Ragnar is the overnight running relay race that makes testing your limits a team sport. The relay format makes Ragnar an accessible race for beginners and challenging enough for the most competitive runners. How does one do this? We've answered your Top 10 questions and much more.

Top 10 Questions:
How far do I have to run?
Do I need to have all 12 people on my team in order to register?
Do I pay for the entire team at the time I register?
Do I have to find my own team or will Ragnar Relay do that for me?
How do runners get from one exchange to the next?
Who provides the vans?
What time does the race start on Friday?
Why do we have to provide volunteers?
What makes a Ragnar special?

About Ragnar Relay
What is Ragnar?
Who founded Ragnar?
What does Ragnar mean?
What is the logo?

Registration
I forgot my password and the website will not email it to me
I am not sure if I am really registered. Is there a place I can check?
Is there an age requirement to participate in Ragnar Relay?
What is the deadline for registration?
Can I register by mail or phone?
Can I bring my friends and family to watch?
What if someone drops out of the team?

Creating a Team
I'm having trouble putting a team together any suggestions?
How fast do I have to be to run in a Ragnar Relay?
Do we need dedicated drivers?
What are the divisions and classifications?
Can our team have less than 12 runners?
How are the legs rated easy, moderate, hard, or very hard?

Preparing for your Ragnar
How should I train?
What should I bring?
I've never run at night before and it scares me. Are we running with people?
What types of vehicles would you recommend?
Does Ragnar benefit a charity?
How do you figure out start times?
When will we know our start time?
Can I change our start time?
Can a runner join the team late if they have to work on Friday?
A runner on my team is having trouble accepting the team invite and/or signing the waiver.
How can I edit my personal running pace?
Can we pick the legs we want to do or do we have to stick what\'s listed on the course page?
What if a runner becomes injured and cannot finish their designated legs?
What does “No Van Support” mean?
Can I have a pacer?
Can we cross the finish line together as a team?

Ragnar Weekend
Do both vans need to be at the start?
Will the course be marked?
What time does the race start on Friday?
Are there water and aid stations along the course
Where do we collect our race bib and packet?
Does Ragnar record our splits?
How long does it take teams to finish a Ragnar?
What if a runner drops out during a run or during the relay?
What if we see an accident or are involved in an accident?
Where can I find medical help?

Post-Ragnar Party
Is there a party?
Will there be showers?
Will there be food?
Can my friends and family attend?
Can we use the Ragnar Logo on our t-shirts?
Can we get a refund?

Post-Ragnar
Where can I buy Ragnar gear?
When will the results be posted online?
When will photos be online for purchase?
What if my t-shirt is the wrong size?
How do I reach Customer Service?
I never got a ____ (t-shirt, medal, tattoo or sticker). How do I get one?
Can I get a new car sticker?
How can I become a volunteer?

Top 10 Questions:

Q: How far do I have to run?
A: Each team member runs 3 times (or legs, as we refer to them) over the course of a Ragnar. Each leg is usually between 3 and 8 miles long. A Ragnar is physically demanding, but legs vary in difficulty, and runners can choose their legs. This unique relay format makes the Ragnar Relay an accessible race for beginners yet challenging enough for the most competitive athletes.

Q: Do I need to have all 12 people on my team in order to register?
A: You do not need to have your entire team put together before you sign up. You can add or substitute team members for free until about 6 weeks before the Ragnar. After that you can still add or substitute team members, but there is a small fee involved.

Q: Do I pay for the entire team at the time I register?
A: The team fee is paid in full at the time of registration.

Q: Do I have to find my own team or will Ragnar Relay do that for me?
A: You assemble your own team through friends, family, co-workers etc. We recommend finding 1-2 interested people and have them recruit as well. Also, you can login to your team page and use our "Team Finder" feature. Teams can also utilize the Ragnar Relay Series Facebook Fan Page for recruitment as well.

Tip: If you're looking to join a team, you will get a lot of calls a week or two before the event. If you are looking for runners, we suggest grabbing them off the board at least a few weeks in advance.

Q: How do runners get from one exchange to the next?
A: runner runs at a time, from point A to point B. The rest of their team drives ahead and cheers them on, offering support if needed. When the first runner nears the end of their leg, runner 2 waits for them at the exchange where they hand of the Ragnar slap bracelet and runner 2 begins their leg. After all 6 runners from Van 1 complete their legs, they meet up with runners 7-12 and the cycle begins again with van 2. When your van is inactive, you will have a few hours to rest and eat until it’s your turn to start running again.

Q: Who provides the vans?
A: Teams must provide their own vans. The ideal choice is a 12-15 passenger van. Teams often use Minivans and Suburban’s as well.

