Rules / Safety Procedures

1. Racers must remain within 100 feet of teammates and within visual contact at all times.
   PENALTY: First offense -- 1 CP. Second offense – DQ. 

2. If a racer must leave the course, they must do so at a TA and notify race management. Incomplete teams may continue unranked.

3. Any team withdrawing from the race must notify a “live" person by checking in with a TA volunteer or by calling the race director.

4. Race number must be visible on all team members at all times. Attaching the race number to a pack is ok, but if you do, you must have your pack with you at all times.

5. Teams that miss CPs will be ranked after teams that obtain all CPs. In the case of a tie, the team who obtained the most points in the shortest period of time is the winner.

6. Race cutoff is 18 hours after you “punch” the start control (8 hours for the 8-HR race and 4 hours for the 3-HR race). Due to the staggered starts, teams are responsible for knowing their start time and their corresponding cutoff time. Teams will lose one CP for each full minute they are late. For example, if a team’s elapsed racing time is 8:01:00-8:01:59 – loss of 1 CP, 8:02:00-8:02:59 – loss of 2 CPs, etc.

7. Race officials reserve the right to alter time cut-offs or the course itself to accommodate changing conditions.

8. Mandatory gear must be carried at all times and may be checked on the course.
   PENALTY: One CP for each piece of missing gear.

9. No GPS devices of any kind are allowed to be used to help you during the race.  Watches with GPS. capability MUST be stowed in a pack at all times during the race. We are allowing this so racers can track and post their “workout” on Strava or similar athletic apps once the race is over.  Exception: Garmin watches running in AR mode for the duration of the race. 
   PENALTY: DQ

10. PFDs must be worn at all times while paddling.
    PENALTY: First offense -- 1 CP. Second offense – DQ.

11. Bicycle helmets must be worn at all times while biking and when specifically directed by race officials.
    PENALTY: First offense -- 1 CP. Second offense – DQ.

12. Racers must use the mode of travel and order specified to obtain CPs as outlined in Race Instructions.
    PENALTY: Loss of “illegally” obtained CPs.

13. NO LITTERING! Leave no trace!

14. Use of cellular phones is prohibited, except in the case of emergencies. No other use is allowed.
    PENALTY: DQ

15. Teams may not receive aid from any friends/family (they are welcome to cheer you on throughout the course).  You may receive aid from other teams or unplanned sources that any other team could also use (i.e. gas station, another hiker, etc.)

16. Any protest must be filed in writing within one hour of the team’s finish and will be reviewed by the Race Committee.

17. Teams must stay off of all private property and areas marked as off-limits.
    PENALTY: DQ

18. Teams must turn in their fingersticks at the finish.
    PENALTY: Team captains will be assessed fees to the cost of replacing a lost fingerstick.

    
    

Advanced Race Emergency Procedures Injured Competitor(s)

If a member of a team becomes injured during the event, the following procedure should be carried out:

1. Ensure your own safety and that of the casualty, preventing further injury.

2. Treat the casualty with first aid as much as practically possible.

3. Make the casualty as comfortable as possible and provide shelter from the elements, e.g. space blanket.

4. Use the international distress signal – a series of 6 blasts of a whistle and/or flashes of your flashlight/headlamp.

5. If you have cell reception, call for help (either 911 for an emergency or race staff for a non-emergency) providing exact location, time of accident, and nature of injury.

6. If you do not have cell reception and if other teams or members of the public find you, send them for help. Write down a message giving exact location, time of accident and nature of injuries.

Lost Team or Competitor

In the event that a team or team member becomes lost, they must follow the procedure detailed below:

1. Move to a location where distinctive landmarks can be seen. You will never be unreasonably far from a roadway. If visibility is very poor, move in a steady direction until you reach a road or trail.

2. Use your cell phone, or if you are unable to get a signal, find a public telephone or house with a phone. Ask to use their phone offering to pay for the call and phone 911 if an emergency or if it is a non-emergency, contact race directors.

3. On the phone you will also be asked to describe your location as best you can to allow the organizers to pinpoint where you are.

Any competitor(s) who become(s) lost or injured and are forced to use an emergency phone number are automatically disqualified from the race rankings. However, they or the remainder of their team may be allowed to complete the event as a non-ranking team.

If a team comes in contact with another team that is in an emergency situation they are required to stop and help. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. Teams that offer assistance in an emergency situation will be compensated for loss of time.