Rules

revised 2/7/08

I. General Rules

1. Each team will consist of two or three members except in the Ironperson, Tandem Kayak and Tandem Recreational Canoe divisions. One team member will run, one will bicycle,and one will paddle (two of the four members of the Tandem Kayak or Tandem Recreational Canoe Division teams will paddle). With a two member team, one member does two legs of the race. In the Ironperson divisions, one individual will do all three. Team members will pass an official wrist band to teammates as the relay progresses. The winning team will be the team or Ironman/woman whose paddler crosses the finish line, in the chute, first in their division. The team member crossing the finish line must have the race number with the tear-off tag. Team members other than the paddler must not cross the finish line. Only the bow paddler from the Tandem Kayak and Tandem Recreational Canoe divisions may cross the finish line. The stern paddler will stay with the boat and assist in placing it in the boat storage area.

2. An overtaking competitor has the right-of-way. Impeding the progress of another individual who is passing is grounds for disqualification. Drafting of another bicycle or boat is allowed. Drafting of non-competitors is grounds for disqualification.

3. A competitor must assist another competitor who requests help until he or she reaches safety.

4. Racing numbers must be worn and visible on the outside of clothing and competitors' P.F.D. (lifejacket), on the front or downstream side of the participant. Runners must wear numbers on front.

5. Hard-shell helmets are requited for all competitors who bicycle and/or paddle. Helmets shall be fastened in a secure manner and worn while competing. The same helmet may be worn by cyclist and paddler. The helmet worn by a cyclist shall be of a type specifically designed and intended for use by cyclists, and certified as meeting or exceeding the test standards established by Snell Laboratories, ASTM, and/or ANSI. Failure to wear the required headgear at all times while bicycling or boating in The Great Race_® shall result in disqualification of the cyclist or boater and his or her team. It shall be the responsibility of each cyclist and boater, not the organizers, staff or sponsors of The Great Race_®, to inspect his or her protective headgear to determine if it complies with this rule.

6. No competitor may be assisted by another competitor or spectator with equipment or water removal, except in the Adaptive division.

7. Competitors may enter only one team or ironperson division.

8. All competitors who quit the race for any reason before the finish line must report to The Great Race_® official as soon as possible after they stop competing in the race.

9. Protests: All protests must be in writing and filed within 30 minutes of the protester's team crossing the finish line. The written protests must be made on a form provided by The Great Race_® management. Protests can be lodged at race headquarters in case of any violation of the Competition Rules. An arbitration committee will meet before the Awards Ceremony in order to provide a final ruling on all protests and disqualifications made by course officials. A $10 non-refundable fee will be charged to file a protest. If a protest is filed regarding a boat used in the race, the boat in question and the protester's boat will both be examined by the Watercraft Advisory Committee.

10. The Relay: Runners wearing an official wristband will start the competition. A road race start will be used. Runners should seed themselves according to their estimated running pace. Runners will proceed along the official running course to the bike staging area located at the bike trail near the Guy West Bridge. The runner will enter the bicycle staging area from the levee side and will pass the official wristband to the cyclist teammate in the area designated for their division. The cyclist will proceed along the official bike course to the Sunrise Avenue Footbridge. The cyclist will dismount and proceed onto the bridge and will pass the official wristband to the paddler teammate who will be waiting on the bridge. When the paddler teammate receives the official wristband, the paddler will cross the footbridge to his/her boat. Only the bow paddler on the Tandem Kayak and Tandem Recreational Canoe division will wait on the bridge with the stern paddler waiting near the boats on the beach. Paddlers will proceed down the river to the finish area and exit the boat at the designated take-out area. All paddlers (except stern paddler in Tandem Kayak and Tandem Recreational Canoe division will then run through the finish chute. Runners and cyclists must stay on the official course. Making use of short cuts or transferring the official wristband in other than designated areas at the run/hike or bike/boat transition areas are grounds for disqualification.

11. Timing: The time will be the total time it takes the team or Ironperson to complete the entire course and cross the finish line.

