Originally posted by Laz on Facebook 1/16/2018, and updated by Carl 6/28/2023.
“The Last Annual Vol State Road Race” is not, in the strictest sense, a race. It is a mass journey run. The race organization covers the essential elements of a journey run. We provide transportation to the start, parking at the finish, and a bailout for anyone wishing to vacate their attempt. All other arrangements for food and lodging are the responsibility of the runner.
Below is a list of the basic rules covering the race.
The race intentionally keeps rules to a minimum relying on common sense.
These rules are not all inclusive and the RD is the final authority on any situation.
1) Safety is the first consideration. you are expected to take all reasonable precautions to avoid putting your health in jeopardy.
If we believe that you have exceeded reasonable bounds, you may be required to leave the course.
The Vol State is a challenging event for even the most experienced runner. The ultimate responsibility for your safety rests with you.
– If you have a serious and immediate emergency, call 911.
– Treat traffic hazards with respect. You are not going to win a right of way contest with a 4,000 pound vehicle.
– While our staff consists of experienced journey runners, we are not medical professionals.
Just because we do not see that you are in obvious trouble does not constitute the final evidence that you should continue.
If you need to be removed from the course for your safety, do not hesitate to make that call.
– Even if we do not insist that you take a ride down after the finish, if you are not safe to drive, do not hesitate to ask for that ride.
– The Vol State can be the adventure of a lifetime, and it will press you to your utmost limits.
Reaching The Rock is not something every runner will attain.
Know your limits.
Showing the wisdom to stop before endangering yourself will not be penalized.
You can always return for another attempt. You do not get another life.*
2) All competitors must cover the complete course on foot.
If you make a wrong turn or otherwise leave the course you must return on foot to where to you left before continuing.
IE you must cover the complete course.
3) No pacers are allowed. Runners may only be accompanied by other entrants who are at the same point in the race.
4) No rolling handoffs (giving of aid or taking something from the runner) from a moving vehicle.
Crew cars must pull completely off the roadway before giving aid to the runner.
5) Whenever possible, move facing traffic.
Use common sense, there are a few exceptions when it is safer to be on the opposite side of the road
6) No Littering.
No gel wrappers, no banana peels, no nothing.
If it’s your trash, get it to a trash can.
7) Be a good steward.
The race counts on the goodwill of the communities along the route.
Make room for traffic. People are going about their daily lives and work, do not be a nuisance.
Do not work on your feet in a restaurant where people are eating. In fact, do not remove your shoes in eating establishments… I cannot believe you have to be told that.
It is not a funny story, it is disgusting and you will be taken straight to the rock.
If you’re dripping wet from a rainstorm, don’t choose the cushioned booth in the restaurant.
Don’t defile a hotel room….. Use common sense and don’t cause a scene.
8) Runners must report in to race management twice per day at approximately 7:30 am and pm or as soon as possible after.
If you will be off the course at the check in time, you may report early.
9) Runners (both crewed and screwed) may not get in or on a vehicle for any reason during the event.
The only exception is if you are ordered into a vehicle by law enforcement.
If this occurs, you may ride back to the point where you left the course.
This includes RV’s, campers, trailers, trucks, truck beds, bicycle racks, drones, etc.
10) If you require any sort of emergency medical treatment, including an IV, you are required to vacate your attempt.
Your health and safety are the first consideration.
(please note that we reserve the right to make a judgement call… several years ago, a runner was bitten by a dog and had to go to the ER to receive stitches.
Since he had no ongoing medical crisis relating to actually running the race, he was allowed to return to the course and continue.)
11) If race management does not consider you safe to drive upon completion of the event, you are required to accept transport down the Race HQ until you have slept enough to safely drive.
Other information:
1) The official race finish is taken in the order the runners arrive.
There is no formal distinction between aided and unaided runners.
However, this is an important distinction to many participants.
Basically, an aided runner is one with a crew to supply their needs.
An unaided runner is one who takes care of their own needs.
The basic nature of running unaided has changed over the years, as local communities and individuals have begun setting up unofficial aid stops (welcome centers) for the participants.
Utilizing these stops is not considered giving up the unaided status.
Basically, these stops have compensated for the decreased number of markets along the route.
However, accepting assistance from the race management, the crews of other entrants, or other people not local is considered being aided.
Breaking it down beyond those points is a matter for individual determination.
2) Bailout can be chosen at any point, requiring only a telephone call to request removal from the course.
While we have several vehicles stationed throughout the field, an immediate pickup cannot be guaranteed.
After pickup, an immediate ride back to your vehicle cannot be guaranteed. If an immediate ride is not
available, we will shuttle you to a pickup point so that you may go in the next possible transport to the finish.
Just a quick reminder from Carl:
If you’re coming to crew a specific crewed runner that’s fine, but roaming the course offering aid to random runners should be left to the local road angels, not ultrarunners just wanting to ‘be a part of the event.’
If every ultrarunner who lived within a couple hours came out to offer aid, the course would be overrun with aid and the spirit of the solo journey run would be lost….besides, the screwed runners will be mad if you show up offering aid that they can’t take!
The race staff discourages participants from searching for loopholes within the rules. Such behavior goes against the intended spirit of the event.