Just like any other racing event, Moncton’s Race for Cache has it’s own set of rules and requirements as well. The rules are pretty much the same as we have always had with a few minor changes here and there.
Team Requirements
- All teams must consist of two more people, one of whom has a registered username on www.geocaching.com
- No teams of one are permitted since it is illegal to operate a handheld GPS device while driving, and it is much safer to have at least two people racing together in case something happens
- Individuals who do not have a team are welcome to register anyway and they will be added to a team at the starting line.
- All members of a team must use the same vehicle to travel during the race
- You cannot do this race on foot
- Teams cannot be split between multiple vehicles so if you want a lot of people on your team, get a good sized van
- Children are more than welcome, and encouraged to participate in the race. This is a family friendly event
- $20 in cash/credit available for task related expenses (per team, not per person)
- The $20 required does NOT include your team’s registration fee
- The $20 will be used to pay for various items required at some of your tasks
- Previous costs have included paying for a small meal, a drink, Crystal Palace tickets, etc
- The $20 also does not include any costs associated with going for the Print bonus (see scoring for details)
- A general knowledge of the city of Moncton is advantageous but not a requirement. Racers will be required to travel to all three of the major communities within Greater Moncton.
- Unless otherwise indicated, you will NOT be traveling outside the city limits so if you think a clue is leading you somewhere outside of Greater Moncton, then you need to re-read the clue.
- All teams should be at the starting line no later than 12:45
Equipment Requirements
- All teams must have a GPS receiver unit that is capable of navigating to a set of GPS coordinates
- No addresses are given on any clues so you need to know how to enter coordinates into your GPS
- It is advisable that a team member who is not driving be designated as the “navigator” and do all of the GPS navigation for your team
- All teams must have at least one cellular phone
- It is preferred for your cell phone to have text messaging capability but it is not a requirement to run the race.
- If you do not have text messaging for your phone, please be sure to inform the person at the registration desk.
- It is preferred for your cell phone to have text messaging capability but it is not a requirement to run the race.
- All teams must have a digital camera that uses an SD card to store the photos used for specific race tasks
- The use of an SD card is mandatory. If you do not have a camera that uses an SD card, you will need to have your photos printed to submit them. Photos will be submitted to the race officials for scoring by providing the data card (or ptinted photos) in your score packet.
- The score packet will be an envelope that you will submit when you cross the finish line and will be used to determine your final score in the race.
- The use of an SD card is mandatory. If you do not have a camera that uses an SD card, you will need to have your photos printed to submit them. Photos will be submitted to the race officials for scoring by providing the data card (or ptinted photos) in your score packet.
- All teams should bring chairs for each of their team members for the BBQ at the finish line
Differences From Previous Years
Each year this event has grown and thusly the rules and requirements have had to grow as well. As a result of this, there are several key changes in the way the race is being played this year that previous racers should be made aware of:
- Teams will no longer need to wait at the finish line to be scored
- Each team will be provided a “score pack” when they register their team at the starting line. This score pack will be used to “submit” your score to the race organizers when you cross the finish line
- The score pack will contain specific instructions on how you will score yourself. You will need to fill out your “score card” and include it, along with any scoring items, in your score pack.
- Things such as business cards, tickets, coins, and any other items you are requested to pick up along the race MUST be included in the score pack or you will not receive points for them
- All photos used for race purposes must be saved to an SD data card, and included in the score pack
- When a team has completed the race and are preparing their score pack, they must include the SD data card for their digital camera in the score pack. You will have the SD data card returned to you after your score has been calculated.
- Should you opt for the “print” bonus, your data card can be substituted for the actual printed photos
- A four hour time limit has now been imposed on the race
- If racers do not cross the finish line by 5pm, they begin to incur a 625 point penalty for every 15 minutes they go over the time limit
- The deduction of points from a team’s original 10,000 points has now been changed drastically to help inspire racers to cross the finish line earlier
- In previous races, teams always started with 10,000 points and would never lose more than 2,000 points based on when they cross the finish line
- Teams now lose 625 points for every 15 minutes they are on the race course. After 5:00pm, their initial 10,000 points would now be gone, but the 625 point deduction does not stop until they have crossed the finish line.