Race Rules
1. Be courteous to all other users of the trail. You will find hikers and runners along the course during the day
2. Keep to the right when encountering an oncoming runner or hiker. A slower runner shall give way to the faster runner.
3. Absolutely no littering. Our existence depends on it. Anyone caught intentionally littering will be removed from the race and banned from future races. A similar rule will be enforced for anyone running in the nude (yes, it has happened in the past).
4. When crossing a road, yield to traffic and cross in a safe manner. We have no official sentries at any of the road crossings. When crossing horse paths yield to the rider and give notice to them so as not to panic the horse. Be particularly aware of this when near the Horse-riders Aid station.
5. Head phones may be used, but when crossing a road or at an aid station they must be removed.
6. Handlers and/or friends may only assist or meet runners at crew accessible official aid stations. Find all crew accessible aid stations on the “Aid station” page of website. LINK
7. Please refrain from parking on the road or highways. If you must park on the road you must have all 4 tires off the road and on the shoulder. This is likely to be the case at Hwy 67 aid station, as the parking the lot is very busy during the day.
8. Pacers are permitted to join a runner at or after the 100 km point of the race, or after 6:30 pm at Bluff. A pacer is only there for encouragement and emergency situations. No Muling- A runner is expected to carry all of their own aid and bottles between aid stations. 50k & 38 mile fun run can have no pacing.
***Runners over the age of 60 can pick up a pacer at aid station Hwy 67, 2nd time through, mile 37 of the race.
9. A pacer should be prepared for running for long periods of time between aid stations, just like the runner. It is recommended the pacer carry at least a pack with water, flashlight (if at night pacing), clothing and food.
10. The distance between aid stations is 1.9 to 6 miles. It is advised that runners carry a pack with water bottles in them. Kettle can get hot and humid during the day, especially in the meadows. Prepare yourself by carrying the correct amount of water.
11. We have some basic first aid kits at all aid stations. We reserve the right to remove a runner from the race that we deem to be in a medical emergency. It is extremely important to maintain your bodily fluids during these long events. With proper training, sufficient food intake, and a constant supply of fluids, almost all medical emergencies can be avoided.
12. Run smart, eat and drink plenty and keep moving toward the finish line!
13. If you get off course you must back track to the wrong turn and continue from there.
14. Cutting the course is not allowed and will result in immediate disqualification.
15. Overall and Age group awards: you are eligible for Overall and AG awards in the race distance you are registered under at the start of the race. We will give a finisher award if you drop from the 100 to the 100k, but you will not be eligible for overall or AG awards.
16. Make sure your crew knows the race rules. They can not go to any “NO CREW ACCESS” aid station unless they are picking you up because you are dropping from the race. Going to these stations, even if they do not provide will get their running DQ’d.
17. Crew must respect no parking signs.
18. Runners are allowed one pacer at at a time. They must follow all pacer rules listed above (8 & 9). You can only use a second pacer on your final stretch to finish line starting at Bluff aid station.
19. Sexual harassment of anyone at the race will not be tolerated. If there are any reports of it sent to the Race Director we will call the police.
20. If you have or have ever had any kind of protection order keeping you from any person in this race, Race director, volunteer, runner, etc... you are prohibited from participating in the race.
21. If you pick up your race bib on Friday night you MUST tell us if you do not plan on starting the race. Text: 815-261-2667 and say “Name, bib number, and “I picked up my bib but will not be running the race”.
Any race official may pull a runner from the course for 2 reasons. All runners must adhere to the decision made, but may request an overrule of the decision by the race director. The two reason a runner may be pulled from the race are:
1) Rules violation
2. Medical: It is deemed dangerous to the runner if they continue. This typically happens if the runner is seriously disoriented or appears to be to dehydrated to continue. Kettle 100 does not weigh runners. It is up to the runner/crew/pacer to monitor their health.
A race official is either a race director, aid station captain, or volunteer.
