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The Coast to Coast Challenge – 2009

RACE INFO:

The 9th Edition of The CtoC Race will start on the Caribbean Coast at 9am on April 19th 2009.  Teams will bike, hike, climb and paddle across Costa Rica through tropical rain and cloud forest, up and over the continental divide and along country roads passing typical Costa Rican villages.  Teams will have 143 hours (almost 6 days) to complete the 500+ km route across Costa Rica.

The official race information package will be sent to registered teams 1 month before the start of the race.  

The following is a 10 day race itinerary for teams coming from outside the country and some general race info to give you an idea of how the race works.

10 DAY ITINERARY AT A GLANCE:

April 17th (Friday) – ARRIVAL  Teams will be met at the airport by a CtoC representative and driven to their hotel in San Jose.  No activities are planned for the evening.

April 18th (Saturday) – Race Prep stuff and transport to the coast.  After breakfast we load buses and head to the Caribbean coast. On the way we stop at Finca Pacuarito for lunch and the official race briefing. From here it is a one hour drive to a hotel near the city of Limon, this year's start line. After some time to get organized and settled into your room we will begin the gear check, (3 to 6 pm). Dinner is set for 6:30 followed by the captain's meeting at 7:30 pm.

April 19th (Sunday) – START!! Maps and the race instructions for the first stage will be handed out at breakfast. The race will begin on the beach at exactly 9:00 am. 

April 25th (Saturday) –  The final race cut off is at 8:00am giving teams a total of 143 hours to complete the course. After breakfast, teams will transfer back to San Jose. Arriving around 3pm, the afternoon is free to pack and get ready for the Awards Ceremony (7pm).   

April 26th (Sunday) – Departure Teams will be picked up at their hotel and transferred to the airport for their return flight home.

April 27th (Sunday) – Departure Teams will be picked up at their hotel and transferred to the airport for their return flight home. 

Note:  If team members would like to arrive early or stay a few extra days after the race let us know and we will help you with logistics.  If you have family members and/or friends that would like to follow the race we would be happy to help with arrangements.  

The cost of this 10 day program is $3,500 per team.  Race registration is open and teams can reserve a place with a $500 deposit.  Final payment is required before February 15, 2009. The Race field is limited to 25 teams.

RACE FORMAT / STYLE The 2009 Coast to Coast Challenge is a 5+ day unsupported expedition style race.  The race organization will transport team equipment (3 cases + 1 duffle + 4 bikes) from San Jose to the start, back to San Jose from the finish and to all transition areas in between.  All race instructions and maps for the race will be given to teams 2 hours before the start.  Stages will vary in length and duration but for the most part they will be long.  Teams can expect to be in remote areas of the country for long periods of time.

RACE ORGANIZATION The CtoC race is similar to most expedition style races but does have some unique components – this information is designed to give you a better idea of what to expect.  The official race information package will be sent to registered teams 1 month prior to the race.

MEANS OF TRANSPORT

TREKKING
The trekking sections have always been a highlight of the race – this year will be no different. If you have never trekked through the tropical rainforest this is your opportunity. 

MOUNTAIN BIKING
The mountain biking portions of the race will test the endurance and skill of every team member - mountain biking on just about every type of terrain imaginable can be expected.   

CLIMBING/ROPES
These sections of the race will be pre-set fixed rope sections. Experienced climbing personnel will be stationed at these sections of the race. However, the climbing personnel will only offer assistance in case of emergency.       

PADDLING
The paddling portion of the race will take you through some of Costa Rica’s diverse waterways.  Coast to Coast Adventures will provide competitors with all the watercraft required for these sections of the race (except for your PFD). The kayaks used during the race are sit on top kayaks and you may bring your own paddles (ours are heavy) and back rests. 

NAVIGATION
Proficiency in navigation is required throughout the race. Navigation is through remote areas, so the ability to read a compass, follow a bearing, triangulate your position, read and follow topographical maps, and follow the terrain is critical. Teams may only use a compass, protractor, and altimeter for navigation. GPS units are NOT permitted.

BASIC RULES AND REGULATIONS:

1. All disputes, race course discrepancies, accusations of race course misconduct including tampering with race course markings, etc. brought to the attention of the race committee will be dealt with in accordance with the rules herein set forth. Teams that do not comply with general rules and regulations of the Coast to Coast Challenge 2009 face disqualification.

2. There is one official time clock. The clock starts when teams start at 9am on the 19th of April and stops when the last team crosses the finish line or at 8am on the 25th - 143 hours later.

3. Remember that environmental and ecological preservation will be STRICTLY ENFORCED

4. All persons participating in the Coast to Coast Challenge 2009 are subject to the laws of Costa Rica.

5. Participants must be 18 years of age on or before date of event.

6. All racers must read and sign waivers prior to being allowed to compete.

7. Teams must be of 4 members with at least 1 member of the opposite sex.

TEAM RULES:

1. In orden to be ranked, each team must complete the event as a team of four. If one team member withdraws at any time during the event, the remaining three team members may continue unranked.  If more than one team member withdraws, the entire team must leave the racecourse.  The remaining members of the team will not be allowed to continue.

2. When on the racecourse, individual team members must remain in view of each other at all times.  There will be a maximum distance limitation of 25 meters between team members.  Teams who enter a checkpoint or transition area separated more than 100 meters will be disqualified. If at any other time during the course of the race teams are found separated by more than 100 meters, a penalty ranging from ½ an hour to disqualification will be applied.  

3. The Coast to Coast Challenge 2009 race jerseys must be worn at all times during the event. Failure to comply will result in a penalty ranging from ½ an hour to disqualification.  

4. Mandatory team gear may be spot-checked at any time during the event. If items are found missing, teams will face a penalty ranging from ½ an hour to disqualification which will be served at the next transition area. Teams will then be required to replace the missing equipment before leaving this transition area.    

5. Teams that arrive at a PC without a stamp from the previous PC will not be allowed to continue until they acquire that stamp. If for some reason this goes without detection until further along the route, the team must return to that PC for the missing stamp or face disqualification, no matter where the discrepancy is found.

6. Teams are responsible to make sure their passport has been stamped at each PC and that they have signed the PC control sheet.

EQUIPMENT

The following list of equipment is the minimum requirement for the CtoC Race. This equipment will be checked on April 18th between 3 - 6 pm at your hotel on the coast. Each team must store all their equipment in a maximum of 3 lockable plastic cases that do not exceed 35 gallons in size.  

 

NOTE:  All of the gear marked ‘Required’ will be subject to a random check at any point during the race.  Teams found without the proper gear face a time penalty or disqualification.

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