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Following are 2010 event rules and critical information. Please note that race rules may overlap with State rules; therefore, repetition means IMPORTANT--

1. Sign-in at the gear check on Saturday, Jan. 30 from 8am to 4pm in International Falls, at the Backus Auditorium (an old school building, 900 5th Street) near the center of the city. A second gear check will be held on Sunday morning from 6am to 2:30 pm for those who cannot make it on Saturday. Please try to come early on Saturday because we have too many entrants to check on Sunday.
   
2. A pre-race meeting will be held in International Falls, Sunday at 3:30 pm Jan. 31, 2010 at the VFW club on Hwy 53 in the center of the city. At 5pm Sunday the VFW will serve a spaghetti dinner at a cost of US 8.00 per person. Volunteers and friends are welcome.
   
3. The race starts Monday, Feb. 1, 2010 at 7am, in the Kerry Arena at the center of the City of International Falls near the Arrowhead/Blue Ox trailhead behind the Outdoorsman. (You may leave your car at the hotel. We will work out a means to shuttle people and gear between the finish and start).
4. 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. However, participants are encouraged to help each other. The buddy system is a good way to do this race.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. The Gateway General Store on Hwy 53 is the first required checkpoint. Note: racers are allowed to purchase food, goods and services here and at any official checkpoint.
8. 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 (2nd checkpoint) Cedar cabin and you may cross or ride on the road to return to the Arrowhead State Trail. You must check in officially at the Melgeorges 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. Racers are allowed to rent their own motel room or cabin at Melgeorges. This year, we also have a 2nd Maple cabin for volunteer snowmobilers to take breaks/nap.
9. The third checkpoint is the Wakemup tipi off the trail near the Crescent Bar & Grill Olson Road, Cook MN about half way between Melgeorge's and the finish line at Fortune Bay Casino.
10. 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.
11. 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-20F degrees 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 LED lights, both on front and back of sled or bike (or on backpack if skier). Also, the DNR requires that everyone have at least 10 square inches of reflective material on front and back of the person for this race. Clarification: Two lights total are required, one on the front of the bike, sled or racer (runner or skier with backpack), one on the back of the bike, sled or racer (runner or skier with backpack). Each light must have a minimum of three flashing red LEDS.
    • 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, with at least 10 sq. in of reflective material on front and back of person.
    • 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 by Sunday, 2:30pm at the gear check, to be locked in a room in the Backus building. Extra Luggage may be locked in that room during the event, too. Otherwise, make your own arrangements to deliver them to the MelGeorge's Checkpoint cabin and the finish line, now at Fortune Bay Casino, Tower MN.
    • 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.
    
    
    
12. 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.
13. Cutoff for runners and all racers is 60 hours, or Wed. about 7pm, Feb. 3, 2010 at the Fortune Bay Casino after the Arrowhead spur trail crosses Hwy 77, near Lake Vermilion. (Note: Bikers and skiers will likely finish the day before. There is a nice restaurant and bar there as well where finishers and spectators may meet after the event. There is no formal party, but we have a hospality room and suites overlooking the finish line, near the pool for volunteers and spectators. There is also a secure room in the basement near the pool to put your bikes/sleds and gear).
14. 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.
15. No drinking alcohol during the event as it can cause hypothermia. Stay warm, stay safe, and have fun! :)

Minnesota DNR State Trail rules:

1. Stay on designated trails.
2. Keep right so others can pass.
3. Keep all pets on leash.
4. Obey traffic signs and rules.
5. Pack out all garbage and litter.
6. Respect adjoining landowners rights and privacy.
7. Warn other trail users when passing by giving an audible signal.
8. Some horses may be spooked by quiet bikers or in-line skaters. Let them know you are passing.
9. Overnight camping and campfires are permitted only on designated campsites.
10. Do not leave campfires unattended.
11. 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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