Gnarly Dude(ette) Mountain Trail Series Info

Gnarly Dude(ette) Mountain Race Series
FREE THIS YEAR

I am going to try this series one more year. You tell me if you do a race in the series and what your place it. If you have a website for results, let me know so I can normalize your score. Only let me know what you are doing if you think there is some possibilty you will mee the criteria at the end of the summer. Info follows.

This is a Montana wide race series including 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 Half Marathon in Missoula and the Swan Crest run and Le Grizz near Kalispel. More races can be added as they come to our attention. 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 FREE. Please contact each race individually for information on that particular race.

2. You tell me when you do a race and tell me your time so I can find it more easily in the result. Send me a website of POC for results if it is a race I may not know how to get results for.

3. A runner must compete in four races in two regions (defined to be Bozeman, Helena, 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 two people of your age group entered in the race or you are moved down age-groups until there are two 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 may win a prize if I get some donations. 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.

Entry form: None just contact me with info.

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
   Wulfman Continental Divide 14K: http://www.buttespissandmoanrunners.com/Butte%20Races/CDT-14K/cdt_14k.htm
Missoula
   Double Dip Pengelly: http://www.runwildmissoula.org/rwm/clubraces.html
   Lolo half-Marathon: coordinator@runlolopass.org
Kalispel
   Swan Crest Run: http://www.swancrestrun.com/
   Le Grizz Ultramarathon: http://www.cheetahherders.com/LeGrizz.html