Matt in TN

Scoring, Trophies, & Prizes: Every Run N Gun is a little different and we have several newbies signed up for this one, so I thought a post about scoring, trophies, and prizes was worthwhile. First, the non-negotiables: You are free to carry a loaded pistol in your holster throughout the run, but if at any time that loaded pistol hits the ground for any reason, in any place - you forfeit the course and your match is over. Your rifle can ONLY be loaded AFTER the buzzer goes off during a shooting stage. If you are found with a round in your rifle (doesn't matter if it's in the chamber or not - a loaded magazine inserted in your magwell counts) ANYWHERE but while actively shooting a stage, you forfeit the course and your match is over. ROs will be checking for an empty rifle both as soon as you arrive at a stage and just before you leave, but in the end it is the COMPETITOR's responsibility to be sure both of these things happen. Half of your score will be based on your net overall run time (the time it takes you to complete the course). The other half of your score will be based off the combined shooting score from all of your shooting stages. At each shooting stage you will have no longer than three minutes to complete the course of fire. If you neutralize all the targets before the three minutes is up, your actual shoot time is recorded on your score card. If at the end of three minutes you have any targets not fully neutralized as per the stage description, 10 seconds will be added to your shoot time for each target not neutralized. 20 seconds will be added to your shoot time for each "no shoot" hit (one hit or many - doesn't matter). You must continue shooting until you either neutralize all the targets or you run out of time - you cannot quit early and just "take the penalty". Because I enjoy things that are useful instead of just pretty - and we're in the heart of bourbon country - the trophies this year will be custom-engraved bourbon glasses (provided by http://www.fireflycustom.com/home). There will be trophies for the following: 5k 1st Place Race Class 5k 2nd Place Race Class 5k 1st Place Combat Class 5k Top Grunt (highest scoring military - active or retired) 5k Amazon (highest scoring female) 10k 1st Place Race Class 10k 2nd Place Race Class 10k 1st Place Combat Class 10k Top Grunt (highest scoring military - active or retired) 10k Amazon (highest scoring female) 15k Trooper (highest combined 5k & 10k score) We will randomly draw competitors for $7,500 in prizes at the awards ceremony at the end of each night (there will be a separate awards ceremony for the 5k and the 10k). Must be present to win. Prizes are provided by our generous sponsors: Magpul Industries Corp., Sierra Bullets, Vortex Optics, Samson Manufacturing, Nosler, GLOCK, Federal Premium, ASE Precision, Dillon Precision Products, Inc, and Zero Bullets

Stage 5 Obstacle (10k Only): Barbed Wire Crawl. I had some complaints last year that "gamers" put a quick and disposable cover over their gear to get through the first barbed wire crawl and we didn't give them a good test of their gear. So this year just before Stage 5 you'll have to crawl again. Because who doesn't like barbed wire and mud??? Sorry 5k guys - you only get ONE barbed wire crawl.

My favorite part about these matches is the amazing positive vibe that absolutely permeates everyone and everything having anything to do with this match. We have a LOT of new people coming this year, so Run N Gun Veterans PLEASE help me share the culture with all these new people. To start this, I'll repost this message from last year: For those of you who have trained your whole lives for something like this, this match will be awesome! You will finally have a place you can put all of your skills together in a match that plays to your strengths, and you'll feel like a thoroughbred finally set free to run. For those of you who have NEVER attempted anything like this, are intimidated by all of the crazy workouts posted here, and are having severe second thoughts lately - it will be even better. Whatever you do, JUST DON'T QUIT. The satisfaction and self-image you will get from just finishing this course will stay with you forever, and is something no one can ever take away from you. Many people have found matches like these to be a turning point in their lives, and in a year or two you may not even recognize the person you have become. Just remember - for every person you see pass you, there is someone behind you wishing they could keep up with you. And before ANYONE judges anyone else as being "too slow, too fat, or too lazy" - bite your tongue and listen to their story first. Across the country at matches like these we've had people recovering from recent strokes, heart attacks, cancer, pregnancy, amputations, and any other issue you can think of; just because "F#$K CANCER", that's why! Give them an encouraging word when you pass them - it really makes a difference. Even better - if you pass someone really struggling on the course: finish your race, set down your gear, and run back out to find that person. You can run beside them and offer them all the words of support and encouragement that you can think of - you just can't physically help them in any way. I want nothing more than to see the last straggler trudging their way up the last leg of the course in the waning minutes of daylight, accompanied by forty of their newest friends cheering them on. Help me to make this happen. Let's do this.

