The Official Home of the Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK
Rules and Regulations
Rules and Regulations
Here you will find the rules and regulations for race day. These are important for both runner and crew to be made aware of.
No Bicycles
No bicycles are allowed to accompany runners on the race course. Runners or crews found riding the course are assumed to be accompanying runners and in such cases the team or runner will be disqualified.
No Pacers
No pacers are allowed in any of the Tuessy Mountainback events.
NO IN-EAR Listening Devices
The wearing of any in ear listening devices while running is strictly prohibited for safety reasons. Runners reported doing so will be disqualified. If you have any questions regarding weather or not your listening device is acceptable please contact the race director prior to the race.
NO Listening Devices (USATF)
Wearing of listening devices while running as a part of the USATF event is strictly prohibited for safety reasons. Runners reported doing so will be disqualified.
Runner Cutoff Times
50 Mile runners have an 12-hour time window in which to finish. Runners should have reached Aid Station #6 (about 24 miles) by 1:00 p.m.; #9 (about 35 miles) by 3:30 p.m.; and #10 (about 41 miles) by 5:00 p.m. Runners arriving at these points after these times will be required to stop their run at that point and be transported to the finish area.
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100 Mile runners will have 28 hours to complete 2 laps of the 50 mile course. Aid station cutoff times coming soon.
Runner Rotation and Dropouts
By or before the registration deadline, relay teams must submit a rotation order that must be continued in the same order when the rotation repeats. You may not shuffle the order of rotation after each runner has completed their first leg. No alternates may be used once your team has started. No runner may drop out of the race solely for the purpose of substituting a faster runner in their place. If a runner is forced out due to injury, they may not be reinstated into the team lineup. The team must finish with the remaining runners rotating in their current order. Race officials will be monitoring the team rotation, and violations will result in team disqualification. Race officials may also ask for injury or dropout reports.
Navigation
Runners and teams are responsible for ensuring that their runners are familiar with the route of the course they will be running. If a wrong turn is made, the runner must return to the course on foot to the point on the course where the error occurred and resume the race. Deviations or short cuts will result in disqualification. There are no trails on the course.
Vehicle Support
Each team or ultrarunner must have only one support vehicle. Mega teams must have a van. No vehicles 6'6" or wider, or longer than 19'. No motor homes, buses or limos are allowed on the course by any team or team support. If you have doubts about the legality of your vehicle, you must have it checked at the start by a Race Official. As mentioned above, vehicles must not lead, pace, or follow runners on the course.
Cupless
In 2024 we are trying out something new for our ultramarathoners. If you are taking part in the 100M, the 50m, or the 50k, please bring a reusable cup with you. We are hoping to minimize our impact and this is one way we are trying to make a difference. Cups will still be provided at aid stations for emergencies only.
Public Nuisance Rule
Runners who are reported to have littered, urinated, or defecated on public or private property will be disqualified. Please use your judgment and be considerate of property owners along the course. Restrooms, garbage containers, and/or portable toilets are available at several transition locations as well as at the Start and Finish area. Please plan accordingly. Problems with protection of the environment and private property along the course could jeopardize the future of this event.
Clean Sport
In an effort to promote #cleansport, athletes who participate in National Championships and Team USA competitions are subject to drug testing performed by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in accordance with the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing.
Course Guidelines and Logistics
The following guidelines have been developed in order to preserve the integrity of the Rothrock State Forest lands and the safety and welfare of all participants and spectators. All participants must adhere to these guidelines, the race Rules and Regulations, and DCNR rules and regulations. Participants must agree to these guidelines, rules and regulations and sign a waiver before starting the race. Deviations may result in disqualification from the race, fines, or other penalties.
Lane Usage
Generally, participants should be running on the left-hand side of the road (against oncoming traffic). THE COURSE IS NOT CLOSED TO USE BY OTHER VEHICLES. Vehicle traffic flow cannot be anticipated, so runners must exercise caution at all times. If a runner deems it necessary to switch to the right side of the road for safety reasons, immediately following the safety concern the runner must return to the left-hand side of the road. ALL SUPPORT VEHICLES MUST DRIVE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD.
Vehicle Waves
At the beginning of the race, before each starting wave of runners, the wave's corresponding support vehicles will be dispatched to begin SLOWLY advancing toward the first transition zone/aid station. When driving the course, drivers must exercise extreme vigilance at all times for runners ON EITHER SIDE of the road. Maintain a safe lateral distance between your vehicle and runners at all times, and between your vehicle and other team vehicles.
Vehicle Navigation
Vehicles navigating the course must stay on the roadway at all times between transition zones. Support vehicles must travel nonstop, safely but efficiently from one transition zone to the next. DO NOT CRUISE beside runners or stop along the course.
