Frequently Asked Questions:
For a full list of policies, please visit the Race Rules page(s).
Q: I'm not able to run a race I registered for. What are my options?
A: You can cancel your registration on Ultrasignup for one of three options: roll over credit, transfer credit, or bib transfer. Click here to view the policies page for the full description and instructions on removing your registration.
SHIRT TRANSFERS: If you ordered a shirt as part of your race registration and then for whatever reason aren't going to be running come race-day, you can pick up your shirt at race check-in the morning of the race, or email us to let us know the name of a friend who will be picking up your shirt for you. If the shirts have not been ordered yet (usually 45 days out from the race) email us and we can cancel your order and you can receive a refund.
Q: Do you do refunds?
A: We do not offer refunds for any of our race registrations, but we do offer transfer credits. Click here for more details.
Q: Can I transfer or sell my entry to someone else?
A: Yes! We are excited for this new option. Runners now have the option to sell or give away their bib to a friend. The registered runner needs to cancel their registration on their Ultrasignup account and enter the email address of the person who is going to be receiving the bib. The person receiving the bib will be sent an invite via Ultrasignup and they need to follow the link to register themselves for the race. All bib transfers MUST BE COMPLETED AT LEAST 7 DAYS FROM RACE DAY. No week-of or day-of bib transfers.
Q: Can I switch from one distance to another?
A: Usually no, but if the race you want to switch to is not sold out, then probably yes. To find out if the race is sold out or not, please go to UltraSignup and search for the race you're interested in; if the race is sold out, UltraSignup will show that. If you would like to switch between distances that fall on the same day (Beacon Rock 25K and 50K), you can do so on Ultrasignup. Transfers must be completed at least 7 days from race day. If the distances fall on separate days (50K on Saturday, 25K on Sunday) and both distances are sold out, you cannot switch distances.
Q: What sort of aid station food can I expect at Rainshadow aid stations?
A: Our aid stations always feature plenty of water, potato chips, PB&J, fresh fruit (oranges, grapes, watermelon), jelly beans, GU gels and GU Brew, pickles, and soda. During our long races (100K/100 miles) we will feature hot soup and other savory snacks. You can also pack your preferred calories in drop bags, and/or carry them with you along the course.
Q: Can I run with trekking poles?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I run with my dog(s)?
A: Well-behaved, leashed dogs are allowed on most of our courses, but due to permitting agencies and safety, they aren't allowed on all of them. Courses where dogs are allowed:
If you don't see a race on the list above, dogs are not allowed on the course. Dogs are also not allowed in the bunkhouses/main lodge at Orcas Island or at the start/finish at Sun Mountain.
Q: Your race is sold out. Can I run it anyhow?
A: Email us at volunteer@RainshadowRunning.com to see if there are still volunteer opportunities that may allow you to get into the race via a volunteer route. The trails we use will always be open to the public on race-day, but it is not cool to bandit a trail race for numerous reasons and could put our permits and/or your safety at risk. For all of our races that are lotteries, you can volunteer the year before and receive a bypass the following year. Click here for our full volunteer policy page.
Q: I noticed "cut-offs" on the info page for [insert name of] race. What are cut-offs?
A: Cut-offs are designated times by which runners need to have ARRIVED AND LEFT a particular aid station to continue receiving on the course. If, for instance, the second aid station cut-off is set at noon, this means you would need to have left the aid station - and be back out on the course - before noon. This helps our races stay on permitted time-tables and makes sure everyone is safe.
Q: What happens if I don't make a cut-off?
A: As these cut-off times are for safety and the sake of our volunteers, we appreciate your cooperation. If you don't leave the aid station before the cut-off time, please accept your fate with grace, and save the rest of the run for another day. Volunteers will help you find a ride back to the start/finish, or you'll come back to the finish-line with them when the aid station closes, where we hope you'll celebrate the day with us. We take this rule very seriously and a violation of this policy could result in a ban from future races.
Q: I would like to volunteer. How do I get signed up to volunteer?
A: The races would not happen without our wonderful volunteers! If you would like to volunteer you can register on UltraSignup for whichever race you are interested in working or you can email our volunteer coordinator at elizabeth@rainshadowrunning.com for more options! All volunteers are highly encouraged to join us at the post-race party where all volunteers eat and drink for free. All volunteers earn a discounted or free race entry depending on the length of their volunteer shift.
Q: How can I stay informed with everything Rainshadow Running does?
A: Sign up for our email newsletter! And make sure you add us to your email contacts so we don't land in your spam!
Besides jumping into our email list you can also find us all over social media.
A: You can cancel your registration on Ultrasignup for one of three options: roll over credit, transfer credit, or bib transfer. Click here to view the policies page for the full description and instructions on removing your registration.
