Lottery and Selection Process
The number of runners, is limited by the permit we receive from the US Forest Service and this year that number is 250. There may be three times as many applicants as there are available spots in the race. Unfortunately not everyone who applies will get in. A system has been developed that supports hardworking volunteers, local non-profit organizations, and still gives everyone that applies a chance to participate. It is a process that is fair and supports the spirit of the Bridger Ridge Run.
Automatic entry is granted to three groups:
- Previous winners of the Bridger Ridge Run
- 10 or more time finishers of the Bridger Ridge Run
- Various raffle winners of non-profit organization such as Reach, Eagle Mount, HAVEN, Cancer Support Community, the Museum of the Rockies, Gallatin Valley Land Trust, and HER.
Preferential status is given to the following people:
- Volunteers
This race is put on by volunteers. Aid Station workers, sweepers, medics, and the Race Director are all volunteers. Water and supplies at Aid Stations are carried by volunteers. To greatly increase your chances of getting into the run, come out and volunteer, work an aid station, help us haul water, or sweep. Volunteers ALWAYS have highest priority because we support those that give their time to help us put on this community event. - Unsuccessful Applicants from the previous year.
If you applied for entry the previous year and were not accepted, you will have HIGH priority of getting in the following year. All Unsuccessful Lottery Applicants from last year are verified by the selection committee. If you indicate that you are a previous unsuccessful applicant and the selection committee finds that you are not, you will be disqualified from the lottery.
All Other Runners
Lottery - All other runners will be selected through a fair electronic random selection process.
The Brief Statement as to Why You Would Like to run the Bridger Ridge Run
When you go online to complete your race application, you will have the opportunity to write a BRIEF statement, which is limited to 250 characters, explaining why you would like to be in the race. It's not mandatory, but consider that what you say just might be your ticket in! Be assured if you choose not to write one it doesn’t lower your chances in the lottery. Every statement is read and discussed by the selection committee. Did you volunteer last year at an Aid Station, Sweep, or Haul Water? Did you put in LAST YEAR but were not selected? Do you have a compelling or extraordinary reason to run the Ridge Run this year? If so, please remind us or let us know in your Brief Statement. We are not trying to be elitist, we are trying to be fair.
NEW OPTION! Team Lottery Entry
If you intend to participate in this event if, and only if, certain of your friends/family also do, this option might be for you. Here’s how it works.
- Identify a Team name, and identify your team-mates.
Be sure there’s agreement among your team about who, exactly, your team-mates consist of. - Each team-mate enters the lottery independently. In doing so, each team-mate selects the “Team” button that is plainly visible through application process, followed by naming their Team’s name and entering a complete list of the full names of their other team-mates.
Important notes:
- If there are inconsistencies in the names your Team lists as team-mates, then every member of the Team will automatically be considered in the standard (not “Team”) Lottery pool.
- Entering the Lottery as a Team will not effect your chances of being selected to participate in the event (with the exception of point c, below).
- If you are a 10-timer, a previous overall winner, or a raffle winner, entering the Lottery as a Team will forfeit your automatic entry and your entry will be considered in Team Lottery pool; you will not, however, be charged and entry fee (of $97).
REACH RAFFLE ENTRY
From April 1-June 5 you can purchase Reach raffle tickets for $10 each. The winning ticket will be pulled on Friday, June 5th at 5pm!
For full information, including how to purchase tickets, please head over to Reach’s website.
