Vernal Equinox returns in 2023
The 2023 Vernal Equinox will once again take place on the beautiful grounds of Majestic Farm in Batavia, OH March 31 - April 2. Majestic Farm is Cincinnati's premier equestrian facility with beautiful wooded trails, along with scenic paths along the woods, and around lakes. This is truly a unique venue! Again this year we are offering free clean horse stalls by the start/finish area to use to store your supplies during the race. The 48 Hour runners will have the stalls located the closest to the Start/Finish. You can share stalls with friends, just let us know who you want to share with. The stalls are generous in size and four runners can easily share a stall.

Cupless Race
Vernal Equinox will be a cupless race. You will receive a reusable cup with your race packet. There will be no paper cups at aid station. We will provide bowls and plates for hot food.

48-24-12-8 Hour Run
The course is 2 miles in length and traverses through wooded trails, lush growths and gorgeous meadows. Beautiful, smooth and fast trail with a large barn at start/finish of every loop. Typical ultrarunning food will be provided at the aid station along with some hot food items such as homemade soup, grilled cheese, fresh coffee, etc. Vegan options will be available.
All participants can reserve free clean horse stalls at the time of registration to use as staging/napping/storage area during the race. RV hookups are available for $45. Superior swag with high quality Rabbit long sleeve shirts and custom finisher awards that are handmade in Ohio. Belt buckles for those who run 100 miles in 24 or 48 hours as well as 150 mi and 200 mi buckles. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Project Congo, a charity founded by local resident, endurance athlete, and philanthropist, Dr Sylvia Gleason. Please check projectcongo.org and watch moving video about Dr Gleason’s work in Congo!
We offer four different events:
- 48 Hour (starting Friday 3/31 at 7 am, finishing Sunday April 2 at 7 am)
- 24 Hour (Saturday 7 am - Sunday 7 am)
- 12 Hour (Saturday 8 am - 8 pm)
- 8 Hour (Saturday 8 am - 4 pm)

Empower Ultras is proud to be Trail Sisters approved race.
We offer:
Equal Podium Spots
Equal Prize Money & Awards
Women’s specific swag & apparel. (no unisex t-shirts)
Menstrual products at all aid stations.
Equal opportunity/space for women on the starting line.

Empower Ultras was founded by Aneta (Nettie) Zeppettella and Jennifer Russo, who met through ultrarunning and over years gained a ton of experience finishing some of the hardest ultras on East Coast and beyond. Nettie has directed ultrarunning events as volunteer RD for many years. We both want to empower you to try to push your limits and create your new adventures. Please join us. We will cheer for you with our whole hearts!
COURSE: The loop is 2 miles long and includes meadows, woods, and gravel road. Please see the picture under event photos showing the location of stalls and barns. The stalls will be randomly drawn with priority (the closest stalls to the timing mat) being given to 48 and 24 hour runners.
PACERS: To avoid crowding of the course pacers are only allowed AFTER the conclusion of 12 and 8 H runs (after 8 pm on Saturday) for 48 H and 24 H runners and 48H ruckers only. No pacers on Friday or for 8H and 12 H participants. Don’t worry! This is a short loop, you’ll never run completely alone! Pacers need to sign a waiver before they start.

AWARDS CEREMONY: 8 Hour Run - 4:15 pm on Saturday
12 Hour Run - 8:15 pm on Saturday
24 Hour- 7:15 am Sunday
48 Hour - 7:15 am Sunday

RUCKER DIVISTIONS: 48 Hr and 12 Hr
We are again offering a 12 and 48 Hour option. The 48 Hour race will start on Friday, March 31 at 7 am and finish on Sunday April 2 at 7 am. Ruckers who cover 100 + miles will be awarded buckles (100, 150 and 200 mile buckles are available)!

RUCKERS RULES
What is Rucking? “Rucking” is marching or walking while wearing your rucksack (which is always loaded down with gear). The activity gets its name from “rucksacks,” which is military-speak for “backpack". RUCKING RULES - The weight standard is determined by body weight:
- Over 150# - 30# dry
- Under 150# - 20# dry
You may use anything you wish (steel plate, bricks, sandbags, etc) to comprise your dry weight but all food and water must be removed before weigh-in.

Announcing AWD Division
Empower Ultras is excited offer the Athletes With Disability (AWD) division at the Vernal Equinox 48- 24-12-8 hour run. The following guidelines have been adapted from Vermont 100 race. Thank you Amy Rusiecki, Kyle Robidoux, and Dee Char for your help and inspiration!