12. The route will be monitored and any competitor who does not adhere to the rules of the race will be disqualified.

13. A race competitor shall not, during participation in the race, push,tow, or carry any device for the transport of another person, animal and/or equipment. Such devices include but are not limited to: bicycle trailers, strollers, infant carriers and towed boats.

14. Only registered race competitors and registered guides for legally blind race competitors shall participate in the race. No other persons and/or animals may accompany a competitor.

15. All members of a Junior team must be 18 years or younger on the day of the race.

16. All race competitors, ironpersons or team members must have visual acuity better than legally blind as defined in Vehicle Code section 21965 which states: "As used in Sections 21963 and 21964, 'blind,' 'totally blind,' and 'partially blind' mean having central visual acuity not to exceed 20/200 in the better eye, with corrected lenses, as measured by the Snellen test, or visual acuity greater than 20/200, but with a limitation in the field of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle not greater than 20 degrees."

II. Bicycle Rules

1. Competitors who bike must leave the bridge at the exchange point as soon as possible and not interfere with any other competitor who is trying to find his or her paddler teammate.

2. Ironpersons must have a crew to retrieve the bike. Members of the crew may only retrieve the bicycle from the bicycle storage area and must not otherwise assist the competitor at the exchange point.

3. A tandem bicycle, recumbent bicycle, or a tricycle shall not be used by a race competitor. Only bicycles ridden by one (1) person will be allowed in the bicycle portion of the race. NOTE: A legally blind cyclist and a sighted cyclist shall ride a two-seater tandem bicycle. The sighted guide shall sit in the front seat to peddle and steer the bicycle. Tandem bicycles will not be allowed except for those persons who are legally blind or have such visual impairment that they are unable to safely ride a one-person bicycle.

4. All bicycles must meet the following design requirements:

a) The saddle support shall be horizontal and be positioned above the bottom bracket (cranks). The length of the saddle shall be between 24 cm and 27.5 cm maximum.

b) The peak of the saddle shall be a minimum of 5 cm to the rear of a vertical plane passing through the bottom bracket spindle. In no circumstances shall the peak of the saddle extend in front of the vertical line passing through the bottom bracket.

c) The distance between the lower bracket (crank axle) and the ground shall be between 24 cm minimum and 30 cm maximum.

d. A vertical line touching the front most point of the saddle may be no more than 5 centimeters in front of and no more than 15 centimeters behind a vertical line passing through the center of the chain wheel axle. The cyclist must not have the capability of adjusting the saddle beyond these limits during competition.

e) The cranks shall not be located in front of the front wheel axle or the steering mechanism.

f) Rider's position on the bike shall not allow the rider to lay on their back or chest/abdomen.

g) There shall be no protective shield, fairing, or other device on any part of the bicycle, which has the effect of reducing air resistance except that spoke covers may be used.

III. Watercraft Rules

1. The boat number provided in the registration packet must be affixed to the left front of the boat prior to being placed on the beach to ensure the boat is placed in the proper place on the beach and for accurate timing.

2. Paddles must be stored in the boat and not kept in possession of the paddler while on the bridge/transition area.

3. Boat flotation: The type of buoyancy shall be at the discretion of the competitor but must be adequate to float the boat horizontally when it is filled with water. Air bags may be used.

4. Any competitor, when operating a boat, shall wear a U. S. Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (P.F.D.). Failure to comply with this requirement is grounds for disqualification.

5. Canoe paddles: Any number of single-bladed paddles of any material and size or shape may be in the canoe. A competitor may use only one paddle at a time in canoes. Double-bladed paddles are not permitted. In the event a paddle is broken, a competitor may finish with another paddle.

6. Skegs or rudders are not allowed on canoes nor kayaks in the Touring/Slalom division.

7. Watercraft must be stored in the appropriate and designated place at the watercraft launching area, or the team or ironperson will be disqualified.

8. The paddler (bow paddler only in the Tandem Kayak and Tandem Recreational Canoe divisions must cross the finish line on foot and present the official wristband to the official helper. Numbered sticks will be used to compile results from finish times and sequential position. Please cooperate to make this system work efficiently. Competitors without an official wristband will be disqualified.

