Gnarly Dude(ette) Mountain Race Series   

This is a Montana wide race series which we are calling the Gnarly Dude(ette) Mountain Race Series. There are races included from as much of Montana as possible. Each race occurs at least mostly on mountain trails. Potential races are the Jim Bridger Trail Run, the Old Gabe 25K/50K, the Bridger Ridge Run, the John Colter Run and the Devils Backbone in Bozeman, the Beartooth Run near Billings, The Don't Fence Me In, Elkhorn Runs, and Mt Helena races in Helena, the Double Dip, Lolo Runs and Lubrecht Forest races in Missoula and the Swan Crest run and Le Grizz near Kalispel. More races can be added as they come to our attention. Schnee's Boot and Shoes will donate a pair of running shoes to the series winners (female/male). Other prizes are likely for such things as completing the most races, the most distance and whatever else sounds good and is supported by prizes. The series is composed of completing four of the qualifying races in at least two regions, one qualifying race being 20 miles or longer. We will award points based on a normalizing formula comparing the finisher's time to the age group winner's time in each of ten-year age groups.

We expect this series to create heightened awareness and interest in trail runs, and pull better performance out of those of you who already race. The normalizing coefficient will make it fair competition for all ages. The prizes will be a catalyst for what we hope is an exciting new series. Our motivation is purely to promote the sport of running. We thank you for your interest and hope to see you on the trails.

Rules:
1. Registration fee for the series is $5.00 to cover one drink at an awards party in October. Possibility of a T-shirt in future years depending on interest. This is a one-time fee for the 2008 series only and does not include entry to any race in the series. Please contact each race individually for information on that particular race.

2. Only two races may be run before registration for the series. We prefer you register before running any races you want to count, but will accept two only. We don't want you to wait to see if you have four good races and then register!

3. A runner must compete in four races in two regions (defined to be Bozeman , Billings , Missoula and Kalispel ), one of which is 20 miles or longer.

4. The runner's age at the time of their first race determines their age group. Age groups are as follows: 18 – 29, 30 – 39, 40 – 49, 50 – 59, 60 – 69, 70 + (also see rule 5).

5. In order to make this series as fair as possible to all ages, runners will be compared to those in their age group. Series points are determined by dividing your 10-year age-group winner's time by your time, and multiplying by 100. However, there must be some competition in your age group. So there must be three people of your age group entered in the race or you are moved down age-groups until there are three people.

6. Top four scores by a runner in the included races are counted. Lower scores are deleted. Since both a 30-year-old and a 40-year-old could score a perfect 400, ties may occur. Having no better idea, I will decide ties by comparing a fifth race even if only one of the tied runners completed a fifth race. If none did a fifth race I will toss a coin (unless someone presents a better idea).

7. Overall winner of each gender has the most points regardless of age group and wins a pair of running shoes donated by Schnee's. If there are sufficient donated awards they will be awarded for competing the most races, or the longest distance or whatever else sounds interesting.

8. We will have special recognition to those who complete all races (minus those conflicting).

9. Each race is under the control of its own race director. You must register for each race individually and follow all rules for each race. Disqualification from any series race is disqualification from the entire series.

10. Standings for the series will be posted on the web at www.math.montana.edu/~thayes/Runs/Runs.html as soon as official results for each race become available (and I have time to compile results). Information on awards presentations will be determined after the end of the series and posted to the web and emails sent to those who provided their address.

Print out an entry blank form Entry

Websites, phone or email contacts for possible races:

Bozeman
   Jim Bridger Trail Run 10-miler: per@chengineers.com
   Old Gabe 25K/50K: http://www.math.montana.edu/~thayes/Runs/Runs.html
   Devils Backbone 50M http://www.math.montana.edu/~thayes/Runs/Runs.html
   Bridger Ridge Run: Website http://www.winddrinkers.org/BRR/BridgerRidge.html
   John Colter Run: Toll Free: 1-800-332-4574
Billings
   Beartooth Run: http://www.redlodge.com/beartoothrun/
Helena
   Don't Fence Me In Runs: http://pricklypearlt.org/eventscalendar/detailedinformation.asp?ID=1628
   Mt Helena Run: http://www.helenarunningclub.com/mthelena/home.html
   Elkhorn Runs: www.helenarunningclub.com
Missoula
   Double Dip Pengelly: http://www.runwildmissoula.org/rwm/clubraces.html
   Lolo half-Marathon: coordinator@runlolopass.org
   Lubrecht Forest Run: Missoula Nordic Club
Kalispel
   Swan Crest Run: http://www.swancrestrun.com/
   Le Grizz Ultramarathon: http://www.cheetahherders.com/LeGrizz.html