Odyssey Endorphin Fix

Date

Location

Venue

Distance

Duration

Disciplines

Divisions

Fees

Included

Important Dates

Schedule

Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Check In: 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Race Brief: 8:00pm

Thursday, April 16, 2009
Race Start: 6:00am

Sunday, April 19, 2009
Race Finish: 12:00 Noon
Post Race meal: 11:00am - 3:00pm
Closing Ceremony and Awards: 1:00pm

Directions

Airports

Roanoke, VA (1.5hrs away)
Charleston, WV (2.5hrs away)
Charlotte, NC (2.5hrs away) - international
Beckley, WV (45min away) - USAirways/private

Pipestem State Park West Virginia

Located in the southeastern section of the state, Pipestem Resort State Park is 14 miles north of Princeton and 12 miles south of Hinton on WV 20. From I-77, take Exit #14 and the park entrance is 14 miles north on Rt. 20. From the Sandstone Exit # 139 of I-64, the park entrance is 22 miles south on WV 20. In addition, the park is located near commercial airports at Bluefield, WV and Beckley, WV with rental car services nearby.

Lodging

Pipestem State Park Lodge:
P.O. Box 150 Pipestem, WV 25979
(304) 466-1800/1-800-CALL WVA
E-mail: pipesteminfo@wvstateparks.com

A block of rooms are reserved for Odyssey racers.The rate is $66.00 plus tax per night per room for one or two adults per room. Children 12 and under are free. Each additional person over the age of 12 over the two adults is $6.00 plus tax per night per person. 4 persons to a room with two double beds. Be sure to tell them you are with Odyssey.

Camping is also available at Pipestem State Park

Other Local Options:

Newbrier Lodge Motel (304) 466-4378 - 200 Main St, Hinton, WV

Coast to Coast Motel (304) 466-2040 - HC 76 Box 12, Hinton, WV

Riverchase Lodge (304) 466-1856 - 200 Main St, Hinton, WV

Certifications

Support Crews

PERSONAL - To be carried by each competitor during the entire event.
* Competitors are responsible for their own food, drinks, and electrolyte replacement.
* Lighter
* Compass (1 per every 2 competitors on a team)
* Knife, within easy reach, minimum blade of 2.5", folding OK
* Whistle
* Cell Phone (1 per every 2 competitors on a team) - Fully Charged
* Synthetic, moisture-wicking top (i.e. Underarmour, Capeliene) top
* Waterproof shell/jacket MUST have taped or sealed seams
* Fleece or wool top
* Fleece or wool hat
* Space blanket
* Head lamp with extra batteries for minimum of 8 hrs
* Money for emergencies

Each TEAM/soloist competitor must possess permanently throughout the event:

* Trowel (For burying human waste in catholes 6-8 inches deep at least 200 ft from water, camp, or trails)
* (1) First aid kit as indicated below
* (1) Small dry bag (or more than one is even better) for the safe-keeping of your cell phone. These bags MUST BE WATERPROOF. It is to your benefit to make sure you have the best waterproofing system you can find.
* passport, which must be carried and signed at each CP (given pre-race)
* List of the RULES
* complete set of legible maps (given pre-race)


Emergency First Aid Kit (to be carried by each team/soloist at all times)
* 4 doses of pain/fever medication (Ibuprofen/Tylenol)
* (4) Betadine, iodine or alcohol swabs
* (4) standard Band-aids
* Iodine tablets for water purification
* (1) 3" ACE Bandage
* (4) 4”x4” gauze pads
* Medical tape or duct tape
* Antibiotic Cream: i.e. Neosporin
* (1) pair of latex surgical gloves
* Epi pens are strongly recommended for individuals with allergies to insect stings, etc.

The brand names are cited as references and may be replaced by an equivalent product. This mandatory emergency first aid kit will be checked at certain points in the competition. This is a minimal treatment list. We recommend you carry the amounts of medical supplies able to treat/remedy illness or injury for 24 hours. Teams should have extra medical supple in gear boxes to restock the first aid kit if need be.