I attended their first 3-gun match Saturday. Raleigh Prince is the match director. 5 stages, with a mix of bay and natural terrain. Scoring was Time Plus Penalties and done on Practiscore. Rule Set was a modified IMG I think (similar to Manchester). Most difficult rifle target was a 12" steel plate at 410yds. They had plenty of brand-spanking new targetry, mostly from Red Stitch Targets. Scores were posted the day after the match. It was a good match at what is shaping up to be a great facility. My only complaint was all the soupy mud and road conditions, but that is to be expected with all the new construction and the first thaw after all the cold/snow/frozen crap we've had lately. I'm looking forward to seeing how this place continues to build on the huge amount they've already accomplished in a relatively short time.

The Stage 4 obstacle is only for 10k people. There will be a 2" wide cargo strap strung tightly between two trees approximately 40' apart and about 4' high. You must cross this strap with all your gear without touching the ground. If you fall or touch the ground in between the trees, you must "dismount" and start completely over until you get it right. Simple, right???

I mentioned this one already with the sponsorship announcement, but just to stick with the pattern: The obstacle for Stage 3 will be Glock's Slide To The Pit Of Despair: Simply enter the tube at the top of the hill and slide down to just above the cave entrance. Try your best NOT to get beat up by your gear on the way down, TO get out of the tube with all of the gear you went into it with, and to NOT continue tumbling on down the hill when you get out of the tube. Cool points added if you shout "Wheeee!!!!" on the way down! https://us.glock.com/

I am pleased to announce Federal Premium Ammunition has just signed on as an obstacle sponsor and will be providing a great spread of American Eagle 9mm and 40 cal ammo for the prize table! https://www.federalpremium.com/

The obstacle at Stage two is fairly simple: Nosler's Over/Under. You'll have two obstacles you have to go over that will be set at a convenient nut-busting height, and three obstacles you have to crawl under - alternating to force you down, up, down, up, down. The "under" obstacles will be various types of fencing stretched between posts, as someone pointed out crawling under and/or through fences is a very "real world applicable skill". Thanks to Nosler for providing $500 in bullets or ammunition to the prize table, and please note that "simple" does NOT always equal "easy"! https://www.nosler.com/

Someone asked about what kind of ages I've been seeing in the registration so far in another thread, and I thought the answer was cool enough to share with everyone. So, as of today, here's how it shakes out: 5k Average Age 38 5k Max Age 71 5k Min Age 12 5k Median Age 36 10k Average Age 37 10k Max Age 61 10k Min Age 24 10k Median Age 32 I really would have thought the average age would be much lower. And I can't tell you how happy I am to see the extremely wide spread of ages involved. This is so cool!!! All Ages by kotengu1, on Flickr

Because I'm a giant nerd I love to look at data in different ways, the map below shows all the states that currently have people registered (22 total). The larger the dot, the more people from that state are registered. If you've been thinking "I'd really like to come, but it's just too far" - there's probably somebody coming further than you! We still have 13 10k slots left. Get in now while you still can! https://practiscore.com/10k-rockcastle-run-n-gun-2018/register

Alright - you know all the shooting stages, so let's talk about obstacles. Here's the obstacle for Stage 1: The Samson Manufacturing "Down & Dirty": Crawl under barbed wire, move through three mud pits, and climb up the inside of a tube with the assistance of a weighted rope. Once at the top, use that rope to pull up the 30lb kettlebell attached to the end of the rope. Shout “FIRE IN THE HOLE!!!” and throw the kettlebell and rope back down the tube for the next guy. If you’re at the bottom of the tube and hear “FIRE IN THE HOLE!!!”, dodging flying kettlebells just because part of this obstacle. If you ran last March, this is identical to that obstacle with the addition of a rope in BOTH tubes, and weights on the ropes to be sure they go back down for the next guy to climb up - and of course having to haul the weight up and tire out your arms just before shooting. You can thank Bryan Ray for that small piece of evil - as the sponsor's representative he got to help design the obstacle! Samson is also providing SEVERAL of the steel pistol targets for this match, and are a HUGE supporter of the shooting sports across the board. Be sure to thank them when you place your next order! http://www.samson-mfg.com/

I'm in - but will be shooting pistol. I can use the practice!

I am thrilled to welcome Vortex Optics to our match as a Stage Sponsor! I'm putting them on Stage 1: Vortex Optics' Grenade!!! Their optics are supposed to be bombproof - let's see how they do with grenades. :-) http://www.vortexoptics.com/ Edit: I had some issues with the Vortex logo showing up on some platforms, so made my own pic from last year's match. Pretty sure that says "Strike Eagle" underneath all the mud! Photo credit: Lisa Stennett

I am excited to announce Nosler has signed on as a sponsor of the obstacle on Stage 2: Nosler's Over Under. https://www.nosler.com/

Anybody know more about this place? It's not TOO far from me and I'm curious. Who is their Match Director for the 3-gun matches? Bay style or natural terrain? How many stages, and what's the longest rifle shot? What rule set? Heavy Metal friendly?

