A relay team can have as little as 2 members and a maximum of 10 members.  
There are two ways to set up and pay for your team:

• Individual Payments (typically teams with less than 10):
  • One team member registers first and creates the team.
  • Each additional member then signs up individually, pays their own entry fee, and joins the team.
    
    
• Group Payment:
  • One person (or company) registers and pays the full team fee up front.
  • Every subsequent member then joins the team at no extra cost.

Team Registration:

• The first team member to register creates the team name.
• Each subsequent member registers individually and joins the team.
• Every relay member also competes individually in the 5-mile race, with separate awards. For instance, if you run the fastest 5-mile split within the relay, you’ll receive 1st place in the individual 5-mile results.

Competitive Teams:

• If you’re aiming for the overall grand prize, you must run the relay in true relay fashion—one runner at a time. No exceptions.

Non-Competitive Teams

• Teams not competing for the overall win may run two members at once to finish sooner and enjoy the Southern Tour experience.
• Running two runners together disqualifies your team from overall prizes, but members are still eligible for individual 5-mile awards.

Minimum Participation:

• All relay team members must complete at least one 5-mile loop.

Age-Grading and Handicaps:

• Team times are adjusted based on age and gender to level the playing field.
• The fastest team isn’t always the winner, as handicaps can influence final results.

Packet Pickup:

• One representative should pick up the entire team’s packet, which includes team bibs, shirts, camping passes, batons, and any add-ons.
• All team members receive their own bib, tied to their name and age.

Equipment & Order of Running:

• Each team member must wear their assigned bib and carry the team’s baton (equipped with a timing chip) during their run.
• The baton must be handed off between runners and must cross all checkpoints and the finish line.
• You can run in any order you choose, but every participant must wear their bib and use the team baton.

Losing the Baton:

• If you lose your baton, your team is disqualified.

Awards:

• The winning relay team receives one trophy and $800.
• The fastest overall team (gross time) receives $200.
• The trophy is engraved with the winning team’s name each year and passed on annually.
• Top 5 mile splits earn overall awards.  If you run multiple laps for your team, only your first lap is counted toward 4 mile individual results

Aid Stations:

• One aid station is located around the halfway point, offering water, Gatorade, gels, and bananas.
• The event campsite serves as a second aid station.

Handicap System Details:

• Each individual’s age and gender factor into a handicap percentage, which reduces the team’s overall time.
• Women add an additional 10% to the age-based handicap.
• The combined handicap adjusts the team’s final time. A lower handicap percentage reduces the final time more.
• It’s a strategic mix of speed and handicaps, not just pure pace.
• A runner's handicap is only worth 10% toward the entire team's overall percentage even if they run twice or have less than 10 runners.

Handicap Chart:

• Women: Add +10% to the applicable age percentage below.
• Ages (Males base, add 10% for Females):
  • 9 & under: 10%
  • 10: 9%
  • 11: 8%
  • 12: 7%
  • 13: 6%
  • 14: 5%
  • 15: 4%
  • 16–39: 0%
  • 40: 1% (and so forth, adding 1% per year until 49)
  • 50–54: 14%
  • 55–59: 18%
  • 60–64: 21%
  • 65–69: 26%
  • 70+: 30%

Relay Rules Summary:

• There’s no required running order, but the first runner must check in the team before the start.
• Each runner’s first leg counts toward their individual 5-mile results so everyone in the race receives a 5 mile split
• Handicaps are applied to determine the final adjusted team time.
• Any team changes must be made before the race or risk disqualification.

Have fun, plan strategically, and enjoy the Southern Tour experience!