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. At the completion of each stage, teams will be given maps and instructions for the next stage.  Friendly local and international volunteers will assist at the various checkpoints and transition areas marking the route.  The end of the first day will lead teams to the El Nido del Tigre Camp on the banks of the Pacuare River where teams will have the chance to enjoy a hearty meal and rest up for the next day’s competition.

At 7am on the second and third day the race will continue with teams receiving maps and instructions.  Teams total time to completion of the 3 days will determine the winner of the race.
 

RACE ORGANIZATION

The Pacuare Adventure Race is organized and operated by Coast to Coast Adventures with the assistance of the many volunteers that help out each year.  The ropes sections are set up and staffed by Pure Trek and the medical coverage for the race is supplied by the Red Cross of Costa Rica.

RACE FORMAT / STYLE

The Pacuare Adventure Race is a 3 day stage race.  Teams total completion time of the 3 days will determine the winner.  This year’s race features 2 routes – PRO and the SPORT.  Both routes will be marked by check points.  Some of these points will have staff marking times and stamping passports while others will just be a box chained to a tree or similar (Way Point Box) (WPB).  The first set of instructions to the location of specific check points for the first stage, will be handed out minutes before the start of the race and instructions for the following stages will be handed out at the conclusion of each stage.  Check points must be reached in the order that has been outlined in the instructions.  At the WPBs teams must deposit a WPB Card and take a picture of the rest of the team in front of the box.  Along the route teams will be required to complete a variety of team challenges. Traditionally the first day of the race is tougher than the second.  On conclusion of the first day, teams will rest at El Nido del Tigre Camp.  The following day 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 ropes 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 section of the race.  A qualified river guide will captain each raft.

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 breaches, 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 again at the commencement of day 2.

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 as a condition of entering the race.

TEAM RULE:

1. A team must compete 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 maximum distance limitation of 25 meters between team members.  Teams who enter a checkpoint or transition area separated by more than 100 meters will be 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 meters, a penalty ranging from ½ an hour to disqualification will be applied.  

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:

Cut-off 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 do not allow unranked teams to cross the finish line prior to the winning teams.  

EQUIPMENT

The following lists of equipment are minimum requirements for the Pacuare Adventure Race. Each team must store all their equipment in 1 lockable plastic case (70 gallons) or 2 cases (35 gallons).  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.

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