Race Rules
IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR 2013:
100-MILE TEAM RELAY RACE
Clarification regarding team vehicles: only ONE active team vehicle will be allowed on the course. No exceptions.
Race strategy—length of individual running segments: teams retain the flexibility to determine race strategy and to modify their plan during the race. However, at no time will any one “leg” be allowed that is less than TWO FULL MILES in length. New beginning in 2013: the last allowable point to switch runners is at the Key West Airport on South Roosevelt Blvd. This is slightly over two miles from the finish line. ANY RUNNER CHANGE AFTER THIS POINT WILL DISQUALIFY THE TEAM FROM WINNING ANY AWARD.
ALL KEYS100 RUNNERS
In all cases where the race route directs runners onto the road shoulder, runners MUST run on the OCEAN side of Overseas Highway FACING TRAFFIC. This is a major safety issue and there are no exceptions allowed. This is considered a major violation and will be enforced accordingly.
RULES ENFORCEMENT & PENALTIES
Violations of any race rules will result in a 10-minute penalty for each infraction. Depending upon the severity of the violation and other factors, including but not limited to flagrancy of the violation and safety considerations, violators may be disqualified from the race at any time at the discretion of the Race Director. Race marshals will be monitoring the course throughout the race to ensure compliance. They will have the authority to impose time penalties on the spot. Race rules will be strictly enforced.
I. SAFETY FIRST
Notice: You will be running a portion of this race on the highway shoulder near traffic. As such, it can be dangerous. Stay alert and follow all safety rules.
A. Safety for runners, crew members and supporters, race volunteers and the public is fundamental and drives most of the rules that follow. (Stay alert! Traffic is heavy and moves fast. Highway #1 is the only road connecting
all the Keys.) Respect for the environment and the privacy and property of people who live along the race route round out these rules. Everyone will be expected to take each of them seriously and to display courtesy, good
taste and sportsmanship at all times. Leave no footprint behind; carry all trash and recyclables with you and dispose of appropriately. Race marshals will be on the route to assist runners and teams as needed. They will
also monitor compliance with race rules and be empowered to levy time penalties as described below. Thank you for your attention, understanding and cooperation.
B. When on the road shoulders, runners MUST be on the Ocean side of the highway FACING TRAFFIC. This is a major safety rule. Any infraction will receive a 10 minute time penalty; multiple or flagrant penalties may result in disqualification. Follow the rules. Violating them because someone else did is not an excuse. Do not simply follow runners ahead of you unless you know they are going the right way. No excuses.
C. Remember, at all times and in all situations, safety is most important. This applies to racers, crew, volunteers, staff and the general public. Roads are very busy and are not closed for this event. Always look both ways and listen before crossing the highway. Vehicles should always attempt to meet runners on the side of the road where they are running. Highway crossings on foot by runners and crew should be minimized. Note: BIKES ARE NOT ALLOWED AT ANY TIME.
D. Bridges: No exchanges of any kind are to be made on any bridge span. Support vehicles may never stop on bridges. For teams, one runner only must run the entire length of each bridge. This includes Seven Mile Bridge; one runner must run the entire span.
E. When crossing any drawbridge, no runner may proceed past the first painted or marked stop line or sign once the warning lights begin to flash, regardless of whether the barriers have fully moved into place. A violation of this rule will result in immediate disqualification for the individual runner or the entire team."
II. RACER RULES AND REQUIREMENTS:
A. Pre-race check-in and meetings: Each racer must pick-up his/her race packet, including race number and tee shirt, as follows:
(1) 100-mile INDIVIDUAL race—on Friday, May 17, between the hours of 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM, at the Holiday Inn in Key Largo. A mandatory meeting for all runners in the individual 100-mile race will begin at 5:30 PM, with an option to attend the 7:30 PM session. Support crew members are invited and encouraged to attend. Any registered racer who is unable to attend either the 5:30 or 7:30 meeting must notify Race Director Bob Becker in advance to make alternate arrangements. NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED TO RACE WHO HAS NOT PARTICIPATED IN THIS PROCESS. 50-mile competitors may attend this meeting at their option.
