Kentucky Last Sole Standing

Hello brave participants! This unique race concept does not require you to the be the fastest, it only requires you to be the toughest. This event was inspired by Gary Cantrell’s (AKA Lazarus Lake’s) “Big’s Backyard Ultra” held in Tennessee every year as the World Championship. The Kentucky Last Sole Standing will be an “affiliated” event with the plans of becoming a “Golden Ticket” race, with the winner having an opportunity to participate at the original Big Dog’s Backyard World Championship at TN. At the top of every hour a 4.166667-mile the run will begin. (First 12 hours will be trail loops from 0700-1900 then the race will switch to gravel roads from 1900-0700 next day). Each runner is required to run these loops before the hour is up. Then, at the top of the next hour, you all leave for the same 4.166667-mile loop again. It’s that easy. At 1900 hours, the race will transfer to a gravel out and back course. At 0700 hours the following morning, we will return back to the trail loop.

The run will continue as such until only until one sole person remains. That last person will have to complete one last 4-mile loop on their own at which point they will be the finisher. All other entrants will be granted a “DNF” as they failed to run as far as the finisher. This means the race may continue overnight and into the next day or multiple days. There will be one aid station (at the start/finish) and it will have the typical aid station fare. If you have any special needs or requests please ask the RD or bring it yourself. At dusk we’ll fire up a BBQ and cook up some grub for everyone. If you have anything you wish to bring for the BBQ feel free. It is a condition of our USATF liability insurance that pets not be allowed on the course at the same time as the runners. Service animals are allowed, of course.

The rules are:
1. All runners need to be present at least 30 minutes before the start of the race. The official race start is at 7:00 AM therefore all participants shall be present and ready to get checked in and to listen to the race rules by 6:30 AM. If you want to set up personal gear before the start, please account for the extra time needed.
2. At 3 minutes, 2 minutes and 1 minute before the top of each hour a whistle will be blown notifying the runners how much time is left before the start. This is the only time warning provided. All runners are required to be in the starting corral before the top of the hour (ten second warning will be announced). Failure to line up in the starting corral will result in disqualification of the runner. Absolutely NO late starts will be allowed.
3. The Race Director is the official keeper of time. Do not assume you know what the official race time is.
4. At the top of every hour a 4.166667-mile trail or gravel run will begin (each trail loop will have a short out & back gravel section at the start in order to adjust the distance so that it’s exact, and also to thin the runners out into single file before heading down the single track trail).
5. The trails and gravel routes will be well marked and a map of the route will be available.
6. Each runner is required to run this entire loop before the hour (60 minutes) is over. Failure to complete the loop within 60 minutes will result in disqualification.
7. The time needed to complete the loop does not matter, only that the runner be back at the start before the hour expires. Upon completion of the loop, all runners are considered “tied”. Speed does not matter.
8. At the top of the next hour and after the three whistle warnings, all runners will leave for the same 4.166667-mile loop again.
9. After completing the 4.166667-mile loop, each runner may use their time between loops to do as they please (eat, tend to their feet, change clothes, use the port-a-potty, etc.) However they cannot leave the venue, nor can they start their next loop early. You are even allowed to nap during your “break” between loops. If the runner elects to sleep, it is their own responsibility to be awake before the next loop starts.
10. Bring a camp chair, warm clothes or a blanket as it may get chilly overnight.
11. If a runner elects to drop out and call it quits, he/she must present themselves to the Race Director BEFORE the next loop has started. At that time (and after much castigation, chastisement and a general tongue-lashing) the runner will ring the bell, announcing their departure from the race. They will then be removed from the roster.
12. This event may continue overnight and into the next day (or with any luck, into the next night after that!)
13. Slower runners must allow faster runners to pass.
14. Do NOT litter.
15. Stay on the course at all times.
16. The run will continue as such every hour until only two runners remain. When one of those two runners fails to complete the loop in an hour, or fails to present themselves in the starting corral before the top of the hour, the one remaining runner will be the sole “finisher”. All other entrants will be granted a “DNF” as they failed to run as far as the finisher.
17. Once runner begins each loop he or she will not be allowed to receive any aid from crew or stop by his or her crew area to pick up any aid until loop is completed.
18. Last rule: have fun and support your fellow runners!