Final racer update for the 2019 Maine Summer Adventure Race:
Hello MSAR racers!
There's less than a week until the start of the fourth annual Maine Summer Adventure Race! We can't wait to host you all in the beautiful state of Maine and, in this year's edition, we're excited to take you on a tour of many of our favorite places to run, bike and paddle.
To maximize your enjoyment of the race, please read this update carefully, as it will likely be the last communication you receive from us until the race briefing on the morning of the race. Read this - and Update #1, which went out two weeks ago - carefully!
Course Outline: This year's Maine Summer Adventure Race will feature eight stages.
Stage 1: Mystery challenge
TA 1 - Water available
Stage 2: Biking
TA 2 - Paddle bags available, water available
Stage 3: Paddle
TA 3 - Paddle bags available, water available
Stage 4: Trekking
TA 4 - Water available
Stage 5: Biking
TA 5 - Paddle bags available, water available
Stage 6: Trekking
TA 6: Water available
Stage 7: Biking
TA 6: Water available
Stage 8: Mystery challenge
Totals:
Trekking: Minimum distance: 14 miles, All CPs: 28 miles
Biking: Minimum distance: 55 miles, All CPs: 81 miles
Paddling: Minimum distance: 7 miles, All CPs: 18 miles
Maps: Maps will range from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000, with the majority being 1:24,000 in scale. There are numerous large route choices - make sure to study each leg carefully to familiarize yourself with the choices at your disposal!
Course tips: This is a long course but, without a lot of elevation gain or loss, you will travel quickly. With most CPs optional, there are a lot of options/flexibility in what you can choose to tackle. Skipping CPs selectively may be a great strategy on this course!
Gear recommendations: After spending many days on-course setting CPs, we can report that mosquitoes are active but not at last year's levels, while the presence of ticks is much higher this year. We highly recommend long pants and long sleeves for parts of the course where you will be in deep woods.
We also recommend bringing appropriate paddle gear to this year's race. As mentioned in our previous racer update, the types of conditions you may encounter run the gamut. Wetsuits are highly recommended (and can still be rented if you send us an email), as is sun protection (the weather forecast looks nice at the moment!).
Lastly, during the paddle stage, we are mandating that each team carry at least one working cell phone protected in a waterproof sack or satchel in a location where it's quickly accessible in case of emergency. We will be checking for this before you depart on the paddle stage. We highly recommend each individual boat carry a working cell phone in this manner - meaning teams can bring more than one phone if they wish, for safety purposes only. As with all adventure races, using your phone for non-emergency purposes will result in an automatic disqualification from the race.
TA/Paddle Bag: We've fielded several questions about the TA/paddle bags. As you can see from the course outline, you will see your paddle bag in many TAs throughout the course. Besides PFDs, paddles, and other paddle gear, you may also include any other gear/food of your choosing in this bag. All gear must be contained within the bag or well-secured to the bag. We are not responsible for lost gear that is not sufficiently bundled together or for gear that is not properly waterproofed. You can use it for food resupply throughout the race. Please do not put water in your paddle bag as there will be plenty at all TAs and elsewhere along the course.
Bringing money/food to buy on course: We highly recommend bringing a cash and credit card with you, as there will be several places along the course you will be able to purchase food and drinks.
Other pertinent info:
Race Day Schedule: Racer registration will open at 6 a.m. with a pre-race meeting at 7:15 a.m. and race start at 8 a.m. We highly recommend arriving as soon as registration opens because maps will be handed out as you register, so arriving early means you will have more time to plan your route. There is no bike drop this year; bring your bikes to the start area ready to race (with lights for nighttime etc.). Breakfast will be available for purchase starting at 6:30 a.m. at the start location.
Race Headquarters and Parking: Registration is located at the Pineland Farms Outdoors Center, at 15 Farm View Drive in New Gloucester, Maine. Parking is about a five-minute walk away from registration. Take your first right after turning on to Farm View Drive (you will pass registration) and follow signs for the “conference center." Go straight through the roundabout into the large parking lot.
Mandatory Gear: Please review the gear list carefully and plan to carry all mandatory gear for the noted race segments. We will be checking for mandatory gear items at certain intervals during the race. Note that chem lights have been removed from the mandatory gear list and wetsuits have been added to the recommended (not required) items.
