Race day instructions for Great Race 2011

Note to paddlers: Life jackets must be worn during the race.

Special Note: Be sure you understand the Finish Line Procedure.

New (as of 2010): There will be a special changeover zone staging area for canoers and kayakers.

If you need to make a change to your team! Important!

Tandem Teams Take notice!

General Race Instructions

Running instructions

Cycling instructions

Canoe and Kayak instructions

Hurting us...helping us

Please take note of the Great Race alcohol policy.

General Instructions and Information

1. Special note for tandem teams: The rule requiring tandem cyclists to rack their bikes in the changeover zone bike racks after finishing will be strictly enforced. More detail
2. Special note for paddlers: Avoid disqualification. Certain rules will be more rigidly enforced. Read this
3. Special Note: If you need to make a change to your team roster for any reason Click Here
4. The opening ceremony and general instructions will be held at 9:10 AM on Owasco Road in the Changeover Zone. Additional or last minute Race instructions will be given then.
5. Your race packet should include:
   • 1 set if race instructions.
   • Meal (1) and drink (4) tickets for each team member. These are attached to the race numbers and are detachable for redemption. Do not throw these away!
   • 4 programs
   • 1 red runner's number (with timing chip attached to the back) to be worn on the front. Do not lose the chip! No chip, no time!
   • 1 red cyclist's number to be worn on the low back
   • 2 blue canoeist's numbers (or one kayaker's number), to be worn on the front. One number will have a pull tag and a timing chip attached to the back. The running canoer or kayaker must wear the chip. Do not lose the chip! No chip, no time!
   • 2 canoe/kayak numbers WITH COLORED BACKGROUND to be placed on the front and back right hand side of the canoe or kayak
   • 1 bike frame number WITH WHITE BACKGROUND to be attached to the bike
   • a team flag (wristband) to be passed from runner to cyclist to canoeist. This need not be visible during the race, but it must be carried throughout the race and will be collected at the end
   • safety pins
   • T-shirt for each team member
6. Check your packet right away. Inform Registration if anything is missing.
7. Your team numbers must be visible throughout the race. If not:
   • we will not be able to provide you with your splits
   • your team may be subject to disqualification if your number is not seen at a check point
8. We attempt to record splits for each segment of the race. This is extremely difficult because there is no chute to order placement. We will, however, post results as soon as possible. Please be patient and do not request times from the timers or tabulation center.
9. One of the problems for finish line timers and for those who desire accurate times in any race is people improperly crossing or nearly crossing a finish line. Racers who are not entered cause the timers to record a finish place and time. Also, some runners and bikers who "cool down" or go back to cheer on another racer wind up crossing the finish line a 2nd time. This results in serious problems with people's times and splits. Please do not cross or nearly cross any finish line unless you are entered in the race, and please stay away from the finish line when yopu are done.
10. If you have questions, direct them to committee members or the Registration tent.
11. Follow directions from personnel in "Race Official" T-shirts or Committee shirts.
12. Ambulances and first aid will be stationed at the changeover zone and on Deauville Island.
13. Please help with our clean-up efforts by using trash cans and containers.
14. Volunteers will be posted at all turns and major intersections on the run and cycle routes.
15. Because of the summer heat, this is a potentially dangerous activity. Please prepare yourself by drinking water before, during, and after your event. Please also be sure to read the "Know the Facts about Heat" flier in your packet.
16. No one may simultaneously compete on more than one team (e.g. a runner handing off to 2 cyclists). A racer may race a different event for another team (e.g. run for a short course team, then canoe for a long course team), but must NEVER participate with 2 numbers on.
17. The rules for good sportsmanship apply. Profane or abusive language is not allowed. The use of profane or abusive language may result in your team's disqualification. Profane, abusive, or threatening language directed at another competitor or any race official will result in your team's disqualification.
18. Protest: If a racer believes that another racer should be disqualified from the race or that there is an error in the race scoring they must lodge a protest with a race referee. There are 3 race referees who can handle protests. Race volunteers or race committee members will assist the protestor in locating a referee but it is the protestor's responsibility to lodge the protest with a referee. The 3 referees will judge the protest and make a decision. Their decision will be final. Protests must be lodged as soon as possible, but not later than 12:30 P.M. race day.
19. Do not cross the finish line or enter the finish area unless you have completed the entire canoe course for the race in which you are entered, i.e. if you drop out of the race, go back to the beach and do not enter the finish area.
20. The race committee reserves the right to cancel, shorten, or change the race or a portion of the race for safety reasons or unsafe weather conditions. These changes, if necessary will be announced on the race PA system. Please pay attention to race announcements and instructions. There will be no “rain date” or refunds in this case.

