COURSE OVERVIEW: 

 

This 6-hour Buff Betty will be designed as a beginner-friendly race that will also challenge those veteran Buff Betty’s who perhaps do not have the time, skill set, or desire to do any race that requires a headlamp and being out in the woods all day long. It is also the perfect race to introduce your daughters or nieces to, or a friend who is curious and interested in the sport. This particular course will take into consideration the elevation gain and loss in the park and will be designed so that you have fun, with a little bit of challenge thrown in. There is a good chance you will be making your way up to Molly’s Knob for that amazing view. We guarantee it will be worth the effort! 

 

The team that acquires the most points in the least amount of time wins. All checkpoints will be optional with all TA’s mandatory. Teams will be able to do as much of or as little of the course as they feel comfortable doing. The course is a secret until race morning when you get your map and rules of travel instructions. 

 

DISCIPLINES: 

 

Navigation: Simple, straight forward navigation with map and compass. Most checkpoints will be on easily identifiable features such as trail intersections, bridges, creeks, etc. However as usual, there will be a handful of harder checkpoints off trail on foot to challenge racers who have done some racing and have some navigation experience. Do you know what a spur is? 

 

Paddling: 2-3 miles on a beautiful mountain lake. Soloists will paddle kayaks and teams will paddle canoes. Racers will be allowed to bring their own paddle gear, NOT BOATS, and all paddling gear will be provided. 

 

Biking: 10-12 miles. A combination of paved park roads, trails and gravel. 

A note on the biking: We know that MTB is often a barrier to entry for racers and the biggest concern for many. We can tell you that the trails in the park are amazing! They are purpose built for riding and overall not technical at all. Many of them are fun and flowyy and well groomed. With that said the hardest part of riding in the park will be the elevation gain and loss on some of the trails. Much of your ability to ride some of the trails will come down to your fitness level and not your technical riding skills. 

 

Trekking/hiking: 5-7 miles 

A combination of trails, pavement, and woods. Overall most of the trekking will take place on trails, but there will be some off trail travel if you are adventurous and don’t mind getting lost. But don’t worry you won’t get lost! 

 

SCHEDULE:

(Note a 11am or 12 NOON start so we can have both races finish at the same time for one big finish line party.  Drive down race morning, or sleep in!) 

 

Live pre-race brief on Facebook the week of the race, TBA. 

 

Saturday, September 24

 

The official timing for the race will be communicated to all teams before race day. The race will not be shorter than 6 hours and teams may have 7 hours to get to the finish line. This will be determined once the final course is done and pre-run. 

 

8:30am to 111am: Check-in

10am or 11am: Mandatory Race Brief 

11am or 12:00pm: Race Start

6:00pm: Race Finish/All Teams Off Course

6:15pm: Post-race dinner, awards and fun combined with the 12 hour race 

 

COST:

 

$85 per person

(Early registration through Sunday July 17th)

 

$115 per person

(Regular registration July 18th thru Sunday September 4)

 

$145 per person

(Late registration September 5 thru Sunday September 18)

 

Due to race day logistics, there is no race day registration.

 

Note: A small registration fee is added by the registration company onto the race cost.

 

This event is a USARA-sanctioned race, and each participant must be a USARA member or hold a one-day USARA license. USARA offers one-day memberships for $8 or annual memberships for $35. Membership includes high-quality medical insurance at USARA events; discounts with USARA-affiliated AR coaches; discounts from more than 200 top outdoor brands; and the knowledge that you're a part of USARA's efforts to support racers and racer directors as we work together to build and improve the sport of adventure racing. All fees go directly toward the operational costs of USARA, ensuring that the organization can best serve the AR community.

 

For racers who have an annual USARA membership, be sure to enter your name and email address as it is on file with USARA so that you will not be charged for a single-day license.

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**Please note that RunSignUp sometimes generates an error message when multiple teammates try to purchase a USARA membership in the same transaction. If you run into this, please complete your registration in separate transactions for each racer. Separate transactions do not incur additional fees and racers can still choose to sign up on the same team by selecting the team name during the registration process.

 

What You’ll Get:

• A fun, safe, challenging and creative race course design 

•  All insurance, permits and safety staff 

• Beautiful custom made map(s), from our friends at TanZ Navigation 

• Sweet schwag and our signature finisher prize 

• Cool prizes on the podium for the top 3 teams in each division 

• Fabulous Post-Race Food

• All Boats and Paddling Gear provided

•             Free camping in the state park 

•     •    A great day outside with old and new friends

 

 

MANDATORY GEAR:

Most of this mandatory gear is for your safety. 

 

Mandatory Gear for Each Racer

Backpack and a way to carry water (e.g., camelbak, water bottles, etc.)

Food and water for the race

Space blanket (We recommend the SOL Space Blanket)

Whistle

Rain jacket 

Face covering or mask

Mountain bikes are highly recommended and cross bikes are allowed. No road bikes allowed. 

Bike helmet

Paddles and PFDs are provided by race, but racers may bring their own

Boats are provided by race

A sense of adventure!

 

Mandatory Gear for Each Team

Compass: just in case you get lost. But don't worry, you won't get lost!

Bike tool, spare tube(s), pump or CO2

Basic medical kit (We recommend the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight 3):

Duct tape

Race map (provided at check-in)

Race rules of travel (provided at check-in)

Race passport (provided at check-in)

Watch

Cell phone (fully charged)

Small dry bag for the safe-keeping of your cell phone. These bag(s) SHOULD BE WATERPROOF. It is to your benefit to make sure you have the best waterproofing system you can find.

 

Recommended Gear

Waterproof map case (this can be as simple as zip lock(s) bags and duct tape or a store bought case)

Map board for your bike 

Long fingered gloves 

Long tights/pants

Extra socks