1. Managing Body

The "Desert R.A.T.S" is organized by Gemini Events and is limited to 50 entrants.

2. What is the Competition?

The Desert R.A.T.S. is a supported foot race, with several stages (running/walking), over a distance of about 148 miles (see course map and description). Each participant must carry his/her own pack containing food, water, safety equipment and other essential material (see gear requirements).

3. RACE PROVISIONS

Desert R.A.T.S. will provide tents and meals for racers, including a hot meal at night.  In the morning, breakfast will be provided prior to race start.  During the day snack foods will be available.  Sleeping and overnight supplies will be transported to the finish line for the racers.  Each racer is limited to one 3000 cu. in. bag which will be transported by Gemini Adventure officials.

4. General conditions

The Desert R.A.T.S. will be governed by general race regulations and their amendments, to which all participants agree when they register.

5. Who is Eligible?

Anyone meeting the following conditions will be accepted: over 18, male or female, must hold a medical certificate issued by a registered doctor stating your ability to participate (provided by Gemini Events). This must be dated not more than 28 days prior to the race and will be provided by race officials upon registration.

6. Categories of Participants

Every entrant will be ranked.  In addition to the general ranking, there will be place awards for the top three finishers in the following categories:

Males under 35, 35-50 and over 50. 

Females under 35, 35-50 and over 50.

(unless entrant numbers dictate otherwise)

7. Race Itinerary

  Sunday: arrivals and prerace meeting in Moab 7:00 pm.

  Monday: transportation from host hotel to start line/ stage 1

  Tuesday: stage 2

  Wednesday: stage 3

  Thursday/ Friday: stage 4

  Saturday: marathon final stage / post race party in Moab

See course description.

8. Technical and Administrative

Each participant must present himself/herself to the race administrators. The participants must meet the administrative and technical requirements.  At the aid stations, an exact list of each participant's equipment must be established i.e. compulsory items, food and personal belongings. The administrators are authorized at any time to make random checks of any participant’s packs (see required gear).

9. Identification Marks

During the administrative and technical registration Gemini Events will provide each participant with a race number. This must be worn in plane view by the participants throughout the race and may be checked at any time by administrators. It is prohibited to cover the race numbers. Each participant is obligated to ensure that his/her race numbers are clear, visible and in good condition and in the proper place.  Each participant agrees to adhere strictly to this rule, subject to serious penalty in case of violation.

10. Space Reserved For Individual Sponsors

In addition to the official ID markings, the participants may use other body/clothing space for the use by individual sponsors (T-shirts, shorts, backpacks etc). However, Gemini Events reserves the right to prohibit an individual sponsor considered to be oversize or in direct competition with Gemini Events’ partners or sponsors.

11. Starting Order

All participants will start together at each stage.

12. Cut-off times

Each leg must be completed in the time allowed.  Cut-off times will be posted the night before each stage at the nightly meetings and will pertain to aid stations as well as the daily finish lines.  These cut-off times are designed to ensure the safety of runners.

13. Expedition Stage

 During the "50 mile" stage, night travel is permitted. Sleeping/resting is at the racer's discretion but he/she must remain on the official course of the race.

14. Aid Stations/Check Points

These are located throughout the course of each stage of the race. There are 0 to 4 aid stations per stage determined by the length of the stage. The participants must allow the race officials to record their time and agree to a gear/medical check.

15. Race Stage Finish

Checks at the finish line allow the Official Timer to establish the daily order of arrival for each contestant.

16. Order of Arrival

The time of each participant is indicated in hours, minutes and seconds.

Individual ranking:  The daily stage classification is done by adding the time used to run that stage of the race plus penalties, if applicable.

General ranking is done by adding times for each stage of the race.

17. Water Supply

Gemini Events is responsible for the supply of unlimited water for drinking purposes only. Water will be available at the start of the stage each morning.  Disqualification will occur to contestants who abandon empty water containers along the course. Garbage facilities will be available at aid stations.  Each racer must supply his/her own drinking containers.  Cups will not be supplied at aid stations.

18. Camping

Daily outdoor camping will be at pre-selected sites. Gemini Events provide tents (5-7 persons per tent). Participants may use their free time to prepare their set up for the night and for medical care, if necessary.

19. Medical Assistance

A medically certified race officials, specializing in emergency first aid will be in attendance throughout the race and will use assistance vehicles throughout the course. Medical personnel will be available each day and will ensure that any participants who are suffering from physical exhaustion are brought back to the base camp. The medical team is allowed to remove race numbers and to scratch from the race any participant whom they feel physically unfit to continue the race at any time. Since racers participate in the race of their own free will, Gemini Events is not responsible for the collapse or accident of any racer due to ill-health.

20. Dropping Out

In the event a competitor drops out of the race: it is imperative that he/she advise a Gemini Events official and returns their race numbers to an official of the race. A participant who does not comply with this rule will be penalized.

 Several options are available to participants who wish to withdraw from the race.

In the case of a serious physical condition, repatriation may be arranged immediately.

A participant who is in adequate physical condition but wishes to withdraw may elect to:

   1. Be driven to the final finish line (subject to viability) and wait until the end of the race, with lodging and meals being at his/her own expense.

   2. Be driven by Gemini Events every morning from the start of that day's start point to the finish point of that day.

   3. Racers may also continue along subsequent stages after dropping out of a stage.  They will continue unofficially and their times will not be recorded.

Competitors who drop out and stay on the course will automatically be taken charge of by Gemini Events.  No refund of unused days is made.

21. Ground Assistance

Gemini Events must remind all participants that the Desert RATS is a race through the desert where climatic and ground conditions can be extreme.

Crewing is permitted in designated areas only.  Designated areas are defined as start lines, aid stations and finish lines.  Camping and meal plan for crew members will be available on a first come first serve basis for a fee.  It is the responsibility of the racer to make reservations for their crew along with their entry form.  Some crewing expenses could be waived in exchange for volunteering on behalf of the race (contact race management for details).  Crews are not allowed to remove racers from the race course or camping area.  If a participant is supplied by persons at unauthorized areas during the race, he/she will be heavily penalized.  Crews are also subject to all race regulations and all local, state and federal land management rules and regulations.

22. Insurance

All racers and crew/spectators must be insured in the event that emergency care is needed.

23. Weather and Terrain Conditions

 Temperatures in June

   Daytime: 95 F

   Record high: 113 F

   Night: 58 F

   Record low: 37 F

The 148 mile (approx) course encounters a wide variety of terrain (sand, rocky desert, stony ground etc).  In case of sand storms lowering visibility to zero, the racers must stop in their tracks and wait for instructions by the organizers.

Gemini Events reserves the right to modify the course and the length of the various stages as a result of unfavorable weather conditions or regulations in certain areas.

24. Markings

The participants of the Desert RATS must follow the course as marked by Bureau of Land Management. There are several natural landmarks which will also serve as additional points of reference. In the Expedition stage, illuminated markers will be in position for the night segment.

25. Expedition Journal

An Expedition Journal will be supplied to each competitor upon check in. This book will reveal the exact course and will include maps, course description, crew information and various points of interest along the course.  This book must be carried with you at all times and must be presented upon demand.  A lost Expedition Journal will result in a time penalty.

Each evening a briefing will be given relating to the next days' stage by the organizers.

26. Compulsory Equipment for Participants

Each entrant will receive "aid station" food at aid stations throughout the race. Any additional food may be supplied by racers or crew.

Each competitor must in all circumstances carry of a minimum of 1000 calories and 80 oz. of liquid per day i.e. enter each aid station with 1000 calories and leave each aid station with 80 oz. of water, otherwise he/she will be penalized. 

We strongly urge that each racer have the capability to carry 140 oz. of liquid.

A survival kit will not be supplied by Gemini Events but must include the following:

·        One lightweight survival blanket

·        Salt tablet/e-caps

·        2 luminous signal sticks (non-stop stage)

·        Compass/Whistle

·        Reflective mirror

·        Small flashlight with spare batteries

·        Knife with folding blade

·        Disinfectant ointment (ointment or spray can)

·        Anti-venom pump (insect poison remover)

·        D cell Emergency strobe light or other emergency style strobe (if you have questions whether a certain light is considered "emergency" please contact the administration for verification)

·        Each participant will have to fulfill the above obligations during the administrative and technical controls in the race.

·Nightly Supplies

·These supplies are required but do not need to be carried each day.  These items along with your other personal belongings (fitting into one 3000 cu in. bag, sleeping bag included) will be transported forward by Gemini Events for each racer.

·        Sleeping Bag

·        Sleeping Pad, Warm Clothing

·        Eating Utensils (i.e. plates, spoon, fork, cup etc.)

27. Registration Commitment, Fees, Administrative obligations and deadlines.

·Individual entrants' fee includes:

·        Transportation from Moab to Grand Junction

·        General ground assistance (tents, food and water at each stage)

·        Food and water for the duration of the race.

·        Technical support

·        Medical assistance

·        Desert R.A.T.S. finisher’s memento

·        Shuttle service to and from Moab from Grand Junction Airport

To register for the Desert RATS the applicant must submit the following documents:

·        Completed registration form

·        Additional personal information form

·        A medical certificate to be completed by entrant's physician (to be dated not more than 28 days prior to the race)

·        2 passport size photos with entrant's name on the back

Entry fee

The obligations listed above represent the pre-registration and must reach Gemini Events within the deadlines specified on the registration form. All payments must be made payable to Gemini Events. Gemini Events reserves the right to refuse registration to anyone without giving any justification or reason.

Deadlines

Registration will be available beginning on January 1st.  Gemini Events anticipates that the race will fill due to the limited number of permits granted by the land management authorities.  The following schedule outlines benefits of early registration and all deadlines

·Early Registration until January 1st, 2008  Entry Fee=$950

·January 1 - March 1    Entry fee = $1050 AND free entry into the Spring Desert Ultra

·March 2 - June 1    Entry fee = $1200

28. Cancellation

·Cancellations and requests for refunds must be made in writing in order to avoid any misunderstanding. Cancellation refunds will be made on the following basis (Dates and amounts apply to the Desert RATS in 2008).

·Cancellations prior to April 1 qualify for a refund of $750.

·Cancellations between April 2 and June 1 qualify for a refund of $400.

·Cancellations on or after June 2 do not qualify for refunds.

29. Penalties

Technical and administrative verification:

·  If a participant is more than 30 minutes late at the time of the initial start, he/she will be penalized by the length of time of his/her lateness.

·  If a participant does not submit proof of having all his/her compulsory equipment on hand, he/she will be penalized 1 hour in addition to the time it takes to gain possession of these materials.  If this penalty puts the racer over the allotted time he/she will be eliminated from that stage and the official standings.  If the materials can not be obtained the racers will be eliminated from the race.  Each administrative document missing from the registration file will result in a penalty.

Medical File:  Gemini Event will not have medical personnel on hand to provide medical examinations.

Listing mandatory gear:  Any participant who cannot account for one or more items of mandatory gear must notify Gemini events.  Any participant who cannot justify at any gear check the lack of any personal belonging will be penalized.

Food:  When spot checks are made, any competitor unable to present the minimum 1000 calories per day during the race will receive a 2 hour penalty.

ID markings:  In the event of loss or damage to race numbers, it is essential to advise officials immediately, or a penalty will be applied.  If a participant does not wear his/her race numbers, he/she will be eliminated from the race. 

  Incorrect display or wearing of race numbers will result in a 30 minute penalty.  Tampering with a number will result in immediate elimination of the participant.

Start of the race:  If for any reason a participant is late to the start, he/she will be penalized by the amount of time of his/her lateness.  If he/she is more than 30 minutes late, he/she will be eliminated from the race.

Cut-off times:  Exceeding the maximum allowed time for a daily race will result in elimination from the race (see dropping out and appeals process)

Check points:  Check in at each check point is mandatory.  First infraction will be subject to 60 minutes penalty, second infraction will result in 120 minutes penalty and the third time elimination from the race.

Expedition Stage (approximately 50 mile stage):  During this stage, when night time traveling is permitted, any use of distress signals without valid reason will be subject to a one hour penalty.

Leaving the trail:  Under no circumstances are racers permitted to leave the trail.  While penalties are not given for getting lost, a one hour penalty will be given for the first time a racer leaves a trail.  If the race leaves the trail again, the will be removed from the course and eliminated from the race.

Withdrawal from the race:  Any participant withdrawing from the race must notify a Gemini Events Official as soon as possible.

Drugs:  Any use of illicit drugs by a participant noted by the medical team will result in the elimination of that person from the race.

Ground Assistance:  Any outside assistance is strictly prohibited.  Assisting a participant with food or water outside of access points will result in a three hour penalty the first time and elimination from the race on the second occasion.

  The use of any transportation will result in elimination from the race.

Trash and the environment:   Any trash found on the course will result in elimination from the race.

30. Appeals

Every night there will be a committee meeting.  Any race decision can be appealed and must be presented to the committee before the nightly meeting in order to be discussed that night.  Upon discussion a decision will be made shortly thereafter. Appeals regarding missed cut-offs must be made before the nightly meeting in order to gain access to the following day's stage.