Ultimately it is our mission to create events that challenge all runners mentally and physically. If it was easy, what would you learn? We have added a distance for near everyone at most of our events; from 5k to 200-miles, you should be able to find a distance at most of our events throughout the entire year. Hiking the uphills and running the downs is one of our mantras. We try to be generous with our cutoffs to allow as many explorers as possible the opportunity to finish our events without chasing the cut-offs. Level of difficulty of any given event is arbitrary and registrant dependent. It is ultimately up to you to be adequately trained and prepared. We're here to help guide you!

We rely heavily on volunteers to adequately mark our courses prior to your arrival, but we cannot check every ribbon or junction that our volunteers placed. Some volunteers do an exceptional job, some just get the job done. We mark our courses with florescent ribbon and laminated signs at select major junctions. However, we live in a world where vandalism on our trails is not that uncommon. There is a very real possibility, always, that a course could be sabotaged by other trail users or even animals. Should this happen, we will dispatch volunteers to find and correct all runners, fix the marking errors, and allow the race to continue. Should you become lost on the course, you MUST return to the location where you went off course and continue the run from there. Should you decide to drop/DNF due to going off course, this is ultimately your choice and no refund or credits will be provided. We adhere to the old school rule of ultra-running that “It is the runners responsibility for knowing the course.”

HPRS provides participants with multiple tools for your use in navigating each course. They include: pdf course maps, gpx files of each route for use on your personal GPS device, multiple apps for use in navigating the course even when no cell service is available, and google maps of the course. Each race webpage has multiple links to course maps and we encourage you to interact with them well in advance of race day.

We are known for having some of the very best aid stations in the sport of trail and ultra running. Each manned aid station will have the following: Fruit (Bananas, oranges, watermelon, grapes*, pineapple*), Soda (Coke, Ginger Ale, Mountain Dew), cookies, pretzels, chips, candy, wraps (turkey and cheese, ham and cheese, pb&J, nutella, hummus and avocado*, whatever looks clever), cheese quesadillas*, salt, and electrolyte drink from our sponsor. In some cases you may also find soup*, coffee*, tea*, cocoa*, bacon*, and tater tots*. If you have dietary restrictions or personal preferences, it is best to bring your own needs as we cannot cater to all diets. *Indicates not all stations will have these items.

HPRS does not have a podium. We do not celebrate age group awards. We do not celebrate 1st - 3rd anything. We believe that every runner has trained as hard as their life circumstances allow, and everyone has sacrificed just as much as the front runners to be able to participate. Therefore, we choose to treat all runners as equals. All finishers will receive the same finishers award. Please note that these are "finisher awards" and not "participation awards." We provide buckles for the 100-mile (or longer) distances only. We also have special awards at each event like our Transcendence Award and DFL, which you can learn more about HERE. Thank you for joining us in celebrating the collective's effort in discovering their human potential, and respecting our mission to not just celebrate those who were the fastest. 

In general, results are posted within 72 hours of the completion of the final event cut-off.

At Human Potential there is only one (1) employee on staff and that is our race director John Lacroix. After the conclusion of each event, there is a considerable amount of work that needs to be completed before we get to the posting of results. Once John is in a place where he can post results, they will be posted. Results have always been posted within 72 hours post race. Thank you for your patience and understanding. 

Because there is no podium, no age group awards, and no celebrating 1st-3rd at HPRS we are sometimes asked "Is it even a race?"

There are bib numbers, shirts, awards, permits, insurance, porta potties, rules, a start/finish line, and results posted on the web. Just because there is no podium or age group awards doesn't automatically negate the fact that there is indeed a race going on. All of our events possess everything your idea of a traditional race has... minus the podium and age group awards (or as we sometimes refer to it... "ego-stroking").

We acknowledge that only a very small percentage of the field (it's like <2%) actually cares about "the race." Most folks in these types of events are only racing against themselves and the mountain; they're out there for physical and mental health purposes and could truly care less about any competition. We want to support a race environment that is ego adverse and celebrates all runners, their struggles, and the good work they are doing on themselves. We hope you'll join us with this understanding.

Each race may or may not allow camping, or sleeping in your vehicle, dependent on the conditions of our permit from associated land managers. You can see each race's camping information on our camping page located HERE. 