Specific equipment for the paddling section

Odyssey will be providing the CANOES, PFDs and SINGLE BLADE PADDLES for all teams/soloists:

Teams can bring their own PFDs and Paddles but will have to carry these items during different portions of the event. The PFD must meet the requirement below.
* Paddle(s) double bladed or single
* Type 3 Coast Guard-approved non-inflatable lifejacket. Needs ”liberty of movement” and minimum buoyancy of 14 pounds and in good condition
* Knife attached to PFD, within easy reach while on water, minimum blade of 2.5", (folding OK)
* Whistle attached to PFD, within easy reach, while on water
* Minimum of Two (2) per boat : 2 to 3-foot runner with carabiner(s) for strapping personal gear in boat (soloist and 2 person teams will have 1 boat; 4 person teams- 2 boats)
*Glowsticks(any color)- 2 per person and 4 per boat
* Dry bag large enough to fit all mandatory items
* Commercial Throw Bag (minimum 50') 1 per boat

Specific equipment for the River Swim section:
*Ocean style "Boogie Board" (no 'kick' or 'swim' boards are allowed) we recommend a leash for all boards
*Boogie Board fins are recommended
*Type 3 Coast Guard-approved non-inflatable lifejacket. Needs ”liberty of movement” and minimum buoyancy of 14 pounds and in good condition
* ANSI/Snell or CPSC-approve bike helmet
* Knife attached to PFD, within easy reach while on water, minimum blade of 2.5", (folding OK)
* Whistle attached to PFD, within easy reach, while on water

* Bag big enough to carry swimming gear- NO Trash Bags
* Wetsuit, elbow, and knee pads are strongly recommended but not required

 
Specific equipment for the mountain bike section:
*Mountain bike marked with team number (All Bikes to be tagged at check in w/team # )
* ANSI/Snell or CPSC-approve bike helmet
* Reflective tape (1" x 6" for helmet) to be cut and placed on side and back of helmet
* Front and rear lights; white light mounted to handlebars and red blinking light for rear
* Extra batteries for front & rear lights with minimum battery life of 8 hours
* Bike tire repair kit and bike tool- PER TEAM ; spare tubes, pump (or other tire inflation device)

Specific equipment for the fixed ropes section:
* Commercial sit harness
* Daisy chain or similar if you plan on hanging your pack from your harness while descending. (Packs may be suspended from the harness, but not from a loop on the harness.)
* One (1) Rappelling device; ATC or similar device; NO figure 8 * Three (3) locking carabineers( the extra carabineer are incase of a rescue)

* Climbing helmet (to an approved national or international standard - UIAA). Must have light attached if after dusk or before dawn. Bike helmets are not allowed.
* Leg Prussic: cordage 6 mm in diameter, the length should be the same as what was used in certification.

 

Team Gear Box Guidelines:

1 box for soloist and two person teams; 2 boxes for 4 person teams

Gear Box Guidelines: box should

• Be water resistant – the boxes will be left out in the weather
• Be stackable
• Be lockable
• Have a hinged lid
• Have handles
• Have 10 zip ties per box to lock boxes
• Have Team number and name labeled clearly on outside of box(es) (teams will get team # at Check in)

Dimensions:
- L 43 ¾” x W 17 ¼” x H 20 ½”
- L 111.1 cm x W 43.6cm x H 52.1 cm

Suggested: Rubbermaid Action Packer 48 gal or 181.70 liter or smaller (other brands are permitted within 4 inches or 10.2 cm of the cumulative dimensions)

*Odyssey Adventure Racing will not be responsible for unforeseen circumstances or any lost, stolen, or damaged equipment.*

 

The timing of the event begins at the start of the race and officially ends when the entire team or soloist crosses the finish line. Each team is required to stay together for the entire race. If a team is found separated on the course, it can be judged “unofficial” or fined a penalty. You must remain within visual/verbal distance from your teammates at all times (100ft).

The course contains both mandatory checkpoints and optional checkpoints.

To remain official, a team/soloist must: complete the mandatory prescribed course; cross the finish line by the official race cutoff; obtain all of the mandatory checkpoints*; finish as a complete team.

