List of equipment
Race registration Form

Pacuare Adventure Race - 2008

The 9th edition of the Pacuare Adventure Race will include hiking, mountain biking, rafting, ropes and several team challenges through the beautiful and wild Pacuare River Valley, on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica.

The route is secret until the start of the race when teams will be given maps and instructions for the first stage of the route. At the completion of each stage teams will be given the next stage's maps and instructions. Friendly local and international volunteers will assist in the various checkpoints and transition areas marking the route.  The end of the first day will take teams to the El Nido del Tigre Camp on the banks of the Pacuare River.  Here teams will have the chance to enjoy a hearty meal and rest up for the next day’s competition.

The total time of the 3 days will determine the winner of the race.

We have put together 2 itineraries for international teams.  The Pacuare Escape is a 6 day program and the Wild Pacuare is an 8 day program that gives you a bit more time to explore the Pacuare River Valley and get warmed up for the weekend race.

RACE FORMAT / STYLE

The Pacuare Adventure Race is a 3 day stage race.  The total time of the 3 days determines the winner.  This year’s race features 2 routes – the PRO route and the SPORT route.  Both routes will be marked by check points.  Some of these points will have staff signing teams off and stamping passports while others will just be a box chained to a tree.  At these Way Point Boxes you will be required to deposit a WPB card and take a picture of the rest of your team in front of the box. Teams will receive maps and instructions to the location of these check points.  Teams must reach these check points in the order that has been outlined in the instructions.  Along the route teams will be required to complete a variety of team challenges. The first set of instructions will be given out minutes before the start of the race.  A new set of instructions for the following stage will be handed out at the conclusion of each stage.  At the conclusion of the first day team will rest at El Nido del Tigre Camp.  The following days the race begins at 7am.

DISCIPLINES

TREKKING

In past years the trekking portions of the race has always been a big highlight of the race. Teams can expect to trek on trails through rainforest, along river banks and country roads.

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 rope sections.

PADDLING

It wouldn’t be called the Pacuare Adventure Race without a challenging section down the class III-IV rapids of the Pacuare River.  Coast to Coast Adventures will provide teams with all the necessary equipment needed for this sections of the race.  A qualified river guide will captain the raft down the river.

NAVIGATION

Proficiency in navigation will be required throughout the race. Navigation will be challenging, so the ability to read a compass, follow a bearing, 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.

TEAM CHALLENGES  

 Normally the race has 6 to 8 team challenges during the 2 days of competition.  In past years challenges have included the famous rock move, making a fire, or swimming across the river.  There is always a new challenge and this year will be no different.

BASIC RULES AND RACE REGULATIONS:

1. All disputes, environmental/ecological breeches, 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 Pacuare Adventure Race, face disqualification.

2. There is one official time clock. The clock starts when teams start on Day 1 and stops when the last team crosses the finish line at El Nido del Tigre Camp. It starts and end again each day of the race.

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

4. All persons participating in the Pacuare Adventure Race 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.

TEAM RULE:

1. A team must complete in one of the categories (PRO – mixed 4, open 4. open 3 and open 2, SPORT – mixed 3, open 3 or open 2). If one team member withdraws at any time during the event, the remaining team members may continue unranked

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

3. The Pacuare Adventure Race jerseys must be worn at all times during the event.  Failure to comply will result in a penalty ranging from ½ 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 hour to disqualification which will be assessed 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 that their passport has been stamped

CUT OFF TIMES:

Cutoff times will be determined prior to race day.  Any cutoff points will be established to allow the safe management of teams throughout the course.  Every attempt will be made to determine appropriate locations of cutoffs that will allow teams to continue on the course unranked for their enjoyment.  This will be done through the elimination of sections of the course that does not allow unranked teams to cross the finish line prior to the winning teams.

EQUIPMENT

The following list of equipment are minimum requirement for the Pacuare Adventure Race. Each team must store all their equipment in 2 lockable plastic cases (70 gallons each) or 4 cases (35 gallons each).  Bike cases are not required during the race and should be left at your hotel.
NOTE:  All of the gear mark 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.