Race rules

Updated 7/30/2014

1) Safety rules:

• In case of emergency please call 911 first and then inform race officials. The phone number of race HQ is printed on your rules of travel.
• All teammates must remain within 100 ft distance from each other at all times. If a team is found separated on the course, it will be disqualified or fined a time penalty at the discretion of the race officials.
• Time limits may be established for each section of the race. Teams that do not make the designated cut-off time will not be allowed to continue, or will be redirected to alternative routes.
• During the race each individual and team must carry the entire set of mandatory equipment. The list of the mandatory items is published in the race description and these items might be checked at some CPs or elsewhere on the course.
• Each team gets rules of travel before the race start, but only after a team checks in the morning of the race (see race schedule). Teams must follow these rules, as well as directions from the race officials at TAs and on the course. Travel on unauthorized roads is forbidden. Anytime there is a specific route to follow, you are required to do so. In all other cases you will decide the route between CPs by yourself.
• Biking without a bike helmet is forbidden. On all water sections racers must properly wear a personal flotation device (PFD), as described in rules of travel. Racing bibs provided to all racers before the start must always be over clothing and over the PFD (always on top).
• If for any reason a team member is unable to finish the race, you must inform the race officials. Your leaving the race course must be always verified by race officials. 

VIOLATION OF THE SAFETY RULES IS GROUNDS FOR DISQUALIFICATION

2) Race ranking:

• Teams cannot skip mandatory CPs. Skipping any mandatory CP or acquiring mandatory CPs in the wrong order is grounds for team disqualification. See rules of travel for more details.
• Teams can acquire any number of optional CPs, unless some minimum number of optional CPs is required by rules of travel.
• Checkpoints may be worth varying point values, and will be listed in the rules of travel. Scoring will be based on total points collected by a team or as described in the rules of travel.
• The timing of the race begins at the start of the race and officially ends when the entire team crosses the finish line. Teams that cross the finish line after the official end of the race will be ranked unofficially and will be ineligible for awards.
• The ranking of the race is determined by the race officials after the team timing and points are adjusted by the penalties and bonuses. The team with the highest number of Optional Check Points (plus all mandatory) will be the winner of the race.  In case of a tie, the team with the fastest total race time will be ranked higher.

If you are late for the finish cut off you will be ranked behind all the teams that finished on time, regardless of your points total.

• Teams that miss cutoff time on any CP and get redirected to an alternative route will be ranked behind all teams despite any differences in adjusted timing.

3) Bonuses and penalties

• Race officials reserve the right to award bonuses and penalties throughout the race. Bonus time might be awarded to teams who have aided others in distress.
• Teams that violate any safety rules or rules of travel will be disqualified from the race or fined a time penalty.
• Teams that are more than 10 minutes late to the race start will be unable to start the race and will be disqualified.
• Teams that have or try to use any forbidden equipment or unofficial race maps will be disqualified from the race.
• Littering is strictly prohibited and is grounds for disqualification. Trash bags will be provided throughout the race course.
• Use of cell phones, except for emergencies, is grounds for disqualification. During the race your cell phone must be turned off at all times.
• Teams that lose mandatory maps, passports, or rules of travel will get a 2 hour time penalty for the first offense and disqualification for the second one. Teams may be able to get new maps, passports, or rules of travel in some transition area. Teams will lose all (or some) optional CPs points or time bonuses from the lost passport.
• No outside assistance is allowed during the race. Teams can get help only from another team that is still officially in the race. Teams can use local stores to buy food and water, as well as ask local people for directions. Any other types of help or assistance are grounds for disqualification.
• A racer may lodge a protest anytime during the race. The protest must be in writing, turned in to a race official at a TA or at the finish line no later than one hour after the official race finish.