*See “missing, stolen, misplaced CP(s)/inaccurate UTMs” for exception.

Incomplete teams must receive approval from Odyssey race staff to continue the race "unofficially". (more below)

The ranking of the race is determined by the Odyssey jury after any penalties and bonuses have been awarded.  “Official teams will be ranked by the total number of mandatory CPs acquired; in the case of a tie, we will count the number of optional CPs each team acquired and the team with the higher total count of mandatory + optional CPs will be ranked higher; if the grand total of mandatory + optional CPs produces a tie, then the team with the fastest total race time will be ranked higher.

Unofficial teams are out of the running for ranking, awards and prize dollars.

Prize dollars are awarded, on an overall finish basis, to premier division teams only.

PASSPORT: @ manned CPs: must be signed by race official. It is the competitors’ responsibility to ensure they have their passport signed and returned to them before continuing to the next CP.

 @ UNmanned CPs: must be punched & if clipboard provided, must write team #, name & time on sheet. (for your safety!)

Missing, stolen, misplaced CP(s) or error in Rules of Travel : Teams should search in the vicinity of any CP for no longer than 30 minutes and attempt to notify race officials (via phone or radio) and then proceed to the next CP. If there is a stolen/misplaced CP and/or error in Rules of Travel, team will receive a 30 min credit for time lost. CP will be removed from the course.

If a mandatory CP is not stolen/misplaced CP and/or there is no error in Rules of Travel, then the team will become unofficial unless it returns to acquire the CP.

If an optional CP is not stolen/misplaced CP and/or there is no error in Rules of Travel, then the team will not incur any penalty for failure to acquire CP.

A racer may lodge a protest anytime during a race event; the protest must be in writing, turned in at a CP and be documented in their passport. Post race: A written protest must be received by race management no later than 1 (one) hour after the official race finish. All protests must have team name & #.

Race management reserves the right to award bonuses and penalties throughout the race. We also reserve the right to add bonus time to teams who have aided others in distress, and assess time penalties for infractions not mentioned on this list.

*You may not travel on unauthorized roads, as noted in the Rules of Travel or clearly stated at race brief. Anytime there is a specific road/trail to follow, you are required to do so. In most cases you may decide your route, but in the cases where we list road/trail numbers, you will be required to use that route. You must also obtain all of the Mandatory CPs in sequential order, unless otherwise indicated.

Please note *** If for any reason a team member is unable to finish the race, you must inform the race management AT ONE OF THE DESIGNATED CPs. Your leaving the race course MUST be verified by a race official. Unless you are seriously injured, you will most likely have to ride YOUR BIKES/HIKE OR FIND AN ALTERNATE WAY back to the start/finish line. The nature of this adventure race does not permit us to promise to pick up racers who have decided not to finish.

>Competitors are responsible for their equipment, food, and drinks. They are also responsible for their transportation to and from the race.
>OAR reserves the right to refuse an application from any team or SOLO competitor.
>Competitors, support teams, and volunteers authorize filming or sound recording, as well as the use of such documents/productions for informational, advertising, or promotional purposes.
>All athletes, support persons and volunteers must complete a Medical Waiver and must be cleared, in writing, by a physician if they have any medical conditions or abnormalities. They must also inform the Medical Team of any illness or injury that occurs during or in conjunction with the event.

Each team and SOLO competitor will have mandatory items to carry while in the competition:
The following items may be checked at each CP, and/or possibly on the course:
- passport(s), which must be carried and signed at each CP
- list of the event rules

- Rules of Travel
- complete set of legible Odyssey-issued maps
- mandatory safety and medical equipment
- mandatory equipment for that section of the course

