Below we provide the mileage for each leg and for each runner. In addition, we rate each leg as “E” for easy, “M” for moderate, “MC” for more challenging, or “MD” for most difficult – no, not as in MD for “call a doctor.” Lastly, we rank the line-up positions from most difficult (1) to easiest (12). With this information, you should be able to assign your runners to their positions in the line-up.

1st Leg 2nd Leg 3rd Leg
Runner Leg Miles Rating Leg Miles Rating Leg Miles Rating Total Ranking
1 1 4.8 E 13 6.2 MC 25 3.3 E 14.3 10
2 2 4.5 M 14 6.7 MD 26 5.2 M 16.4 2
3 3 5.7 M 15 5.5 MC 27 3.9 M 15.1 5
4 4 8 MD 16 3.5 E 28 4.8 M 16.3 4
5 5 5.8 M 17 3.3 E 29 3.4 MC 12.5 9
6 6 5.4 M 18 3.5 E 30 3.5 MD 12.4 12
Miles 34.2 Miles 28.7 Miles 24.1 87.0
7 7 7.3 MC 19 4.2 MD 31 3.1 MD 14.6 1
8 8 3.8 M 20 4.3 M 32 3.3 MD 11.4 8
9 9 5.2 M 21 3.7 M 33 6.6 MC 15.5 6
10 10 5.0 M 22 5.8 M 34 5.1 M 15.9 7
11 11 5.1 M 23 6.2 M 35 6.2 M 17.5 3
12 12 6.2 M 24 3.3 E 36 5.4 M 14.9 11
Miles 32.6 Miles 27.5 Miles 29.7 89.8

To explain this chart, please see the runner in the No. 1 slot. That runner will run Leg Nos. 1, 13 and 25. No. 1 is 4.8 miles and rated “easy,” No. 13 is 6.2 miles and rated “more challenging,” and No. 25 is 3.3 miles and rated “easy.” That runner will run a total of 14.3 miles. We have ranked that set of legs as the 10th hardest (or 3rd easiest) group of legs, so the Runner 1 slot receives the No. 10 ranking.

The person that you put in the No. 7 slot in your runner line-up will have the most difficult set of legs, hence the no. 1 ranking. So assign one of your strongest runners to be the No. 7 runner. But remember that Leg 4 is the single toughest leg. And Leg 4 is the one leg of the course where we have an individual race: the Donner’s Downfall Leg 4 Time Trial. So your team probably should assign your best runner to take the one.

The legs that we have rated as “most difficult” contain the steepest climbs on the course. No. 4 contains an approx. 3 mile climb up the Dog Valley Road, No. 14 contains an approx. 1.5 mile climb near Bliss State Park, No. 19 contains an approx. 2.5 mile climb to Daggett Pass, and Nos. 30 through 32 contain some steep sections in the Virginia City area. The other most challenging leg is No. 33 descending Geiger Grade. That is the longest downhill leg of the course. There are some steep, rocky sections on the old road so go slow on those portions of the descent.

Most the legs are rated “moderate” and “easy” and are relatively flat, with the difference in rating being a matter of distance.