The 2020 TRENCH CHALLENGE Elite Division & Competitive 3 man Team Rules is adopting penalty rules set by the World OCR Federation please READ CAREFULLY.

​

Elite Division: Receive 3 numbered paper wristbands.

3 Person Team Division: Receive 5 numbered paper wristbands each. Counted time will be last member of team to cross finish line. 

​

Obstacle completion/penalty wristbands will be issued on race day. Please show up at least 1 hour before start time to collect your wristbands. If you start the race without these wristbands, you will be required to do all the penalties and disqualified from any winnings.

​

READ SECTION 3.2 & 5 regarding the wristbands.

​

Section 1: Eligibility & General Code of Conduct 

​

1.1 To compete in the TRENCH CHALLENGE Elite and 3-person Team Division, athletes must meet the following requirements: 

1.1.1 Athletes must be at least 13 (thirteen) years of age on the day of the event. 

1.1.2 Athletes must adhere to all rules set forth by Trench Challenge administrators and officials. 

1.1.3 It is the responsibility of all athletes to read, study, understand and know all of the rules set forth herein before entering the race course and participating in competition. 

1.1.4 Athletes are responsible for their own safety. DO NOT ATTEMPT AN OBSTACLE THAT YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE IN DOING SO. 

1.1.5.1. YOU MUST RING ALL BELLS WITH YOUR HAND ONLY 

1.1.5.2. YOU MUST ENTER ANY WATER OBSTACLES FEET FIRST 

​

1.2 Competitors are held to the highest standard of conduct throughout the course of the event. This includes but is not limited to: 

1.2.1 Always conducting oneself in a sportsmanlike manner towards fellow competitors, spectators, TC staff, volunteers and officials. 

1.2.2 Adhering to all rules of competition. 

1.2.3 Understanding that each competitor is a representative of a growing athletic community and behaving responsibly throughout the event. 

​

Section 2: Time Keeping 

​

2.1 ALL athletes are required to start in their assigned wave, specific to their division and/or age group. Athletes are not permitted to start in any other wave under any circumstances. Athletes found to be in violation of this protocol will be disqualified from competition. 

​

2.2 In addition, please note the following: 

2.2.1 Athletes will receive their race day identification bracelet and bibs prior to the event at Athlete Check In. These are required to start the event and SHOULD NOT BE REMOVED. Under no circumstances will athletes be permitted to start the event without their identification bracelet and bib. (NO REPLACEMENTS FOR LOST BANDS WILL BE GIVEN) 

2.2.2 As with all premier races, the starting time for all athletes in a specific wave will be the “gun time” (e.g. if a wave starts at 11:15, each athlete in that wave is assigned the same starting time).

2.2.3 Time keeping will be conducted by the Guam Cycling Federation utilizing the same J-Chip RFID system used at OCRWC. Chips must be returned at the end of the race or the athlete will be charged $40 cash for lost chip due on race day.

​

Section 3: Racing & Obstacles 

​

3.1 THE COURSE 

3.1.1 It is the responsibility of all athletes to stay on-course and within the boundaries and markings set by race officials. 

3.1.2 Any athlete that gains advantage by circumventing the course (as designed by race officials), whether intentionally or unintentionally, will be disqualified from competition. 

3.1.3 Apart from specific areas designated by TC officials, athletes are not permitted on the TC course at any time other than when racing. ANY athletes found on the course without prior approval from an TC official will be immediately disqualified from the competition. 

3.1.4 No Athlete, at any time, may modify the course marking or the course. 

​

3.2 OBSTACLES 

3.2.1 Completion of all obstacles during the TRENCH CHALLENGE is a requirement for all competitive divisions. Failure to complete the obstacle will result in a loss of a wristband. An honest attempt (both hands on obstacle with physical attempt to complete) must be made to 1. proceed to next obstacle. 2. have band cut.

3.2.2 In the event an athlete fails an obstacle, he/she will NOT be permitted additional attempts.

3.2.3 If an athlete still fails to complete an obstacle, he/she will lose one of their numbered paper wristbands to complete a penalty before the finish line. Athletes losing all of their bands are still allowed to continue racing and are considered finishers, but are not eligible for prizes/awards. 

3.2.4 Additionally, athletes are required to maintain forward progress on all obstacles and throughout the course (e.g. sitting atop wall is not permitted) and every effort must be made not to obstruct a fellow competitor. Slower athletes are REQUIRED to yield to approaching athletes. 

3.2.4.1 If an athlete is no longer making forward progress on any obstacle, the official will initiate a 5 (five) second countdown for the athlete to progress forward. 

3.2.4.2 The countdown will be at the discretion of the official at that obstacle. 

3.2.4.3 When the countdown has elapsed, the athlete is required to safely remove themselves from the obstacle. 

3.2.5 Athletes found to be excessively infringing (blocking) on another athlete’s ability to progress may be subject to penalty and/or disqualification by race officials. 

3.2.6 During the race, except for medical emergency, athletes may not receive outside assistance (including receiving nutrition or equipment from any other source other than a fellow competitor who is currently racing on the course). This does not include verbal instruction or support from coaches or supporters.

