Racing Ahead: New England Adventure Racing

RULES & Regulations: 12-Hour Adventure Race

  • Teams will be of 3. The Co-ed category is the PREMIER category.
  • Teams may continue if one person withdraws upon race official approval. The other two competitors follow all rules of full team. Teams of 2 are considered Unranked / Unofficial. 
  • If two competitors withdraw, the third competitor may not continue alone. 
  • Voluntary withdrawals must occur at transition areas.
  • Mandatory gear must be carried at all times, no exceptions. This includes the Race Instructions and Tyvek Punch Card in a usable condition, and a visible race number or race jersey (given at registration). Mandatory gear for specific legs need only be carried as specified by organizers for that leg. 
  • Race Bibs must be worn on outside of clothing at all times (this includes PFD's). 
  • Only one support vehicle of reasonable size (no large than an SUV - Excursion or similar) is allowed per team.
  • Support Crews must be at least 1 person, and no more than 3, and all must sign a waiver at Registration.
  • Teams will change gear at designated Transition Areas (TAs).
  • Teams may have access to TA's pre-race to stage gear, food, water, clothing, etc. These locations will be revealed at Registration.
  • Only Race Staff and Teams will have access to the TA's - Spectators, family and friends will NOT be allowed in TA's during the event.
  • Spectators are allowed at the START / FINISH areas, and may not be in physical contact with a team that has NOT finished the event.
  • Once the race BEGINS, gear, food, water, clothing, etc., can only be changed at the designated TAs. Teams may NOT access their vehicle during the event. 
  • Teams may help each other during the race. If a team is in trouble, other teams are encouraged to help them. A time bonus may be awarded to the helping team if the race directors see fit. 
  • Teammates must stay within 100ft of each other at all times.
  • A team's arrival time at a CP/TA (checkpoint/transition area) will not be recorded until all 3 members are present.
  • Competitors must complete the whole course, passing through all CPs in order, have their passport signed or punched, etc., at each CP.
  • When arriving at a CP teams will either give their passport to race staff to sign, punch their passport with an orienteering punch in the proper CP#, or record specific information about the CP location in the passport.
  • Teams will NOT know whether a CP is staffed or unstaffed until the team arrives there.
  • When arriving at a TA, time IN will be recorded.
  • When leaving a TA, time OUT will be recorded.
  • First complete team of 3 to cross the finish line with the fastest time including penalties and a complete passport will be the winner.
  • Teams may choose any route to CPs as long as the route does not trespass on private property or travel on sections designated in the passport as illegal. 
  • Teams must obey traffic laws at all times (e.g., biking with traffic, waiting at traffic lights, etc.).
  • Teams must use the mode of travel specified for each leg (e.g., teams cannot cycle during the trekking leg). 
  • Human powered travel only (no motorized vehicles of any sort, hired or otherwise).
  • Use of all electronic devices other than watches and altimeters is illegal (e.g., GPS [global positioning system] devices, radios, cellular phones, etc.).
  • Respect the environment: No littering - carry out all that you carry in.
  • At transition areas, teams may receive medical support from Race Medical Staff without penalty.
  • No personal boats allowed in the race.
  • Boats may not be dragged on the ground.
  • No fires.
  • Penalties will be added on to a team's total time at the end of the race for infractions (e.g., 100 ft. rule, misplaces punches on the punch card, missing gear, etc.)
  • The race organizers reserve the right to assess time penalties or bonuses to teams as they see fit.
  • Race organizers and race medical staff reserve the right to decide whether or not a person or team may continue for health, safety, or other reasons such as inadequate time remaining to finish.
  • Race organizers reserve the right to change the rules or the course at any time. 

Consequences for failure to follow the above rules will result in a penalty or a disqualification at the discretion of the race officials.