Race Regulations

Last Modified 2026-09-01

Equipment

Equipment are marked as follows:

🚨Mandatory always on your person ⚠️Mandatory proof or waiver at check-in ✔️Recommended

Essential Gear 🔑

Bib - 🚨All races
The numbered bib we provide must be worn on the front and easily visible at all times

ID - 🚨Big Bend Ultra (any distance) / ✔️ All other races
Passport / Personal ID

Approved Smartphone - 🚨Big Bend Ultra 100K / ✔️Big Bend Ultra <100K / ✔️Sky Island
Smartphone with paid T-Satellite plan for satellite SOS, messaging, and progress tracking. See details below.

Whistle - 🚨Big Bend Ultra 100K / ⚠️Big Bend Ultra (other distances)
As a failsafe

Bandage - ⚠️Big Bend Ultra 55K+ / ✔️Sky Island
Self adhering, elastic bandage to assist with self extraction:stabilize sprain, wound compression, sling for fracture, and more.

Survival Blanket - ⚠️Big Bend Ultra 100K / ✔️Races with a night stage
Mylar / space blanket

Visibility 🔦

Headlamps - ⚠️Big Bend Ultra 55K+ / ⚠️Sky Island 50K / ✔️Races with a night stage
Two charged and forward facing head or chest lamps (preferably red light to preserve dark sky). Reflective gear recommended.

Hi-Vis Reflective Gear - ✔️Races with a night stage
Ensure you are easily seen by others at night

Consumption 🍫

Hydration - 🚨Big Bend Ultra 55K+ / ⚠️Sky Island 50K / ✔️ All other races
Resealable container(s) capable of carrying at least 1L of water and designed for hydration. Our trail races are cup-less.

Food - ⚠️Big Bend Ultra 55K+ / ✔️ All other races
Energy bars / chews / gels / similar. Minimum 100 Calories per 10K distance

Protection 🛡️

Head cover - ⚠️Big Bend Ultra 25K+ / ⚠️Sky Island 25K+ / ✔️ All other races
Hat / bandana / saharan cap, or similar to protect your head and neck from the sun.

Beanie - ⚠️Big Bend Ultra 100K / ⚠️Sky Island 50K / ✔️Races with a night stage
Or similar warm head cover

Warm Gloves - ⚠️Big Bend Ultra 100K / ✔️Races with a night stage
To protect hands from cold

Shield Layer(s) - ⚠️Big Bend Ultra 55K+ / ✔️Sky Island
Jacket / shell or similar in case of inclement weather. Waterproof and breathable to protect from rain, cold, or both.

Sunscreen - ⚠️All races 50K+ / ✔️All races 25K+
Recommended 15ml+ container, SPF 50+

Eyewear - ✔️ All races
Sunglasses protective eyewear. Photo-chromatic lenses provide both

Other 🎒

Strava - ✔️ All races
Install the Strava App for full progress recording and offline course way-finding

Gaiters - ✔️ All trail races
Keep rocks and debris out of your shoes

Running Pack - ✔️ All races
A vest or other gear capable of carrying essential gear

Pre Race - ✔️ All races
Warm dry clothing / jacket / tights

Post Race - ✔️ All races
Warm dry clothing / jacket / blanket

Tracking - ✔️ All races
Watch, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), and/or Approved Smartphone

Tech Fiber - ✔️ All races
Technical fiber (moisture wicking) clothing. Cotton is not recommended.

Anti-Chafe - ✔️ All races
BodyGlide, or Sport-Shield, anti-friction product for body and feet

Hiking Poles - Optional for trail races
Hiking poles are allowed, but race participants with poles must start behind the group.

Gear Checks

Trail Roots manages some of the most impossible and remote endurance events on earth. Pushing the bounds of human accomplishment safely requires thoughtfulness and care. Some events are especially remote and unforgiving. At Big Bend Ultra, participants can expect:

• Zero cell phone signal.

• The nearest hospital (Alpine, TX) is 100 miles from the start/finish line.

• Significant portions of the race have no vehicle access.

• Portions that have vehicle access may be a several hour drive on 4x4 limited access dirt trails to reach pavement.

• Desert wilderness landscape provides little shelter and temperatures range from freezing at night, to sweltering in the sun.

• Potential extraction may take many hours even with known coordinates.

To manage these risks, participant must confirm ⚠️gear upon check-in. At any moment of the race, the race officials can verify 🚨gear. The participant is obligated to comply with these gear checks. Any non-compliant runner is at the risk of disqualification from the race. Additional gear requirements may be announced as the race approaches depending on weather forecasts.

