Rules
The Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, 2001

RACE FORMAT

1. The Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, 2001, will officially start at 6:00 AM (CDT) on May 5th, 2001. The starting point is located in Lake Itasca State Park, Minnesota. Specifically, the race will begin near the Douglas Lodge in Lake Itasca's East Arm, approximately 3 miles from the Mississippi River Headwaters. All boats will start together.

2. The Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, 2001, will officially end at exactly midnight of May 31st, 2001, or when the last boat has reached the Mile 0 marker 2,348 miles downstream, whichever comes earlier.

A team's participation in this event ends when they have reached the Mile 0 marker before midnight of May 31st 2001, OR when they notify race headquarters that they have withdrawn. Teams still on the Mississippi River after midnight of May 31st, 2001 are on their own.

3. The time at which each race craft passes the Mississippi River Headwaters will be noted as the starting time for that craft's attempt to establish a new Guiness World Record time for descending the Mississippi River.

4. This is strictly a tandem (2 person) racing event. Each race craft must be propelled exclusively by paddle power (double or single blade) while on the water. No rowing configuration is permitted. No sail or kite is permitted.

5. Both racers of the team must complete the entire course together to be eligible for prizes associated with competing for a new Guinness World Record time. If one or both racing paddlers drops out, the team may finish unofficially with alternates. Alternates must also have a medical statement of physical fitness on file with the race organizers and must be registered as alternates for the team. The team captain (or co-captain) must notify race headquarters as soon as possible if the one or both racing paddlers drop out.

6. Racing Teams competing for a new Guiness World Record time must follow the documentation/verification procedures established for this charity Event. Documentation procedures are being drafted by Jim Mack of the USCATM.

7. A relay team comprised of replacement paddlers may compete in this charity Event and raise research money and awareness for Rett syndrome. However, such a team will be ineligible for prizes (if any) associated with competing for a new Guinness Word Record and any awards (if any) designated to teams with the top race times.

8. All participants agree to appear in this charity Event related media coverage free of charge.

9. For any "shortcut" to be legal, it must have a flow of river water through it. Overland portages are not allowed except where necessary to avoid log jams, dams, or low bridges. Teams are required to exit the river immediately above each obstacle and return to the water immediately after clearing the obstacle. Portages over exposed "wing dams" for convenience are not permitted. Outside assistance is not permitted.

10. Outside assistance that provides intentional aid in the forward progress of a canoe/kayak is not allowed. This includes towing, wake riding, deflection of wind and "rafting up". However, limited interaction between the charity Event's race craft, as is the case in most canoe and kayak marathon races, is acceptable. This will be restricted to only wake riding and wind deflection. No towing or "rafting up" between race craft is permitted.

11. All teams must have a motorized support boat available at all time. This support boat may be used for emergencies and for the transfer of supplies. The support boat must not be under power during supply transfer. Transfer of supplies must be made quickly, with only handholds used for keeping the craft together. If emergency aid is necessary and a race team is assisted by a support boat, the race team must return to the original point of assistance once conditions allow.

12. A motorized support boat may be used at any time, but is absolutely required at the following designations: Lake Bemidji, Cass Lake, Lake Winnibigoshish, Lake Pepin (Mile 785 to Mile 763), and the last 10 miles of the Mississippi River between Venice, Louisiana and the mile 0 marker. Support boats may not be shared between teams.

13. Motorized support boats may be used to provide additional lighting for teams electing to travel at night.

14. Infractions of any rule during the charity Event will be grounds for time penalties or disqualification to be reasonably and fairly determined by the Judges Committee. This committee will be composed of three members selected by the Planning Committee. The Judges Committee decisions are final.

15. Deliberate littering of the river is illegal. Teams must keep their trash in their canoes/kayaks and either transfer it to their support teams or go ashore themselves to properly dispose waste.

TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES

16. All team members should understand there are serious risks involved in this endeavor. The water temperature during the first third of the race will make survival unlikely if a team can not recover quickly from a capsize. The hydraulics associated with many of the dams along the upper river and the wing dams along the lower river are inherently dangerous. The greatest risk, however, is from the numerous large and small power craft that ply the great river. Constant vigilance, clear thinking, and quick reaction will be essential at all times. Good judgment must dictate when it is time to rest. All team members (racers and support personnel) will enter this race at their own risk and will not hold this charity Event's organizers, judges, officials, and sponsors liable for accidents to personnel or damage to any property.

