 | The Performance GATOR Adventure Race has been designed and
is being planned for mid-2005. Contact us by email at RD@PerformanceMultisports.com
to be placed on our special list to be notified about details for The
GATOR. |
| The GATOR will allow 2-person and 4-person teams
to compete in the 12- and 24-hour races. In the 6-hour race, there
will be 2-person teams and solos. |
| There are enough openings for Teams in The GATOR that we do
not expect to need to limit entries. You may register by mail or in person at the Check-In on Saturday. |
| Late Registration, Team Check-in & Mandatory Meeting -- Check-in starting at
8:30AM on the day of the race. If
you are planning to register on race day, please call ahead or email
us four days before the race to confirm your spot. Each Team member
will need to have completed a waiver
form and either provide USARA membership card or purchase
the One-day Permit and insurance ($8.00) from USARA. Though only the
Team Captain (or representative) is required to attend the Mandatory
Meeting at 6:30pm to receive a safety briefing and race
instructions, all Teammates are encouraged to attend, and be part of
introductions of Teams. |
| Mandatory Equipment -- The BEAR Essentials page is the same
as that for The GATOR and lists all gear that is mandatory and is
specific about which items must be with the Team at all times. It also
list items that are required for each Teammate. For example, if the
list states: " Spare bike inner tube -- MANDATORY at all times -
one per Team member" that means that each member of the Team is
required to have a spare bike inner tube on his/her person at all
times. If the list states: "Bike repair kit -- MANDATORY at all
times - at least one per Team," then that means that a Team must
have at least one bike repair kit with the Team at all times. (I
realize this seemed clear to some Teams, but others have been asking
about it.) If an item is required only for The GATOR, it will be noted
on that page. |
| Waterproof document cases or pouches
are MANDATORY at all times -- for maps,
instructions, Check-in Records or Markers -- Important: Hefty bags
and Zip-Loc bags have proven insufficient. These may
present leaks and allow water to get to your maps or instructions,
dissolving them. Be sure to have a secure waterproof map case and
keep it dry. |
| Paddle Section -- Part of the Paddle Section may include
portages. Teams will be permitted to use wheeled dollies or
carriers for the portages, though all wheeled equipment must be taken
with the Kayak or Canoe at all times and cannot be
picked up or left along the course. This would mean transporting the
wheeled gear while paddling. Teams will be disqualified for dragging
kayaks/canoes on the ground. The race site sits on the oceanfront
on an island, surrounded by the a River, Intracoastal Waterway, and
the Atlantic Ocean. It also has a lake within the Park. Keep this
geography in mind when planning for the Paddle stages. Paddle
stages may include travel on any of these areas, including the ocean. |
| Bike Helmets -- In the interest of overall Team safety, The
BEAR Essentials list (and therefore The GATOR) has been updated to
include bike helmets as an item that must be carried (or worn) by
racers at all times. See changes to the BEAR Essentials at http://www.PerformanceMultiSports.com/BEARessentials.htm
and while you are at it, be sure to familiarize your Team with The
BEAR Rules, which are the same as those for The GATOR. |
| Cut-off Times -- there will be a 24-hour, a 12-hour, and a
6-hour deadline for finishing The GATOR. There will also be an
intermediate cut-off, in which Teams must reach a pre-determined Check
Point to officially continue racing in The Gator. |
| Hydration -- There will be several key locations along the
race course, where Teams will be able to get some water or
sports/energy drinks. However, Teams should also plan to carry enough fluids
(and foods) to be self-sufficient for 4-6 hours at a time if not
returning to the Main Transition. Take advantage of any opportunity to
"fill up" your bottles or fluid bladders when passing
through the Main Transition -- fluid replacement opportunities will be
limited at other locations on the race course. |
| Teams Entered -- For a list of confirmed Teams, click
here for the BEAR Teams page. |
| Canoes or Kayaks -- Teams may use either canoes or kayaks --
or both or any combination of the two. Yes, a three-person team is
allowed to use one canoe or one kayak. Remember, The GATOR takes place
on the oceanfront and there are also lakes, waterways, and a river
around the island upon which Hanna Park is located. Teams should be
prepared to navigate on any of these waters. |
| Bug Repellant -- we have encountered parts of the course
for The GATOR that sometimes have serious bug populations -- and they
seem to like human companionship. We suggest that you carry your
favorite bug repellant with you. |
| Sun Block -- we recommend that each Teammate carry plenty of
sun block and lip balm. Watch out for each other and re-apply
sun block often in our Florida sunshine. |
| Racing Categories and Awards -- There will be 4-person and
2-person Teams racing in 24-hour and 12-hour events, so the awards
categories for those races are: 4-Person Coed; 4-Person Male; 4-Person
Female; 2-Person Coed; 2-Person Male; and 2-Person Female. There
will be 2-person Teams and Solo athletes racing in 6-hour event, so the
awards categories are: 2-Person Coed; 2-Person Male; and 2-Person
Female; Solo Female and Solo Male. (The
Military/Public Safety discounts do not designate additional racing
categories, though Performance Multisports wanted to provide special
incentive for military, fire, rescue, police, sheriff, lifeguard, and
similar public safety personnel. Teams who entered with the
Military/Public Safety discount get to race in the above categories.) |
| The Race Course -- Though there will be a Main Transition
(MT) area and Teams will return to it and have access to it from time
to time, it is best if Teams think of this as a wilderness race in
which you move from point-to-point without encountering your gear,
except as the Race Instructions permit. Teams can and will be
directed away from the MT for hours at a time, so it is important to
plan fluids and fuel accordingly. |
| Free Advice -- Be sure to pace yourselves and plan on
carrying plenty of fluids. Your Team will also want to replace energy,
as well as electrolytes, so bring sports gels and electrolyte
replacements such as Hammer Gel and Endurolyte, found at www.e-caps.com
and good sports stores. Read over the BEAR Essentials; think about
what is required in any race instructions you receive on the course.
This race is about managing your resources (not just going fast at the
beginning). The GATOR is a fairly long race -- the cut-off is
24, 12, or 6 hours and the race can be hot and long; make sure you and
your Teammates are ready to be racing for a full day. Don't forget
that the Mystery Events are meant to break up some of the
"usual" disciplines, so enjoy them. Be good to your
teammates and your Team will be good to you. That nervousness you may
be feeling is just excess energy you have not yet turned toward a
positive purpose. Plan to have a good time and don't forget: that is
why you are racing in The GATOR. |
| Cancellation Policy: Much of the cost of providing an
adventure race is spent long before you arrive at the race site. In
fact, most of our costs need to be paid in advance and are not
recoverable. If written cancellation of
registration is initiated by the participant more than 21 days in
advance of the event date, full credit will be available to
participate in another event. If cancellation notice is sent 21 days
or less (before the race), a 75% credit will be applied; 10 days or
less, a 50% credit; less than 96 hours notice, or no notice ("no
shows") will receive no credit. Any such credit is good for 120
days from the date of the scheduled event toward entry/registration in
another similar Performance Multisports event. Refunds are not
available.
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