FAQ

Woah….a lot of FAQ.

But you can read it all! Make sure you read these before you reach out to me – because it’s no fun to repeat yourself, unless you’re repeating laps you’ve already run in an ultra.

Do I need a ticket? What if I just want to come for the day?

  • You sure do! Burning Man is an experience, so don’t come just for the race. It’s too logistically difficult to just “come for the day” – and too expensive. And so awesome that you need to go for more than just a day! Everyone needs a ticket – even the RD!
  • If you don’t get a ticket in the Steward or Burner Bus or Main Sales, be sure to register for STEP, try for the OMG sale, and keep your eyes peeled for valid tickets. Just make sure they are REAL. Don’t pay above face value.
  • Sorry, there are no exceptions about the tickets. Don’t ask. The RD doesn’t make the rules.

Are you serious? A 50k in the desert? And at Burning Man?

  • We’re serious! Ultrarunners are a rare breed indeed, and Burner Ultrarunners are even rarer. However, there’s a few of us out there, so let’s get together and do one of the most fun 50ks out there.
  • Also – it doesn’t usually get hot at Burning Man until 11am, and we start at 5am, so it’s mostly pretty great for running!

What should I bring?

  • Bring something to carry water in (i.e., hydration pack, handheld water bottle). There will be NO cups, so bring something to drink out of. It’s mandatory to carry water.
  • New for 2024: You do NOT have to contribute a gallon of water. The waste that all of the plastic water bottle provides has been frustrating. We are getting a water delivery for our camp, and are planning on having extra water for the race. Want to help cover the cost? Donate!
  • Your favorite ultrarunning snacks. We will provide some snacks as well. Also, please contribute a snack for the grub table (a bag of chips, a box of gels, energy drink powder, cookies, M&Ms, beer, post-race food, whatever you’d like to share!).
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen, dust mask, goggles, headlamp (we’re starting when it’s still dark so you can avoid the worst heat of the day).
  • A dropbag. You can bring the kitchen sink and leave it at the side of the race so you can grab anything you need.

How often are aid stations?

  • There is a big aid station at Pink Lightning  – this is also the start and finish!
  • About 3-4 miles into the course (depending on how the course is measured – it changes slightly each year, and we don’t measure until until we arrive on the playa), there will be the Deep Playa Aid Station. This will have food, water, and cheerful volunteers. They won’t have cups, so bring your own!
  • “The playa provides.” People set up basic stations with water, snacks, even alcohol to fuel you on your run! There are a few fun unofficial aid stations, so indulge!
  • We need help, so please let us know if you want to help more! (see below.) Also, if you are conning your lover/significant other/sibling/friend/adoring fans to come and watch, they can watch while pouring other runners water, taking splits, fanning runners as they come in, hang out.

How can I help?

  • You want to volunteer? Awesome! We need people to help the runners by pouring water, distributing snacks, timing, and cheering the runners on. Contact Cherie if you can volunteer. This is a great way to cheer on or crew a friend while helping others out as well. THANK YOU!
  • If you want to donate money to help cover the costs of t-shirts, medals, etc., Zelle or paypal pinklightningbrc at gmail dot c o m

I’m trying to run a marathon in every state/continent/etc. Is this course verified?

  • Hell no! It is measured multiple times by GPS, but isn’t something that can be verified so you can join the 50 state club, sorry. Burning Man Ultramarathon isn’t just a race, and Burning Man isn’t just something to check off – it’s something to experience. We are open to all who are interested in truly being part of an experimental community – and all of those who are eager to fully live by the ten principles.

What should I do in case of a dust storm?

  • Runners should carry goggles and a dustmask at all times. If the dust bothers you, please ask help from our volunteers. If you have asthma, carry your inhaler. Luckily, the time of day makes the risk of dust storms less likely. B/c the race starts to early, and b/c dust storms tend to be later, we’ve been lucky every year. Cherie the RD runs with a bandanna around her neck and with close-fitting sunglasses, with a pair of goggles in her drop bag.
  • Also, in the first twelve years, we have only had two long dust storms. (Have you recovered from the 2023 race yet?) But it’s Burning Man, so who knows?

You burner ultrarunners are awesome. I can’t get enough of you. What should I do?

  • Everyone loves us. Feel free to stop by Pink Lightning  to check out the map, the race results, and drink hydrating beverages with us. We love you too!

50k is way too long, but I like to run. Can I run part of it?

  • No, you can’t. Would you sign up for a big city marathon and email the RD asking to run part of the race? Nope. Same here with the BRC50k!
  • We’d love it if you help pace a tired 50k runner. Start late, and you’ll get to run slow and make someone’s race super fun and still get to run part of the race!
  • In the past, we’ve allowed people to sign up if they were going to run just part of the race, but logistically, this is just too much, so sorry, no more. If you do not intend to finish, please don’t sign up. Run one of our other events OR pace a runner.

I didn’t get tickets this year. I want to run and I want to go. Can you help?

Tickets will pop up….. Every year, there are lots of extra tickets floating around, including other runners posting in our Burner Runners group on Facebook. Be a part of your local burner community – tickets often pop up that way. And if you embody the ten principles, esp participate, you will see a ticket pop up sooner – trust us!