Q: What time does the race start on Friday?
A: The starts are staggered throughout the day, based upon your team's average pace. Slower teams start earlier, while faster teams start later. A typical start time spread would be between 6 am and 3pm.

Q: Why do we have to provide volunteers?
A: Because the race spans so much distance, volunteers are the backbone of the event. They provide the support at exchanges and make it so our runners have the safest, best organized races..

Q: What makes a Ragnar special?
A: Great question! Ask the Ragnar nation on our Facebook page here.

About Ragnar Relay

Q: What is Ragnar?
A: Picture this: You and 11 of your closest friends running 200(ish) miles, day and night, relay-style, through some of the most scenic terrain North America could muster. Add in crazy runners, inside jokes and a mild case of sleep deprivation. The result? Some call it a slumber party without sleep, pillows or deodorant. We call it a Ragnar Relay.

Q: Who founded Ragnar?
A: Ragnar Relay Series was created by Tanner Bell and Dan Hill in 2004. Ragnar’s first race was Utah’s race, the Wasatch Back.

Q: What does Ragnar mean?
A: Ragnar was a Norse Viking in the 9th century. Dan and Tanner named the race after him because he was an adventure seeking, conquering, tough guy. Run one of our races, and you’ll understand.

Q: What is the logo?
A: Some people see a Double R. Others see a mask. Some even see a butterfly. To us, it is a badge of honor; a beacon to other thrill-seeking, adventure-loving maniacs.

Registration

Q: I forgot my password and the website will not email it to me
A: Please send an email to info@ragnarrelay.com or call the Ragnar HQ at 877-837-3529 to receive a new password.

Q: I am not sure if I am really registered. Is there a place I can check?
A: You will receive a confirmation email. Also, your information is listed in Myragnar.com. Sign in and you will see your team. If you are still not sure your entire team is registered, visit your race page and choose the ‘Teams and Results’ option on the left hand side of the page; click your race year and confirm your team is listed.

Q: Is there an age requirement to participate in Ragnar Relay?
A: All participants must be at least 12 years old and all participants 18 and under must submit a participation waiver signed by a parent or guardian. This waiver is normally sent out to all underage participants a few weeks prior to the race.

Q: What is the deadline for registration?
A: The deadlines for each race are found by visiting your race’s home page then clicking on the ‘Registration Info’ option on the left hand side of the page.

Q: Can I register by mail or phone?
A: It is easiest to register for a Ragnar online. However, we can accept registrations and process credit cards over the phone.

Q: Can I bring my friends and family to watch?
A: Yes! We love fans (especially if they bring cowbells) at the start and finish lines! Stay in touch with your friends and family so they know your approximate finish time.

Q: What if someone drops out of the team?
A: The best thing to do is to get a replacement. Make sure they are added to your team online so they can sign the waiver and provide their emergency contact information.

Creating a Team

Q: I'm having trouble putting a team together any suggestions?
A: Yes a few tips.

• The best way to put together a team is to put someone in charge of filling each van. That way two people are trying to find just 5 people each.
• Don’t just rely on your own friends. Friends of friends can join as well as friends of friends of friends.
• Start putting your team together in advance if possible. It's a lot easier to recruit people when they have time to train and before their schedule gets too busy.
• Don't just look for runners. Lots of people that are in reasonable shape would love to compete. Talk to everyone
• Try putting together just half of a team and use the Ragnar Relay Series Facebook Fan Page to recruit the other half. You should be able to find someone that has enough runners for another van.
• Team Captains can login and use our "team finder" or Ragnar Relay Series Facebook Fan Page to find runners looking for teams or teams looking for runners.

Q: How fast do I have to be to run in a Ragnar Relay?
A: We have runners of all skill levels, from 15 min/mile beginners to elite ultra marathoners. Your average team pace needs to be around 11 min/mile or faster so that your team has enough time to finish the race within our window.

Q: Do we need dedicated drivers?
A: Drivers are not required. Most teammates take turns driving. A dedicated driver for your team does not count as a volunteer.

Q: What are the divisions and classifications?
A:

DIVISION	REQUIREMENT
Open	One or more under 30
Submasters	All 30 or over
Masters	All 40 or over
Corporate/Public Service	Nine employees/military/law enforcement/fire fighters
High School	Students ages 14-18

Within each division there are 3 gender classifications: Men’s, Women’s and Mixed. View the table below to see where your team belongs.

CLASSIFICATION	REGULAR	ULTRA
Men	7-12 men	4-6 men
Women	All women	All women
Mixed	6 or more women	3 or more women

Q: Can our team have less than 12 runners?
A: Yes, you can have less than 12-runners. We do permit teams to run with any number of runners from 4 to 12 runners. Teams with any number of runners other than 6 or 12 should treat the open spots as injury runners. Teams may choose whichever spot they want as the “vacant runner”- but the legs must stay in the same pattern (every twelfth leg). For example, if spot #1 remained vacant, the legs that would need to be filled would be legs 1, 13, and 25. Those legs can be filled with 3 different runners, or one "super runner" can take on all three legs. A single leg can’t be subdivided between 2 runners.

