Only Jim got it right! Sheesh.
No; running backs are NOT a 'race option'; they're actually a requirement, as you can't fly the inner staysail without them. Remember ALL aluminum spars are meant to be used IN COMPRESSION - any lateral or torsional load on one will make it fail. Therefore, stressing the middle of an aluminum spar (such as the inner forestay) without its corresponding backstays (these runners) can be disastrous. ANY time the inner staysail is up, the runner(s) must be tensioned accordingly.
Then we have people who insist on doing away with the inner forestay and the runners because they're 'so complicated'. If you look at it, nothing could be simpler. The cutter is infinitely more versatile, and stronger, than the sloop. I actually added runners and (removable) inner forestay to my H25. In certain conditions it's absolutely ideal.
Thanks, Jim.