Helpful tips for first-time racers:
Arrival
Arrive early! Come 15-20 minutes ahead of the 6 a.m. check-in time to park, get your food and gear together, and take care of personal things.
Check-In
Once your team is together, it is time to check in. Try to get to check in at the earliest time possible to sign waivers, and get your maps and race instructions. This is when you start preparing for the race. The team (or at least one team member) will want to go over all the instructions and develop a race plan. You can plan your route, mark the route on your map (we recommend bringing and using highlighters and fine-tip Sharpies for this), organize your maps, and figure out how much food, water, and what gear you'll need. Don't forget mandatory gear!
The Pre-Race Briefing
At 7:15 a.m., us race directors will give all the teams special instructions, important course updates, and walk through the course with all the teams. If you have any questions after your first glance at the maps, this is the perfect time to ask them. You should have a clear plan of attack at this point.
The Race
The start will take place at 8 a.m. sharp. Immediately after the start, It is typical for teams to all head in separate directions depending on their route choice. Enjoy yourself, and try not to be led astray by other teams. Remember to have fun!
Transitioning and Finishing
You will be checking into and out of designated Transition Areas "TAs" a few times during the race. Some races also have remote transitions where you may bike to, drop your bikes and do something else (like run or paddle).
Most adventure races have a time limit. The idea is to do as much of the course as possible before that time limit expires. When you have done all that you can, you will check back in at the finish. There are usually stiff penalties for even being a minute late, so make sure you get back in time!
Post-Race
As usual, we will hold a post-race party immediately following the race. A full, hot breakfast buffet will be provided by our host location, Pineland Farms. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available. Friends and family are welcome to join with a $15 donation to cover food.
Spectators: Friends and family are welcome and encouraged to cheer you on throughout the course! We can provide more information right after the race start to interested fans. Please alert any spectators that they are not allowed to provide any assistance to your team or any other teams while the race is in progress.
Facebook: Please “like” our Facebook page to get updates before, during (for friends and family), and after the race!
Questions? Email us anytime at [email protected].
Hello MSAR racers!
There's less than a week until the start of the fourth annual Maine Summer Adventure Race! We can't wait to host you all in the beautiful state of Maine and, in this year's edition, we're excited to take you on a tour of many of our favorite places to run, bike and paddle.
To maximize your enjoyment of the race, please read this update carefully, as it will likely be the last communication you receive from us until the race briefing on the morning of the race. Read this - and Update #1, which went out two weeks ago - carefully!
Course Outline: This year's Maine Summer Adventure Race will feature eight stages.
Stage 1: Mystery challenge
TA 1 - Water available
Stage 2: Biking
TA 2 - Paddle bags available, water available
Stage 3: Paddle
TA 3 - Paddle bags available, water available
Stage 4: Trekking
TA 4 - Water available
Stage 5: Biking
TA 5 - Paddle bags available, water available
Stage 6: Trekking
TA 6: Water available
Stage 7: Biking
TA 6: Water available
Stage 8: Mystery challenge
Totals:
Trekking: Minimum distance: 14 miles, All CPs: 28 miles
Biking: Minimum distance: 55 miles, All CPs: 81 miles
Paddling: Minimum distance: 7 miles, All CPs: 18 miles
Maps: Maps will range from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000, with the majority being 1:24,000 in scale. There are numerous large route choices - make sure to study each leg carefully to familiarize yourself with the choices at your disposal!
Course tips: This is a long course but, without a lot of elevation gain or loss, you will travel quickly. With most CPs optional, there are a lot of options/flexibility in what you can choose to tackle. Skipping CPs selectively may be a great strategy on this course!
Gear recommendations: After spending many days on-course setting CPs, we can report that mosquitoes are active but not at last year's levels, while the presence of ticks is much higher this year. We highly recommend long pants and long sleeves for parts of the course where you will be in deep woods.
We also recommend bringing appropriate paddle gear to this year's race. As mentioned in our previous racer update, the types of conditions you may encounter run the gamut. Wetsuits are highly recommended (and can still be rented if you send us an email), as is sun protection (the weather forecast looks nice at the moment!).
