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2008 RACE RULES
Arrowhead Winter Ultra
Following are 2008 event rules and critical information. Please note that race rules may overlap with State rules; therefore, repetition means IMPORTANT--
- Sign-in at the gear check on Saturday, Feb. 2nd from 2pm to 7pm in International Falls, at the Holiday Inn on Highway 71.
A second gear check will be held on Sunday morning from 7am to 2:30 pm at the Holiday Inn for those who cannot make it on Saturday.
- A pre-race meeting will be held in International Falls, Sunday at 3pm and volunteer meeting at 4pm, Feb. 3, 2008 at the Holiday Inn on Highway 71 on the west side of town.
- The race starts Monday, Feb. 4, 2008 at 7am, south of Ericsburg, about 10 miles south of the International Falls at the Arrowhead trailhead intersection of Hwy 53. (You may leave your car at the hotel and we will shuttle people there. Also, we will work out a means to shuttle people and gear between the finish and start).
- No outside help from anyone except other racers. This means that there are
no support crews of any kind and no rides/tows accepted from snowmobilers, nor other vehicles. If you take a ride, you are forfeiting your right to finish the race and you must contact race officials to notify us when/where you are dropping out of the race. Snowmobilers will be allowed to charge US $100 for evacuation rides, payable directly to the crew. However, participants are encouraged to help each other. The buddy system is a good way to do this race.
- No littering. (and no stashes). This should be obvious but it is so important to us that we
thought we should put it in the rules. Leave no trace. Make use of sanitation facilities provided along the trail. There is an outhouse next to each of 9 trail shelters along the trail. Bring your own t.p.
- If you leave the race course for some reason, you must re-enter the course
exactly where you left it or notify race officials that you are dropping out as soon as is feasible. Short-cutting the course is not allowed and may be grounds for disqualification or time docking after the race is over, at the discretion of the Race Director.
- ***New rule: The Gateway General Store on Hwy 53 is the first required checkpoint in the 2008 event.
- No road riding, running or skiing except in places where the road is part of the race course. Racers may cut across Elephant Lake to reach the MelGeorge's resort checkpoint and you may cross or ride on the road to return to the Arrowhead State Trail. You must check in officially at the Myrtle Lake checkpoint cabin before going to the restaurant or taking a room at the resort. The last person to the Melgeorges checkpoint wins the Myrtle the Turtle award.
- Snow machines and dog sleds have right of way. You must pull to the right side of the trail and let them pass. Stop at all intersections and obey traffic rules.
- All racers are expected to carry or tow a minimum of 15 lbs. of gear (not including the sled, bike, skis, nor water) at all times and must finish with at least 1 day or 3000 calories of food and 8oz. of fuel. Racers may share gear and assist each other; however, each participant must have their own mandatory gear at all times.
MANDATORY GEAR from race start to race finish. You must have this at all times:
- Minus-20 sleeping bag or colder rating
- Insulated
sleeping pad
- Bivy sack or tent (space blankets do not count)
- Firestarter
(matches or lighter)
- Stove to heat water (tip: Don't eat snow! It burns too many calories.)
- 8 fl. oz. fuel at ALL times (either white gas, alcohol or 2 cannisters of propane/butane 100 g. each or 12 Esbit tablets)
- Pot (min. volume is
1 pint)
- 2-qt (64 fl. oz.) or just under 2 litres, insulated water container (the weight of water is not counted in the minimum weight)
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Flashing red light, both on front and back. The DNR requires that everyone have at least 10 square inches of reflective material on front and back for this race.
- Whistle on string around neck to call for help.
- 1-day of food at ALL times (3000 calories) (tip: a pound of butter or jar of peanut bar is about 3200 calories)
- 15 lbs of gear at
ALL times
Recommended Gear (in addition to mandatory gear to makeup the 15 lbs. total)
- Full wind suit
- Extreme conditions mittens & head gear
- Down
sweater
- Spare poly-pro shirt
- Neoprene socks or equivalent
- Over-boots
- Gaitors for snowshoers
- Duct tape
- Knife or
micro leatherman
- Map and compass
- Reflective clothing
- 5,000-7,000
calories of food (tip: Gorp or peanuts don't freeze solid.)
