FAQ

Waves of runners leave every 30 minutes, starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. You choose your start time when you register. Waves are limited to 350 people to prevent back-ups at obstacles and the most popular waves (10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) often sell out quickly. We encourage competitive runners (those participants who can run an average 5K in 24 minutes or less) to sign up for our ultra-competitive 8:45 a.m. wave so as to avoid interference from slow-moving runners from earlier waves. Each runner is timed individually through an electronic timing system. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 overall finishers and certain age-group winners. More information on timing and prizes can be found in this FAQ.

First, you'll take your government-issued photo ID to the big, white Check-In Tent where if you're a racer you'll get your timing chip, t-shirt and free beer wristband (over-21 only), if you're a spectator you'll get your entry wristband, and if you're a volunteer you'll report for duty. If you signed up using the college or military discount, you MUST bring your valid college or military ID or you'll have to pay the difference between your discount and the full fee in order to run. Finally, you'll check any bags (we recommend leaving as much as possible in your car) and then head into the Rugged Maniac event area for an epic day of rugged fun!

(1) Appropiate race clothes. We throw away countless pairs of muddy sneakers and assorted clothing items that are left behind each race. Help us minimize waste by wearing shoes and clothes that are easily cleaned, like spandex pants and sports bras for girls and board shorts and fitted tops for guys. (2) Water. Although we provide water on the race course and at the finish line, we don't provide water in the festival area. Beverages will be available for purchase but you can also bring your own non-glass bottles of water. (3) Blankets, lawn chairs and/or small pop-up tents. Take a load off after the race and enjoy the live music in comfort! (4) Cash. You'll need money to buy beer and food and unfortunately credit cards aren't an option. (5) You can't bring alcohol, weapons or promotional materials for other events to the race. All bags and coolers are subject to inspection and violators of this rule will be escorted off the premises by security.

Racers must be at least 14 years old.

Participants get a high-quality tri-blend cotton Rugged Maniac t-shirt, a free beer (for those of legal drinking age), sponsor swag and fresh fruit at the finish line! You also get a chance to purchase professional photos taken throughout the race by a third party photography company, Capstone Photography.

Winners get a limited edition Rugged Maniac belt buckle, a Rugged Maniac sweatshirt, prizes from our sponsors and a free entry to a future Rugged Maniac event of their choice!

Prizes will be awarded to the (1) top overall finisher, (2) top three female finishers, (3) top three male finishers, (4) top racer over 55, (5) top racer under 18 and (6) most Rugged team (not based on times, but on presence and attitude). Racers must successfully complete all obstacles to be eligible for prizes.

A spectator ticket gives you access to the viewing areas on the course and the festival area, which features live music, beer, food, vendors and festival games!

Children 13 and under can enter the event as spectators free of charge. Because it’s free, you don’t need to buy a ticket through our online system (doing so would cost you $10)!

Please arrive at least 1.5 hours before your wave starts. This gives you enough time to park, stretch, hydrate, check-in, etc. If you miss your start time and the race is a sellout, you won't be able to run.

If you miss your start time, we'll make every effort to put you in a later wave, but only if there's space remaining. Even if there is space, you may not be able to run until much later in the day and your time may not be properly recorded, so please make every effort to be on time. If you do miss your start time, go to the "Race Day Registration" table under the Check-In Tent and we'll sort you out.

Yes, but only if your desired start time isn't already sold out. You can log in to our registration system to change your start time, team name, t-shirt size, etc. before the final day of registration. The confirmation email you received after registering contains instructions on how to access the system, but email us at info@ruggedmaniac.com if you need help.

You can run individually or as part of a team, but we don't record team times. All racers are timed individually.

Simply have your teammates sign up for the same start time and enter the same team name in the “team name” section of the registration. There is no limit to how many members are on a team.

You can log in to our registration system to change your start time, team name, t-shirt size, etc.  The confirmation email you received after registering contains instructions on how to access the system, but email us at info@ruggedmaniac.com if you need help.

