Pacer Information & Guidelines

The Pistol Ultra offers three types of pacers:

1. Personal Pacers – Friends or family members you bring to pace you during the race. Personal pacers must register online, sign the event waiver, and wear an official pacer bib while pacing.
2. Bicycle Pacers – A cyclist who may pace a runner only during the permitted times outlined in the Bicycle Pacer section below. Bicycle pacers must register through the Volunteer tab, sign the event waiver, wear an official pacer bib, and follow all bicycle pacing rules.
3. Official Volunteer Pacers – Race volunteers who sign up through the Volunteer tab to assist runners who do not have their own pacer. These volunteers are stationed at the main aid station and are assigned by race staff as pacing requests are received. Official Volunteer Pacers will receive an event volunteer shirt as a thank-you for their support.

The information below explains the requirements and guidelines for each type of pacer.

Personal Pacers

Before the race, each runner using a personal pacer will receive one numbered pacer bib at packet pickup. Be sure to ask for your pacer bib during check-in if you plan to use a pacer.

All personal pacers must register online and sign the event waiver before participating. There is no cost to register as a personal pacer, but registration and a signed waiver are required for insurance and safety purposes.

Your personal pacer must remain with you while pacing and must wear the numbered pacer bib clearly visible on the front at all times. The pacer bib is only available at pre-race check-in.

By signing the event waiver and participating in the event, you accept full responsibility and liability for your personal pacer(s) throughout the race.

There is no limit on the number of personal pacers you may use during the event. However, due to the number of participants on the greenway, we ask that you limit yourself to only a couple of pacers whenever possible.

Personal Pacer Support

Properly registered personal pacers wearing a valid, visible pacer bib are entitled to the same on-course support as registered runners, including access to:

• Aid stations
• Warming stations
• Food and drink
• Other event services provided to participants

If you change personal pacers during the race, the numbered pacer bib must be transferred to the incoming pacer before they begin pacing.

Pacer Swag & Awards

Pacers are welcome to enjoy the race experience while supporting their runner, but pacers do not receive race swag, participant shirts, finisher medals, finisher buckles, awards, or official race results.

If you would like to receive the official participant shirt, finisher medal, buckle, awards, and an official race result, you must register as a participant in the event.

Anyone who is not wearing either:

• A registered runner bib
• A valid numbered pacer bib
• An official volunteer credential for that location and time

will not be permitted to receive event support or enter participant-only areas. This includes, but is not limited to, aid stations, warming stations, food and drink, and any other event-related services. (See the Bandits section below.)

Pacer Guidelines

Pacers are there to provide mental encouragement and companionship—not physical assistance. In other words... no muling! (Unless you happen to fall in the creek!)

Bicycle Pacers

Because of the number of participants during the early stages of the race, bicycle pacing is not permitted during daylight hours on Saturday. During this time, only one foot pacer is allowed per runner.

If a runner does not have a foot pacer, one bicycle pacer per runner is permitted Saturday night and throughout Sunday.

All bicycle pacers must:

• Register through the Volunteer tab before race weekend.
• Sign the event waiver.
• Wear the numbered pacer bib clearly visible on the front at all times.
• Have both a white front light and a red rear light when riding at night.
• Use extreme caution and yield to all runners, pedestrians, and vehicles.
• Aim front lights downward at night so they do not shine into the eyes of oncoming runners.
• Follow the same rules and requirements as foot pacers.

Official Volunteer Pacers

Official Volunteer Pacers are not personal pacers. They are volunteers who sign up through the Volunteer tab to assist runners who do not have a pacer available.

Official Volunteer Pacers register as volunteers, sign the volunteer waiver, and are assigned by race staff as needed. They are stationed at the main aid station near the start/finish area and are available to help runners requesting pacing assistance.

These volunteers also assist race staff by coordinating pacing requests and matching available pacers with runners who need support.

Volunteer pacers are scheduled in hourly shifts beginning at 9:00 PM Saturday through 10:00 AM Sunday.

If you're interested in giving back to the running community, we'd love to have your help! Please sign up through the Volunteer tab to serve as an Official Volunteer Pacer. As a thank-you for volunteering, you'll receive an official event volunteer shirt and the opportunity to help fellow runners achieve their goals.

If you think you'll need an Official Volunteer Pacer, please let race staff know the first time you pass through the main aid station on your way to complete the short out-and-back section past the school. This gives us time to match you with an available volunteer so they're ready to join you when you return a mile or so later.

Official Volunteer Pacers are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability cannot be guaranteed.