CREW ACCESS TO HANCOCK REQUIRES A METERED PARKING PASS - NO EXCEPTIONS
Access to, and parking at, is challenging. Crews cannot access or park at Hancock without receiving a “Hancock only parking pass” from the Start/Finish. These passes are metered, meaning that runners must pass a certain checkpoint before crews receive their parking pass for Hancock. Only one vehicle per parking pass. The parking area requires a 5-10 minute walk to the aid station and Hancock does not have cell service.
Crews are given their parking pass whenever their runner reaches one of two check points. The checkpoints are positioned and timed to allow crews ample time to reach the aid station, while preventing a rush of way-to-early crews.
RUNNERS WHO LEAVE ST ELMO 2 BEFORE 3PM - crews released whenever the runner checks OUT of St. Elmo 2 (mile 37.5).
ALL OTHER RUNNERS - crews released whenever the runner checks OUT of Tin Cup Aid Station (mile 41.2).
Between the St Elmo 2/Tin Cup aid stations and Hancock Aid Station, runners typically take the following time:
Overall Course record (19:42) - 2.25 hours (St. Elmo 2 to Hancock)
Fast runners (sub 27 hours) - crews will have roughly 2 hours (Tin Cup to Hancock)
Mid-pack runners (27-32 hours) - crews will have roughly 2.25 hours (Tin Cup to Hancock)
For back of the pack runners (33-37 hours) - will have roughly 2.5 hours (Tin Cup to Hancock)
Crews will have ample time to travel from the Start/Finish to Hancock (Mile 49.3). The two checkpoints are intentionally positioned; there is no need to rush, but you should begin the 60 minute drive to the Hancock parking area as soon as your runner clears the relevant checkpoint. Once parked, expect a 5-20 minute walk to the actual aid station. Crews in past years have averaged 65 to 80 minutes of travel from the Start/Finish to Hancock.
Foot/bike traffic, drop offs, etc to Hancock is not allowed
Parking passes are available from roughly 12:30 pm (CR pace) until 10pm
The Hancock Aid Station coordinates are: 38.64029, -106.36246
The Hancock Aid Station cutoff is 1:30am Saturday
THE PROCESS
THE PROCESS
STEP 1 - WAITING FOR YOUR RUNNER TO PASS THEIR CHECKPOINT (SIGN UP FOR TEXT ALERTS)
Crews are given their parking pass whenever their runner reaches one of two check points:
RUNNERS WHO LEAVE ST ELMO 2 BEFORE 3PM - crews released whenever the runner checks OUT of St Elmo 2.
ALL OTHER RUNNERS - crews released whenever the runner checks OUT of Tin Cup.
STEP 2 - PICKING UP YOUR PASS
WE RECOMMEND WAITING AT THE START/FINISH FOR YOUR RUNNER TO REACH THEIR CHECKPOINT. THIS HELPS TO PREVENT DELAYS FOR YOU TO LEAVE FOR HANCOCK.
Once a runner has passed their checkpoint, crews can pick up their “Hancock only parking pass” from the Start/Finish line. We will write the early estimate time of arrival and the average estimate time of arrival for each runner on the parking pass.
STEP 3 - DRIVE TO HANCOCK, PARK, AND WALK TO THE AID STATION
Once a crew has their “Hancock only parking pass” they can drive to Hancock and park. Follow the parking attendants’ instructions.
See below for driving instructions.
You will need to walk a bit to the aid station. Distances vary between 0.25-0.5 miles to the aid station.
STEP 4 - CREW YOUR RUNNER
Take care of your runner and leave the aid station when you’re done.
STEP 5 - PREPARE FOR MONARCH, BLANKS, AND RASPBERRY 2 CREWING
If you are crewing at Monarch, Blanks and/or Raspberry 2, you can find additional details on this page. You will use your “Monarch, Blanks, Rasp2 parking pass” to access and park at these aid stations.
Driving directions from Start/Finish to Hancock - 60 MINUTE DRIVE TIME
From the Start/Finish area, turn left/south and drive down the large switchback (aka Swear Hill). At the bottom T intersection, turn right onto CR162. Stay on 162 for 11 miles. Around 10.9 you will pass the Last Chance restroom on your left. It is a large gravel lot with a restroom. Slow down here and look for a small gravel road up and to your left. It is just about 0.1 miles after the restrooms. If you go into St. Elmo, you missed the turn. Here is a picture of the junction and the sign about 30 yards after the turn. If you see the brown USFS sign with mileage to Hancock and the Alpine Tunnel Trail, you are on the correct road
After turning onto CR295, continue for roughly 5.4 miles until you reach the parking zone. You will pass some odd driveways, but just stay on 295 until you reach the parking attendant. PLEASE NOTE, CR 295 is full of large potholes. You can, with careful driving, get to the aid station in a 2WD vehicle, but it’s slow going. Parallel park on the west side of the road.
PRO TIPS
We recommend waiting at the Start/Finish line , or very close by. We’ll have a food truck with lunch/dinner at the Start/Finish Line! We’re also hoping to have the livestream up on a projector so you can follow the race live.
Runners should pack 100% of their required gear in drop bags just to be safe. Crews can retrieve the drop bag once they arrive and get things prepped.
Crews should sign up for text alerts and remain in cell service while waiting for their runner to clear their checkpoint. Text alert instructions are available towards the bottom of this page.
Don’t go to Hancock without a parking pass. You will not be allowed to park and that could cause you to miss your runner.
