Coast to Coast Challenge

2010 CtoC Race Info

The 10th Edition of the CtoC Race will start on one of the Coasts at 9am on November 28th 2010. Teams will bike, hike, climb and paddle across Costa Rica through tropical rain and cloud forest, up and over the continental divide and along country roads passing through typical Costa Rican villages. Teams will have 143 hours (almost 6 days) to complete the 500+ km route across Costa Rica.

RACE FORMAT / STYLE
The 2010 Coast to Coast Challenge is a 5+ day unsupported expedition style race. The race organization will transport team equipment (3 cases + 1 duffle + 4 bikes) from San Jose to the start, back to San Jose from the finish and to all transition areas in between. All race instructions and maps for the race will be given to teams 2 hours before the start. Stages will vary in length and duration but for the most part they will be long. Teams can expect to be in remote areas of the country for long periods of time.

RACE ORGANIZATION
The CtoC race is similar to most expedition style races but does have some unique components – this information is designed to give you a better idea of what to expect. The official race information package will be sent to registered teams 1 month prior to the race.

Race Committee: The group of people who will control and judge the race. They will be introduced at the official race briefing on Saturday November 27th.
Race Staff: CtoC staff and volunteers who will assist in the operation of the race.
Medical Staff: Race Doctor, Course Paramedics & Wilderness First Aid Responders
(TA--) Transition Area: This is an area where teams will have access to their cases and bikes. At all transition areas we will have Race Committee members and Medical Staff available. Some TAs will have an assigned area for camping.
(PC--) Check Points: The Puestos de Control are points along the route where teams must sign in and get their passport stamped.
(WPB --) Way Point Box: These are unmanned PC’s that teams are required to find and perform 2 tasks – 1. Insert the appropriate WPB card. 2. Take a photograph of 3 team members beside the box.

MEANS OF TRANSPORT

TREKKING
The trekking sections have always been a highlight of the race – this year will be no different. If you have never trekked through the tropical rainforest or cloud forest this is your opportunity.

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 these sections of the race. However, the climbing personnel are only there to offer assistance in case of emergency.
PADDLING
The paddling portion of the race will take you through some of Costa Rica’s diverse waterways. Coast to Coast Adventures will provide competitors with all the watercraft required for these sections of the race (except for your PFD). The kayaks used during the race are sit on top kayaks and you may bring your own paddles (ours are heavy) and back rests.

NAVIGATION
Proficiency in navigation will be required throughout the race. Navigation will be through remote areas, so the ability to read a compass, follow a bearing, triangulate your position, read and follow old topographical maps, and follow the terrain is critical. Teams may only use a compass, protractor, and altimeter for navigation. GPS units are NOT permitted.

EQUIPMENT
The following list of equipment is the minimum requirement for the CtoC Race. This equipment will be checked on November 28th between 3-6 pm at your hotel on the coast. Each team must store all their equipment in a maximum of 3 lockable plastic cases that do not exceed 35 gallons in size.

Personal Gear	Team Gear
Required (Entire Race): 1. Headlamp 2. Extra Batteries 3. Knife (fixed or locking blade) 4. Whistle 5. Rope/Webbing (4m x 6mm) 6. Glow stick (x2) 7. Space Blanket 8. Passport or ID (Copy) Required for MTB stages: 1. Mountain Bike 2. Certified Helmet 3. Red Taillight (strobe) Required for Sea Kayaking: PFD Type III (per racer)	Required (Entire Race): 1. Race Passport 2. Race Maps 3. Race Instructions 4. Extra Light source 5. Water filtration/purification capability 6. Compass (2 per team) 7. Duct tape (1 meter minimum) 8. Digital camera with flash 9. Cell phone (that works in CR) Required for Trekking sections: 1. 4 X 5 Meters of shelter material – can be divided into 2 2. Throw Bag – at least 50 ft and 6mm in diameter Note: During the sea kayaking sections kayaks and paddles will be supplied by CtoC (you may use your own paddles). During whitewater sections PFDs, Rafts, helmets and paddles will be supplied by CtoC. During Ropes sections helmets and any other necessary equipment will be supplied by CtoC.

Required First Aid (per / team):

¾" X 4' medical tape
Alcohol Swab (4)
4" x 4" wound pads (4)
¾" Adhesive Bandages (4)
Antibiotic Ointment
Oral Pain Reliever (4 adult doses)
Electrolyte Replacement Tablets or powder
2 pair of medical gloves
2 trauma bandages
1 Ace bandage

Note: This list is the minimum required items that we will check – we strongly advise, depending on the stage, taking a more extensive first aid kit.

BASIC RULES AND REGULATIONS:
1. All disputes, 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 Coast to Coast Challenge 2010 face disqualification.
2. There is one official time clock. The clock starts when teams start at 9am on the 28th of November and stops when the last team crosses the finish line or at 8am on the 24th - 143 hours later.
3. Remember that environmental and ecological preservation will be STRICTLY ENFORCED
4. All persons participating in the Coast to Coast Challenge 2010 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 prior to being allowed to compete.
7. Teams must be composed of 4 members with at least 1 member of the opposite sex
TEAM RULES
1. A team must complete the event as a team of four to be ranked. If one team member withdraws at any time during the event, the remaining three team members may continue unranked. If more than one team member withdraws, the entire team must leave the racecourse. The remaining members of the team will not be allowed to continue.
2. When on the racecourse, teams must remain in view of each other at all times. There will be a distance limitation of 25 meter maximum, between team members. Teams who enter a checkpoint or transition area separated more than 100 meters will be disqualified. 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 accessed.
3. The Coast to Coast Challenge 2010 race jerseys must be worn at all times during the event. Failure to comply will result in a penalty ranging from ½ an 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 an hour to disqualification which will be served 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 at each PC and that they have signed the PC control sheet.
CUT OFF TIMES
We have designed the route with the goal that all teams will have sufficient time to complete the entire route in the 143 hours of racing. However 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.