In the 2 weeks leading up to any race, we begin to communicate with all our runners so they know exactly what to expect on race weekend. The closer we get to the event, the more pertinent information we send out. All runners will have the most up to date and detailed information necessary no less than 7 days out from race start. A huge amount of race day information is available on each race's webpage on this site. Check it out!

You are allowed to change distances at any time up to race start. Once the gun goes off, you are locked in to that distance. Should you start a 50 Mile event and decide to drop at 50K, you will be counted as a DNF unless that event offers a mid-race drop (See below). We do not provide DNS or DNF information in our race results, so it was like you were never there if it's not your day. If you should drop down in distance at any time after you initially register for the event, we are unable to provide you with a partial refund for doing so. If you move up in distance, you will be charged the difference for doing so.

Select HPRS events allow a mid-race drop down in distance where you will still receive a finisher's award and have your finish time in the results in the event that you bit off more than you can chew. Those events are: Franklin Mountains Trail Runs 30k & 10k; Endure Half Marathon; Sheep Mountain 50-Mile & 55k; Silverheels 100-Mile, 50-Mile, and 18-Mile; and the Indian Creek 50-Mile and 55k. Information about dropping down will be provided in the participant manual for each event. We strongly discourage moving up in distance mid-race for a variety of risk management reasons.

In most cases, yes. If you would like to start earlier than the official start time, please reach out to our race director to discuss the possibilities for an earlier departure. This will rely heavily on the conditions of our permits. Please note that should you start earlier than the official start time for an event, aid stations may not be open in time for your arrival, which means you will be on your own until their original open times.

This option is for individuals who are unsure if they can complete the challenge within the allotted time, and not for those looking to leave earlier due to other commitments. 

If you need to pass a runner in front of you, please be sure to loudly and politely announce “On your left/right” before doing so. Try to allow them to step to the side which is most safe for them. Another option is to ask, “Whenever is next safest, I’d like to pass, cool?” and they’ll step aside for you.

On sections where runners are traveling in both directions, during a race we ask that the downhill runners have the right of way due to momentum. Please step aside and let them sneak by safely!

On trails outside of race day, uphill runners always have the right of way.

We strongly discourage the use of headphones during our events. If you absolutely must wear one, we ask that you please only have ONE ear piece in so that you may still communicate with other trail users. This is not because we are sticklers or traditionalists. It is a condition of our insurance policy with the RRCA and a condition of our permits from various land managers. Your safety, the safety of other trail users, and the enjoyment of the resource by all is dependent on your following this rule.

We welcome the use of trekking poles at our events. We just ask you to please be mindful of your surroundings. Too many times someone has been swinging their poles in such a way that has injured another runner (their face and/or eyes). Please be a responsible pole user. 

A "drop bag" is a bag used for personal items that can be present at specific aid stations along the course. These would be items you may need or want that you don't want to haul for the full length of the event.

Races that allow drop bags will indicate on the race's Aid Station chart (see race website and runner's drive) where your drop bags may be.

You should only have 1 drop bag per station where they are allowed; and you will access that bag each time through that station. So, if you pass through a station that allows drop bags 4x, you will only have one bag at that location that you can access each of the 4x through if you so choose.

Choose a bag that will stand out amongst the pile of other bags. Your drop bag should always be labeled with your bib #, the name of the station it is going to, and the distance you are running in. 

Drop bags are transported to each aid station by event volunteers. They are then transported back to the finish line by volunteers as well. It could be many hours before a drop bag reappears at the finish line, this depends on the availability of volunteers for transport during the event. Once an aid station closes for the event, all drop bags are transported back to the finish line. From time to time, a "drop bag shuttle" brings bags in earlier. You are always welcome to travel to an aid station locale to grab your bag should your day end earlier than expected. Drop bags are not transported between stations during the event. Each of your bags will go to ONE location and ONE location only. 

In general, we wouldn't say they are treated nicely as they are often times thrown about. We recommend not having anything of value in your bags, or anything you may be sad losing or having damaged. The race is not responsible for lost or damaged items.

Do not leave your drop bag behind at the end of the race. Abandoned drop bags are typically disposed of within a hour after the final event cut-off. 