- Sleds for runners and snowshoers (or backpack)
- Assorted
tools suitable for bicycling, skiing or snowshoeing.
TIPS ON DROP BAGS:
- Each racer may have one 15 lb. drop bag at the MelGeorge's checkpoint,including food/drink only (no clothes or gear) and a separate bag for a small change of clothes for the finish line.
- Drop bags are due in International Falls on Sunday, 3pm Pre-race meeting. Otherwise, make your own arrangements to deliver them to the MelGeorge's Checkpoint cabin and the Bay View Lodge cabin.
- Drop bags should be heavy gage garbage bags (big
and strong) or tough stuff sacks. Drop bags will not be returned!
- Drop bags must be clearly labeled with racers name, filled with your supplies and
secured shut.
- You can share drop bags with another racer to limit
waste.
- You may pick your race category the morning of the race based on weather conditions, etc. You must stay with it and finish in the mode in which you started (i.e., if you start on bike, you must finish on bike). Walkers/runners may use snowshoes in the foot category; however, they are not required to do so. If you use snowshoes, you must carry/tow them all the way to the finish. Skiers may have a second pair of skis and bikers may bring additional equipment.
- Cutoff for runners and all racers is 60 hours, or Wed. 7pm, Feb. 6, 2008 at the Arrowhead trail intersection on Hwy 77 at the
Bay View Lodge on Lake Vermillion,
2001 Bay View Drive, Tower, MN 55790
(Birch Cabin)
TOLL FREE: (800) 628-1607
PHONE: (218) 753-4825
(Note: Bikers and skiers will likely finish the day before. We will have a cabin for participants to warm up and shower. There is a nice restaurant and bar there as well where finishers and spectators may meet after the event).
- Race Directors reserve the right to change the rules at any time. Race Officials may pull participants from the event, including volunteers and spectators, in the interest of law, safety and fairness or for any reason deemed appropriate by the Arrowhead officials.
- No drinking alcohol during the event as it can cause hypothermia. Stay warm, stay safe, and have fun! :)
Minnesota DNR State Trail rules:
- Stay on designated trails.
- Keep right so others can pass.
- Keep all pets on leash.
- Obey traffic signs and rules.
- Pack out all garbage and litter.
- Respect adjoining landowners rights and privacy.
- Warn other trail users when passing by giving an audible
signal.
- Some horses may be spooked by quiet bikers or in-line skaters.
Let them know you are passing.
- Overnight camping and campfires are permitted only on
designated campsites.
- Do not leave campfires unattended.
- Enjoy the beauty of wild plants & animals, but leave them
undisturbed for all to enjoy.
Trail users are legally responsible for obeying the rules and
regulations provided in Minnesota
Rules, State Recreational Trails, 6100.3000 through
6100.4300.
Snowmobilers code of ethics:
1. I will be a good sports enthusiast. I recognize that
people judge all snowmobile owners by my actions. I will use my
influence with other snowmobile owners to promote fair conduct.
2. I will not litter on trails or camping areas. I will
not pollute lakes or streams.
3. I will not damage living trees, shrubs, or other
natural features. I will go out only when there is sufficient snow
so that I will not damage the land.
4. I will respect other people's property and rights.
5. I will lend a helping hand when I see someone in
distress.
6. I will make myself and my vehicle available to assist
search and rescue parties.
7. I will not interfere with or harass hikers, skiers,
snowshoers, ice anglers, or other winter sports enthusiasts. I will
respect their rights to enjoy our recreation facilities.
8. I will know and obey all federal, state/provincial and
local rules regulating the operation of snowmobiles in areas where I
use my vehicle. I will inform officials when using public lands.
9. I will not harass wildlife. I will avoid areas posted
for the protection or feeding of wildlife.
10. I will stay on marked trails or marked roads open to
snowmobiles. I will not snowmobile where prohibited.
Source: DNR Snowmobile Safety Training Manual
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