The first two days of the main messenger race will be timed.  We will be using the ChampionChip timing system, similar to the system used in Zurich.  The chip will be on a velcro band that must be secured around your ankle.  You must ensure that the chip remains secured to your ankle throughout the race.  (Timing will be impossible without it.)  You must return the chip to the finish-line officials immediately after finishing along with your manifest. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.  Any racer who loses the Chip while racing will receive no time that day.

Qualifying heats for the main race will take place on Saturday, September 2nd and Sunday September 3rd.  You will have 2 opportunities to post qualifying times for the finals.  The fastest of these two times will be used for qualifying purposes.  For example, if Racer X posts a 36 minute time on Saturday and a 33 minute time on Sunday, the 33 minute time will be the result considered for entry into the finals. It is advantageous to race both days in order to post the best time possible, but you are not required to do so.

You will receive a manifest at the start of the main race that will list a series of pickups and deliveries.   Put  your name and racer number on your manifest.  The pickups must be made in the order specified on the manifest, but deliveries may be made in any order you see fit.  You may pick up and deliver packages at the same checkpoint during a single visit. 

You may only return to the finish line when you have completed your entire manifest. Racers who return to the finish line without having completed their entire manifest will receive no time for the day.

For scheduling purposes racers will start in heats consisting of 50 racers. These heats are determined by the first digit of your race number.  For example, 1-50 will be in the first heat, 51-100 will be in the second heat, 101-150 will be in the third heat and so on.  Racers will go off every 15 seconds.  There will be a 15 minute window for each heat. If you miss your heat we will try to squeeze you in at the end, but we are not making any promises that we will be able to do so.  The 15 minute window is a estimate only and could be longer or shorter depending on conditions.  These heats are for scheduling purposes only and have no bearing on results. 

The course is made up of one and two way streets, as indicated on your course map. Racers must only travel in the direction indicated on the map. The single exception is when a package is dropped by the racer.  In this case the racer must put their bike to the side of the road and return on foot to the package, exercising caution while doing so. Riding the wrong way on the course will result in immediate disqualification.  If you are not racing you must stay off the race course.

Bicycles may not be ridden or taken up to the checkpoints.  You must approach checkpoints on foot.  There will be barricades provided for you to place their bikes on a few yards from each checkpoint. 

At some checkpoints, racers will be required to lock their bikes to these barricades.  You must lock your bike to the barricade-- free locked or unlocked bikes will be stolen by our bike thieves.  If you are stupid enough to have your bike stolen, it will be waiting for you at the information booth by Memorial Hall-- along with a generous helping of abuse and teasing.  You will not be permitted to leave locks behind at these checkpoints for later use. 

Checkpoints that require you to lock your bike will be indicated as such on the racer map.  Remember, not all checkpoints require you to lock your bike.

Men and women will race at the same time, but will be ranked separately.  800 racers maximum

The Finals
The final day of racing will take place on Monday September 4th. The final race will be 4 hours long and use a point system.

80 men and 20 women will race for 4 hours to compete for the coveted title of World's Fastest Messenger.  The race will start "le mans" style with the fastest qualifiers in the front.  All bikes must be free locked at the start of the final race.

At the start of the race the gun will sound, you will run to your bike and ride to checkpoint 8 where you will be given your first manifest. 

After receiving your manifest you'll start with a pick-up.  As in the main race, all pickups must be made in the order specified.  You will have 2 options for each delivery-- a short delivery that is worth $2 or a longer delivery that is worth $4.  (You won't actually be getting any of this money.)  You may only pick up one package at each checkpoint-- either the short or long option but not both. 

When you have completed your manifest you must return to the start finish line to obtain a new one then start the process over again.  At 3 hours and 55 minutes we will sound a horn indicating 5 minutes left.  All racers should stop making pickups and deliveries and return immediately to the finish line. 

 You must be across the finish line no later than 4 hours after the start.  If you cross the finish line at 4 hours and 1 second you will be disqualified.  There will be no discussion.  Begging and pleading won't change our minds.

We will have clocks placed around the course counting down from 4 hours.  All checkpoint workers will know exactly how much time is left as will course marshals.  Please feel free to ask, nicely, how much time is left.

You will receive credit for partially completed manifests, but not for undelivered packages.  You may choose to abandon the final at any time and will receive credit for a partial manifest, provided you return to the finish line and turn it in. 

As in life, the winner is the messenger who has made the most "money."  In case of a tie, the messenger that crossed the finish line first will be crowned Champion.

Please feel free to ask a race official questions if you do not understand these rules. Good Luck!

Team Competition
Team Rules
Teams may have up to five members.  There are three types of teams-- male, female and co-ed.  You may be a member of only one team.  We will only take the best four scores for ranking purposes.  The scores will be determined by your placing in the main race only.  The winner of the finals will receive 200 points, the second finisher will receive 198 and so on.  These points will be added to the points racers received in the main race.  The top qualifier in the first two days of racing will receive an amount of points equal to the amount of racers.  For example, if there are 600 racers they top finisher will receive 600 points, second place will receive 599 and so on.

Women-- There will be 20 heats for the female competitors in the first round.  There will be 6 female racers in the opening round, 1st and 2nd place advancing to the quarter finals.  In the quarter finals there will be 8 heats with 5 racers in a heat, and the 1st and 2nd place finisher of each heat will advance to the semi-finals.  In the semi-finals there will be 4 racers in each heat, and the winner will advance to the finals.  The final heat will match up the winners of the semi-finals, thus producing a world champion.
120 female racers maximum

RULES FOR SPRINT
Men and women race separately.  Racers may start in a track stand, holding the barricade, or in any manner they see fit.  Holders are not permitted. Racers must go to the line as instructed by race officials.  Failure to do so will result in disqualification from the sprints.  Racers must start in their lane, but are not required to maintain their lane once the sprint has started. Drafting is permitted, however racers who leave their lane must not put others at risk by doing so.  Reckless riding will result in disqualification. Sprinters who have been obstructed through no fault of their own may start again at the discretion of race officials.

Track Skid
Competitors will speed up to a specified mark on the ground, at which point they will try to cover the longest distance with the rear wheel completely locked up.  The rear wheel stay completely locked until the competitor crosses the start line. Each competitor will be given three attempts.
100 competitors maximum. 

Track Stand
This event will be limited to riders on fixed gear bicycles.  Competitors will disperse within a specified area, and will be judged on how long they will be able to maintain their balance.  Competitors will start with both hand on their handlebars.  At the 3 minute mark, competitors will be required to remove 1 hand from the handlebars.  At the 5 minute mark, both hands must be removed from the handlebars.  At the 7 minute mark, one foot must be removed from the pedals.  At the 9 minute mark, both feet must be removed from the pedals.  The last remaining competitor wins the title of track stand world champion.