Disqualification From Competition:
- Use of GPS
- More than one hour late at the starting line
- Exceeding the deadline for any section, CP or ACP
- Disobeying instructions from a race official
- Disobeying instructions not to advance
- Abandoning a team member outside the checkpoints
- Unauthorized road/trail travel*
- Not portaging at mandatory rapids/portage sections
- Open fires
- Non emergency use of radios
- Non-assistance to a person in danger
- Not wearing or improperly wearing a life jacket on the swim and/or paddle
- Not wearing a helmet while on the bike, swim or paddling in moving water
- Riding without lights from dusk to dawn
- Not wearing a helmet or climbing harness on the climbing sections
- Possession and/or use of a weapon
- Sabotage
- Use of an unauthorized means of transport
- Violation over the identity of a competitor or change of a team member during race
- Not following a roping-up line in a zone where this is mandatory
- Not clipped into safety line for climbing
- Loss of radio
- Littering (2nd offense)
- Removing/altering a trail sign or marking

One (1) Mandatory Checkpoint Penalty:
- Intervention by the Organization for assistance in water or climb
- Loss of passport or maps**
- Helmets and life jackets damaged or otherwise not in conformity with required standards
- Littering, disrespect for the environment (throwing of any waste that is not biodegradable or abandoning equipment) whether by the team or its assistance (support team, team reporters, or accompanying persons). First offense.
- Dispersed team
- Not wearing bib over clothing (except life vest)
- Missing item of safety equipment or mandatory equipment that is not in good order

**Make sure your maps and passports stay weatherproofed. You will need both of these items to finish the race. You may want to bring a highlighter to mark your maps, Ziplocs and duct tape for radio storage and map storage, etc.

ALL racers will have a chance to win swag from Hammer Nutrition, Nuun, Zanfel and many others.

ALL Finishers will receive a prize.

TOP 3 OVERALL finishing 4 person Co-ed teams in the Odyssey Endorphin Fix PRO Premier Division:

1st Overall - $3000 in Odyssey race vouchers Plus Inov-8 packs

2nd Overall- $2000 in Odyssey race vouchers Plus Inov-8 shoes

3rd Overall - $1000 in Odyssey race vouchers PLUS Numa Sport Optics sunglasses

These forms are specific for the Odyssey Endorphin Fix and will close March 30, 2009, when registration closes.

Adult Waiver and Image Release Form

Medical Form

Skills Waiver

USARA Waiver

Under Age Waiver and Image Release Form

Are boats provided?
Yes, they will be 16.9 ft. Old Town Discovery canoes. We will also provide PFDs and single blade paddles.

Can I use my personal paddle, single blade or double bladed?
Yes, but you will not have to carry it the entire race. See Competitor Newsletter

What is the scale of the maps?
The maps will be 1:24,000 scale maps.

When will we get our maps and rules of travel?
You will get your maps and rules of travel after your team has completed check in.

What will be checked at gear check in?
Odyssey will not longer have gearcheck prior to the race. We WILL be checking gear on the race course. Each item missing will equal a penalty of one mandatory checkpoint.

What if I am not sure I have the correct piece of gear specified on the gear list?
We feel our gear list is specific. If you need clarification on an item email competitor@OARevents.com. We can always verify items in person at check in. Common itmes that need clarification: water proof top and bottoms have to have taped or sealed seams; must be a wool or fleece hat; knife blade has to be 2.5" long.

What is the refund and cancellation policy?
You are entitled to an Odyssey credit refund, minus the cancellation fee until 2 weeks prior to the start of the race. You may apply the remaining balance (minus the cancellation fee) to any future Odyssey Adventure Racing event. You will have one year to redeem these credits. Contact Registration@OARevents.com for credit refund.

Odyssey Adventure Racing does not accept responsibility for refunds or cancellations in the event of natural or national emergencies. Natural emergencies may include, but are not limited to sever weather including heavy rain, snow, tornados, hurricanes, river flooding, heat spells and cold spells. National or international emergencies may include, but are not limited to military conflicts, terrorist attacks, security threats, war and heightened security alerts.

No refunds after April 3, 2009

Cancellation Fee: $50 Solo; $100 2 Person Team; $200 4 Person Team

How do I get on the emailing list for the Odyssey eNewsletter?
We are glad that you want to be one of the first to know what is new and coming up with Odyssey. To sign up click here: Odyssey eNewsletter.

February 16, 2009: Discounted registration ends

March 30, 2009: Registration closes