I am pleased to announce that Glock will be sponsoring the obstacle at Stage 3: "Glock's Slide To The Pit Of Despair", and will be providing a pistol certificate for the prize table. https://us.glock.com/

Happy to be of service! And I know you know this already, but seeing as how we have people from 21 different states registered already - I'll let everyone else in on a little secret: Kentucky has hills!!! Here's an elevation map of the 5k Course: And here is the 10k Course elevation map:

Me too - glad you got in!

Wow - the 5k sold out in 11 minutes. I am humbled, and excited, and will do my best to meet and exceed your expectations! Be sure to get on the waitlist if you didn't get in. We normally have several cancellations as we get closer to match day for various reasons. We still have 39 10k slots left. Who's up for a bigger challenge?!?! https://practiscore.com/10k-rockcastle-run-n-gun-2018/register

Just a reminder - registration opens tomorrow morning at 10:00am central time. This match sold out in 20 minutes last year, so make plans to be there if you want to get in! Also - please note this is being run as TWO SEPARATE MATCHES: the 5k on Saturday and the 10k on Sunday. You can sign up to run in either, or both. But be sure you sign up for the correct match! Here is the link for the 5k registration: https://practiscore.com/5k-rockcastle-run-n-gun-2018/register Here is the link for the 10k registration: https://practiscore.com/10k-rockcastle-run-n-gun-2018/register

I wasn't going to share this until later, but with all the discussion it's had on Facebook I figure I need to repost it everywhere so it's fair for those anti-FBers. You might want to practice this before March if you're going to do the 10k:

Total required hit count: 68 rifle and 45 pistol (10k) 51 rifle and 31 pistol (5k) Now you know everything you need to know to decide whether you're going to register December 16th at 10:00am. I'll also post the obstacle details as we get closer, but there will be one obstacle for every shooting stage. Who is ready???

Stage 7 (10k), which also happens to be Stage 5 (5k): Magpul’s Fight To Your Rifle Pistol Bays Begin sitting in a chair with your pistol holstered and your rifle unloaded on a table. On the buzzer, hit 5 steel pistol targets while seated. The 5th target will activate a moving paper target, which takes 3 hits to neutralize. Move to next shooting position and hit 5 more steel pistol targets, and once again the 5th target activates a moving paper target which takes 3 hits to neutralize. Reholster hot pistol safely. Retrieve your rifle from the table, load, and hit all six plates on the 50yd rifle plate rack to finish. 10 second FTN penalty for any steel not knocked down or paper with less than 3 hits.

Two week warning: Registration will open at 10:00am Central Time on Saturday, December 16, 2017. Below are the links to the TWO match registrations. Note that this will be run as TWO SEPARATE MATCHES on consecutive days. Be sure you register for the right match - or register for both if you want to do the unofficial "15k Challenge"! https://practiscore.com/5k-rockcastle-run-n-gun-2018/register https://practiscore.com/10k-rockcastle-run-n-gun-2018/register We've had some issues with people who register and don't show up at past matches, which really sucks for everyone on the waitlist who can't get in. So I'm requiring full payment at the time of registration now. Be prepared to pay your match fee online when you register. The cancellation policy is firm and no exceptions will be made. It will also likely take several days and multiple communications to get a refund issued, so please be patient if you end up having to go this route. Full refunds will be given if you withdraw more than 30 days before the match. Half your fee will be refunded if you withdraw between 14-29 days before the match. NO REFUND will be given if you withdraw less than 14 days before the match. Lastly - I'm trying to simplify match day a little, so I'm collecting all the data I can during registration instead of on match day on your scorecard. This is purely voluntary - but I'd appreciate very much if everyone filled out the registration form completely.

Stage 6 (10k), which also happens to be Stage 4 (5k): Sierra Bullets' The Rifleman Powerline Cut On the buzzer, make two rifle hits from standing on 10” 120 yd targets, two rifle hits from sitting or kneeling on 10” 200 yd targets, and two rifle hits from prone on 10” 300 yd targets. Targets will have a high contrast backer to be more easily visible this year, and if nothing goes wrong we'll have two targets at each position so the ROs won't have to try to call hits on an already swinging target. This is essentially identical to last year's stage at this location. This is such a great test of the fundamentals of positional rifle shooting I plan to have it as a "standard" stage until everyone is complaining that it's just too easy. :-) And please take a moment to thank Sierra Bullets (https://www.sierrabullets.com/index.cfm) for sponsoring this stage and providing $1,150 in bullet certificates for the prize table!