Lastly, during the paddle stage, we are mandating that each team carry at least one working cell phone protected in a waterproof sack or satchel in a location where it's quickly accessible in case of emergency. We will be checking for this before you depart on the paddle stage. We highly recommend each individual boat carry a working cell phone in this manner - meaning teams can bring more than one phone if they wish, for safety purposes only. As with all adventure races, using your phone for non-emergency purposes will result in an automatic disqualification from the race.
TA/Paddle Bag: We've fielded several questions about the TA/paddle bags. As you can see from the course outline, you will see your paddle bag in many TAs throughout the course. Besides PFDs, paddles, and other paddle gear, you may also include any other gear/food of your choosing in this bag. All gear must be contained within the bag or well-secured to the bag. We are not responsible for lost gear that is not sufficiently bundled together or for gear that is not properly waterproofed. You can use it for food resupply throughout the race. Please do not put water in your paddle bag as there will be plenty at all TAs and elsewhere along the course.
Bringing money/food to buy on course: We highly recommend bringing a cash and credit card with you, as there will be several places along the course you will be able to purchase food and drinks.
Other pertinent info:
Race Day Schedule: Racer registration will open at 6 a.m. with a pre-race meeting at 7:15 a.m. and race start at 8 a.m. We highly recommend arriving as soon as registration opens because maps will be handed out as you register, so arriving early means you will have more time to plan your route. There is no bike drop this year; bring your bikes to the start area ready to race (with lights for nighttime etc.). Breakfast will be available for purchase starting at 6:30 a.m. at the start location.
Race Headquarters and Parking: Registration is located at the Pineland Farms Outdoors Center, at 15 Farm View Drive in New Gloucester, Maine. Parking is about a five-minute walk away from registration. Take your first right after turning on to Farm View Drive (you will pass registration) and follow signs for the “conference center." Go straight through the roundabout into the large parking lot.
Mandatory Gear: Please review the gear list carefully and plan to carry all mandatory gear for the noted race segments. We will be checking for mandatory gear items at certain intervals during the race. Note that chem lights have been removed from the mandatory gear list and wetsuits have been added to the recommended (not required) items.
Helpful tips for first-time racers:
Arrival
Arrive early! Come 15-20 minutes ahead of the 6 a.m. check-in time to park, get your food and gear together, and take care of personal things.
Check-In
Once your team is together, it is time to check in. Try to get to check in at the earliest time possible to sign waivers, and get your maps and race instructions. This is when you start preparing for the race. The team (or at least one team member) will want to go over all the instructions and develop a race plan. You can plan your route, mark the route on your map (we recommend bringing and using highlighters and fine-tip Sharpies for this), organize your maps, and figure out how much food, water, and what gear you'll need. Don't forget mandatory gear!
The Pre-Race Briefing
At 7:15 a.m., us race directors will give all the teams special instructions, important course updates, and walk through the course with all the teams. If you have any questions after your first glance at the maps, this is the perfect time to ask them. You should have a clear plan of attack at this point.
The Race
The start will take place at 8 a.m. sharp. Immediately after the start, It is typical for teams to all head in separate directions depending on their route choice. Enjoy yourself, and try not to be led astray by other teams. Remember to have fun!
Transitioning and Finishing
You will be checking into and out of designated Transition Areas "TAs" a few times during the race. Some races also have remote transitions where you may bike to, drop your bikes and do something else (like run or paddle).
Most adventure races have a time limit. The idea is to do as much of the course as possible before that time limit expires. When you have done all that you can, you will check back in at the finish. There are usually stiff penalties for even being a minute late, so make sure you get back in time!
Post-Race
As usual, we will hold a post-race party immediately following the race. A full, hot breakfast buffet will be provided by our host location, Pineland Farms. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available. Friends and family are welcome to join with a $15 donation to cover food.
Spectators: Friends and family are welcome and encouraged to cheer you on throughout the course! We can provide more information right after the race start to interested fans. Please alert any spectators that they are not allowed to provide any assistance to your team or any other teams while the race is in progress.
Facebook: Please “like” our Facebook page to get updates before, during (for friends and family), and after the race!
Questions? Email us anytime at [email protected].