Qualifying Team Rules:

When a team qualifies for the GoLite USARA Adventure Race National Championships, it is actually the team captain (the team member named as captain for that individual qualifying race) that qualifies and retains the qualifying slot. If the team splits up the team captain retains the qualifying slot. The team captain is allowed to build their team, including substituting different teammates for the national championship race. If the team captain cannot attend the national championship race, the team may name a new captain who would now retain the qualifying slot for the national championship race. In order to name a new team captain after a team has qualified, the decision must be unanimious.

Team members that have already qualified for the National Championships may race with another team captain in a later qualifier and if they finish in the top 3 that captain would now have a qualifying slot for nationals.

The National Championship consist of 3 person teams. The intent of the following rule is to prevent qualifying team members from being left out of nationals. Teams that qualify at a regional qualifying event on a 4 person team will be allowed to form a second team for the national championship. (Example: Team USA qualifies at an event with the following 4 person team: Bob, Sue, Mike & Sally. Team USA can bring 2 teams to national championships as long as the captain for each of the teams was one of the four members from the qualifying team -Bob, Sue, Mike & Sally).

Pro Teams:

The USARA Adventure Race National Championship is the premier amateaur adventure racing event in the United States. No professional adventure racing teams will be allowed to compete in the USARA Adventure Race National Championships. Teams amateaur and professional status will be determined by the USARA Executive Board.

USARA Citizenship Standards:

Teams must consist of 3 US citizens to compete for the USARA Adventure Race National Championships.

Citizenship Exception A: Non US citizens, who are currently living and competing in the US, and have either a work or student visa or a permanent resident green card are eligible to compete for the USARA Adventure Race National Championship. Non US citizens who meet the citizenship exception requirements will race as a US team.

Citizenship Exception B: A team with 2 US citizens or 2 members with Citizenship Exception A status and one foreign member may compete as long as the foreign team member competed on the actual team when the team qualified for the USARA Adventure Race National Championship.

If a team qualifies and does not consist of US citizens or meet either citizenship exception A or B, they may compete as an exhibition team representing their country. This exhibition team would not be eligible to win the USARA Adventure Race National Championship.

Race Rules:

1. All racers are expected to be examples of good sportsmanship. Racers must treat fellow racers & race staff with courtesy and respect. 
   PENALTY: Strict penalties will be assessed for unsportsmanlike behavior based on the infraction.
2. Teams must assist fellow teams in need of medical attention.
   PENALTY: Strict penalties will be assessed for non assistance based on the infraction.
3. Teams must always remain within 10 meters while on foot and 30 meters while on bike of all teammates & within visual contact at all times (unless otherwise specified).
   PENALTY: First offense 4 hours / 2^nd offense DQ.
4. All team members must check in together at each checkpoint and TA. If one member must leave the course, they must do so at a manned CP or TA and notify race management. If a team leaves a teammate out on the course that team will be immediately disqualified and not allowed to continue unofficially. Incomplete teams may continue unranked. A single person must join with another team who commits to staying with that new racer. Incomplete or single racers must carry the mandatory team gear.
5. Maps, Passport, Dippers (electronic punches) and Instructions must be carried the entire race. 
   PENALTY: For lost map or course instructions 4 hours. Lost passport or dipper - DQ.
6. Race bibs must be worn on the outside of clothing at all times. Race bibs do not have to be worn over packs or PFD's.
   PENALTY: 1 hour per offense.
7. Teams must punch passport in correct space and punch dipper into electronic timing devise at each CP.
   PENALTY: Incorrect punch or failure to punch, team will not receive credit for that CP.
8. All CPs must be obtained in order (UNLESS SPECIFIED). If a team misses a CP, they will be allowed to go back and get the CP but must visit each subsequent CP even if they have checked in at the subsequent CP’s previously.
9. Teams that miss a CP will be ranked after teams that obtain all CPs provided that all CPs are in the correct spot. Teams will not be penalized for missing a CP if the missed CP is over 10 meters from the correct location of the CP. Correct location is where UTM's given to racers plot the CP.
10. Race officials reserve the right to alter time cut-offs or the course itself to accommodate changing conditions and to ensure that teams finish on time.  If your team is re-routed or there are other course changes, teams must sign the check-in sheet to acknowledge they understand the course change.
11. Mandatory gear must be carried at all times and will be checked on the course.
    PENALTY: 2 hours for each piece of missing gear.
12. No GPS of any kind including GPS pace counters are allowed.
    PENALTY: DQ
13. Race officials will provide watercraft, PFD's & Paddles. No personal watercraft will be allowed. Teams may bring their own paddles and Type II or higher PFD's but they will be required to carry them the entire race. PFD's must be worn at all times while paddling.
    PENALTY: For not wearing PFD DQ.
14. No modifications may be made to the boats during the event. This includes but is not limited to skegs, wooden bottoms, sails, or kites attached to the boats.
    PENALTY: For modifications DQ.
15. CPSC certified bicycle helmets are required at all times during the bicycle and when specifically directed by race officials.
    PENALTY: For not wearing helmet DQ.
16.  Racers must follow Rules of Travel as outlined in Course Instructions. Where no specific path is designated, teams select their path between CPs.  When instructions designate a specific route, teams must follow that path.
    PENALTY: For travel on forbidden roads or violating Rules of Travel first offense 4 hours / 2^nd offense DQ. (UNLESS SPECIFIED OTHERWISE).
17. Rear bike lights must be on at all times after dark. Front lights must be on when entering and departing TAs. You will not be allowed to leave a staffed CP/TA if your bike lights are not functioning properly.
    PENALTY: No rear light 1 hour per infraction.
18. Race officials may provide water at some CP's or TA’s. There is no Food / Gear Drop unless specified by Race Officials.  Athletes may not receive outside assistance except from Race Officials & other registered teams.
    PENALTY: DQ.
19. NO LITTERING!  Leave no trace! This race is supported by ARFE (Adventure Racers for the Environment).
    PENALTY: 4 hrs per infraction.
20. Use of cellular phone is for emergencies only. No other use is allowed.
    PENALTY: DQ.
21. Any time penalties will be added to the team’s finishing time, except for the Top 10 placing teams which will be served on the course if possible.
22. All Bonus Time Prizes are awarded at the post-race ceremony. Only teams that officially finish the race (either full or alternate course) are eligible to win bonus prizes.
23. Race officials reserve the right to remove a team from the course for health, safety or other reasons, at the discretion of race officials and medical personnel.
24. Any team withdrawing from the race must notify a “live” person by checking in with a CP or TA volunteer or by calling the race director. Failing to notify race officials will result in that team being responsible for all search and rescue expenses.
25. All teams must be checked in at the finishline by 30 hours. Teams will lose 1 CP for each full minute after 30 hours. Teams may skip CP's (except designated manditory CP's) at any time during the race. Teams may take any route to the finishline as long as their route does not travel on forbidden roads or through forbidden areas.
    Example:
    Team USA gets to the finishline at 30:59 - no loss of CP's
    Team ABC gets to the finishline at 32:48 - loss of 2 CP's
26. Any protest must be filed in writing within one hour of the team’s finish and will be reviewed by the Race Committee.
    
    IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR DO NOT UNDERSTAND ANY OF THE RULES PLEASE CONTACT THE USARA.