Headlight Rule, Focus on Being Seen Options

[Runman]

From the race website regarding the rules for reflective gear -

"From 6pm through 7am, participants must: 1) wear a reflective vest 2) carry a flashlight (or HTC/PTC Hat/ Headlight) and 3) NEW for 2010: wear one front and one back LED flasher."



In the rules section under "Disqualification" it states:

Safety Gear

From 6:00pm through 7:00am, all participants must:

* wear a reflective vest
* carry a flashlight (or Hat with Headlight)
* (NEW) wear one front and back LED flasher

(Each team must present two reflective vests, two flashlights (or approved HTC/PTC Hat with Headlight), and two LED flashers for inspection at the Start Check-In Tent. Teams are then issued the official race wrist wrap).


I get #1 as that is the same as the past. Problem is #2 which I will discuss. #3 seems like overkill.

I read #2 to say - carry a flashlight OR you may purchase and wear the $25 HTC hat which has a built in light. It seems to call the HTC headgear a hat/headlight.

My question is this - is the race outlawing the use of personal headlights and all headlights unless they are the HTC headlight? They posted on the forum that one only needs to use a flashlight or headlight, but on the safety tips portion of the website and rules sections, it says the above. Naturally I would like to use my own headlight and would rather not arrive at the mountain to find the hats are required and shell out $50 for two of them.

[Beth]

haven't checked the battery/bulb but I have the white HTC hat... Holly and I traded it off last year and their reflective vest also. maybe should get spare bulb/battery for it in plastic bag... I do plan on using that for run... but since up at top, can use to 'qualify' ..we'll need additional 'butt' lights- the flashing lights they offered were great, but need at least 4 so runner has the 2 on, and handing off to runner is ready also, and leap-frog exchange if needed. Think I've got 1 maybe 2 of theirs from last year- they were still operating last ck'd. The stores will be out too soon. It seems to read any headgear as long as headgear. ?

[Runman]

haven't checked the battery/bulb but I have the white HTC hat... Holly and I traded it off last year and their reflective vest also. maybe should get spare bulb/battery for it in plastic bag... I do plan on using that for run... but since up at top, can use to 'qualify' ..we'll need additional 'butt' lights- the flashing lights they offered were great, but need at least 4 so runner has the 2 on, and handing off to runner is ready also, and leap-frog exchange if needed. Think I've got 1 maybe 2 of theirs from last year- they were still operating last ck'd. The stores will be out too soon. It seems to read any headgear as long as headgear. ?

It calls for LED lights, so the flashing lights from last year would seem to be inadequate.

The reason I ask about the ehadgear is that the forum answer they gave would be any headgear, but the two postings I have seen on the rules part of the website indicate either their hat or a flashlight, but not your own headlamp.

I really have a problem with the "no headlamps except our hat rule" because flashlights really don't work that well when you are running - they bob all over the place, and it is easier to wear the headlamp. Further to say either wear our hat or carry a flashlight seems to be just another way for the race to grab some money from us. They entry fee goes up each year well over the rate of inflation, it is due a month after the race, now this?

[TDG]

Here is an idea: wear a regular headlamp as your light source and just carry a flashlight to be in compliance.

[allezvita]

the little flash dealies they gave out in the packets are LED but you'll need at least 4 per van so you can leap frog them between runners-so looks like I'll need to go shopping. I'm betting they aren't going to give them out again.

PetSmart has them for about $5 a piece. Or REI had them for $8-10.

[Beth]

Road Runners cheapest were $8.99. plus S & H if not a VIP

[smily]

In the Oregonian Sundays paper, Harborfreight has coupons for free led flashlights. I ususally find 2 coupons per paper. They are the little LED flahslights that don't weigh much at all. Infact, less than my black diamond cosmo headlamp. I'll carry 2 if need be.