Race Rules

These rules are written to ensure the safety and integrity of the Strong Adventure Race. The rules are enforced by race staff and volunteers.

Protests
A member of the race team can make any protests after completion of the race to the race director. If a formal protest is made, the RD will consult with the race advisory committee. The race advisory committee is made up of the Strong Adventure Race staff. All decisions by the race advisory committee are final.

Mandatory Gear Check
All mandatory gear must be approved at registration by race organizers. To complete registration and begin the race, all members of the team must return a completed mandatory gear checklist to race staff. Mandatory gear may be checked at some point during the race. Failure to have mandatory gear at any point will result in a 45 minute penalty.

Team Member Withdrawal
Upon race director approval, teams may continue on the race course as an unranked two-person team if it becomes necessary for one member to withdraw. The remaining competitors must carry full team mandatory gear. Voluntary withdrawals must occur at transition areas. No team member may continue alone.

Helping Others
Teams are permitted and encouraged to help each other during the race. You must render aid to any racer in need of medical attention. Time credits will be awarded to compensate for time lost while assisting.

Prizes
The winner shall be determined as the fastest complete team to complete the course after any penalties/credits have been assessed. Teams will be of three competitors, either mixed gender, male, or female. Cash prizes will be awarded to 3 person, mixed gender teamsin the 8hr event ONLY. Sponsor prizes will be awarded to other divisions based on finishing order.

Rules, by penalty

Disqualification

- Failure of a team to pass through each checkpoint according to the passport directions
- Using a mode of travel other than the one specified for each leg
- Any travel other than human powered travel
- Use of ANY electronic device other than watches, altimeters, and bike computers (including laptop computers, GPS, watches with GPS, cell phones (unless needed for an emergency). SPOT devices are approved for use.
- Littering on the course
- Lighting a fire
- Arriving more than one hour late to the starting line
- Disobeying instructions from a race official
- Disobeying instructions not to advance
- Unauthorized road/trail travel
- Non-assistance to a person in danger
- Not wearing or improperly wearing a life jacket in the boat
- Not wearing a helmet while on the bike
- Possession and/or use of a weapon
- Violation over the identity of a competitor or change of a team member during race
- Removing/altering a punch device, trail sign or marking
- Using maps that were not provided by race management. Outside maps are prohibited once the race starts and/or the race maps are handed out, which ever comes first
- Assistance by anyone not in the race (directional assistance ok)
- Not using safety gear when directed to by race management
- Riding, running, or paddling in Cherokee National Forest and Camp Ocoee on Friday, August 14, 2009.

Unnofficial

- Missing passport
- Finishing race with an incomplete team
- Returning to race headquarters after your designated finishing time

One Hour Penalty

- Teammates not staying within 100 feet of each other
- Arriving at a checkpoint or TA without all team members
- Picking up and dropping off gear in a place other than at designated Transition Areas or gear drop/pickup

45 minute Penalty

- Missing mandatory gear. This includes the passport in a usable condition, and a visible race number. Penalties will be assessed to each infraction for each team member.
- Failure to wear race number on outside of clothing at all times except when noted.
- Failure to yield the trail to pedestrians and horses