Q: How are the legs rated easy, moderate, hard, or very hard?
A: The legs are rated on a combination of both the distance and overall elevation change.

Preparing for your Ragnar

Q: How should I train?
A: Train as you would for a half marathon. Train for 8-12 weeks ahead of your Ragnar, depending on your mileage. A good rule of thumb is to increase your mileage by 10% each week. Get your teammates together and do a few runs in the dark and have fun! You can also check out the training schedule located on the training webpage of each Ragnar.

Q: What should I bring?
A: 3 separate pairs of running clothes! For a full packing list, click here (link to packing list). Each runner MUST have their own reflective vest. Each van must have 2 headlamps and 2 flashing LED lights. You MUST show all of these items to receive your race bibs and packets.

Q: I've never run at night before and it scares me. Are we running with people?
A: Night runs usually end up being most people's favorite run during a Ragnar. You will most likely see other runners, however, it depends on where your team is in relation to the pack during the relay.

Q: What types of vehicles would you recommend?
A: We recommend 15 passenger vans whenever possible. You'll have a lot more room to relax. Suburbans are also great vehicles. We don't recommend anything smaller than a mini-van. We don't allow anything larger than a 15 passenger van (approx 20 ft. long). We do not allow any vehicle wider than 6'6" and/or longer than 20'. Motor-homes, RV’s, campers, trailers, buses or limos are not allowed on the course and/or at the exchanges by any team or spectator at any time. Failure to meet these standards will result in disqualification. For any doubts about the legality of team vehicle, please contact the race director prior to the race for approval.

Q: Does Ragnar benefit a charity?
A: Yes, a portion of our proceeds benefit local charities. For more information, please visit the race’s home page or contact the race director for the event.

Q: How do you figure out start times?
A: We assign start times based upon your team’s average pace. It is therefore CRITICAL that all of your teammates enter their correct pace. This pace is the pace (min/mile) that they would run a 10K race (for Ultra teams use a 1/2 Marathon). If your teammates may have entered incorrect, exaggerated, or sandbagged paces they should login to their Ragnar user accounts and enter a realistic 10K min/mile race pace (again – 1/2Marathon for Ultra teams). Team captains do not have the ability to update/change their runners’ paces; it must be done by the individual runners themselves.

Q: When will we know our start time?
A: We'll typically send out an email to the team captains five to six weeks before the race. Team captains will be able to submit an updated team pace, along with their top three desired start time requests. We do our best to fulfill the requests, but due to team pace and course considerations, we aren't always able to. We post the start times on the "Teams and Results" page around four to five weeks before the race.

Q: Can I change our start time?
A: See above

Q: Can a runner join the team late if they have to work on Friday?
A: Yes. When the runner joins up with the team, the rest of the team needs to fill them in on everything you learned in the safety briefing. When the runner parks to join up with the team or when the runner is dropped off to join up with the team, they need to do so somewhere “off course”, meaning that the runner’s vehicle will not be allowed to park in one of our exchange points.

Q: A runner on my team is having trouble accepting the team invite and/or signing the waiver.
A: After the team captain has invited the runner to join the team, have the runner go to www.ragnarrelay.com and create a profile if they haven’t created one previously. Make sure the profile is using the same email that the team captain used to invite them. Once they have a profile, have them logon. There should be an invite on the left side of their profile inviting them to the team. If this still isn’t showing up, send an email to info@ragnarrelay.com or call Ragnar HQ at 877-837-3529 and we can help you invite your runner.

Q: How can I edit my personal running pace?
A: Log into MyRagnar.com and change the information from your personal profile.

Q: Can we pick the legs we want to do or do we have to stick what\'s listed on the course page?
A: Runner positions stay the same for the entire race. For example, Runner #1 will run legs 1, 13, and 25. Runner #2 will run legs 2, 14, and 26. The team captain can assign and change runner positions anytime until race day but once the first 12 legs of the race are run, the runner order is set for the rest of the race.

Q: What if a runner becomes injured and cannot finish their designated legs?
A: If a runner becomes injured mid-leg, a teammate from the same van can finish that leg for their runner. The remaining leg/s must be run by someone from that same van but are not required to be run by the same runner.

Q: What does “No Van Support” mean?
A: No one on your team is allowed out of the van to support the runner on “No Van Support” legs. Ragnar will provide a water station on “No Van Support” legs that are over 4 miles long. Ragnar will provide two water stations on legs that are over 8 miles long.

