GREAT AMES ADVENTURE RACE

Great Ames Adventure Race 2009 logo

    PLANS ARE CURRENTLY UNDERWAY FOR THE 2009 GREAT AMES ADVENTURE RACE, to be held on SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6TH!   Please check back!
WHO?
    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.
WHAT?
    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.
WHEN?
    Sunday September 6th, during the All-American Weekend in Ames. The race starts at 7:30 a.m. All participants must check in by 7 a.m.
WHERE?
    GAAR will start and finish at Ada Hayden Heritage Park in North Ames. Awards will be presented at the Moose Lodge (1/4 mile north of the park at Hwy 69 and 190th Street) following the race. A pancake breakfast will be served at the Moose Lodge until noon. The breakfast is included with the registration and is available to non-participants at $4/plate.
WHY?
HOW MUCH?
    Fees for registrations postmarked by August 28, 2009 (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 28, 2009.
REGISTRATION
    Print and complete the Registration Form and Waiver page, or the pdf Registration Form and mail 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.

    Online registration may soon be available at www.active.com

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

FAQ's
    Are there restrictions or regulations on what kind of canoe/kayak, bike, or paddle I can use?
    No, you may use any 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)
    JAX and Seven Oaks boats will be delivered to the park if you specify to them that your are renting for the GAAR.   You must provide for pick up and return of your ISU boat.
       
    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?
    Net proceeds from the GAAR go to support community benefit efforts of the 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. Please email volunteers@greatamesadventurerace.org and indicate whether you might like to help with the paddle, bike, or run events.


* CHECK BACK FOR FURTHER INFORMATION *

    Congratulations to the 2008 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, and the_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!