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Rules, Etiquette and Information

General Rules:

These Rules are designed to set forth standards in which athletes can participate and compete in a positive, fun and fair atmosphere. These Rules are intended to promote and maintain sportsmanship and to protect the health, safety, and well being of participants.

Race jerseys must be worn, unaltered and visible, at all times throughout the race.

  • Participant doing designated leg must wear relay band on wrist and visible to Race Officials. 
  • Each team will be provided with Maps, Passport and Passport Instructions.
  • Teams will be allowed a total of two vehicles on the course.  A team vehicle and a support vehicle. No other outside support will be allowed. All team gear and supplies must be carried in one of the two vehicles.
  • Event Management reserves the right and authority to alter or change the course, route and stages of the race/event at any time do to a real or perceived threat to the safety of the participants.

Non-support:

  • The race is a non-support race, all event related activities from registration, staging, racing, etc., are to be completed by team members only.
  • Check-in for the race is the Friday before from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the host hotel, Hood River Inn and the morning of from 5:30 am to 6:15 am at race start area. There will be a race briefing for captains at 6:45 am.  The Adventure Relay begins at 7:00 am.
  • Anyone under the age of 18 must have an adult (over 19) on their team. They must also sign a waiver and have that same waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Racing Bib:

  • All competitors must wear the official Racing Bib, from start to finish. Bibs must be visible to Race Officials.

  • Gear Checks:

    • Teams may be randomly subjected to a gear-check and it is the teams' responsibility to oblige the Race Official in a timely and civil manner.  Failures can cause time penalty or disqualification.

    Hydration/Nutrition:

    • All participants are required to be self-sufficient and therefore you are responsible for your hydration and nutrition.

    Course-Route:

    • Competitors are required to follow the course-route as designated. Navigation is part of the competition.

    Garbage/Trash:

    Cut off time:

    • Cut off times will be enforced. Cut off locations and times will be provided to your team prior to the race start. A Race Official will notify any team that reaches a cut-off location after the official cut-off time. The Race Official will determine if a team may proceed as an "unofficial finisher" or be requested to return to the Start/Finish area.

  • Finish time:

     

    • A teams' finishing time will be the time from the Official race start to the time all team member cross the finish line.
       

    Passports:

    Each team will be provided with a Passport.
    Passports will be presented to Race Officials upon request.

    Checkpoints:

    • Competitors will travel from CP to CP. Teams are required to present their Passport to Race Officials when appropriate.

    Water:

    • You are required to wear a Coast Guard approved P.F.D "life jacket" at all times while kayaking. Your team may use any type of water-worthy boat, sea kayaks are recommended.

    Bicycling:

    • You are required to wear an ANSI or Snell approved helmet at all times while bicycling.

    Team Rules:

    Teams will be allowed a total of two vehicles on the course.  A team vehicle and a support vehicle. No other outside support will be allowed. All team gear and supplies must be carried in one of the two vehicles.

    • All 6-person Team members must complete a minimum of 1 solo Legs each.
    • All 3-person Team members must complete a minimum of 2 solo Legs each.
    • Leg 1 and Leg 10 shall be completed together by all team members.
    • Solo competitors will do all legs as an individual.
  • Time Penalties:

    • A time penalty may be imposed for a violation of any of the event Rules. In the event that a team is assessed a time penalty, the time penalty shall be served by the Team prior to crossing the finish line. Time penalties shall be cumulative and a team may be assessed more than one time penalty for violations of the same rule.

         1st Offense 10 minutes

         2nd Offense 20 minutes

         3rd Offense Disqualification

     

     

    Race Etiquette:

    Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated and may result in time penalties or disqualification.

    • Participants are strongly encouraged to lend aid to those in need throughout competition.  Participants shall Tread lightly. Practice minimum impact travel. Do not destroy the land. Careless and excessive destruction of the land will be determined at the discretion of race management and will result in severe time penalties and/or disqualification.  Participants shall pack out all trash, food, and litter. Practice Leave No Trace ethics.  Respect the inhabitants of the land in which you travel.

    General Information:

    Basic skill in all disciplines is necessary to complete in the Gorgefest Adventure Relay Race; however, anything beyond the basics is just an asset.

    Basic fitness is necessary to complete in the Gorgefest Adventure Relay Race and the more you train specifically for adventure racing the faster you will be.

    Be prepared for all types of weather from sun to rain to snow.

    This race takes place in the wilderness that is home to many wild animals and other elements that we can't control. If you are allergic to any type of creature that may be found in the wild (for example, bees) please consider the risks carefully before entering this race and equip yourself and your teammates with the appropriate measures should you have an allergic reaction on the race course.

    We do not supply water anywhere along the course.  You will be able to fill your water containers at the transition areas if you keep your own supply with your gear.  There will be streams and small lakes that you may use as a water supply, but you must treat this water appropriately with iodine or a proper water filtration system.

    Spectators are encouraged to attend, but adventure races are hard to watch. The teams are always moving, and are not out in the open or easily accessible where they can be seen. When you are finally spotted you aren't seen for long. However, to have your family and friends outs there supporting you can be a great experience for everyone. We will have a map at the HQ/start/finish that points out a few of the more easily accessed areas and the approximate times teams will be starting to come through those areas.

    Be safe and have a great adventure!