The Performance GATOR Adventure Race

Mountain Bike
Trails & beach, 30 - 40 miles

Orienteering
Navigating with Compass

Run/Trek
12 - 24 miles

Climb/Ropes
Non-technical

Mystery Events
Mental and team tests

24 Hours of Adventure in NE Florida,     as well as 6-hour and 12-hour races.

The Performance GATOR Adventure Race is already designed and is being planned for early 2005. It will take place in Northeast Florida, near Jacksonville and St Augustine. Teams will choose either 24-hour, 12-hour or 6-hour adventure race. The 24- and 12-hour races will have either 2-person or 4-person teams. The 6-hour limit race will include teams of 2 or solo athletes. Races include navigation, biking, trekking, and paddling, with some surprise team challenges. 

To get on the e-mailing list for The GATOR and other events, send your request here.

The GATOR - Great Adventure Team Outdoor Race -- is a TEAM challenge for one and all.  The GATOR will take place in mid-2005. Plan now to enter and race in the challenge called The GATOR.

There is no qualifying requirement for entry,  though Teams should be well prepared for the challenge. Teamwork, determination, and fitness are all combined to make this your most exciting achievement. In the 12- and 24-hour limit events, two-person teams and four-person teams will strive to meet the challenges of an event that includes mountain biking on trails and the beach, non-technical climbing, backwoods orienteering, open-water paddling in kayaks or canoes, and off-road running/trekking. In the 6-hour event, two-person teams and solo athletes will compete to accomplish similar challenges. There are also "Mystery Tests" that will be placed at various stages along the course route. The exact order of the events is not revealed until the day of the event, keeping the atmosphere mysterious. The Mystery Tests will try mental and physical abilities, as well as teamwork strengths. Entry into The GATOR is open to anyone. All teams must compete and finish together. The Coed Four-person Teams make up the premier division in the race. The GATOR will favor those who work together with sportsmanship and camaraderie.

The GATOR takes place in and around Northeast Florida -- A great multisport adventure and a great celebration of achievement. Teams compete together to complete each segment of the course, crossing the finish line as a team. The order and distance of each leg is not revealed until the race itself and mystery tests are just that -- mysteries until teams reach them. The GATOR is a test of teamwork, camaraderie, clear thinking, willpower, and determination under pressure -- open to everyone: accomplished athletes, those serious about their fitness, and even weekend warriors. There are no pre-qualifications. Athletes of all experience and fitness levels are encouraged to participate. The minimum age requirement is 15 years old -- any Team member under 18 years old must be accompanied on the Team by at least one of his/her parents. 

How to Enter and Entry Fees:
Enter as a team:   Premier Division is made up of Four-person Coed Teams. In the 12- and 24-hour races, The GATOR also allows other teams of two or four persons, which may be mixed genders or single-sex. In the 6-hour race, two-person teams and solo athletes may enter. All competitors must enter as teams.  We even have special discounts for Military/Public Safety Teams. 

To learn more about Entry Fees, click here.   Enter by mail using the online, printable Entry Form on this site. 

In order to assist with planning for the race, please send in your completed entry form soon. You will find additional details and a printable entry form at our Website. Entry fee includes custom GATOR racing shirt, race numbers, custom finisher’s medal, post race refreshments and party, and awards for the top teams. Send fee and entry form to address on Entry Form. 

Looking for a Team? If you want to compete in The GATOR and need a Teammate or two, click here for Teammates. 

Check-in & Packet Pickup: Teams must check-in at Registration and each Team member must complete USARA waiver forms and pick up his or her race packet on the day of the race, from 8:30 - 9:15AM, at the GATOR Meeting site. Directions will be sent by email to registered and interested Teams. Team representatives must  attend the Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting held at 9:30AM on the day of the race. 

Late Registration: Teams may register and all Teams must pick up race packets in person on the day before the race, from 8:30 - 9:15AM at the Meeting site. Each Team member registering must present necessary  completed USARA waiver forms.  The Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting/Safety Presentation., to be held at 9:30AM on the day of the race, will be at this same location.

Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting: will be held at the GATOR Meeting site at 9:30AM on the day of the race.  A representative of each team must attend the Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting to receive race materials and instructions.  Directions will be posted on The GATOR Updates page in the weeks prior to the race.

Directions to Race Site: Check-in, packet pickup, late registration, and the Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting on the day before the race will all be announced and directions will be posted on The GATOR Updates page in the weeks prior to the race. 

If you need other information, contact the Race Director (CLICK HERE). 

The GATOR Rules
The GATOR requires a mandatory safety briefing and pre-race meeting on the day before the race at 9:30 AM. Safety issues, events, on-course rules, mystery tests,  and other specific information will be discussed at this meeting. Team Captains or a team member-representative must attend the Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting or risk disqualification of the Team.

Teams must be familiar with and carry a copy of The GATOR Rules (see BEAR Rules) - (click here) and carry Mandatory Equipment as shown on The BEAR Essentials page - (click here).  Failure to have your Mandatory Equipment when requested at verification Check Points along The GATOR race course will disqualify your Team from the race -- or cause severe Team penalties. Don's let that happen to your Team -- be sure to have your GATOR Essentials.

The GATOR will start at 10:00am, and has a 24-hour overall time limit. There are also limits in the 12-hour and 6-hour races. Racing will officially end at 10:00am on Sunday following the start. There is also an intermediate cut-off: Teams must actually begin the specific segment and have passed its pre-determined Check Point on time in order to continue officially racing. Teams that have not passed the necessary cut-off Check Point on time,  or that have not finished by 10:00am on Sunday, will be officially scored as "DNF" (Did Not Finish). This will be further explained at the Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting on the afternoon before the race.

Food and Hydration:  Bring your own coolers, water bottles and fuel replacement for the Race. Hydration is extremely important, so plan to bring along plenty of fluids for your team. To provide more of a wilderness experience, Teams should expect no food stations or hydration stations on the course. After some segments you may be able to go to the transition area to get whatever you need and that you have stored at your position in the Transition Area. You will be provided with a buffet with PowerAde, water, fruit, and snacks at the completion of the race. For more details,  see The GATOR FAQs page.

Support
The GATOR requires all teams to bring their own equipment and supplies, as teams must be self-sufficient during the race. As noted in the GATOR Gear page, Teams must provide their own packs, mountain bikes, helmets, canoes or kayaks, life jackets, fluids, gels, snacks, and fuel and other items needed for the race.  Teams are not allowed to accept any outside assistance without disqualification. As adventure racers, each team must be 100% self sufficient! Teams must bring enough fluid and fuel replacement to last 6, 12, or 24 hours (as appropriate) when you check into the transition area. During the race, teams may keep their extra equipment and supplies at their space in the Transition Area.  You will be sent more details, including updates about required equipment, after your entry is received. You will also find some of this information online at our GATOR FAQs Page. No additional assistance from race organizers should be expected during the race, including extra water, foods,  or other aid, except in emergency -- and in this case a Team could be taken out of the race. Thorough planning is essential, especially because some things, such as rain, wind, or heat, can't be foreseen. Prepare your Team for any eventuality!

Spectators: We love spectators and cheering supporters!  The best place for your friends and family to view all the action is near (but NOT inside) the Main Transition Area. Only athletes are allowed into the Transition Area, the Race HQ,   or on the race course during The GATOR.  Your friends and family are certainly welcome, but remember: Teams are not allowed any outside assistance during the Race. Don't let your friend's supportiveness be a problem for your race. Our race officials can direct them to good locations along the course, where they will be able to see your team in action., and would not interfere with the conduct of the race.

Communications

	Notification List: To be included on our email Notification List, send us your request, specifying all the sport(s) you prefer, your name and email address. Registered racers are automatically added only to the list category for the event entered. Be sure to complete the full set of questions to receive notices of other events.
	The GATOR Updates: Be sure to watch the periodic updates that will be found on The GATOR Updates page.

Lodging: There are a variety of motels and hotels in the Jacksonville and Atlantic Beaches area and there are also great camping facilities nearby in Vilano Beach  -- Click here for lodging info.