2BD  Racers,

Here are the rules needed to help you strategize for next week’s race--these rules must be followed for an official finish.  Variations on these rules may be allowed, but will result in an unofficial finish:

Two person teams-All legs of this three stage—two day race must be completed by both racers.  At all times both racers must be within 50 meters (shouting distance) of each other.

Relay teams-All legs of this three stage two day race must be completed by at least one racer, but by no more than two racers at any given time.

The racer(s) designated to complete a leg must enter the transition zone and "tag" the designated racer(s) for the next leg before that racer(s) may begin his leg.

If two relay racers begin a leg together, they must complete that leg together before the next leg can begin. That is, the next leg of the race cannot begin until both racers from the previous leg have entered the transition zone and tagged the racer(s) designated to complete the next leg.  

For the relay, the definition of "tagging" is for the racer(s) of the previous leg to touch the racer(s) of the next leg. This could be a touch to the hand, shoulder, back, etc.  As long as physical contact is made the next racer(s) may proceed.

Solo racers-All legs of this three stage two day race must be completed to receive an official finish for the race.

Here is a short synopsis of the three stages:

Stage 1-Duathlon-Start time 8:00am-This stage will consist of bike, run bike-in that order.  Two person and solo teams must complete the entire stage as stated above, but must read the following to familiarize themselves with the stage particulars.

The first leg will be a bike leg and will cover approximately 5 miles.  This leg will begin at Rocky Gap ATV area and will follow the ATV trail in the designated direction of travel.  The ATV trail is very easy to follow if racers follow the ATV markers and avoid the snowmobile markers, but this leg has been lightly marked to aid in any areas that may be confusing. At the end of this leg all racers should follow directions to the bike drop/transition zone near the Chapman State Park office.  As stated earlier, a relay team may use 1-2 cyclists for this leg of the race.  I f two cyclists are chosen, both must be present at the transition zone before the team’s runner(s) may depart. 

The second leg is an approximately 2 mile run leg.  This leg is lightly marked and will occur on a blazed trail (yellow/orange blazes).  It will terminate at the only CP in this stage.  At this CP all racers must locate the CP before returning to the bike drop area following the same course.  This CP will double as a transition zone, and relay teams have the option of “tagging” a second runner(s) to complete the return trip to the bike drop area—making it the third leg of the relay.  Relay teams are responsible for getting their third leg runner(s) to the CP/transition zone—the location will be revealed at the pre-race meeting on Friday night.

The third leg is an approximately 2 mile run leg—as stated above.

The fourth leg is an approximately 5 mile bike leg.  This leg will take place on the Rocky Gap ATV trail and racers will return to the course where they exited and will continue in the proper direction of travel.  This section is also easy to follow, but has been lightly marked in any areas that appeared confusing.  The finish line will be in the parking lot of the ATV area—where the race started.  This leg can also be completed by 1-2 relay racers, but if two racers are chosen the finish time will not be recorded until the second racer crosses the line.

Stage 2-Nighttime Navigation-Start time 6:00pm-Pre-race meeting will take place in Warren at 4:00pm -location to be announced at the competion of Stage 1-This stage will consist of three separate orienteering courses.  The lengths will be approximately 1, 2, and 3 miles.  The order in which your team will complete the courses will be revealed during the race.  Two person and solo teams must complete the entire course—two person teammates must travel together.  Relay teams have the option of running each section of the orienteering course with any combination of 1-2 racers that they deem appropriate.  If the relay team starts a section with two racers, they must both travel together at all times.  For all racers, when one leg is complete the clue and punch cards will be released for the next leg.  Finish time will be recorded when all three sections are complete and both teammates have crossed the finish line. 

For this stage the top 10 teams/racers will be released at the start based on their finish interval from stage 1.  That is, the winner of stage 1 will start first on “O” course #1.  The time differential between them and team #2 from stage #1 will be allowed to pass and then team #2 will start on “O” course #2…and so on for the top ten teams.  After that all teams will be started on a one minute interval.  Start times will be available at the start line.  Maps will be released at 5:45pm.  Clue sheets and punch cards will be released at the individual team/racer’s start time.

Travel will not be limited to trails.  Snow can be deep in areas and there could be many stream crossings—depending on route choice.

Stage 3-Biathlon-Start time 10:00am-This stage will consist of 4 one mile laps.  At the start of each lap racers will take two shots each at clay pigeons.  For each individual “miss” the team will have to complete one penalty lap at the end of their one mile lap.  A penalty lap is approximately 1/3 of a mile.  Relay teams are limited to one shooter and he/she will shoot four shots.  This “shooter” may be changed during the race, but only after he/she has completed the four shots.  Relay teams may then assign 1-2 runners for the one mile lap and 1-2 runners for the penalty laps.  All other racers will receive two shots.  These shots may be used on one “bird” (fastest if first shot misses) or on two birds (takes more time but two hits are better than one!).

That’s it for now.  The Warren area has received much snow and all foot travel sections were unpacked as of last weekend.  The cycling sections were well packed with a couple inches of loose snow on top—they appeared ride-able but studs are recommended.   Give careful consideration to clothing choices, and consider gators for foot travel sections. 

Looking forward to some good winter fun!  Hope to see you all this weekend.

Frank and Bethann