9. All paddlers must wear shoes.

IV. Watercraft Division Definitions

Teams or Ironpersons using boats not meeting the specifications for their divisions will not qualify for awards. However, they will be eligible for free breakfasts if they better the mark set by Eppie's Great Team.

1. Inflatable Division: A craft composed of one or more chambers inflated with air. Rowing frames are allowed. Oars, canoe or kayak paddles are allowed. Maximum oar length shall be seven feet.

2. Tandem Recreational Canoe Division: A two-person canoe with minimum width of the boat at the four inch water line being at least 16% of the length (16% x length). Length will be measured at the longest point of the boat excluding the deck plate without regard to water line. Width will be measured within one foot fore or aft of the centerpoint of the canoe. The point of maximum width must be an integral and permanent part of the hull and cannot be acheived by adding blocks or any material such as foam or wood. The boat must weigh at least 6 pounds plus 3 pounds for each foot of length. Each of the two paddlers may use one single-bladed canoe paddle.

3. Solo Canoe Division: A one-person canoe with maximum length of 18 feet, 6 inches; and minimum width at the four inch water line being at least 14 3/8% of the length (14 3/8 % x length) measured within one foot fore or aft of the centerpoint of the canoe. The paddler shall use one single-bladed canoe paddle.

4. Touring/Slalom Division: Maximum length shall be 4.2 meters (13'-10").

5. In the following Divisions: Corporate, Coed, Open, Family, Women's, Men 40+, Women 40+, Women 50+, Men 50+, Men 60+, Fire and Police, Adaptive, Junior, Tandem Kayak, and all Ironperson divisions, competitors may use any paddle-powered kayak or canoe having sufficient flotation to float in horizontal position when filled with water. There is no minimum width or maximum length requirement. Oars, oarlocks and outriggers are not allowed. Examples of eligible boats are flatwater(sprint) canoes and kayaks, surfskis, ocean kayaks, marathon canoes and proboats, downriver kayaks, slalom kayaks, touring kayaks, sit-on-top kayaks and inflatables. Only one paddler is allowed, except tandem kayak which allows two paddlers.

6. Sit-On-Top Kayak Division: The eligible craft are the Grabenauer Marine Royak, the Ocean Kayak Cabo, the Ocean Kayak Scupper, the Ocean Kayak Scrambler, the Ocean Kayak Frenzy, the Ocean Kayak Malibu Two, the Ocean Kayak Yahou, the Hydra Adventurer, the Aquaterra Kahuna, the Aquaterra Prism, the Aquaterra Swing, the Aquaterra Torrent, the Aquaterra Synchro, the Dagger Pegasus, Dagger Grand Caymen, the Dagger Pegasus, the Dagger Frolic, the Dagger Tiki, the Necky Spike, the Necky Dolphin, Wilderness Systems Freedom, Wilderness Systems Riot, Wilderness Systems The Ride, Wilderness Systems Tarpon, Wilderness Systems Twocan, Cobra Explorer, Islander Squirt, the Ocean Kayak Drifter, and the Ocean Kayak Caper. Only one paddler is allowed. Other sit-on-tops may be added to this list in future years.

IV. Other Division Definitions

1. Adaptive Division: a) At least one (1) competitor on an Adaptive Division team shall be a person with a disability (e.g. physical, visual, or developmental). b) Guides will be allowed, if desired, on the running portion of the race, c) Legally blind runners are required to have guides. On the bicycle portion of the race, legally blind competitors must comply with Rule 19 above, and its Note. d) The watercraft launch area for the Adaptive Division shall be on the south bank of the river downstream of the Lower Sunrise Pedestrian Bridge. e) Start Time: All Adaptive Division runners and guides shall start two minutes before Team and Ironperson Divisions, at 7:58 a.m. f) Paddling Portion: The legally blind paddler and the sighted guide (paddler) shall participate in a two-person watercraft with the sighted guide steering. g) push rim and hand crank wheelchairs are eligible.