Your finish time will depend on your athletic ability. Top times are generally in the low 20s. Most people finish within 30 to 60 minutes.

It’s best to focus on a total-body workout, with an emphasis on long-distance running. Many competitors are members of Crossfit gyms or participate in boot camp-style classes at their local gym.

Maybe. A third party photography company will be on site taking photos of participants throughout the course and will make those photos available for purchase in the weeks following the race. However, we can't guarantee that the photographers will capture an awesome photo of you (or even a photo of you at all), so we highly suggest bringing along a friend with a camera.

Our timing system is pretty high-tech. We'll assign you an RFID timing chip that you'll attach securely to your shoe. Our computers will then record what time you cross the finish line. Just be sure to return the timing chip at the end of the race or your credit card will be charged a $20 replacement fee!

Preliminary results will be posted on a board at the event. A link to the official results will be e-mailed out in the post-race report in the days following the race and also posted on your specific event page (e.g., Tri-State) on our website.

Email us at info@ruggedmaniac.com with the phrase “TIMING ISSUE” in the subject line and we'll forward it to our timing company for a quick resolution.

No. All registrations for our events are non-refundable. However, you can transfer your registration to someone else.

Yes, and we highly encourgage you to take advantage of it to avoid any lines at the Check-In Tent on the day of the race. Details will be posted on the race event page and emailed to participants the week before the race. You'll need to bring your government-issued photo ID and a signed waiver in order to get your packet. To pick up a packet for a friend, you’ll need to bring their ID (or a copy thereof) and their signed waiver. If you signed up using the college or military discount, you MUST bring your valid college or military ID or you'll have to pay the difference between your discount and the full fee in order to run.

It will take up to two weeks following the race to tally your refund amount and credit it to the credit card you used during your registration

No, assuming you’re at least 4’ tall (the water obstacles are no more than 4' deep).

You’re free to go around it but you won’t be eligible to win a prize based on time.

We provide water at one station halfway through the course and again at the finish line. We don'tt provide water to spectators or in the festival area generally. Water and other beverages will be available for purchase from vendors, but you can also bring in your own non-alcoholic beverages (no glass bottles).

The race will not be canceled for rain! This is Rugged Maniac, not a tea party at the retirement home. If there's lightning, we'll delay waves until it passes. When the race resumes, waves will go off at 15-minute intervals until the race is back on schedule. If there's severe weather that prevents the event from being held at all on Saturday, it'll be moved to Sunday.

This is our kids' course built for children who cannot compete in the adult race but want to run through mud, climb over tires and jump over walls. Not every race will have a Mini-ac course, so please check the individual event facts beforehand. The course will open at 10 a.m. and stay open all day and is ideal for children 3 - 8 years old. Older children can run it but it won't be much of a challenge for them.

The east coast events feature a selection of beers from Harpoon Brewery. The other events will have a selection of national beer brands.

Of course! We'll have a rinse-off station with nice cold water for you after you run.

Yes. You are welcome to don any kind of footwear you want. However, you assume the risk of any injuries that result from your decision to do so. Rugged Races LLC does not guarantee that the course will be free of sharp objects, including rocks, splinters, pinecones, glass, nails, knives, swords, chainsaws or anything else whatsoever.

There will be paramedics at the race in case of injuries. The first aid tent will be clearly marked and pointed out to you when you arrive.

Yes, as long as you keep them leashed at all times. However, if your dog barks incessantly, is aggressive or just plain doesn’t like crowds, please leave it at home. You'll be personally liable for any bites or other injuries caused by your dog.

All course maps are projections only and not actual course layouts. Our events are opened for registration many months in advance, but our engineers design the course in the weeks leading up to the race in order to account for terrain changes, venue modifications and municipal restrictions that necessarily affect the course and obstacle placements. This approach allows us to build the most rugged course possible at each location.