Race Rules

Trailblazer Running is about community, challenging & rewarding events, and respect for our outdoor places. We want everyone to have an amazing experience, while ensuring fairness, safety and leaving minimal impact on the environment. Please review our ground rules:

BE RESPECTFUL AND KIND: This goes without saying. None of the races would be possible without the help of our volunteers, so please give them your upmost respect!

NO LITTERING: Utilize Leave No Trace principles at all times. There is also absolutely no littering— Pack it in, pack it out, and utilize garbage bags at aid stations. 

CHECK IN AT AID STATIONS: Volunteers are tracking all runner bib numbers upon arrival into each aid station. All bib numbers must be worn and visible on your front for tracking purposes and proper bib chip recording. 

TIME CUTOFFS: Race cutoffs exist for several reasons, primarily safety, keeping the race on schedule, and out of respect for our volunteer’s time. Please respect these reasons, as they are vital to the overall success and continuation of the event. Remember that cutoff times indicate when a runner must leave the aid station.

NOTIFYING RACE OFFICIALS: If you do not finish the race you MUST notify a race official before leaving the event! For safety and permit concerns, runners who are unable to finish the course for any reason shall only drop at an aid station location or at the finish line. All runners who do not finish are required to notify the aid station captain were they've dropped, and mustn't leave the event course until they have done so. We do not want to use precious Search & Rescue resources needlessly. 

CREW/AID STATION SUPPLIES: Runners may only receive aid at designated aid stations. This includes aid from crew. Runners may not stash aid along the course. This is in fairness to all the runners and to comply with event permit requirements. 

MEDICAL INTERVENTION: If you require significant medical support during a race, the race directors and medical support team will make a decision on whether you are allowed to continue. This call is up to us and must be respected as the decision will be based on what we feel is safest for you and all the race support personnel.

STAY ON COURSE: Stay on designated course trails. Absolutely no cutting trail switchbacks or other shortcuts. Once a runner determines they’ve gone off-course, they must backtrack in order to rejoin the course where they departed from it, then continue the race. Runners must complete the entire race course or risk disqualification; runners must run the exact race route to be a race finisher.

DOGS. Dogs are generally not allowed on the courses. Some of our races allow dogs at the staging area, but not all. Please inquire if you have specific questions.

ANTI-DOPING: Anyone issued a temporary or lifetime ban from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will not be allowed to race. The use of WADA-banned substances is not allowed before, during or after races.

RACE-SPECIFIC RULES: Each race has specific rules. Refer to specific race webpage, pre-race email announcements, and pre-race briefings.

These rules are created to ensure the safety and satisfaction of all the runners, volunteers, and race support people. If you have a question about whether something is allowed or not, please don’t hesitate to ask us.