Bluegrass Reaper Challenge

• The course is a 2.6 (ish) mile loop.
• Runners have 40 minutes to complete each lap.
• Laps begin every 40 minutes.
• If a runner does not complete the loop in 40 minutes, they are OUT.
• If a runner completes the loop in under 40 minutes they must wait until the next lap starts before they can continue running.
• 50K runners start first at 9am local time. Other distances start at intervals throughout the day so that everyone runs the last lap together!
• Finish times will be calculated based on each runner’s splits from their various laps.
• Choose from 4 individual distances OR the 50K Team Relay option!

GENERAL INFO

A twist on the backyard ultra, the Bluegrass Reaper Challenge is a unique endurance running event for runners of all experience, skill, or interest levels. With 5 options to choose from, this is the perfect event to enjoy a day of running with friends in the beautiful city of Berea in central Kentucky.

REAPER 50K & RELAY

Start Time: 9:00am local time
Laps: 12 laps
Finish Time: 5:00pm

MARATHON

Start Time: 10:20am local time
Laps: 10 laps
Finish Time: 5:00pm

HALF MARATHON

Start Time: 1:40pm local time
Laps: 5 laps
Finish Time: 5:00pm

10K

Start Time: 3:00pm local time
Laps: 3 laps
Finish Time: 5:00pm

We have a great venue for this race, and we encourage everyone to come out and spend the weekend in Berea. On race day, bring your pop up tent, lawn chairs, and whatever else you need to get through the day. We will set up our “tent city” in the softball field next to the start/finish line!

RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP & CHECK IN
Race day packet pickup and check in begins at 7:30am @ Berea City Park (scroll down to the “Location” section for driving directions).

Runners should check in at least 30 minutes before their race’s start time.

At the end of the race, we will add up your splits for each lap. Your split is the time you ran from start line to finish line, NOT including the time you rest between laps. Each runner will receive a final running time which will be used to tabulate our final results.

Relay teams will receive one final time for the team that is the sum of the running time of each of the ten splits.

Every finisher will receive a custom finisher award or medal!

Top three men and women in each race will receive a special handmade award. Top 3 non-binary division awards will also be awarded if at least 3 participants in that division.

No age group awards. Sorry!

Relay teams must be teams of 2-5 runners. No solo “teams”!
No relay runner may run consecutive laps*. Teams must exchange runners after each lap. 
Click the Registration button above to start getting your team together!

*Exceptions will be made in the event of injury or other unavoidable circumstances.

The Bluegrass Reaper Challenge is a 2.6 mile course around Berea City Park. The path is completely paved which means….THIS IS A ROAD RACE!!!!!!!

Course Info Per Lap

Miles:  2.6
Ascent:  140' (need those climbing legs)
Descent:  140' (a real quad buster)
Aid Stations On Course: goose egg
100% Paved

CLICK HERE for course map!

The race is located in the city of Berea, Kentucky where the Appalachian Mountains meet the Bluegrass. We will be racing around the beautiful Berea City Park.

Parking

Parking will be at the main City Park parking lot behind Berea Community School. The address for the parking lot is:

6 Pirate Pkwy, Berea, KY 40403

Race base camp will be located down the paved path behind the pool in the picnic shelter next to the volleyball courts.

1. All runners must complete each lap in under 40 minutes. Runners not completing a loop within the 40 minute limit will be disqualified.
2. All runners must start each lap together. Any runner who does not make it to the starting line within 30 seconds of the lap start time will be disqualified.
3. Finish times will be a combination of actual running time. Rest time will not be counted as part of your actual finish time.
4. Runners may NOT receive any aid from anyone while on the course.
5. Runners must complete the distance they registered for in order to receive a finisher medal. If a runner completes a shorter distance than what they registered for and wishes to receive a finisher medal for the distance completed they just wait until the end of the race to ensure we have enough medals. If this happens, you may receive a medal for the distance completed; but your official race result will be a DNF.

+ WHAT DO I DO IF I DECIDE I CAN'T FINISH THE RACE?
Just notify a volunteer or staff member, and we will take care of everything else.

+ WHAT FACILITIES WILL BE AT THE START/FINISH LOCATION?
We will have a large picnic shelter with indoor restrooms. We will also be right next to a playground for the family as well as large ball fields to set up your tents, chairs, etc.

+ DO I STILL GET AN AWARD IF I DNF?
Yes, we'll still give everyone a medal for participating.

+ ARE THERE RESTROOMS/SHOWERS AT THE RACE?
Restrooms, yes. Showers, no. But we might just hook up the hose and spray you down if you ask nicely.

+ CAN I SET UP A TENT FOR ME AND MY FRIENDS TO HANG OUT IN BETWEEN LAPS?
We'd love nothing more.

+ IF I DROP OUT EARLY, DO I GET A MEDAL FOR A SHORTER RACE? FOR EXAMPLE, IF I SIGNED UP FOR THE 50K BUT I ONLY RUN 10 LAPS DO I GET A MARATHON FINISHER MEDAL?
If you would like a medal for a distance you did not sign up for you will need to wait until the end of the race to see if we have anything leftover. We purchase medals based on what runners sign up for. So quantities are limited in these cases. If we have leftover medals, then yes.