The Big Deal At Great Seal
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About the race
The Big Deal at Great Seal is an ultramarathon event in Chillicothe, OH, held at Great Seal State Park with multiple distance options and a point-to-point loop course format. The main course is a roughly 20 mile loop that forms the basis for longer distances. The loop is predominantly single track, with about 95% single track and 5% dual track, and has about 3100–3200 feet of elevation gain per loop. The organizer is RunFluent.
Distances offered:
- 100 mile (five laps of the 20 mile loop)
- 100k (three laps plus a finishing loop)
- 20 miler
- Adult 5k
- 5k Youth
The course includes named features such as Ireland Shelter, Sugarloaf, Bald Hill, Sand Hill, Rocky Road, Rock Garden, Annie's Trail, The Cellar, Lick Run, Spandex, Bunker Hill, Shawnee Ridge, and Grouse Rock. A section called Shrake Road has been removed from the route for safety, which increases the amount of two-way traffic on the course by about one mile; some sections will have two-way traffic and the course will be marked to differentiate directions.
Cutoffs for the 100 mile distance include a 36 hour overall cutoff and a requirement to begin the final lap within 28 hours. There are five aid stops per 20 mile loop located at the start/finish, Rocky Road, and Lick Run; aid stations will carry water, electrolytes, hot food, and snacks. Crew access is permitted only at the start/finish (Ireland Shelter) and Lick Run. Pacers are allowed for the 100k and 100 mile after the first lap, one at a time, and must be registered and wear a pacer bib; pacers may only join or leave runners at Ireland Shelter or Lick Run.
Mandatory gear for 100 mile and 100k runners must be carried at all times and includes a GPX file on a device, two headlamps or a headlamp with spare batteries, a whistle, an emergency foil blanket, minimum 1 L carrying capacity for water, and a collapsible cup. Runners may use up to three drop bags (one per aid station) sized up to 15 L; drop bags must be labeled with name, bib number, and aid station. Finishers receive distance-specific items: a metal buckle for the 100 mile, a wooden 100k belt buckle, and a wooden finisher item for the 20 mile and 5k. Podium awards are given to the top three male and female finishers of each distance. The Golden Goat award is given to anyone finishing the 100 mile under 26 hours; if no one finishes under 26 hours, the top 10 percent of finishers receive the Golden Goat.
Parking for the event is along the campground road per park management and may place cars along the course; a primitive campground is available in the park and car camping on the Friday before the race is not permitted. Packet pickup and a race briefing are organized before the event; specific pickup times and mandatory attendance rules apply for the 100 mile and 100k distances. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