2. Corporate Division: To participate in the Corporate Division, a team must be sponsored by a business paying a Corporate Division entry fee. All of the team members must be employees of the same company. An employee of a corporation shall not be employed by a subcontractor of the corporation or a material vendor of the corporation. An employee shall either be a bona fide full-time employee of the company or a bona fide part-time employee who has worked at least 20 hours per week for at least the last three months preceding the race date.

3. Police and Fire: Each member of the team must be employed by a police or fire agency. An employee shall be either a bona fide full-time employee of the agency or a bona fide part-time employee who has worked at least 20 hours per week for at least three months preceding the race date.

V. Grounds for Disqualification Teams or ironpersons can be disqualified for any of the following reasons:

1. The use of a watercraft which does not meet the requirements for the division in which the participant is entered.

2. Intentionally leaving the course to obtain a shorter distance advantage.

3. Intentionally interfering with another racer to obtain or confer an advantage.

4. Competing without a helmet on the bicycle or river portion of the course.

5. Cyclists riding on the course to return from the bike dismount area toward Goethe Park or taking bicycle across the Lower Sunrise Pedestrian Bridge prior to course official's signal that the course is open.

6. Competing without an approved P.F.D. (personal floatation device) during the watercraft portion of the race.

7. Drafting off non-competitors during the race.

8. Cyclists leaving the designated area for their divisions at the Run-Bike transition area prior to receiving the official wristband from their runners. Runners entering the Run-Bike transition area from the bicycle trail side of the transition area rather than designated dirt path on the levee side of bicycle staging area.

9. Competitors entering more than one team or ironperson. (All teams and ironpersons involved will be disqualified from awards but will still be eligible for free breakfast.)

10. Any other failure to obey the course officials and/or Competition Rules.

11. Disorderly conduct.

VI. Rules for Blind Participants and Their Guides This category applies to those persons who have visual acuity as defined in the California Vehicle Code 21965, which states: "blind," "totally blind," and "partially blind" mean having central visual acuity not to exceed 20/200 in the better eye, with corrected lenses, as measured by the Snellen test, or visual acuity greater than 20/200, but with a limitation in the field of vision such that the widest diameter ofthe visual field subtends an angle not greater than 20 degrees.

1. RUNNING - A blind, totally blind or partially blind runner shall be accompanied and guided by a sighted runner.

2. CYCLING - A blind, totally blind or partially blind cyclist and a sighted cyclist guide shall ride a two-seater tandem bicycle. The sighted guide shall sit in the front seat to peddle and steer the bicycle.

3. PADDLING -a) The blind, totally blind or partially blind paddler and sighted guide (paddler) shall participate in a two-person authorized watercraft (kayak, canoe or raft) with the sighted paddler being in the position to maneuver. b) The watercraft launch area for the blind, totally blind or partially blind participant and his or her guide shall be on the south bank of the river at a designated location downstream of the Lower Sunrise Pedestrian Bridge.

4. The blind, totally blind or partially blind participant and sighted guide for the cycling and paddling portion shall all provide and complete the entry forms required for The Great Race^®. Also the blind, totally blind or partially blind participant and guide shall sign the same waiver and release form which is on the reverse side of the entry form. No charge will be made to the guide for the blind, totally blind or partially blind participant.

5. No tandem bicycle will be allowed for any participant unless blind, totally blind or partially blind.

6. A blind, totally blind or partially blind participant has the option of wearing identifying emblems such as a bib or vest to indicate they have a vision impairment. This is optional for the blind, totally blind or partially blind participant and guide and can be done in any manner the participant and guide choose, including the coloring and wording on the type of identification they choose. Should the participant choose to wear an identifying emblem, he or she shall provide same.

7. The determination of whether a race applicant is blind, totally blind or partially blind is to be made by that applicant.

8. The same person shall serve as the guide in all three portions of the race.

Requests for Special Accommodation: Any participant who desires an exception from the Competition Rules must may email their request to The Great Race^® committee: TRS@SacCounty.net. The request must set forth in detail the exception requested and all facts which support the request. Request must be received no later than July 1st of the race year and must include the requester's name, email, address and day and evening telephone numbers. All requests will be promptly considered.