Rules | Raising The Barr

GENERAL RACE RULES

Runner's Handbook

The Rules & Timing Protocol

Format: Fixed-time (6 or 12 hours) on a 1-mile "Short Inner Loop" to start and a 9-mile "Big Perimeter Loop" for a total of 10 miles per lap

Mixing chip timing with manual tracking (popsicle sticks).

Rules for all Racers & Spectators:

NO Pacers will be allowed on the course.
Crews may assist their runner at "The Tent City" (Race HQ) and “The Bird Sanctuary Aid Station" [14500 Lark Bunting Ln, Brighton, CO 80603]
Runners may not receive outside aid anywhere on the course except in the designated Full Service Aid Stations.
No Dogs allowed on the Perimeter Loop Course.
This is a Cupless Race, so please bring a water bottle or hydration pack.
Dispose of food and gel wrappers in appropriate trash receptacles. Runners can be disqualified for purposely throwing trash on the ground.
Only racers with a bib can utilize the Aid Stations.
Competitors must stay on the race premises throughout the duration of their race time. Ie, Relay Team members should not head downtown to grab lunch.

SOLO Rules:

Individuals will complete as many 10 mile loops [+ 1 mile loops in the last 2 hours] for 6 or 12 hours

Categories: Male, Female, Non-Binary

Youth 14 - 17 / Open 18 - 39 / Masters 40 - 59 / Grand Masters 60 +

RELAY TEAM Rules:

Relay Teams will complete as many 10 mile loops [+ 1 mile loops in the last 2 hours] for 6 or 12 hours.

Teams may configure their relays however they wish, but must abide by the max # of runners, gender, and age group in their chosen category for the duration of the race. Team Categories:

Standard Team: 4-8 runners
Ultra Team: 2-3 runners

Sub Categories: Male, Female, Mixed

Youth 14 - 17 / Open 18 - 39 / Masters 40 +

Relay Leg Distances: 4, 6, or 10 miles. Note: Official split times are not provided. Please self-time your individual relay legs.
Team Strategy: Teams can alternate runners between 4, 6, or 10 mile legs. Create a team of between 2 - 8 runners with one person designated as Captain. While team members take turns (relay-style) running each section, the rest are hanging with friends and partying to music at the Race HQ Start/Finish Tent City or at the Bird Sanctuary. The "Switch" Limit: For the 1-mile loop, teams usually swap every 1-3 loops to stay fast, but it is entirely up to your team.
Exchanges: Must happen only at the "Exchange Zones"
- "Tent City Aid" (Race HQ) Marked chute for (4 or 10 mile legs)
- “The Bird Sanctuary Aid Station” Marked chute for the 6 mile leg.
  - 6 mile leg runners will need to transport to the Bird Sanctuary Upper Parking [14500 Lark Bunting Ln, Brighton, CO 80603] and walk 200m to receive the exchange.
  - 4 mile runners will need to transport back to "Tent City" (Race HQ).

The distance between the two Relay Exchange points is 5 miles and takes appx 15 minutes to drive.

SWITCH TRANSITION RULES for SOLO & TEAMS (5hr / 11hr Cutoff)

The Rule: Runners cannot exclusively run the 1-mile Short Inner Loop until the last two hours of the race (5:00pm).
The "Soft Cutoff”: If a runner finishes a 10-mile loop at 4:50, they cannot start exclusively running the 1-mile Short Inner Loop yet. They must wait 10 minutes OR attempt another 10-mile loop (risky!).
The “Hard Cutoff”: A volunteer will physically rope off the Lake Perimeter Trail entrance at exactly 6pm. Runners who have already started the Lake Perimeter Loop before 6pm will be allowed to continue but MUST finish that loop before 7pm or the loop will not count.
- See Perimeter Cheat Sheet for pace per mile hints

TIMING LOGISTICS

10-Mile Loop: Chip Timing at the finish of each 10 mile loop
1-Mile Loop: Manual Counting
- AFTER 5pm: A runner can declare at the Bridge Junction that they are SWITCHING to the 1 mile Short Inner Loop. They will receive a STICKER on their BIB or BATON declaring they are now running the Short Inner Loop exclusively.
- Every time a Runner crosses the distinct Short Inner Loop finish line with that STICKER displayed, a volunteer will hand them a Popsicle Stick. (Runners/Teams should have their Race # Baggie with them to collect popsicle sticks).
- Racers are responsible for turning in their Race # Bag with their collected popsicle sticks at the end of the race. Popsicle Sticks not turned in before 7:10 will not be added to the total mileage.
- After the finish at 7pm, the timer will tally the number of full 10 mile loops + the completion of the smaller 1 mile loops based on popsicle sticks collected.

DROP BAG POLICY

Organize your personal supplies for the long haul. Drop bags must follow these strict guidelines to ensure timely delivery to the aid stations and efficient recovery post-race.

LABELING: Clearly write BIB NUMBER and NAME on the outside using permanent marker.

SIZE: Use soft-sided bags only. Maximum dimensions: 18x9x9. No plastic bins or suitcases.

CHECK-IN: Deposit bags at the Nature Center Main Lot between 5:00 AM and 6:00 AM on race morning.

CONTENTS: No glass containers, perishables, or valuables. Race organization is not responsible for lost items.

RECOVERY: Bags will be returned to the Finish Line area by 7:30 PM. Bags not claimed after 72 hours will be donated.

The integrity of the Raising the Barr ultramarathon relies on a standardized, self-sufficient environment for every athlete. Support crews are a vital part of the marathon experience, but they must operate within strictly established guidelines to ensure fairness across the course.

