9th Annual Get Your Bearings Adventure Race

Official Results w/ TA Times
Official Results – Overall
Official Results – By Division

Race Details

Race Date: Saturday, September 12, 2020
Location: Howell, Michigan (Brighton State Recreation Area, requires Recreation Passport, Prices HERE)
Length: 4 hour Adventure Race
Disciplines: Trail Running, Mountain Biking, Paddling & Orienteering
5 Divisions:  4-person Coed, 2-person Open, 2-person First-Timer (at least 1 teammate new to AR), Solo and Family (No paddling in this division.  Parent/Child 8-14 year old..no charge for the kid!)
Who: Beginner to Experienced Adventurers!
Racer Check-In: 8:00am to 9:15am
Race Briefing: Emailed in advance of event
Race Start: Wave 1 – 10:00am, Wave 2 – 10:20am
Race Cutoff: Wave 1 – 2:00pm, Wave 2 – 2:20pm
Post Race Food: 1:30-2:45 for grab-n-go only
Swag: T-Shirts (not guaranteed after 08/16/2020)
Required Gear List (Last Updated 08/11/2020)
Required Waivers – Now online as of 08/31/2020! Heavner Canoe Online Waiver (per person), COVID Online Waiver (per person)
Registered Teams List
Final Team List (updated 9/9/2020)
Racer Update #1 (sent 8/31/2020)
Racer Update #2 (sent 9/3/2020)
Racer Update #3 (sent 9/9/2020)
Event Photos: Facebook Photo Album

Event Cost:

Early Registration
1/25/20 to 2/8/20
 4-Person & 2-Person Divisions:
– $80.00 per person (+ small online registration fee)		 Family Divisions:
– Team of 2, 1 adult and 1 child (8-14yr), $80 per team (+small online registration fee).
– Team of 3, 1 adult and 2 children (8-14yr), $115 per team (+small online registration fee).
– Team of 3, 2 adults and 1 child (8-14yr), $130 per team (+small online registration fee).
– Team of 4, 2 adults and 2 children (8-14yr), $160 per team (+small online registration fee).
Reg. Registration 4/4/20 to 8/16/20 4-Person, 2-Person & Solo Divisions:
– $85.00 per person (+ small online registration fee)		 Family Divisions:
– Team of 2, 1 adult and 1 child (8-14yr), $85 per team (+small online registration fee).
– Team of 3, 1 adult and 2 children (8-14yr), $120 per team (+small online registration fee).
– Team of 3, 2 adults and 1 child (8-14yr), $135 per team (+small online registration fee).
– Team of 4, 2 adults and 2 children (8-14yr), $170 per team (+small online registration fee).
Late Registration
8/17/20 to 8/29/20		 4-Person, 2-Person & Solo Divisions:
– $95.00 per person (+ small online registration fee)		 Family Divisions:
– Team of 2, 1 adult and 1 child (8-14yr), $95 per team (+small online registration fee).
– Team of 3, 1 adult and 2 children (8-14yr), $130 per team (+small online registration fee).
– Team of 3, 2 adults and 1 child (8-14yr), $155 per team (+small online registration fee).
– Team of 4, 2 adults and 2 children (8-14yr), $190 per team (+small online registration fee).

Registration will re-open on Apr 4, 2020 and remain open until 2 weeks prior to the race, or unless we reach capacity (90 racers). Registration can now be completed individually  (Except Family Div.) and Lost Arrow Sports waivers are signed online through the registration process. We are excited to remove the need of printing these waivers. We will still require printing of Canoe/Kayak waiver from Heavner and other waivers as required.
Entry Fees are non-refundable.
Entry fee includes canoe/kayak rental, swag, and post race food. Entry is limited to the team limits noted above.

Gold Sponsor:

Supporting Sponsors:

GYB 2020 COVID Response Plan

Get Your Bearings AR is currently scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2020 at Brighton Recreation Area.  August 17th is our go/no-go date based on event registration counts; we’ll need a minimum of 50 people registered to proceed with the event.

Update: August 17th – We have confirmed Get Your Bearings is a GO!!

