BEAST Series Information

This information may not answer all the questions you have about BEAST. More information may be added, but don't hesitate to e-mail the race director (eric at mergeo.com) with questions. Some of this information (weeknight time, 1.5-2 hour winning time) does not apply to the Fall BEAST race.

Concept

BEAST was conceived as a more compact, barebones version of a weekend adventure race. This means less required gear, check-in right before the race, a shorter course, and few amenities of more highly produced events. We provide no spiffy race bibs, no large cadre of staff and volunteers, no EMTs, and no large tents and banners. We do provide a quality race course (and some spirited competition, we hope) at a low price.

Adventure racers tend to have busy weekends, so we decided to appropriate some weeknight time for these races, so that you can get out for adventures a little farther afield with your precious weekends. The evening start time has the side effect of giving you some night racing practice. Expected winning times are 1.5 to 2 hours, so everyone should be able to get on their way home by 11:30 p.m.

Race Format

BEAST will involve running/trekking, biking, orienteering, some special tests, occasionally a water-based segment if we can manage it, and possibly other modes of travel. As each race takes shape, general information on what activities are involved and any gear requirements will be posted on the Races page.

Safety

BEAST races will take place in public areas that are likely to have other users during the races. The entirety of each course will usually be open to normal use by the public. It is of the utmost importance that racers follow usual rules of traffic on roads, on trails, and on any other parts of the course. This will often mean stopping or slowing down to yield the right-of-way. Failure to follow the rules of the road or the trail is grounds for disqualification, and teams that are disqualified for this reason will be asked to quit the course and go directly to the finish.

In addition to following traffic rules, racers must otherwise conduct themselves in a manner that is safe for themselves, for other participants and for members of the public. Examples of conduct that would be considered unsafe are: passing other trail users at high speed; climbing up or down cliffs or other steep slopes where there is risk of a serious fall; carrying gear in such a way that it protrudes and presents a tripping or poking risk to others.

Rules

This list of rules may not be comprehensive and may be amended before race time, including at the pre-race briefing

• Unless specifically directed otherwise, stay out of private property and any out-of-bounds areas marked on the map or in the terrain. Penalty for infringement: time penalties or disqualification

• Follow all rules of the road or trail. You have no special priveleges of travel as a participant in this event, unless specifically informed otherwise by the organizers. Penalty for infringement: time penalties for brief, minor, and accidental incidents; otherwise, disqualification.

• The only means of conveyance allowed are those specified by the organizer. This means for example that you may not ride your bike on a trekking leg; you must walk your bike through any specified dismount area; and you may not travel on a bus or in a car (unless instructed to in the race directions). You may, however, walk your bike on a biking leg. It is also permitted on a bike leg to leave your bike briefly (at your own risk) and come back to it, as long as you place it out of the way of other users. Penalty for infringement: time penalties; up to disqualification for infringements that compromise safety (like leaving your bike lying across a walkway or road).

• Equipment and litter may not be left on the course. If you start a segment with something, then finish with it. The exception is that litter may be disposed of in proper receptacles. Penalty for infringement: time penalties or disqualification.

• Racers may be required to carry specified items of mandatory gear on specified parts of the course. Penalty for infringement: time penalties; up to disqualification for missing safety gear.

• All racers must check in at the finish before departing, regardless of how much of the course they have completed. Failure to do so could result in a search being performed unnecessarily.

Participation

BEAST is open to individuals and teams of 2-4 people. We're hoping to have some prizes for the top 3-person or 4-person co-ed teams in the series. (In other words, 3- and 4-person co-ed teams compete in the same class.)

Competition Categories

As part of your entry information, we'll ask for you or your team's category. This is so that when people check out the results, they can see how they compared to individuals or teams of similar age, number or sex. We also plan to recognize the acheivements of the top performers in the series. The categories are indicated by the following table.

* Lotto is an option for you to throw your name in the hat, and we'll put you on a team. It's a chance for you to meet and race with some new friends, including members of elite team DART-nuun, and people who have done this option before have had a blast. In general, we will try to form co-ed Lotto teams of three or four people.

Registration

Registration is individual. If you are on a team, then list your teammates names, your team name and your team's competition category (for example, "solo woman", "2-man" or "3-coed") with your registration information. Your teammates will need to enter as individuals, and they should list you among their teammates.

Registration fees:
The pre-registration price applies to entries received by the early entry deadline, which will be announced in the race publicity and is usually 3-7 days before the race.

Note that there will usually be early bird discounts for multiple-race package sign-ups. Also, you can earn a free race entry by volunteering.

See the registration page for more information on registration.