Q: Can I have a pacer?
A: Run pacers are allowed during night time hours. The run pacer must wear all the same safety gear as the runner. The run pacer can be, but does not have to be, a member of the team. We ask that you run single file when pacing as required by the surface of the road. Bike pacers are allowed on some courses during night time hours but ONLY on running paths and bike lanes that are separated from the road. The bike pacer must wear a bike helmet and all the same safety gear as the runner. The bike pacer can be, but does not have to be, a member of the team. We ask that the biker ride in front of or behind the runner.

Q: Can we cross the finish line together as a team?
A: Yes, we encourage teams to cross the finish line together and get their post-Ragnar team picture. Stay in touch with the other van so you know when to be at the finish line. We have volunteers about 200 yards from the finish line radioing in which teams are arriving. We'll announce the team number so your team can run out and meet the last runner.

Ragnar Weekend

Q: Do both vans need to be at the start?
A: No, only van one needs to be at the start.

Q: Will the course be marked?
A: Yes. We pride ourselves in excellent course marking. There will be signs at every turn and confusing section on the course. After dark, signs will have flashing LED lights to make them more visible. However, due to weather and other factors, sometimes our signs fall over. We’ll have course marshalls on the route to maintain them, but it’s a good idea to study the map for your race leg and run with your cell phone in case you lost.

Q: What time does the race start on Friday?
A: The starts are staggered throughout the day, based upon your team's average pace. Slower teams start earlier and faster teams start later. The earliest start time is typically 5 or 5:30am and the latest is between 3-5pm.

Q: Are there water and aid stations along the course
A: If a leg is designated “No Van Support” (meaning teammates are not allowed to get out of the van and support their runner) and is longer than 4 miles, we will have a water station. We have water at every major exchange. Check the Venue link to find out about food along the course. We recommend carrying water and whatever food you will need for your runs.

Q: Where do we collect our race bib and packet?
A: Van 1 collects their race bibs and packets at the Start line. Van 2 collects their race bibs and packets at Major Exchange 6.

Q: Does Ragnar record our splits?
A: No, we only record start and finish time for an overall time. We record the fact that teams come into exchanges but not the time.

Q: How long does it take teams to finish a Ragnar?
A: Anywhere from 18-36 hours; the majority finish somewhere between 25-32 hours.

Q: What if a runner drops out during a run or during the relay?
A: If a runner drops out during a run or at any point, another runner may pick up their legs.

Q: What if we see an accident or are involved in an accident?
A: Call 911. Then please alert our staff by calling 661-RAGNAR1.

Q: Where can I find medical help?
A: We have medical personnel at every major exchange (every sixth exchange). If you need medical attention along the course, call 911. If the incident isn't life threatening, call 661-RAGNAR1 and our Race Command will send a Staff member to you.

Post-Ragnar Party

Q: Is there a party?
A: Heck yes! Stay after and relax with drinks and food. Connect with your other van and let the story sharing begin!

Q: Will there be showers?
A: It depends on the race. Showers are not guaranteed. Please refer to the Venue link within your particular Race page to find out if showers are available at the major exchanges.

Q: Will there be food?
A: Yes, there will be fruit and snacks for free and food for purchase. Check out the Venue link within your particular race page to find out more info about food along the course and at the finish line party. Often times the local communities we run through will provide food for sale to benefit a local charity or club. Your contributions directly support the local community.

Q: Can my friends and family attend?
A: Yes. Stay in touch with them throughout the race so they know your approximate finish time. They are welcome at the finish line party.

Q: Can we use the Ragnar Logo on our t-shirts?
A: Yes as long as you do not distort the logo in anyway.

Q: Can we get a refund?
A: There are no team refunds once the team has registered.

Post-Ragnar

Q: Where can I buy Ragnar gear?
A: At the start and finish line of each Ragnar. Or at our online store: http://www.ragnarstore.bigcartel.com/

Q: When will the results be posted online?
A: The results will be posted online typically within 3 days.

Q: When will photos be online for purchase?
A:Photos are typically available online for purchase within 1 week after the race.

Q: What if my t-shirt is the wrong size?
A: You can exchange your UNWORN t-shirt at the finish line. You can exchange your t-shirt where you drop your flags off.

Q: How do I reach Customer Service?
A: Call us at: 877-837-3529 or email us at info@ragnarrelay.com

Q: I never got a ____ (t-shirt, medal, tattoo or sticker). How do I get one?
A: Email info@ragnarrelay.com

Q: Can I get a new car sticker?
A: Yes! Email info@ragnarrelay.com

Q: How can I become a volunteer?
A: Email the race director directly or email info@ragnarrelay.com and we'll connect you up with the appropriate person.