Providing we have enough registrations to go forward with Get Your Bearings, and the status of MI Safe Start Plan has not changed, we will have the following restrictions / social distancing practices in place:

      • Race will be limited to 90 participants
      • Masks are required to be worn at the start/finish area, transition areas (TA) and anytime you are unable to maintain social distancing on the course.
      • Contactless check-in / check-out (bags with race swag/materials per team, drop box for passports)
      • Race Meeting Information provided in a racer update, no race meeting on site
      • Contactless Checkpoints; no punch, record codes
      • No award ceremony; awards will be mailed to team captains
      • Grab-n-Go lunches immediately following the event

Cancellation Plans (if needed):

      • In the event we have to cancel on or before Aug 17, we will offer a full refund (minus credit card processing fees) or provide race credits for a future event (this will be the default refund option).
      • In the event we have to cancel after Aug 17th, we will offer a partial refund based on expenses at the time of cancellation. We understand this is not the ideal situation, but we also hope you understand the reasoning behind these decisions.
      • If we do have to cancel, for any reason or at any time, we plan to offer a virtual race option. More details to come on that if/when we have to go down that path.

Event Description:

 Trekking / Trail Running / Orienteering:
Teams will use provided maps, and their compasses, to find checkpoints (CP’s) scattered throughout the area.  Detailed Orienteering (1:10,000) topographical maps will be provided pre-marked with checkpoints, as well as a DNR Recreation Area map.  The total trekking will be in the 6-8 mile range – depending on a your selected route and number of CP’s achieved.  Not all checkpoints will be required to finish as an officially ranked team; however, the more checkpoints a team obtains, the higher they will rank in the overall standings.  Teams can choose to trek on trails or bushwhack through the wilderness!

Paddle:
Teams will be paddling approximately 2-3 miles.  Canoes/Kayaks are provided (Kayaks for Solo Racers only).  Paddles and PFDs will be provided also; however, you can use your own paddles and PFDs instead if you prefer.  Racers will need to sign a canoe/kayak rental waiver which will be provided prior to registration.  It is recommended that your team has canoeing/kayaking experience.  Practice with Heavner Canoe Rental,  offering a 10% discount on rentals to anyone planning on doing the race.  There is not a paddling section for Family teams.

Mountain Bike:
The mountain bike stage will total 8-10 miles in length as teams collect required checkpoints.  The course will include a mix of paved road, single track and off-road trails.

About

Get Your Bearings is designed to provide a challenging race for experienced adventure athletes, as well as a fun adventure for families or people new to the sport.  The 4-person Coed team is the highlighted division and the perfect way for a traditional team to prepare for longer races. The 2-person team divisions can be made up of any combination of women/men.  Family teams will race a shorter course more suitable to young kids and will not include paddling.

In an Adventure Race, all teammates work together to try and find the checkpoints (like a scavenger hunt!) and make it to the finish before the cut-off time. Teammates must stay within 50′ or eyesight of each other (whichever is closer). The complete team must finish the course in the allotted time to earn an official ranked finish. Teams that work their way to the finish line after the time limit, without a teammate, or without obtaining the required checkpoints will not be a ranked finisher. There will be a pre-race briefing before the race. At this briefing teams will learn details about the course. Race instructions and maps will be handed out. Teams will then have until the start for any last minute preparations or strategizing.

When the race starts, teams will be required to navigate each stage of the race using the provided pre-marked maps. Often, teams can choose their own route to each checkpoint. Make sure at least 1 person on your team understands how to read a map and a compass (GPSs are not allowed!). Watch the “Get Your Bearings Adventure Race” facebook page for opportunities to learn or practice your navigation/orienteering skills prior to the race. The Southern Michigan Orienteering Club offers great events in the Spring and Fall to learn, practice, or race.

Each team will be issued a ‘passport’ that will be punched at each checkpoint along the way. Make sure someone responsible on your team takes care of the passport! It must be turned in at the finish to prove that you found the checkpoints. If you don’t have it, you won’t earn an official finish! Teams are required to carry certain gear for each section of the race. Race officials often do gear checks and assess time penalties as necessary during the race.  The mandatory gear list will be provided in advance.

For information about sponsorship opportunities, please visit our Sponsorship Opportunities Page or reach out to us by filling out the contact form on our Contact page.

Past Race Results

2019 Get Your Bearings
2018 Get Your Bearings
2017 Get Your Bearings
2016 Get Your Bearings
2015 Get Your Bearings
2014 Get Your Bearings