Typical items in drop bags include: Headlamps, extra batteries, foot care items like mole skin or new skin, extra socks, extra shoes, food items you crave that the aid station may not have, rain gear, cold weather gear, motivational quotes or notes, emergency feminine hygiene products, toothbrush and tooth paste, etc. You may also leave anything you no longer need or want behind in your bag. 

C.R.E.W is an acronym for Cranky Runner Endless Waiting. Ok, seriously though.. a Crew is a any number of loved ones who join you at the event so they can help support your efforts. Think of it as a pit crew in a NASCAR race. As is customary in the sport of trail and ultra, Crew is not allowed for any distance less than 50-miles.

For distances 50-miles and longer, a crew is welcome only at designated crew locations. Should your crew assist you in any way (by giving you something, or taking something from you) in a location outside of these designated areas, you will be disqualified.

We ask that your crew be able to fit inside one (1) vehicle, and no more than 1 vehicle. If you require multiple vehicles to transport your crew to the designated locations, your crew is too big. Managing parking and people at designated crew locales is a condition of our permits.

A pacer is someone who is there to keep you company, or "set the pace," while on your run. They are typically allowed late (in the back half) of ultramarathon running events. Pacers were primarily introduced into the sport as a way to keep you awake, on course, and/or generally moving forward along the route. Over time, the pacer has evolved into your having a friend or loved one keep you company (or simply join you) on the journey. 

Pacers are typically not allowed for distances less than 50-Miles in length throughout the sport of ultrarunning. This is also true at HPRS. 

Not every 50-Mile or longer event allows pacers either. This will depend entirely on the conditions of our permits for each individual event. Please see the race informational webpage for each specific event for pacer information or see the list below.

Runners aged 60 years of age or older are allowed pacers at any time on any of our courses. 

All pacers at HPRS must fill out a pacer waiver and wear a pacer bib at all times while on course. 

Because pacers have not paid an entry fee to participate in the event, and in an effort to keep race entry fees down, we respectfully ask that pacers try and bring their own food items for their run. Of course they may enjoy all that we offer at our aid stations, we're just asking for you and them to be mindful of the expense in feeding runners and non-paying pacers alike. 

HPRS events where pacers are welcome:
Franklin Mountains: 50-Mile
Stories: 30-Hour and all golden hour.
Niwot's Challenge: Chief's Loop 1 & Burn Loop 2
Endure: 24-Hour (Final Lap Only)
Silverheels: 50-Mile & 100-Mile
Sheep Mountain: 50-Mile
Sangre de Cristo: 100k, 100-Mile, 150-Mile, 200-Mile
Indian Creek: 50-Mile

While we also love and utilize the various technologies at our disposal for outdoor adventures, we mindfully acknowledge that these technologies are not 100% accurate for a variety of reasons. Most of our event mapping is done on topo software using a mouse. It does not account for every single nook and cranny, though we do feel that our charts, profiles, and distances provide you with a more than accurate representation of what you’re up against. It is also near impossible for any trail race director to map a course that is exactly 50 miles or other. Please be gentle with us. We do our best to provide you with accurate information and over time, we’ll gladly take everyone’s numbers to provide future participants with more accurate averages. Please be mindful that of 5 runners who complete a given course, 5 runners will have different distance and elevation readings on their watch!

HPRS events emphasize the enjoyment of trail running and the personal achievement with a low-key atmosphere. Although HPRS makes small donations to charities and parks, we are a for-profit entity. Runners occasionally run to raise money for charities and they’re welcome to do that, personally. We will support you and help you spread the word on that effort.

For select races we also raise money for local non-profits in order to best support them in their mission.

We do not have photographers at every HPRS event. From time to time we do invite photographers to join us in taking photos of participants. We do not hire or pay for the photographer. Instead, they take photos and make them available for you to purchase on their own website. Photos are not included with your registration fees at HPRS, nor are photos guaranteed at all of our events.

This information is available on each individual race's webpage and participant manual. Respectfully, if you are unable to find this most basic of information, you are unfortunately displaying behavior which may cause us to deny you entry into our event. Please be able to locate this information on your own accord; it is the very basic thing that is required of you as a registrant. 

Unfortunately no. The registered individual is the only person who will be permitted to pick up their bib. You may be required to show proof with a government issued photo ID.