SHIRT TRANSFERS: If you ordered a shirt as part of your race registration and then for whatever reason aren't going to be running come race-day, you can pick up your shirt at race check-in the morning of the race, or email us to let us know the name of a friend who will be picking up your shirt for you. If the shirts have not been ordered yet (usually 45 days out from the race) email us and we can cancel your order and you can receive a refund.
Q: Do you do refunds?
A: We do not offer refunds for any of our race registrations, but we do offer transfer credits. Click here for more details.
Q: Can I transfer or sell my entry to someone else?
A: Yes! We are excited for this new option. Runners now have the option to sell or give away their bib to a friend. The registered runner needs to cancel their registration on their Ultrasignup account and enter the email address of the person who is going to be receiving the bib. The person receiving the bib will be sent an invite via Ultrasignup and they need to follow the link to register themselves for the race. All bib transfers MUST BE COMPLETED AT LEAST 7 DAYS FROM RACE DAY. No week-of or day-of bib transfers.
Q: Can I switch from one distance to another?
A: Usually no, but if the race you want to switch to is not sold out, then probably yes. To find out if the race is sold out or not, please go to UltraSignup and search for the race you're interested in; if the race is sold out, UltraSignup will show that. If you would like to switch between distances that fall on the same day (Beacon Rock 25K and 50K), you can do so on Ultrasignup. Transfers must be completed at least 7 days from race day. If the distances fall on separate days (50K on Saturday, 25K on Sunday) and both distances are sold out, you cannot switch distances.
Q: What sort of aid station food can I expect at Rainshadow aid stations?
A: Our aid stations always feature plenty of water, potato chips, PB&J, fresh fruit (oranges, grapes, watermelon), jelly beans, GU gels and GU Brew, pickles, and soda. During our long races (100K/100 miles) we will feature hot soup and other savory snacks. You can also pack your preferred calories in drop bags, and/or carry them with you along the course.
Q: Can I run with trekking poles?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I run with my dog(s)?
A: Well-behaved, leashed dogs are allowed on most of our courses, but due to permitting agencies and safety, they aren't allowed on all of them. Courses where dogs are allowed:
- Deception Pass 50K & 25K
- Orcas Island 50K & 25K
- Yakima Skyline Rim 50K & 25K--we do not recommend bringing your dog for this race as it can be very hot, exposed, and dry and there are no water sources anywhere on the course
- Beacon Rock 50K & 25K
- Oregon Coast 50K & 30K
- Millersylvania 50K/30K/10K
If you don't see a race on the list above, dogs are not allowed on the course. Dogs are also not allowed in the bunkhouses/main lodge at Orcas Island or at the start/finish at Sun Mountain.
Q: Your race is sold out. Can I run it anyhow?
A: Email us at volunteer@RainshadowRunning.com to see if there are still volunteer opportunities that may allow you to get into the race via a volunteer route. The trails we use will always be open to the public on race-day, but it is not cool to bandit a trail race for numerous reasons and could put our permits and/or your safety at risk. For all of our races that are lotteries, you can volunteer the year before and receive a bypass the following year. Click here for our full volunteer policy page.
Q: I noticed "cut-offs" on the info page for [insert name of] race. What are cut-offs?
A: Cut-offs are designated times by which runners need to have ARRIVED AND LEFT a particular aid station to continue receiving on the course. If, for instance, the second aid station cut-off is set at noon, this means you would need to have left the aid station - and be back out on the course - before noon. This helps our races stay on permitted time-tables and makes sure everyone is safe.
Q: What happens if I don't make a cut-off?
A: As these cut-off times are for safety and the sake of our volunteers, we appreciate your cooperation. If you don't leave the aid station before the cut-off time, please accept your fate with grace, and save the rest of the run for another day. Volunteers will help you find a ride back to the start/finish, or you'll come back to the finish-line with them when the aid station closes, where we hope you'll celebrate the day with us. We take this rule very seriously and a violation of this policy could result in a ban from future races.
Q: I would like to volunteer. How do I get signed up to volunteer?
A: The races would not happen without our wonderful volunteers! If you would like to volunteer you can register on UltraSignup for whichever race you are interested in working or you can email our volunteer coordinator at elizabeth@rainshadowrunning.com for more options! All volunteers are highly encouraged to join us at the post-race party where all volunteers eat and drink for free. All volunteers earn a discounted or free race entry depending on the length of their volunteer shift.
Q: How can I stay informed with everything Rainshadow Running does?
A: Sign up for our email newsletter! And make sure you add us to your email contacts so we don't land in your spam!
Besides jumping into our email list you can also find us all over social media.