Driving Speeds
Vehicles traveling on the course must travel at safe speeds for the topography and no faster than 25 mph. When driving in the vicinity of runners, vehicles must slow to 10 mph. Be mindful not to hold up traffic behind you.
On Coming Traffic
These forest roads are generally not designed with standard widths for two-lane travel. Vehicles encountering oncoming traffic should pull off on a safe roadside edge to allow the oncoming vehicle to pass.
Transition Zone / Aid-Stations
At transition zones/aid stations, follow direction from race officials. Vehicles MUST park only on the designated road edge or parking lot. Relay vehicles may drop off their runner near the TZ before pulling forward to park. If you are the first vehicle, pull all the way up to the orange post. At road-edge transition zones, pull past the transition zone area and always pull as far forward as possible to make room for other vehicles to park behind yours. Subsequent vehicles should park as close as possible to the vehicle in front of them while allowing sufficient room to pull out.
Aid Station Etiquette
Upon arrival at each transition zone, a team representative or vehicle driver must check in with the transition zone official to identify the team name and the runner who will be covering the next leg. While parked at transition zones, non-running team members may walk forward or back of the actual zone to cheer runners on, but should stay as far off the road as possible. All relay runners must stay clear of the Ultra Aid Stations. Relay runners preparing to begin the next leg should be at the transition zone, positioned to receive the baton well before the arrival of the runner completing the previous leg. Handoff MUST be made within the transition zone.
Transition Zone Departure
Once a transition has been completed, relay teams should ensure that the runner of the completed leg accesses the support vehicle promptly and the vehicle leaves the zone immediately to travel to the next transition zone. When departing from a transition zone, start slowly to avoid disturbing the roadside or roadway elements. Be aware that runners may be arriving behind you as you are leaving, and may also be just ahead of you.
Spectators
Race spectators are welcome. Spectators must view the race from designated spectator zones only. These are: Whipple Dam State Park (transition zone #3), Alan Seeger Picnic Area (TZ #5), Penn Roosevelt State Park (TZ #9), Colyer Lake parking lot (TZ #10) and the Start/Finish area. Spectators must stand clear of the transition zones and aid stations at all times to allow runners and vehicles unimpeded access.
Carpool
Parking is limited.To conserve our limited parking space please coordinate with your crew or team to ride in a single vehicle to the event when possible .
Car Trouble
Be sure your vehicle is in good running condition and has a FULL tank of gas on the day of the race. In the event your vehicle breaks down for any reason, move the vehicle as far off the road as possible. Flag down the next support vehicle and let them know to inform the official in the next transition zone. The official will contact race authorities at the Start/Finish. For safety reasons, there is no provision of replacement vehicles in the event of breakdown; vehicle breakdown may result in the inability to complete the race.
Injuries and Medical Assistance
Medical personnel will be on site to monitor runner safety and provide support where indicated. Experienced EMS personnel will be on hand for the duration of the race. In the event a participant sustains an injury that requires medical attention, two courses of action could result:
(A) If the injured runner is ahead of the support vehicle, if possible the runner should flag down the support vehicle. At that point on the course, teams must put out the next leg's runner to complete only the leg in progress, then hand off to the next runner at the next transition point. The injured runner is excused from the race and may not run again. At the transition zone/aid station, the team or crew must provide complete details to a race official. The official will contact race authorities at the Finish as needed.
(B) If the runner has been passed by the support vehicle, the runner (or person assisting) should flag down the next support vehicle and ask to be transported to the next transition zone to meet the support vehicle. At the point the relay runner is picked up, the runner should leave the baton on the left side of the road, off the roadway. The injured runner or the runner's team must then inform the transition zone official of the details. The official will contact race authorities at the Finish as needed. If the team wishes to continue the race, the team vehicle must retrace the course to the point where the runner left the baton, at which point the next runner in the rotation takes up the baton and completes the leg, and the support vehicle returns to the transition zone. The team would then rotate to the next runner at that transition zone.
Food and Water
Food items and a reserved water supply are available for ultra participants ONLY at the aid stations located at each transition zone. The mOUnTaiNBACK does not provide food or water for relay teams at any point on the course. For ultra participants, the mOUnTaiNBACK will provide delivery of drop bags to transition zones 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, and 11. If you are an ultrarunner utilizing drop bags, please have them marked with your name and the TZ number. Teams are expected to provide sufficient food and liquids to sustain their team through completion of the course.
Restroom
Restroom facilities - including extras provided by the race - are available at the Start/Finish area and at every transition zone/aid station. Plan to use them accordingly.