17. Anyone assisting a team during this charity event is considered a "Team Member" and must be at least 18 years of age by May 5th, 2001, or at least 16 years of age by May 5th, 2001 if accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Proof of age (a photocopy of a valid driver's license or passport) must accompany the team member's application. (Note that the parent or legal guardian must sign the libality waiver for the 16 or 17 year old.)

18. All paddlers must provide a recent (within one year of this charity Event) statement of physical fitness from a licensed medical doctor for their ability to participate in this strenuous charity Event. All documents are required by April 1st, 2001, one month prior to the start of the race.

19. All participants in this charity Event, including paddlers and other team members must sign the "Amateur Athletic Waiver and Release of Liability". This waiver must be received by April 1st, 2001 along with a check for $US15.00 per Team Member. Any amount collected in excess of $US1,500 for liability insurance for this charity Event will be donated for Rett syndrome research. This waiver is available online through our Registration page or you can contact us if you would like this mailed to you. This waiver is required by the United States Canoe Association for participation in this event.

20. The Rett Syndrome Research Foundation (RSRF) must receive a minimum of $US2,500 for research that is associated with your team by April 1st, 2001, one month prior to the start of the race. This donation need only be associated with the team and not necessarily from the team itself. Local businesses and companies that you affiliate with often have funds available for charitable giving. Additional donations by teams for research are welcomed and encouraged. All donations to Rett syndrome research via the Rett Syndrome Research Foundation are tax deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law.

21. Each team that enters the Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, 2001, must designate at least one team captain (or co-captains) who IS listed as a support crew member and IS NOT a paddler. The team captain (or co-captain) must be available for contact by race headquarters at all times during this charity Event.

22. Teams may not share team members.

23. The team captain (or co-captains) must verify contact with their racing team and at least once every 12 hours. Team captains (or co-captains) must communicate this information to the race officials between 5 and 7 AM and between 5 and 7 PM every day. Failure to verify a racing team's status within 14 hours will result in either time penalites or disqualification.

24. Each racer and bank support member must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life preserver at all times while on the water. A "pea-less" whistle and an emergency chemical night light must also be attached to each life preserver at all times.

25. All teams must follow this charity Event's Sponsorship program. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.

26. All teams must follow this charity Event's Safety program. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.

27. Registration forms must be received prior to April 1, 2001. Each team's application to participate will be reviewed by members of the Planning Committee. Acceptance is not automatic. Additional information about the team's capability may be requested before being allowed to compete.

28. Boating at night is dangerous and the organizers of this charity Event do not require teams to do this. The decision to paddle at night is a made solely by each team. The following guidelines are provided to minimize the risk of serious injury. A white light should be used from the craft between dusk and dawn. This may be affixed to the craft or the paddler. In addition, activated chemical lights should be attached to the stern of the craft and each paddler's PFD such that they are clearly visible from 200 feet. Three U.S. Coast Guard flares should be attached to the race craft and easily accessible. A motorized support boat to provide additional lighting is recommended.

Craft Requirements

29. There are no restrictions on the design of the tandem canoe/kayak.

30. The original craft must be paddled from start to finish. Repairs may be made to the craft during the race, but other alterations are not permitted.

31. Any part of the craft (rudders, outriggers, etc.) which will be below the water line during any portion of the race must be "on board" from start to finish. A space must be available on the each side of the canoe/kayak close to the bow on which to affix the official race number. Each team may choose their own two digit number upon entry on a first come, first served basis.

32. Any portaging aides (such as wheels) must be carried from the start. Once the team relinquishes the portage aide it can not be used again.

33. Each racing boat will carry on board a cell phone, marine VHF 2-way radio, a Global Positioning Device, an air horn, signal flares, chemical lights, electric lights, a listing of emergency numbers, river charts for the section being traveled, a first aid kit, a length of rope suitable for towing, a change of clothing in a waterproof container, and a rope "Throw Bag". Additional items on this list will be communicated to the teams if deemed necessary. The possession of these items will be confirmed at the beginning of the race. The teams shore support members must also carry a cell phone and a list of emergency numbers.

34. Each craft must have adequate flotation to float a 25 pound steel weight when submerged. All boats will be tested the evening prior to the start of the race.

35. In formulating the rules that govern this charity Event, every effort has been made to foresee all situations and problems that may rise, however, officials of the Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, 2001, retain the right to change or amend these rules at any time without liability or recourse from any party regardless of the circumstances. Should such changes or amendments be made, every effort will be made to notify all entrants.