(2) 100-mile TEAM RELAY race—on Friday, May 17, between the hours of 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM, at the Holiday Inn in Key Largo. A mandatory meeting for all teams and team representatives will be held at 6:30 PM and again at 7:30 PM. All relay team members are strongly urged to attend in person, but the Team Captain may represent the team and pick up all team member race packets. Teams must have at least one representative attend the 6:30 OR 7:30 PM meeting. Team members not attending this orientation will still be required to strictly observe all race rules.
(3) 50-mile INDIVIDUAL race—race—on race morning, Saturday, May 18, between 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM, packet pick-up will be in Marathon at the Marathon Garden Club, located just south/west of the traffic light at Sombrero Beach Road on the Bay side. (This is also the starting location of the 50 mile race and the required check-in location for the 100 mile races.) A mandatory meeting for all 50-mile racers will be held at that location at 9:30 AM, prior to the 10:00 start. As an alternative, 50 mile racers may attend the Friday evening meeting in Key Largo at 5:30 or at 7:30 and pick up their race packets there.
B. Race Start: On race morning, all individual runners and Team Captains must check-in at the starter’s table at least 30 minutes prior to race start.
At 10 minutes before each race begins, all runners will be marshaled to the starting line. THE 100-MILE RELAY RACE WILL BEGIN PROMPTLY AT 6:00 AM, AND THE INDIVIDUAL 100-MILER AT 6:10 AM IN FRONT OF THE OFFICE DEPOT/DIVERS DIRECT SHOPPING CENTER LOCATED IN THE BLOCK NEXT TO THE KEY LARGO HOLIDAY INN. THE 50-MILE RACE WILL BEGIN IN MARATHON AT THE MARATHON GARDEN CLUB PROMPTLY AT 10:00 AM.
C. Race in progress--Runner:
(1) The race number must be worn on the front of the body, and be visible at all times during the race. Runners not properly displaying race numbers will be stopped until corrected. First infraction receives warning; subsequent infractions receive 10 minute time penalties.
(2) Runners must progress under their own power without any type of physical assistance. Runners may not use walking sticks, ski poles, or the like.
(3) So-called "cooling vests" or other types of artificial / technological cooling systems may not be worn or utilized by race entrants. (Wearing a bandana, buff or similar item with ice is acceptable and encouraged.)
(4) Between 7:30 PM Saturday and 6:00 AM Sunday, racers and pacers must wear reflective material facing in all four directions, as well as blinking LED lights facing front and rear. Night-time gear may be bought at most local running stores or online at ZombieRunner.com. This is a vital safety requirement. Any runner not in compliance will be pulled from the race.
(5) Cell phones: Racers will be permitted to carry cell phones; these should be used primarily for emergency and logistical purposes. Walkie-talkies also work well to keep racer and crew in touch.
(6) Headphones, ear-phones, i-Pods and the like: These devices can impede the ability to hear the runner's surroundings and are, therefore, a potential safety hazard. For safety reasons, such equipment is discouraged on the course, but will not be prohibited.
D. Race in progress--Individual Runner with Support Crew:
(1) Shared crews by more than one runner will be allowed. Caution: supporting multiple runners can be very difficult to manage. Relay racing teams will generally function as their own support crew, but may have a driver. Every crew member and volunteer participating in the KEYS100 MUST have fully completed and signed the online Volunteer race participation form and liability waiver.
(2) Crew members may not carry an umbrella or shade cover for a runner.
(3) For the 100 mile race, pacers are allowed after the first 10 miles. New for 2013: for the 50 mile race, pacers are allowed AFTER Seven Mile Bridge. Runners in the individual events may not be accompanied by more than one pacer at any given time except for the last 1/4 mile before the finish line when crew are invited to run across the finish line with their runner. Crew members who are handing off supplies to the runner and/or pacer must be completely off the roadway at all times. BIKES ARE NOT ALLOWED AT ANY TIME.
(4) Crews must comply with all race rules. Crew violations will be subject to time penalties as well as runner violations. Race management reserves the right to take further action for racer or crew violations ranging from a warning to disqualification of the runner or team.
