As plans for future adventure races are being developed, it’s nice to have feedback from racers to take into consideration. The Impossible Panther is no different. If you raced in this race, or supported a team, or volunteered, I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments about the experience.
For racers, I’m especially interested in knowing what you think about the modified rogaine format used on the longer courses. Do you like that better than a fixed route course?
What about the length of the courses: 4+, 8 and 12 hours? The number of entries was evenly split between the three lengths, like at last year’s Gold Nugget AR, so it’s hard to tell from the registration numbers if racers want something longer, or shorter.
Your feedback will help make the next race better! Clear your calendar for October 6th and come race the 2nd Annual Gold Nugget AR!
Thanks!
Don
May 25, 2007 at 11:13 am
Job well done!! We had an awesome time…you put on a great race. We will definitely be there next year…going from worst to first.
The only criticism would be to give the racers some indication of how long the paddle will take so they can plan accordingly.
Other than that, Hunt really enjoyed meeting you. Thanks Don!!
May 25, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Glad you had a good time, that’s my goal as a race director!
I’ll try to give a better estimate of discipline time/lengths next time. Unfortunately, actual results may vary greatly with each team’s ability level and navigation skills, or lack thereof. With a rogaine format, there’s even more variability possible, so any estimate has to be taken as just that.
I thought it was interesting to see that some teams looked at the topo and decided it would be faster to run to some CP’s than bike to them. That’s the mental strategy aspect that separates AR from other types of races and lets smarter, but not necessarily faster, racers make the most of what they have.
Such choices have to be within the race rules and instructions of course, but we can do a lot to let the course design control those choices and reduce the rules that have to be written out.
Thanks for your feedback and for racing the Impossible Panther!
Don
May 29, 2007 at 11:41 am
I think the course length has been great. Challenging but not impossible to finish. I Like the 8 and 12 hour courses. Like the modified rogaine format. Modified/ mandatory sections made clear. If doing a shorter course I like the course to be set and marked, a 10 minute wrong turn is to hard to make back up, and a marked course appeals to other racers that are not up to orienteering. Love the ropes section or similar challenge. Doing two races a year in the same area? Locales may develop an advantage can you use the rest of the Park?
May 29, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Another great race done by Don. I also raced in the Gold Nugget and have truely fallen in love with the area. I now think I will need to buy some land out there. The swag given out was great. Support for the race was A++ and the site for camping was very nice as well. I can’t wait for the next race.
May 30, 2007 at 12:34 pm
Great Race and Venue. We (my son and I) did the 8 hour. Personnally , I would not travel that far from Roanoke, Virginia for just a 4 hour race. Will probably do the 12 hour next time.
The canoing was fine, all except the portage. I am definitely bringing wheels the next time, if there is a threat of portage. How about a checkpoint on the river?
We were going to carry our bikes in the canoe, but were told by the transition person that wasn’t allowed. (We practiced for it in another race and have our canoes set up for it.) Maybe would not have made much difference in time from the takeout to the other checkpoints, but could have been a strategy.
P.S. Can’t get to the end of race team pictures. Where did they go? Saw them initially, but can’t get there now!
June 1, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Hi,
I was in the 4 hour race and enjoyed it as much as the Gold Nugget.
I have one suggestion about the time penalties for the last 4 CPs. The time penalties for each was 10 minutes (I think). At that point in the race (4+ hours into the race), getting to one of those checkpoints and back to the start would take most racers more than 10 minutes. I recommend that the time penalty be larger next time for the “on foot” CPs if they are at the end of the race.
June 1, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Point well taken. The formula for weighting time penalties needs to factor in difficulty due to terrain, fatigue, distance, etc.