RACE POLICIES

Before you lace up your shoes, please take a moment to read about the unsung heroes of every race – the rules. Think of them as the trail markers for a smooth and safe journey along the trails. Yes, they may not be as thrilling as a downhill descent, but trust us, they’re just as crucial for a good time (and a safe one too!). A breach in the rules may result in a disqualification of runners.

RACE POLICIES

For refunds, deferrals, waitlists etc., please see our registration policy:

REGISTRATION POLICY

For series points information, please see our series points rules:

SERIES POINTS RULES

EVENT POLICIES

Medicals. You must declare any medical conditions that may adversely affect your ability to complete the race.
Medical support. If you require medical support during the race, the Race Director and medical staff will make the decision if you can continue the race or receive a ‘Did Not Finish’ (DNF). Their decision is final and you are expected to respect their decision – it is for your own safety. You’ll need to turn your bib into the aid station captain.
If you choose to pull yourself out of the race, please notify an aid station captain, or race staff at the start/finish line, and turn in your bib. Please do not leave the course silently – this is a safety concern.
Bibs. Bibs are chip timed – please do not fold them. Bibs must be visible on the front at all times. Consider a bib belt if you are expecting to change layers.
ID. You cannot collect your bib without a government issued ID. This is for safety reasons.
Runners must stay on designated route. The designated route will be marked with pink surveyor’s ribbon, pink pin flags, and black arrows on yellow signs on stakes/posts. Please do not shortcut or go off the trail. If you find yourself off course, return to the location where you left to continue on.
No pacers. You cannot have someone assist/run with you for parts or all of the race. Pacing is defined as any unentered runner who accompanies an entrant for a distance of greater than 100m at one time. There is an exception to this rule for those requiring a guide runner for visual impairments. Any other pacers for people with impairments must be approved by the race director prior to the event. Please email the race director to advise of the guide runner.
Aid stations. Runners may only receive aid at dedicated aid stations and/or within 50 meters of the aid station. You can fill up your water bottles at creeks and other water sources but you should always treat your water as we cannot guarantee it will be safe to drink. Aid stations will not have disposable cups. Please bring a refillable cup or bottle with you.
Cutoff times. All runners must leave the aid stations by the designated cutoff time. If you don’t make the cutoff time, you cannot finish the race and you’ll receive a DNF (or a short course credit if you complete the course course). Please hand in your bib and notify the aid station captain. Please see individual race pages for info on cutoff times. Cutoff times are to ensure the safety of our runners, volunteers and the general public who are using the trails and to ensure we stay within our permits. Cut offs will be strictly enforced for this reason.
Emergency vehicles. Runners, crew and spectators must yield to emergency vehicles at all times. All roadways are open to vehicle traffic. Runners must yield to vehicles on the roadway at all times.
Hiking poles are not permitted.
Toilets. There will be port-a-potties at the start/finish line. If you find yourself having to go in the forest, please go at least 10m away from the trail, nowhere near a water source, dig a hole and bury your deposit.
No littering. Any athlete caught maliciously littering on the trail and at aid stations will be disqualified. This is a pack-in-pack-out race and we like to leave the trails cleaner than when we arrived.
Dogs. Sorry, dogs are not allowed to run with participants. Dogs are welcome at some start/finish lines depending on bylaws in each town/park. They must be on leash at all times. Please see individual race pages for more info.
Earphones & Music. You can run the race with music but please only use one earbud at all times. This is for your safety! No speakers or broadcasting of music allowed. Your music is for you, and you only. Music must be turned off while running along road sections.
No smoking. This is an athletic event and we want to keep it healthy. Not to mention we don’t want cigarette or marijuana butts or starting any fires.
Intoxication. Intoxicated participants will be disqualified, and banned from future races. We take safety seriously and don’t want to create any liability for us or anyone involved in the event. This goes for both runners and volunteers!
Be Kind! Please be kind to fellow runners, volunteers, other trail users and Park Staff. Anyone found being rude can get you disqualified from this race and banned from future races. Please remember to thank volunteers when you pass them, we couldn’t put on this race without them!
Vancouver Island Trail Running Series does not issue refunds. If you purchased Refund Protection at time of registration, you may be eligible for a refund from Race Roster. Refund protection is not available on seasons passes. We’re a small race and every penny is accounted for to ensure we put on an amazingly epic and safe event. Many things are pre-paid months in advance (such as permits, insurance and various other deposits) and we don’t have the capacity to issue refunds.
Entries are non-transferable and no credits will be given. Entries are non-transferable – meaning you cannot sell, give or trade your entry to anyone else and we cannot defer your entry to the next year’s event.
Feedback. If you experience any issues on the course, please speak to the organizing team at the start/finish line.
The Race Director has the final say in all matters and any issues that arise that are not outlined are to be resolved by the Race Director. Aid station captains have the authority to act on behalf of the Race Director.
Have FUN! We can’t wait to see you at the finish line!

REFUND, DEFERRAL, WAITLIST POLICY:

Registrations are non-transferable, and no credits or refunds will be issued.
If you purchased Race Rosters Refund Protection during time of registration, you may be eligible for a refund. Click here for more info.
You cannot defer your race entry to a future year or to another race.
There are no waitlists.
You can move up or down in distance to an event that isn’t sold out.
No credit provided for the difference in entry fee if you decide to move down in distance.
To drop out or move down in distance, please send us a note via our Contact Us form.

SERIES POINTS RULES

The more you race, the more points you earn!

Please read carefully as there is some pretty nifty and important stuff in here.

Athletes must run in at least 3 races to be eligible for series awards. Those 3 races must be in one of the distance categories. (ie. you must run 3 or more races in either the short or long course in order to be considered for series awards. If you run 3 short courses and 3 long courses, you are eligible for awards in both distances).
Athletes who did not register for a season pass are still eligible for series prizes.
Points are awarded from 1st to 10th place in each male and female 10 year age group.
Lake Cowichan and Cobble Hill are worth double points!
The top 3 people with the most points in each 10 year age group will take home a sweet piece of hardware.
Athletes must be in attendance at the series final race in the Qualicum Bay to claim series awards.

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