The Big Deal At Great Seal
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About the race
The Big Deal at Great Seal is a trail running event held in Chillicothe, OH, organized by RunFluent. It offers multiple race distances on a roughly 20 mile loop that serves as the primary course unit.
Distances
- 100 mile
- 100k
- 20 mile
- 5k (adult and youth options)
Course and terrain: the loop is approximately 20 miles, composed of about 95% single track and 5% double track. Elevation gain is roughly 3100 to 3200 feet per loop. Notable landmarks on the course include Ireland Shelter, Sugarloaf, Bald Hill, Sand Hill, Rocky Road, Rock Garden, Annie's Trail, The Cellar, Lick Run, Shawnee Ridge, Grouse Rock and others. Some sections have two way traffic; the course will be marked to clarify flow.
Race format and cutoffs: the 100 mile distance uses multiple laps of the 20 mile loop. The overall cutoff for the 100 mile is 36 hours, and runners must begin their final lap within 28 hours. Decisions to allow continuation on course are at the race director's discretion.
Support and logistics: each 20 mile loop includes five aid locations with water, electrolytes, soda, hot food and snacks. Crew access is allowed at the start/finish (Ireland Shelter) and Lick Run; crew access at Rocky Road or other on course locations is restricted except for emergencies. Pacers are permitted for 100k and 100 mile after the first lap, one pacer at a time, and must be registered and wear a pacer bib; pacers may join or leave only at Ireland Shelter or Lick Run.
Gear, drop bags and packet pickup: 100 mile and 100k entrants must carry required items at all times including a GPX file on a device, two headlamps or equivalent, whistle, emergency foil blanket, minimum 1 L water capacity and a collapsible cup. Runners may use up to three drop bags total across aid stations, each up to about 15 L, labeled with name and bib. Friday night packet pickup is held at 50 West Brewing, 1 N Paint Street, Chillicothe OH; packet pickup is mandatory for 100 mile and 100k entrants and available for other distances either Friday night or race morning.
Awards and finishers: 100 mile finishers receive a metal 100 mile buckle, 100k finishers a wooden 100k belt buckle, and 20 mile and 5k finishers a wooden finisher token. Podium awards are given to the top three male and female finishers in each distance. The Golden Goat is awarded to 100 mile finishers under 26 hours; if no one achieves that time, the top 10 percent of finishers receive the Golden Goat. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
