Sundown Rundown

Sundown Rundown isn’t just a race—it’s the ultimate test of pacing and persistence.

Course Design: 1.6 miles or 2.8km lap distances. Each course varies, but the distance is intentional to make pacing more challenging. It’s like a short-course backyard race.

Race Rules

• Each lap is run in the opposite direction of the previous lap.
• Runners must start each lap on time. Starting before the designated time will disqualify them from the event.
• Runners who do not complete a lap before the start of the next lap are eliminated and scored.
• Runners are permitted to use the restroom between laps, but the start time of a lap does not change for them. If you miss the start of a lap, you are chasing the pack.
• Starting a lap but not making the time cut scores you on the lap you start. For example, you start on lap 8 but do not complete Lap 8 on time, you are scored on Lap 8 relative to others who did not make the time cut.
• Runners self-score on the scoreboard. Draw one slash for starting a lap. A second slash to complete the lap.
• “Final Lap” refers to a lap that is completed within the time cut
• If someone does not finish the lap on the time cut, we take their relative place on the lap to score them. For example, if Runners A, B, C miss the time cut, but finish in B, C, A order, that is their finishing place.
• If they do not cross the finish line on a lap, we use the previous lap start as the tiebreaker. For example, Runner A starts lap 10 but turns around/drops out and does not complete the lap. Runner B does not make the time cut on lap 10, but does complete the lap, so they are placed ahead of Runner A.

Runners start together, each lap a chance to reset, regroup, and test their limits. The first lap gives you 20 minutes to complete the course. Then the clock tightens—each lap, the cutoff shrinks. Some will pace themselves with discipline, holding steady as the pressure builds. Others will push from the start, seeing how long they can hang on before the inevitable catches up.

With every lap, the field reshuffles. New groups form, strategies shift, and lessons are learned from those who’ve been here before. But as the times drop and the effort rises, the cracks start to show. Legs burn, minds battle fatigue, and the race reveals itself. Some will go farther than they ever have. Some will set “relative PRs” against the distance covered.

And when it’s all over—over burgers, stories, and maybe a little shared suffering—the night’s effort is celebrated.

How far will you go before time runs out?

Sundown Underground

Saturday, November 2, 2024