Criteria for AWD Entry
Criteria for entry into the Vernal Equinox AWD category is as follows:
AWDs must be able to run/walk/hike the course
Tethers may be used for athletes with a visual impairment
Leg prosthetics may be used for amputees.
Crutches, braces, or poles may be used if indicated/necessary, with approval from the RD.
Because of nature of the trails, the course is not suitable for athletes in wheelchairs

AWD Entry Process
AWDs will follow the same registration process as the general registration, and will register for the distance race they plan to run on Ultrasignup.

AWD Division Breakdown
Based on International Paralympic Committee impairment descriptions, and following Vermont 100 categories, Vernal Equinox will recognize two types of AWD based on clearly defined eligible impairments: visually impaired and mobility impaired.
1. VISUAL IMPAIRED DIVISION
Individuals with vision impacted by an impairment of the eye structure, optical nerves or optical pathways, or the visual cortex, may be granted registration as an AWD but will not be allowed extended time on the course.
A couple things to note about our course for visually impaired athletes:
Course Markings: Vernal Equinox uses orange flags, orange streamers with reflective tape to mark the course. The course is 2-mile loop that will be repeated during the event. AWDs, with assistance from their guide as needed, must be able to follow the course as marked. Unfortunately we are not able make accommodations for athletes with visual impairments by altering the standard course markings.
Canines: In general, dogs are not allowed in Empower Ultras races. If an athlete with a visual impairment requires a guide dog, please contact race director for permission. Only guide dogs will be allowed on Vernal Equinox course.
2. MOBILITY IMPRAIRED DIVISION
Individuals with permanent physical disabilities that affect their ability to walk/run, may be granted registration as an AWD but will not be allowed extended time on the course.
This includes:
Limb deficiency: Total or partial absence of bones or joints as a consequence of trauma (e.g. car accident), illness (e.g. bone cancer) or congenital limb deficiency (e.g. dysmelia).
Leg length difference: Bone shortening in one leg due to congenital deficiency or trauma.
Short stature: Reduced standing height due to abnormal dimensions of bones of upper and lower limbs or trunk, for example due to achondroplasia (dwarfism) or growth hormone dysfunction.
Unfortunately, due to course restrictions and safety concerns related to the trails , this does not include:
Athletes in wheelchairs and duo teams in hand cycles, push-rim cycles, or racing wheelchairs. All AWDs must be fully ambulatory, the use of any mechanical device will not be allowed.

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Rules for AWDs and Guides
AWDs and their guide(s) will follow the same rules as all participants:
Start times, Course, and Time Limits
• AWDs will start with the rest of the athletes for their race
• AWDs will run the same course as the rest of the athletes.
• The course time limit is the same for AWDs as for all participants for their race (24 hour, 12 Hour, 12 Hour Night, and 8 Hour)
Guide Rules
• Guides are expected to follow the same rules as all other pacers.
• AWDs may be accompanied by one guide at a time to complete the race. Accommodations may be made if an AWD requires more than one guide at a time.
• Guide exchanges will take place at Start/Finish/ Main Aid Station
• Athletes are responsible for bringing their own guides to the race.
• Guides are not official entrants in the Vernal Equinox events and are not timed, scored, or listed in the official results. If a guide wants to be officially timed, scored and listed in results, they need to register as a participant including paying entry fees.
• Guides participate free of charge, but must sign a waiver prior to participation.
• Athlete and guide are regarded as a team and must be together at all times along the course.
• Guides must wear a GUIDE bib on the front and back of their outermost layer, kept visible at all times.
• Guides may not use a bicycle or other mechanical means of transport.
• Guides cannot pull the athlete, or propel the athlete forward by pushing.
• Guides cannot mule for the athlete, or run ahead to aid stations to fill water bottles or otherwise unfairly advantage their athlete.
• Guide may have a drop bag, separate from their athletes drop bag, at Main Aid Station.

Guide Responsibilities
• Assure that drop bags (the guide’s’ and AWD’s) are placed in the correct location in the staging area before the race start.
• Work with AWDs to ensure safety of the AWD. This includes communication between the AWD and guide to stay out of the way (typically running on the side of the trail/road) when being approached from behind by horses, faster runners, or officials on the course in order to avoid collisions.
________________________________________
Thank you for taking the time to read this and get familiar with our new AWD division. We are very excited to provide AWD division at Vernal Equinox and it is our hope that in disallowing extra time to complete the race (as well as other accommodations), we’re providing an opportunity for all abilities to compete on equal ground.

About Majestic Farm, the Race Host
Cincinnati’s own Majestic Farm is a state-of-the-art equestrian show facility offering exceptional training, boarding, instruction, and sales with knowledgeable and professional staff. E-mail: mainoffice@majesticfarm.net

Refund Policy
There are no refunds.

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