GREAT AMES ADVENTURE RACE

CONGRATULATIONS GAAR Participants and THANK YOU to the GAAR Volunteers for a fantastic event! Race results are available by category at gaar08_results.pdf. We have nearly 750 photos of the event - see prerace, paddle, bike, run, the_GAAR!     SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6th for the 2009 GAAR!

Sept 15 - GAAR Committee presents gift to Red Cross - Members of the Skunk River Paddlers, Friends of Central Iowa Biking and Ames Running Club presented a gift of $500 to Kirk Brocker, the new Executive Director of the Lincoln Way Chapter of the American Red Cross. The '07 event was a joint effort with the Red Cross so we were pleased to have the opportunity to continue the relationship!

All-American Weekend starts August 28   Mid-Iowa News 08/21/2008

The Great Ames Adventure Race returns to Ada Hayden Park   (Press Release, 7/31/08)

Teams and individuals interested in the challenge of an adventure race. Family and friends are invited to watch and to join participants for pancakes and awards at the Moose Lodge following the race.

The course starts with a 3 mile (4.8K) canoe/kayak race around Ada Hayden Lake, follows with a 15 mile (24.1K) bike route*, then a 5K (3.1 mile) run within the park - including the upland trail. The course includes a transition area from which participants will begin the bicycling and running portions of the race (MAPS).
* The bike route will exit the park on US Hwy 69 south to Dawes Drive and Top-O-Hollow Road, continue west on Bloomington Road to George Washington Carver, west again on Cameron School Road to R38, north to E23, east to R50, south to 190th Street, east to US Hwy 69 and south back to the park.

Sunday August 31, during the All-American Weekend in Ames. The race starts at 7:30 a.m. All participants must check in by 7 a.m.

GAAR will start and finish at Ada Hayden Heritage Park in North Ames. Awards will be presented at the Moose Lodge (north of Ada Hayden Park at Hwy 69 and 190th Street) following the race. A pancake breakfast, $4, with proceeds going to the Moose Lodge, will be served from 8 a.m. until noon. The breakfast is not included with registration.

Because it has proved to be GREAT FUN! Proceeds from GAAR will benefit community projects of race organizers:
Skunk River Paddlers, Friends of Central Iowa Biking, and Ames Area Running Club.

Fees for registrations postmarked by August 21, 2008 (payment must be included with registration):

• SOLO - $30.00 (one person, entire route)
  
• TANDEM - $60.00 (two people in one canoe or tandem kayak, BOTH bike, BOTH run, times are averaged)
  
• RELAY: (Participants compete in sections as assigned by their teams)
  2-person - $60.00
  3-person - $90.00
  4-person - $120.00
     
  
Additional $10.00 fee for each team or solo registration postmarked after August 21, 2008.

You may register online at www.active.com or by printing and completing the Registration Form and Waiver page, the pdf Registration Form or the GAAR Brochure (also pdf) and mailing with payment to:

Friends of Central Iowa Biking
4211 Stone brooke Road
Ames, IA 50010

Please make checks payable to "Friends of Central Iowa Biking" and note “GAAR” in the memo.

GAAR reserves the right to use your photo, including video, for promotional purposes.

Are there restrictions or regulations on what kind of canoe/kayak, bike, or paddle I can use?
No, you may use any type of bike, paddle or canoe/kayak of your choosing.
   
Do I have to wear a helmet on the bike?
Yes, all participants on the bike portion will be required to wear CPSC/ ANSI approved helmets.
   
Do I have to wear a life jacket while I am in my boat?
Yes, all canoe/kayak participants will be required to wear US Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices.
   
Can I rent a boat?
You are responsible for providing a boat. Canoe and kayak rentals can be arranged in advance with:

• JAX/Ames Outdoor Gear, (515) 292-2276
  
• Seven Oaks (Boone), (515) 432-9457
  
• ISU Outdoor Recreation, (515) 294-8200 (for ISU students, staff, affiliates)
  
Note that you will also need to arrange for delivery of the boat to the race (and return afterward).
   
How do the categories work?

• SOLO participants compete in the entire course.
  
• TANDEM participants paddle in one canoe or tandem kayak and BOTH compete in the bike AND run, times are averaged.
  
• RELAY participants compete in sections of the race as assigned by their team.
  
   

Where do the proceeds from this race go?
The 2008 Great Ames Adventure Race is sponsored by Metabolic Technologies, Inc, with support from the Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau. All proceeds from the GAAR go to support community benefit efforts of race organizers: the Skunk River Paddlers, Friends of Central Iowa Biking, and Ames Area Running Club.
   
I don’t want to participate in the GAAR but would like to volunteer. How do I do that?
Many volunteers are needed for the GAAR. To sign up, please contact race director Dave Kraemer at (515) 232-2160, Dennis Jones at (515) 232-2923, or Don Muff at (515) 292-2725.
   

2007 GAAR race results and other information: www.lincolnwayarc.org   Photos from 2007: Prerace, Paddle, BikeRun, MooseLodge
   
* CHECK BACK FOR FURTHER INFORMATION *