As per new guidelines from the National Park Service:
On the Father Crowley / Panamint Pass climb (a 12.2-mile stretch from Time Station 3 at Panamint Springs Resort at Mile 72.7 to “Panamint Pass” at Mile 84.9), support vehicles may only stop at eight designated locations along the route. These will be identified in the route book and with signage along the roadway. Except in a legitimate emergency situation, stopping at any other location along this stretch of roadway, even momentarily, will result in the immediate disqualification of the racer associated with the stopped crew. In addition to Badwater race staff, this will also be monitored by National Park Service staff who have the authority to disqualify racers. The photos depict the eight designated parking zones.
Furthermore, crew members, other than pacers, may never cross the roadway during the entire Father Crowley / Panamint Pass climb (a 12.2-mile stretch from Time Station 3 at Panamint Springs Resort at Mile 72.7 to “Panamint Pass” at Mile 84.9). Also, each racer, or racer’s pacer, is strongly encouraged to carry a walkie-talkie for communicating with his or her support crew during this 12.2-mile stretch of the race route. In addition to Badwater race staff, this will also be monitored by National Park Service staff who have the authority to disqualify racers.
Because there is limited parking at the designated eight parking zones, and because, of course, support vehicles can make this ascent far faster than runners, support teams are encouraged to remain at Panamint Springs Resort long enough to give their runner a good “head start” while he or she begins the ascent. (This also allows time for the support team to purchase water, ice, food, supplies, gas, and REAL FOOD at Panamint Springs Resort.)
Additionally, support vehicles may not stop during the one-mile stretch which begins at Harmony Borax Works at Mile 19.1 (just after leaving Furnace Creek), while runners pass through the curvy “Harmony Curves” section of Hwy 190. Each support vehicle should wait at Harmony Borax Works long enough to allow the runner to cover the next, mostly uphill mile, then drive ahead (no stopping nor slowing until Mile 20.1).
For all the race route details, click here.