STATION ASSISTANCE ONLY
Crews are authorized to provide aid ONLY within the designated boundaries of official aid stations. Any support received—including gear hand-offs, nutritional replenishment, or physical assistance—outside these zones is strictly prohibited and will result in athlete disqualification.

PACER POLICY
No pacers or unsanctioned runners are permitted at any point during the event. Every participant must complete the designated loop independently and under their own power. We expect all support teams to model exceptional sportsmanship and strictly adhere to all Barr Lake State Park regulations, including parking protocols and Leave No Trace principles.

DISQUALIFICATION CRITERIA

LITTERING

Immediate and permanent disqualification from the current and all future Raising the Barr events. Stay on trails.

COURSE CUTTING

Intentional deviation from the marked route or failure to visit all official checkpoints will result in immediate disqualification.

OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE

Receiving aid, gear, or nutrition from crews or spectators outside of designated aid stations is strictly prohibited.

PACING VIOLATION

Running with a pacer or non-registered participant at any point on the race course is grounds for disqualification.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

Verbal abuse of volunteers, staff, or fellow athletes; failure to aid a runner in distress will result in immediate DQ.

GEAR VIOLATIONS

Operating without required hydration capacity or mandatory lighting during night sections leads to a mandatory hold or DQ.

SAFETY FIRST

The wellbeing of our participants is paramount. In the event of an emergency, our race dispatch and medical teams are strategically positioned throughout the Barr Lake loop to provide immediate assistance.

GENERAL RACE RULES

The Rules & Timing Protocol

Format: Fixed-time (6 or 12 hours) on a 1-mile "Short Inner Loop" to start and a 9-mile "Big Perimeter Loop" for a total of 10 miles per lap

Mixing chip timing with manual tracking (popsicle sticks).

Rules for all Racers & Spectators:

NO Pacers will be allowed on the course.

Crews may assist their runner at "The Tent City" (Race HQ) and “The Bird Sanctuary Aid Station" [14500 Lark Bunting Ln, Brighton, CO 80603]

Runners may not receive outside aid anywhere on the course except in the designated Full Service Aid Stations.

No Dogs allowed on the Perimeter Loop Course.

This is a Cupless Race, so please bring a water bottle or hydration pack.

Dispose of food and gel wrappers in appropriate trash receptacles. Runners can be disqualified for purposely throwing trash on the ground.

Only racers with a bib can utilize the Aid Stations.

Competitors must stay on the race premises throughout the duration of their race time. Ie, Relay Team members should not head downtown to grab lunch.

SOLO Rules:

Individuals will complete as many 10 mile loops [+ 1 mile loops in the last 2 hours] for 6 or 12 hours

Categories: Male, Female, Non-Binary

Youth 14 - 17 / Open 18 - 39 / Masters 40 - 59 / Grand Masters 60 +

RELAY TEAM Rules:

Relay Teams will complete as many 10 mile loops [+ 1 mile loops in the last 2 hours] for 6 or 12 hours.

Teams may configure their relays however they wish, but must abide by the max # of runners, gender, and age group in their chosen category for the duration of the race. Team Categories:

Standard Team: 4-8 runners

Ultra Team: 2-3 runners

Sub Categories: Male, Female, Mixed

Youth 14 - 17 / Open 18 - 39 / Masters 40 +

Relay Leg Distances: 4, 6, or 10 miles. Note: Official split times are not provided. Please self-time your individual relay legs.

Exchanges: Must happen only at the "Exchange Zones"

"Tent City Aid" (Race HQ) Marked chute for (4 or 10 mile legs)

“The Bird Sanctuary Aid Station” Marked chute for the 6 mile leg.

6 mile leg runners will need to transport to the Bird Sanctuary Upper Parking [14500 Lark Bunting Ln, Brighton, CO 80603] and walk 200m to receive the exchange.

4 mile runners will need to transport back to "Tent City" (Race HQ).

The distance between the two Relay Exchange points is 5 miles and takes appx 15 minutes to drive. ​SWITCH TRANSITION RULES for SOLO & TEAMS (5hr / 11hr Cutoff)

The Rule: Runners cannot exclusively run the 1-mile Short Inner Loop until the last two hours of the race (5:00pm).

The "Soft Cutoff”: If a runner finishes a 10-mile loop at 4:50, they cannot start exclusively running the 1-mile Short Inner Loop yet. They must wait 10 minutes OR attempt another 10-mile loop (risky!).

The “Hard Cutoff”: A volunteer will physically rope off the Lake Perimeter Trail entrance at exactly 6pm. Runners who have already started the Lake Perimeter Loop before 6pm will be allowed to continue but MUST finish that loop before 7pm or the loop will not count.

See Perimeter Cheat Sheet for pace per mile hints

TIMING LOGISTICS

10-Mile Loop: Chip Timing at the finish of each 10 mile loop

1-Mile Loop: Manual Counting

AFTER 5pm: A runner can declare at the Bridge Junction that they are SWITCHING to the 1 mile Short Inner Loop. They will receive a STICKER on their BIB or BATON declaring they are now running the Short Inner Loop exclusively.

Every time a Runner crosses the distinct Short Inner Loop finish line with that STICKER displayed, a volunteer will hand them a Popsicle Stick. (Runners/Teams should have their Race # Baggie with them to collect popsicle sticks).

Racers are responsible for turning in their Race # Bag with their collected popsicle sticks at the end of the race. Popsicle Sticks not turned in before 7:10 will not be added to the total mileage.

After the finish at 7pm, the timer will tally the number of full 10 mile loops + the completion of the smaller 1 mile loops based on popsicle sticks collected.