E. Check-in Stations and Cut-off times:
ALL racers must CHECK-IN at ALL official stations for your event by the cut-off times.
PLEASE REFER TO THE SECTION SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUR EVENT!
100 MILE INDIVIDUAL ULTRAMARATHON
50 MILE INDIVIDUAL ULTRAMARATHON
SIX RUNNER 100 MILE TEAM RELAY
Reminder: All Mile Markers below ("MM") are approximate
(1) 100 MILE INDIVIDUAL ULTRAMARATHON
All 100 mile racers must be checked-in at all ELEVEN aid stations and the finish line. Drop bags may be accessed at Mile Markers 80, 60, 50, 40 or 20 and at the finish line at the runner's discretion. Food, water, ice, electrolyte replacement and more will be available at each check-in station. Water and ice will be available at the un-staffed "water stops" listed at approximate 5 mile intervals where there is no full aid station.
100 Mile Check-in Stations and Cut-off Time Limits
| A. | Water stop at MM94.7, at J&M Scaffolding |
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| 10 mile Check-in at MM90.7, at Dive Center, no later than 9:00 AM on Saturday | ||
| Water stop at MM85.3, on service road under Hog Heaven Saloon sign | ||
| B. |
20 mile Check-in at MM80.5, just past Midway Cafe in Islamorada, no later than 12:00 noon on Saturday |
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| Water stop at MM77.4, after crossing to service road at Robbie's Marina |
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| C. | 25 mile Check-in at MM73.9, at Boy Scouts of America Sea Base, no later than 2:00 PM on Saturday | |
| Water stop at MM70.0 across from Fiesta Key Campground | ||
| D. | 30 mile Check-in at MM68.2, at Kwik Stop store, no later than 4:00 PM on Saturday | |
| Water stop at MM65.2, at entrance to Long Key pedestrian bridge | ||
| Water stop at MM60.9, at beginning of Tom's Harbor Channel bridge, Duck Key | ||
| E. | 40 mile Check-in at MM58.9, outside Lion's Lair community, no later than 7:00 PM on Saturday | |
| Water stop at MM55.1, on bike path approaching City of Marathon | ||
| F. | 50 mile Check-in at MM50.0, at Marathon Garden Club, No later than 10:00 PM on Saturday | |
| Water stop at MM47.0, on Bay side, end of bike path at parking lot entrance, at foot of Seven Mile Bridge | ||
| G. | 60 mile Check-in at MM39.9, west end of Seven Mile Bridge near entrance to Veterans Park. No later than 1:00 AM on Sunday | |
| Water stop at MM35.2, at foot of Bahia Honda bridge (far side of bridge) near portable toilet | ||
| H. | 70 mile Check-in at MM30.2, Tom Thumb store in Big Pine Key, no later than 4:00 AM on Sunday | |
| I. | 75 mile Check-in at MM25.0, at Dion's Mobile on Summerland Key, no later than 6:00 AM on Sunday | |
| J. | 80 mile Check-in at MM19.8 No later than 8:00 AM on Sunday | |
| Water stop at MM14.9, in Baby's Coffee parking lot | ||
| K. | 90 mile Check-in at MM10.8, at Circle K Shell station on Big Coppitt Key, no later than 11:00 AM on Sunday | |
| Water stop at MM5.0, just past Murray's Marine | ||
| L. | Finish Line at Higgs Beach No later than 2:00 PM on Sunday, within thirty-two (32) hours of Start |
Failure to check-in or make any of these cut-offs will be considered “DNF”—“Did Not Finish”.
(2) 50 MILE INDIVIDUAL ULTRAMARATHON
50 Mile racers must be checked-in at all FIVE official stations and the finish line. Drop bags may be accessed at Mile Marker 40 and 20 and at the finish line at the runner's discretion. Food, water, ice, electrolyte replacement and more will be available at each check-in station.Water and ice will be available at the un-staffed "water stop" listed.
