The Desert Solstice Track Invitational is an elite level event for record setting and as an ideal qualifier for the national 24 Hour team. This event is by invitation or qualification only.
Qualification Standards and Entry Fees
Runners meeting one of the listed qualifying standards may apply for acceptance into Desert Solstice. The entry fee applies to all runners regardless of qualification time, and all runners are eligible to earn prize money for their performances as listed below. Runners may request acceptance at other race lengths (e.g. 100k, 12 Hour) for comparable performances.
Runners who have met the “A” Standard can gain entry at any point until the race reaches the 30 person max capacity. Runners who meet the “B” Standard will be granted entry until the race reaches 20 entrants. At which time the remaining 10 spots will be held until 4 weeks prior to the race. Any B Standards applying after the 20-person capacity limit will be placed on a wait-list and notified 2-4 weeks prior to race day.
Runners not meeting listed times may petition acceptance to a given standard for other circumstances (e.g. course difficulty). A one-time one-year exception may be made. If the runner has attempted Desert Solstice in the past and has still failed to achieve a standard, no further exceptions will be made. However, keep in mind the best way to demonstrate competence for a fast ultra is to run a fast ultra, not a difficult one.
Qualifying marks should be recent, preferably in the last three years.
Prize Money
One of the goals of Desert Solstice is to encourage records and top performances by American athletes and others from around the world. Prize money will be awarded to athletes achieving certain performance standards, as listed below. Only the winner in each race category is eligible for the “Winner” award, and all other runners are eligible for the “Non-Winner” award. Runners meeting several categories are eligible only for the greatest award amount.
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