from the road in both directions. The racer must then resume the race from the same place that he/she left it. The numbered stakes will be provided to all runners at the pre-race meeting. Racers may only leave the course for appropriate reasons such as rest or medical attention. Focus must be kept on the speedy completion of the course.

3.) If a racer withdraws, he/she or his/her crew must contact Race Headquarters or a Time Station immediately. Reason for withdrawal, time of withdrawal, and miles completed must be stated. All racers and crew who drop are encouraged to come to the finish line and both post-race events to greet and celebrate with their fellow racers and crew.

4) All Emergency Evacuation costs for participants or crews will be borne by that person or their heirs. The race organizers are in no way liable or responsible for emergency evacuation.

2002 Awards

2002 Rule Enforcement and Penalties

1.) Race rules are designed to provide a safe and fair experience for everyone involved.

2.) Major rule infractions by racers or their crew, especially those regarding "cheating," will result in immediate disqualification of the racer.

3.) Other lesser offenses will result in the following single time penalty:

First Penalty: One Hour
Second Penalty: Disqualification

4.) Time penalties are imposed by stopping at the final Time Station in Lone Pine to serve his/her time. The race and clock will continue while the penalized racer waits out his/her penalty time. A Race Official will be present to oversee this process.

5.) The Race Director has the authority to overrule any regulation or invent a new rule based on extenuating circumstances. The Race Director has ultimate authority in regards to all rules, their interpretation, and their enforcement.. There is no “appeals committee” or “appeals process.”

Finally

1.) Have fun and keep smiling!

Send mail to  meredydd@meredydd.us        with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2002 Challenge Meredydd: Deca Ironman World Chapionships
Last modified: 10/29/05