Runner Instructions - First race segment
Traditional and short races
Run Courses

1. There will be a mass start at 9:30 AM on Owasco Road near the Emerson Park entrance.
2. Stay on the right side of the road as you run.
3. Runners must be wearing their Timing Chip. No chip, no time.
4. Runners will will follow the appropriate courses.
5. The changeover zone is on Owasco Road, near the Farmer's Museum and the Park Entrance, generally where the race began.
6. Run into the zone. Pass your team flag (wrist band) to your cyclist. Walk to the end of the zone and exit cautiously.
7. At the end of the zone volunteers will be collecting all timing chips. Please turn them in to avoid a $30 replacement charge.
8. There will be signs at each mile and a split time at the one mile mark.

Combined Changeover Zone

The long and short races use a combined changeover zone. Please see the diagrams of the Run to Bike changeover and the Bike to (paddler's) Run changeover.

Cyclists' instructions - second segment
Traditional and short races

Bike Courses

1. Hard shell helmets are mandatory for all cyclists. Failure to wear one will result in a team's disqualification.
2. The run to cycle and cycle to canoe changeover is now being conducted in a combined zone. Please refer to the diagrams provided in your packets.
3. Cyclists should be set up in the changeover zone shortly after the running segment has started. In the short course, cyclists should be set up within no more than 10 minutes after the race starts. In the traditional course, cyclists should be set up no more than 20 minutes after the race starts.
4. Stay in your starting spot until your runner passes the flag (wrist band), then proceed with caution into the road.
5. Note: There is a 10 MPH SPEED LIMIT in exchange area. There will be NO RACING OR RECKLESS BEHAVIOR. Offender can receive a TIME PENALTY OR DISQUALIFICATION.
6. Ride with traffic.
7. The roads are not closed to vehicular traffic, except the changeover zone, so be aware of traffic.
8. Cylist to canoe changeover: Please refer to the diagrams of the changeover zone.
9. Special notes to tandem teams:(1) The rule requiring tandem cyclists to rack their bikes in the changeover zone bike racks after finishing will be strictly enforced. Tandem bikers that bypass the racks will be disqualified. There will be security volunteers in the rack area. (2) As you approach the finish and see the changeover zone on the left, the bike racks will be the first thing you see. (3)Tandem bikers must have their Timing Chip attached to be timed. (4) Only you or someone designated by you with your race number or the security ID bracelet from your race packet can retrieve your bike from the rack area.
10. Your bicycle must be slowed in order to make the changeover. Therefore, slow down as you approach the changeover zone.
11. The road is marked at each mile.
12. Cyclists' splits will be recorded as their canoeist leaves the changover zone.
13. Carry water on your bike.
14. There will be communications personnel from the Auburn Amateur Radio Club stationed at turns on the bike course. If you have a problem, let one of them know.
15. 13. No bikes will be allowed south of Oakridge Road after 9:15 AM.
16. Please get into position well before the first runners return.

Canoeists' Instructions - third segment
Traditional and short course

Special Note: The Finish Line Procedure has changed. Please see Rule 11.

Note: Due to the large number of canoes and kayaks in the race, please see Rule 12.

There will be a special changeover zone staging area for canoers and kayakers. To keep things orderly, Short Course paddlers will gather at the south end of the Changeover Zone where they will be moved into place at the appropriate time by Race Officials. Please follow the instrucions of the Race Officials. Please see rules 2 and 3.

1. Personal Flotation Devices: Life jackets must be worn by all paddlers during the race. Paddlers who cross the finish line not wearing their life jackets will be disqualified.
2. One canoeist ("Running" canoeist) must we waiting at the bike/canoe changeover zone or in the paddler's staging area by 10:15 AM for the short race, and by 10:45 AM for the traditional race. They must have their race numbers displayed on their shirt fronts. The other canoeist must wait by the canoe.
3. Kayakers must we waiting at either the appropriate changeover zone or in the paddler's staging area by 10:15 AM for the short race, and by 10:45 AM for the traditional race. They must have their race number displayed on their shirt fronts. Worried kayakers can have their team's runner wait by the kayak until the kayaker arrives. The runner may not assist in launching the kayak.
4. Kayakers and "running" canoeists must have their Timing Chips attached to be correctly timed.
5. Upon receiving the flag (wrist band), the first canoeist must walk, jog, or run to the canoe via the roped-off route.
6. All canoes and kayaks must remain in the designated areas until the arrival of the of their canoe partner or kayaker with the team relay flag. When the team number of the running canoeist is announced on the PA, the waiting canoeist may move the canoe out into the running lane to allow the running canoeist to grab his or her end of the canoe. Both canoeists then carry the canoe into the water. Canoes may not be placed in the water without both paddlers present. Kayakers carry their own kayaks to the water.
7. The changover zones for the long and short courses are combined, and the running route to the canoe area are virtually the same except for boat placement areas.
8. The paths to the canoe storage area are on this diagram.
9. All paddlers must complete the entire course. In order to do this you must keep the orange marker buoys to your right. The short course turnaround is marked by the first pontoon boat check point. The traditional course turnaround is at the second pontoon boat check point. There are large blaze orange buoys to guide you. You must go clockwise by the turnaround (check point), where canoe/kayak numbers will be recorded.
10. Several motorized boats will be on or next to the course to provide emergency assistance. Official boats are marked with a flag.
11. The Finish Line is off Deauville Island. Proceed through the Finish, please follow Race Official's instructions to get your canoe or kayak out of the finish area. You will receive a place card when you finish. It is your responsibility to turn in your place card, your timing chip and the pull tag from your bib number to the Race Officials in the Finish Line Tent. If you fail to do so you will jeopardize your team's finish time and awards.
12. Please respect other paddlers and clear your boat from the beach when you are done. Leaving your boat on the beach blocks other paddlers who are trying to enter the lake. Be considerate.
13. Times and places will be posted as soon as possible.
14. The race committee reserves the right to cancel the canoe portion fo the race if it determines that conditions are too dangerous, i.e. electrical storm, rough water, etc.
15. Do not cross the finish line or enter the finish area unless you have completed the entire canoe course for the race in which you are entered, i.e. if you drop out of the race, go back to the beach and do not enter the finish area.

Great Race Alcohol Policy

The Great Race committee and the staff of Emerson park are asking all racers and volunteers to help us prevent the underage drinking of alcohol at the park and at the Great Race. To do this, ALL persons consuming alcohol will be asked to wear an ID wrist band to indicate you are of legal age. Any person who appears to be under 30 years of aged will be asked to present a valid ID to receive a wrist band so if you're still in the pre gray hair stage of life,
please don't forget to bring a valid ID with you.

This policy will extend beyond the beer served by the race and will include alcoholic beverages carried into the park as well. Also, as a reminder, please respect the Park's long standing policy of no glass containers on park grounds. Your cooperation will help keep the Great Race going and also help tackle a problem our community takes very seriously.

Return to Home Page

---

Home |  Rules and Details |  Sponsors |  Race Photos |  Past Race Results |  Kids' Fun Run |  Race History |  Entry Form |  Register Online | 
Race Courses | Awards categories |  Past Winners |  Map to Find Us |  GR Calendar |  Message board |  Contact Us |  Special Awards |  Links |