A Team representative (usually the Team Captain) from each Team must attend the Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting on the evening before the race, at 6:30PM, at the designated location.  See GATOR UPDATE page for location details.

Safety is the most important part of this event. All Teams must act in a safe manner, both for themselves and for other Teams. If a Team feels that any portion of The GATOR is unsafe for their own level of training and preparation, they should reconsider continuing. If dropping out of the race, a Team must notify Race Mangers at the Main Transition/Admin area.

Each Team (all members) must check-in at each Check Point in proper sequential order to finish this event. Each Team may receive a numbered Check-in Marker OR have their GATOR Passport punched at each Check Point reached as a Team.

Bike helmets must be worn and secured by straps at all times that Teams are riding or in contact with bikes, including within transition areas. Life jackets must be worn and secured at all times when in and around the kayaks or canoes.

Each Team must have and carry all Mandatory Equipment, including a basic First Aid kit at all times. See the GATOR Gear list for more detail about Mandatory Equipment.

All participants must be registered and must sign required waiver statements during the Check-in on the evening before the race, from 5:30-6:30pm at The GATOR Meeting site. Register early -- there is Late Registration on the evening before the race, however, there is no race-day registration.

There will be one Main Transition area. Teams may keep some of their  equipment, fluids, and supplies at this Main Transition area. You will be given instructions about what you should pack for the transition area at the Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting.

All Teams must have and wear designated race numbers from the Race Director;  race numbers must be visible on front of Team members at all times. Additional race number markings may be written on Teammates by Race Managers to ensure clearer identification during the race.

Good Sportsmanship is essential. Teams showing unsportsmanlike conduct will be disqualified. The decision of Race Managers will be final in this situation. Teams will carry out all of their trash. Any Team found to be littering on the race course will be disqualified.

Teams must complete each leg or segment of the course as instructed, marked, or directed, and must do so together as a Team.  Teams arriving at any Check Point without a Team member will suffer severe penalties or be disqualified at the discretion of Race Officials. Use of GPS or any other electronic equipment is not allowed.

Teams may assist each other without penalty in the race if they choose. After the start, Teams receiving any outside assistance from spectators, friends, bystanders along the course, or any other non-racing person will be disqualified. Refunds or credits are not permitted for disqualification.

Each Team must approach each Check Point and cross the finish line with all members of the Team together.  Any Team member arriving at the Finish-- or any Check Point --  without his or her Team will be sent back on the course to rejoin the Team or that Team could face severe penalties. Teams will not pass any Check Point or start a mystery test unless all Team members are together.  Each mystery test must be completed as a Team.

In order to finish, Teams must account for and turn in all required Check Point markers. Markers are provided at various Check Points along the course. It is the responsibility of the Teams to secure these markers and carry them for verification throughout the Race. There will only be one marker per Team at any Check Point, so it is essential that Teams carefully protect their markers.

Each team will use its own kayaks or canoes, paddles, life jackets, and mountain bikes. On Race Day morning, your Team's kayaks or canoe, paddles, life jackets,  and bikes must be brought to the appropriate location (designated by Race Managers at Pre-Race Meeting). Each team must have one non-inflatable, USCG approved life jacket for each member of the Team and each member will wear his or her life jacket at all times when in and around the kayaks or canoes. Each Team member must have a bike for the race.

Teams must stay close together throughout all Stages of The GATOR, including any swim segment(s) of the race. Each Team will be required to have at least one life jacket with the Team during a Swim. In the case of a swim segment, the life jacket(s) may be worn, carried, pulled, or pushed by the Team. If the Team is judged by Race Managers to have been separated or if it loses possession of the life jacket(s) at any time while on the swim, the Team will be directed  to re-group or regain possession of the life jacket(s) and re-start the Swim segment.

There various time limits during this race, depending upon your registration.  Racing will officially end at 10:00am on Sunday. There is also an intermediate cut-off: Teams must actually begin the final segment and have passed its designated Check Point on time in order to continue officially racing. Teams that have not passed the necessary cut-off,   or that have not finished by 10:00am on Sunday, will be officially scored as "DNF" (Did Not Finish).

Rules and Required Equipment can change at any time prior to the Start of The GATOR. Teams are responsible for checking on this Rules list and The GATOR Gear page  periodically prior to race day to be certain of any updates to these Rules and Required Equipment. Teams must have Mandatory Equipment with the Team as designated in The GATOR Gear page. Your failure to have your Mandatory Equipment at verification points along The GATOR course or at the finish will be reason for disqualification or severe penalties for your Team at the discretion of the Race Officials.

Teams are required to have lights on whenever using either bikes or boats after sunset and before sunrise. For safety, each bike or kayak must have a red flashing light showing on the back/stern, and a white light showing on the front/bow. Failure to have lights on and showing after sunset and before sunrise will be reason for disqualification or severe penalties for your team at the discretion of the Race Officials. Only when on foot (and not accompanied by bikes or boats), is the use of lights optional.

A Team will be disqualified if found to be carrying, holding or using Forbidden Equipment as listed in The GATOR Gear list.

Race Officials reserve the right to disqualify or remove a Team from the course and from competition for health, safety, sportsmanship, or other reasons at the discretion of the Race Officials.