FAQs

Unfortunately, you may NOT use your own ChampionChip, due to new technology being used by the timing company.

Yes, the use of mp3 players and other audio devices are permitted however they are strongly discouraged for safety reasons. Please use caution if you plan to run with headphones.

The North Face Endurance Challenge will take place rain or shine. Only force majeure will cancel the event. In the event of a force majeure, there will be no refunds or credits applied to future events.

Volunteers are needed for the Start/Finish area, on-course Aid Stations, Finish Festival and packet pickup. All volunteers will receive a shirt from The North Face. Please contact volunteers@hawkeyeww.com with questions.

Any runner dropping out of the race must notify a volunteer at a staffed Aid Station. The athlete will be responsible for paying a large bill if a Search & Rescue team is sent out on their behalf and they are not on the race course.

There will be coffee, water, electrolyte beverages, fruit, bagels and other snacks provided for free at the Start/Finish Festival. All GORE-TEX 50 Mile, 50K, and Marathon participants will receive a complimentary hot lunch. If you are running the Marathon Relay, Half-Marathon, 10K, or 5K, or are a spectator, you may purchase hot food at the Festival. Please bring cash if you plan on purchasing food or drinking at the beer garden.

Bathroom facilities are available at the Start/Finish Line area. On-course bathroom/Port-A-Potty locations will be clearly marked on course maps. (See course guide for your region)

Yes, all lost and found items will be at the Information Booth located in the middle of the Start/Finish Festival.

Yes. To receive your overall or age group award early, please see the race staff member located in the Information Booth. Unclaimed awards will NOT be mailed.

All distances excluding the 5K will have aid stations on the course. Aid stations will have a variety of food and hydration options. To view aid station locations and a full menu of items provided, please refer to your distance specific course guide.

Yes. Crews are permitted for the Marathon, 50K, and Gore-Tex® 50 Mile only and must adhere to the following rules:

• Crews must administer support only at specially designated, crew-accessible Aid Stations (see GORE-TEX 50 Mile, 50K, or Marathon course guides for your region).

• Crews must follow the directions given by Aid Station staff on where to set up and assist their runners.

Violating any of these rules will result in runner disqualification.

Pacers are permitted in the GORE-TEX 50 Mile race ONLY. Pacers must adhere to the following rules:

• No pacers in any distance other the Gore-Tex® 50 Mile race.

• Pacers are not allowed on the course prior to mile 27.

• Pacers cannot meet runners at locations other than those designated (see Gore-Tex 50 Mile course guide for your region). No pacers are allowed on-course prior to the first Aid Station designated for meeting runners.

• Pacers must check in with the volunteers at designated Aid Stations when joining their runner.

• Pacers are required to sign a release waiver and wear an event bib before leaving the aid station with their runner. Pacer bib numbers will be provided by Aid Station staff. Pacer numbers must be visible on the outside and front of clothing.

• Runners can be accompanied by only one (1) pacer at a time.

• No “muling” (pacers carrying runner’s gear or nutrition/fluids).

• No vehicular or bike pacing allowed.

• Pacers are responsible for their own transportation to and from the aid stations.

Violating any of these rules will result in runner disqualification.

Only GORE-TEX 50 Mile participants will be able to use a drop bag on-course. Any participant may have a drop bag at the Finish Line Festival. Bags may be dropped off at Packet Pickup or the morning of the race. The bags will be labeled by Endurance Challenge staff and will be at the designated aid station before runners arrive. If you would like to leave before the drop bags have returned to the Festival, you may drive to that aid station to collect your bag. Drop Bags will be kept up until 5PM on Sunday. Drop bags will not be mailed if they are left behind.

We recommend having your friend/family watch the race at the Start/Finish Line area or near the Aid Stations clearly marked as spectator-accessible on the course maps. (See course guide for your region and race distance).

Yes, there are two hard-cutoff times on-course for the Gore-Tex® 50 Mile race. Please check your Gore-Tex 50 Mile regional course guide for on-course cutoff times.

All Endurance Challenge races are walker friendly with the exception of the Gore-Tex 50 Mile race. All participants must complete the respective distances by the course cutoff times.

The course will be marked with arrows and course ribbons. All arrows and ribbons will correspond to the color of your bib.

All race participant purchases are final and entry fees will not be refunded. No exceptions will be made. If you are unable to participate, race swag will be available for pickup at anytime during scheduled packet pickup locations and hours, as well as on race day. Cancellation race swag will NOT be shipped.

Registration transfers between participants are not allowed.

If you wish to transfer your entry to another race distance or location, please login to your account from your region specific page. You will need your confirmation number and birthday to login. Click the ‘transfer’ link and follow the instructions. Race location transfers are only applicable to 2012. Participants transferring to another Endurance Challenge Series race distance will be charged a $10 transfer fee plus any incremental registration fees if applicable.

If the race is not sold out you may come to Packet Pickup and register for an increased registration fee. Race day registration is not permitted.

Race numbers will only be given to family, friends or anyone else other than the participant with a photocopy of the participant’s government-issued photo I.D. No exceptions will be made.

The North Face Endurance Challenge Series is open to all athletes. You do not have to qualify to enter Regional or Championship events.

Marathon Relay teams will be comprised of 4 team members. For Endurance Challenge Trail events, team members will run a 10K loop course that begins and ends at the Festival Start/Finish area. A wristband will be exchanged between the team member finishing a loop and the runner starting a loop. There will be an exchange corral where runners will enter upon completing a loop and exit to start the next loop. Each runner will run the loop course once. The Marathon Relay registration fee is per team, not per member, and must be paid in full.