ELITE ATHLETES MAY NOT RECEIVE ANY PHYSICAL HELP COMPLETING ANY OBSTACLE.

3-PERSON TEAM COMPETITORS MAY ONLY RECEIVE ASSISTANCE FROM A TEAMMATE IF SAID TEAM MATE IS ALSO ON THE OBSTACLE.  (See 3.2.8)

3.2.7 Slower and faster athletes must demonstrate mutual respect during closely spaced/single-track areas of the course. Faster athletes are encouraged to call out “ON YOUR LEFT”, (or similar) when approaching slower athletes. The athlete being passed must permit enough space to allow the approaching athlete to safely pass. 

3.2.8 Teammates in the 3-Person competitive division are only allowed to assist other teammates while also completing the obstacle. For example, on an overhead rig, one may NOT hold another teammates weight on his or her body without doing the obstacle. Assisting teammate cannot be on the ground holding the person up. Must be hanging on the rig in front, behind, or from next lane.

3.2.9 There will be 1 obstacle (The Military Gurney Challenge) exclusively for the 3-Person Teams which requires all 3 members. The heaviest of the 3 must be carried.

​

3.3 OBSTACLE SPECIFIC RULES 

3.3.1 Obstacle specific descriptions and rules will be covered on Obstacle List Page (When Ready) 

​

Section 4: Gear, Apparel & Personal Nutrition 

4.1 Athletes are encouraged to express their individuality, sports team, state or nation apparel while being appropriately dressed for an adventure racing event. Please note the following: 

4.1.1 Glasses are allowed but discouraged for safety reasons. 

4.1.2 Hydration packs are allowed. 

4.1.3 Beyond shoes and gloves or protective gear (i.e. elbow pads, compression sleeves, buffs or knee pads), clothing/ personal equipment may not be used in to assist in the completion of an obstacle. HAND OR FEET GRIP AIDS SUCH AS PINE TAR, LIQUID CHALK, METAL STUDDED SHOES, METAL SPIKED FOOTWEAR OR EQUIVALENT ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED. 

4.1.4 Alcohol, weapons, knives, firearms, explosives, glass bottles, and other dangerous objects are not permitted on the course. 

4.1.5 All athletes must exit the course with all items they brought in. Littering or the discarding of personal property during the race may result in disqualification from competition. 

4.1.6 All gear, nutrition, hydration packs that competitors begin the race with must transition through the required obstacle on the competitor’s person. (Gear, nutrition, clothing, hydration packs and the like may not be set aside and retrieved after obstacle completion)

​

Section 5: Penalties & Appeals 

​

5.1 Penalty Loop system. All competitive athletes that loose a wrist band will need to complete a penalty loop at the penalty box prior to the finish line. One (1) loop per numbered paper wristband lost. A total of three (3) wristbands for Elite Division athletes, and Five (5) for each 3-Person Team athlete. Note in section 3.2.1 that at least 1 remaining wristband is required in order to be eligible for qualification, awards, and prizes.  

​

5.2 The application of any penalties, including but not limited to time penalties and disqualification, are administered solely by TC Race Officials. When a violation has been identified, the offending athlete will be informed of the penalty by race staff as soon as practicable. Athletes will be penalized for infringements such as: 

5.2.1 Failure to complete an obstacle. (See section 3.2) 

5.2.2 Not starting at his/her starting time. (See section 2.1) 

5.2.3 Intentionally or unintentionally going off-course. (See section 3.1) 

5.2.4 Engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct, including but not limited to: 

5.1.4.1 The use of performance-enhancing drugs (See Section 1.1.4) 

5.1.4.2 Making unnecessary contact with or hindering a competitor (See Sections 3.2.4, 3.2.5, and 3.2.7) 

5.1.4.3 Verbal/physical abuse of race officials or volunteers (See Section 1.2.1) 

5.1.4.4 Modifying course markings (See Section 3.1.5) 

5.1.4.5 Using offensive or derogatory language (See Section 1.2) 

5.1.4.6 Receiving outside assistance (Section 3.2.6) 

5.1.4.7 Littering on the course (See Section 4.1.5) 

5.1.4.8 Blocking (failure to yield to) other competitors (See sections 3.2.4, 3.2.5, and 3.2.7) 

5.1.4.9 Failing to follow the direction of race officials (See Section 1.1.5) 

​

5.3 Any assessed penalty may be appealed. Athletes wishing to appeal a penalty must submit their appeal to the lead Race Official within 24 hours of the event. Appeals are not accepted after 24 hours of the event. 

​

5.4 In the event of an appeal, race officials will conduct a thorough review of the infringement and penalty, and issue its findings within 72 hours. 

​

Section 6: Safety & Emergencies 

​

6.1 The safety of all athletes, spectators, and staff is paramount. In the event of an emergency, all parties should follow the explicit instruction of event staff. 

​

6.2 Athletes that assist in an emergency may be permitted to begin the race again at the sole discretion of TC medic and officials. 

​

​