“Approved Smartphone”:

An approved smartphone must meet all the following qualifications:

1. A compatible smart-phone with proof of paid T-Satellite service (~$10).

2. Installed app(s): Google Maps (with location sharing to us), Google Messenger (for group communications with us).

3. Agreement to the SAR Mitigation Understanding

4. User readily demonstrates device proficiency on demand

Note: T-Satellite enables satellite communication without cell-phone service and without activating SOS distress signals. Therefore, native device satellite features (such as Apple Emergency SOS or Android built-in satellite messaging) are NOT accepted as substitutes for the T-Satellite requirement. T-Satellite does not require a T-Mobile cell service plan and is compatible with most modern phones. We may alter or add qualifications upon registration or to reasonably satisfy the host venue or legal authorities.

General Requirements

Self Sufficiency

All participants are expected to demonstrate the principles of self-sufficiency. Participants should be prepared to handle adverse or changing conditions and complete the course on-time and under their own power.

SAR Mitigation Understanding

Search And Rescue (SAR) operations can be lifesaving, but also incredibly expensive and difficult in remote areas. If you trigger a SAR operation for any reason, you remain financially responsible for it. Therefore, we recommend you consider purchasing a PLB and/or SAR insurance. Nevertheless, the best option is to prevent SAR in the first place. Generally, active communication can prevent SAR and unnecessary SOS distress signals. This can be done with as follows:

1. Fully charge and carry an Approved Smartphone

2. Implement a power management plan to ensure your device remains charged for 48+ hours (such as battery saver mode with the above apps white-listed, spare battery, or similar)

3. Use the satellite enabled apps to proactively communicate your welfare status and location to race officials, especially if delayed

4. Cooperate and comply with our determination to pull you from the course even if you don’t agree

5. Adhere to the drop out and cutoff instructions below

Drop Outs

To exit the course before you finish, you MUST first notify race officials at an aid station and await confirmation. If you leave the course without official confirmation, you may trigger an emergency SAR operation. You will be held financially responsible for all costs associated and permanently banned from future events.

Cutoffs

Expect to complete the course on-time and under your own power. If you miss a cut-off, your race is over and you may be sent back or pulled from the course at our discretion. If an aid station closes down and you are still unaccounted for, you may trigger a SAR operation at your expense. To avoid this risk, we strongly recommend using satellite messaging to communicate with us promptly regarding any delays or missed cut-off.

Aid Stations

Each aid station is staffed with volunteers (unless noted as a fluid only station). They are equipped with a small first aid kit and anti chafe kit. We do not offer NSAIDS to runners. Our staff medical professionals are typically stationed near the start/finish. Many of our volunteers have received training in emergency medicine, and we will have a trained EMT on site.

Supplies

We are cup-less.

Please plan accordingly. If you forget your cup we usually have containers on-site for sale at check-in.

Food

We provide salty stuff such as pretzels, chips, PB&J, pickles, oranges, chewy candy

Drinks

We provide electrolyte drink (Skratch Labs Lemon Lime & Orange) , Coke, Mt Dew, Water, Pickle Juice

Restrooms

All races have portable restrooms located at the start/finish line at a minimum. Course routes / descriptions will note additional restrooms that may be available.

Drop Bags

We provide resealable drop bags (approx 3 gallon / 11 liter) for runners when applicable. All gear must fit in the provided bag(s) so that they seal securely. No other bags are allowed. Although we strive to return drop bags and their contents, we cannot be responsible for lost items.

Access

Each race has parking near the race start/finish line. Vehicles and spectators won’t have direct access to aid stations or course areas unless explicitly stated in the official published race details. The race entry fee covers entry for the participant for the event date. Any guests or visitors or crews will need to pay their own entry fee.

Packet Pick Up

Runners may request to have a friend pick up their race packet for them be emailing us at least 24 hr prior to race day.

Pacers

We currently don’t allow pacers for any races. Have your friends come run the whole thing with you!

Dogs

Pets are not allowed unless explicitly provided in the race description. When allowed, a single dog may accompany you. You must carry dog waste bags and ensure sanitary and proper disposal of all waste. The dog must be well behaved, in your control, and on leash at all times. You carry sole legal and financial responsibility.

Be A Good Neighbor

Everywhere we race, we all are guests of the communities hosting us. Participants, volunteers, hosts, and spectators always appreciate your kind words and thanks. Treating our host communities with respect and appreciation is an essential and mandatory requirement for all participants and their guests. Participants and their guests are subject to the following requirements:​

1. Always abide by the law, instructions of law enforcement, race officials, and venue representatives

2. Stay on the marked course. Do not take short cuts or otherwise damage property.

3. Take only memories. Leave only footsteps.

4. Participants remain fully responsible for all their guests at all times.

Any violation of the good neighbor policy remains solely your legal and financial responsibility and may further result in sanctions up to and including immediate disqualification and banning from all future events.