50 Mile Check-in Stations and Cut-off Time Limits
| A. | 10 mile Check-in at MM39.9, west end of Seven Mile Bridge, no later than 1:00 PM on Saturday | |
| Water stop at MM35.2, at foot of Bahia Honda bridge (far side of bridge) near portable toilet | ||
| B. | 20 mile Check-in at MM30.2 at Tom Thumb store on Big Pine Key, no later than 4:00 PM on Saturday | |
| C. | 25 mile Check-in at MM25.0, at Dion's Mobil on Summerland Key, no later than 6:00 PM on Saturday | |
| D. | 30 mile Check-in at MM19.8, no later than 8:00 PM on Saturday | |
| Water stop at MM14.9, in Baby's Coffee parking lot | ||
| D. | 40 mile Check-in at MM10.8, at Circle K Shell on Big Coppitt Key, no later than 11:00 PM on Saturday | |
| Water stop at MM5.0, on road shoulder after Boca Chica Bridge | ||
| E. | Finish Line at Higgs Beach, no later than 2:00 AM on Sunday, within sixteen (16) hours of Start |
Failure to check-in or make any of these cut-offs will be considered “DNF”—“Did Not Finish”.
(3) SIX RUNNER 100 MILE TEAM RELAY
Six Runner 100 Mile Team Relay racers must be checked-in at all THREE major stations--Mile Markers 75, 50 and 25--and at the finish line.
Relay Team Check-in Stations and Cut-off Time Limits
| A. | 25 mile Check-in at MM73.9, outside Boy Scouts Sea Base, no later than 2:00 PM on Saturday | |
| B. | 50 mile Check-in at MM50, Marathon Garden Club, no later than 10:00 PM on Saturday | |
| C. | 75 mile Check-in at MM25, Dion's Mobile on Summerland Key, no later than 6:00 AM on Sunday | |
| D. | Finish Line at Higgs Beach, no later than 2:00 PM on Sunday, within thirty-two (32) hours of Start |
Failure to check-in or make any of these cut-offs will be considered “DNF”—“Did Not Finish”.
III. CREW/TEAM VEHICLES:
A. IMPORTANT: The support vehicle may be a car, SUV, minivan or full-size (15-passenger) van. Motor-homes, RVs or other types of oversize vehicles longer than 22 feet are not allowed to be used as primary support vehicles. Only one active support vehicle per team will be allowed on the course. Each violation will result in a 10 minute penalty. Multiple rules violations may result in disqualification.
B. All race vehicles must meet the minimum requirements of property damage and personal injury liability automobile insurance for the state of Florida. All vehicle drivers must be fully licensed.
C. All support vehicles must have the runner or team's race number and/or runner or team name, respectively, easily visible on all four sides of the vehicle. Home-made signs, letters made from contrasting-color tape or magnetic, reflective, professionally made signs are all acceptable as long as they are adequately visible. In addition, all race vehicles must display required race signs on the back of the vehicle-- "CAUTION: RUNNERS ON ROAD", and "SUPPORTING RUNNERS CREW, SLOW MOVING VEHICLE". One of each sign per individual racer and race team will be provided at packet pick-up. Magnetic, reflective, professionally made signs for this purpose may be ordered from your local sign shop instead, if you wish.
D. Vehicles will "leap-frog" the runner along the race route. Racers may not be "shadowed" (driving a vehicle at the runner's speed) and vehicles must not "caravan" at any speed. Driving must be done at the speed of traffic, never slowing down to encourage, talk to, or lend assistance to any racer while moving. All assistance must be provided by crew members on the ground; handing the runner supplies from the vehicle is never allowed. Violations will result in time penalties and will be strictly enforced. It is recommended that race vehicles stop no less frequently than every couple of miles, except on bridges, to check on the runner's safety and needs.
E. All support vehicles must have their headlights on whenever the engine is running, 24 hours a day.
F. Vehicles must be parked completely off the road surface whenever they are stopped, without blocking the road shoulder. There are frequent places to pull off the road on public rights-of-way throughout the race course. No stopping is allowed on any of the bridges. Do not block driveways or park in entrance ways to parks or other public facilities.
NOTE: ALL RULES WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED