Mountain R

Mountain R.A.T.S. race details and rules

1. Race Organization

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

2. What is the Competition?

The Mountain R.A.T.S. is a supported foot race, with four stages (running/walking), over a distance of 75-100 miles (course TBA). Each participant must carry his/her own pack containing food, water, safety equipment and other essential material (see gear requirements).

3. Gemini Events provisions

Mountain R.A.T.S. will provide tents and cold and hot water for racers. Only sleeping bags will be transported to the finish line for the racers. No other gear is permitted in the sleeping bag (this includes liners, clothing, sleeping pads etc).

4. Requirements

All racers must be over 18, must hold a medical certificate issued by a registered doctor stating your ability to participate (provided by Gemini Events) and must meet all administrative criteria. Medical certificate must be dated not more than 28 days prior to the race and will be provided by race officials upon registration.

5. Categories of Participants

First place male and first place female will receive champion awards. All others will be given a general ranking and awarded second through fifth place.

6. Race Itinerary

Thursday:

7:00-9:00 am. Check-in and pre-race meeting; location TBA

10:00 a.m. transportation to start line

12:00 a.m. Race Start

Stage cut-off TBA

Friday: 6:00 a.m. wake up call

7:00 a.m. start Stage 2

Stage cut-off TBA

Saturday: 6:00 a.m. wake up call

7:00 a.m. start Stage 3

Stage cut-off TBA

Sunday: 6:00 a.m. wake up call

7:00 a.m. start Stage 4

1:00 p.m. race cut-off/awards

7. Gear checks

Each racer must carry all mandatory gear at all times. Random checks will be made at aid stations and throughout the race. Racers will not be allowed to continue without all their mandatory gear.

8. Race Numbers

Racers will be given a race number that must be worn and visible throughout the race. Each participant must ensure that his/her race number is in the proper place and in good condition.

9. 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 inappropriate or in direct competition with Gemini Events’ partners or sponsors.

10. Starting Order

All participants will start together at each stage. If there is a close race for first place, a staggered start may be implemented on the last day.

11. 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 and prohibits running at night.

12. Aid Stations/Check Points

These are located throughout the course of each stage of the race. There are up 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.

13. Stage Timing

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

Penalties will be added to the stage of the race in which they were enforced. The daily stage classification is done by adding the time used to run that stage of the race plus penalties, if applicable.

14. Water Supply

Gemini Events will supply unlimited water for eating/drinking purposes only. Cold and hot water will be available at the start of the stage each morning and each evening. Check point/ aid stations will have cold water. Each racer must supply his/her own drinking containers. Cups will not be supplied at aid stations.

15. Camping

Daily outdoor camping will be at pre-selected sites. Gemini Events provides tents (6-8 persons per tent). Participants may use their free time to prepare their set up for the night and for medical care, if necessary.

16. Medical Assistance

A certified EMT will available each day and will ensure that any participants who are suffering from physical exhaustion are brought back to the base camp. Medical personnel is empowered 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 any racer due to ill-health.

17. Racer Withdrawal

In the event a competitor drops out of the race: it is imperative that he/she notify 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, evacuation and hospital accommodations will 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 withdraw and who stay on the course will be the responsibility of Gemini Events and must follow race official’s rules. No refund of unused days is made.

18. Ground Assistance

Crewing is not permitted. Family or friends are not allowed to remove racers from the race course or camping area unless the runner has scratched from the competition and officially turned in their race number to race officials. If a participant is supplied by unauthorized persons during the race, he/she will be heavily penalized. Family and friends are also subject to all race regulations and all local, state and federal land management rules and regulations.

19. Insurance

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

20. Weather and Terrain Conditions

Temperatures in August

Average Daytime: 71 F

Record high: 87 F

Average Night: 34 F

Record low: 12 F

The 100 mile (approx) course encounters a wide variety of terrain. In case of 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.

21. Markings

The participants of the Mountain RATS must follow the course as described in the Expedition Journal by Gemini Events. There are several natural landmarks which will also serve as additional points of reference. Detailed orienteering is not necessary but a general knowledge of map and compass reading is helpful (in case you get lost) and will be discussed at the pre-race meeting.

22. 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 descriptions, 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 day’s stage by the organizers.

23. Mandatory Equipment

Each entrant will receive water at aid stations throughout the race. Each competitor must carry a minimum of 2000 calories (for Friday and Saturday) and 1000 calories for Thursday and Sunday) i.e.. start the race with 5,000 calories. They must also carry 40 oz. of liquid per section (start each stage and leave each aid station with 40 oz of liquid). Otherwise he/she will be penalized.

We strongly urge that each racer have the capability to carry 100 oz. of liquid.

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

· One lightweight survival blanket

· Salt tablets/e-caps

· 1 luminous signal stick

· Compass

· Whistle

· Reflective mirror

· Small flashlight with spare batteries

· Knife with folding blade

· Disinfectant ointment (ointment or spray can)

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

· Minimum of 5,000 calories at the start of the race. You will require significantly MORE calories to successfully complete this event, but 5,000 reflects our bare minimum requirement.

· Rain jacket/pants

· Insulating pants and top

· Sleeping Bag

Each participant will have to present the above items upon request at checkpoints along the course.

Nightly Supplies

A sleeping bag is required and will be transported forward by Gemini Events for each racer. No other supplies are allowed in the sleeping bag bag (including but not limited to clothing, sleeping bag liner, sleeping pad)

24. Registration Fees, Administrivia and deadlines.

Individual entrants' fee includes:

· Transportation from host hotel to Start line

· Transportation from finish line back to host hotel

· General ground assistance (tents, transportation of sleeping bags)

· Unlimited water at each aid station (cold drinking water/hot cooking water)

· Medical assistance

· Official Mountain R.A.T.S. shirt

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

To register for the Mountain 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.

Deadlines

October 1, 2007- January 1, 2008 Early registration- $500

January 1 - April 1 Entry fee = $625 includes free entry into the Desert RATS Trailrunning Festival, your choice of distance (5, 10, 25 or 50)

April 2 – July 21st Entry fee = $725

25. 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 Mountain RATS in 2008).

Cancellations prior to April 1, qualify for a refund of $400.

Cancellations between April 2, and August 1 qualify for a refund of $300.

Cancellations on or after July 21st, do not qualify for refunds.

26. Penalties

Technical and administrative verification:

If a participant does not submit proof of having all his/her required equipment on demand, 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 cannot be obtained, the racer will be eliminated from the race. Each administrative document missing from the registration file will result in a penalty.

Medical File: Gemini Events will not have medical personnel present to provide required 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 2000 calories per day (1000 each for Thursday and Sunday) 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 notify 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 racer withdrawal and appeals process)

Check points: Check in at each check point is mandatory. First infraction will be subject to 1 hour penalty, second infraction will result in 2 hour penalty and the third time elimination from the race.

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 racer leaves the trail again, he/she 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: Gemini Events adheres to a strict “Leave no Trace” policy. Any racer caught leaving trash on the course will result in elimination from the race.

27. 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.