Rules (the important ones)

1. Paid registration with must be received prior to the cutoff. See the Registration Link to the left. Some exceptions will be made, but please try not to be that person... the event is a circus already.

2. Hotel reservations can be made any time before the event! However, we have sold out our event headquarters hotel 4 years in a row now, so don't wait. We have negotiated hotel sponsorship and have a great rate for all… see Hotel Information link to the left. This is a great race to bring the family along to, let them enjoy the pool while you enjoy… well you get the idea. Need to specify that you are with this event (TRIPLE D WINTER RACE) to receive the discounted rooms. If you want to share a room send me an email, and I’ll get you into a group. International Racers are provided free lodging.

3. Entry fee is $60 for the Ultra Bike, Ultra Run, & Marathon Run. The Bike Poker Tour is $40. The 5K event is only $20. Tandem bikes, if you’re crazy enough to attempt this is $60 total, if you decide the day of the race to ride singles the other rider must pay $60 – this is one exception to the bikers pre-registration rule).

4. There are multiple prize categories (Ultra Bike 67 miles, Ultra-Marathon, Marathon and Half Marathon for run and ski. New in 2016 is a 5K event. All of these are then broken down to Male/Female categories). The Poker tour is best hand takes all $$$. On "snow" years we also brake down the bikes into skinny and fat.

5. No refunds will be allowed. However, you may change categories the day of the race. Please make a good guess as to the event you MAY race in so that we can make appropriate reservations of food/drinks at each location.

6. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU! No outside help from anyone except other racers. This means that there are no support crews of any kind allowed on the course (they can cheer and photograph – but not assist). If you take a ride or resupply, you are forfeiting your right to “finish” the race and you must contact the race day coordinator with when & where you are dropping out of the race. Participants are encouraged to help each other. The buddy system is a good way to do the longer version of this race for the first time. Bikers: please note where you dropped out of the race as in years past we awarded prizes based on who made it the furthest (as nobody finished).

7. Any combination of forward motion is allowed (i.e., skiers can run, runners can snow shoe, bikers can push, etc.). No towing/pushing other racers, you can assist them but not in the forward direction.

8. No littering (and no stashes). Leave no trace. Make use of sanitation facilities provided along the trail (there are a couple of restrooms on Heritage trail and at Dyersville. Bring your own t.p. just in case.

9. If you leave the race course for some reason (food, water, bike repair), you must re-enter the course exactly where you left it or notify race officials that you are dropping out as soon as is feasible. Short-cutting the course is not allowed. Turning around early is allowed and encouraged over dropping out in the middle of the race (as this reduces the time our volunteers spend sagging racers), record the mile marker or location where you turned around to receive credit for the distance raced. IF YOU ARE A BIKER AND PLAN ON WINNING/PLACING: BE READY TO PROVIDE YOUR GPS TRACKS AT THE FINISH LINE! OFF COURSE RACERS WILL RECEIVE A POSITION PENALTY(S) - there's a reason for this new rule.

10. STOP AT ALL INTERSECTIONS and obey all traffic laws - this is not a closed course race (except the 5k speed race).

11. The course will be marked and maps will be provided (compass is recommended for bikers, GPS and cycling computers are also allowed - but temperatures may prevent them from working). There are forward and backward mile markers on Heritage Trail (lots of new ones installed in 2015). Bikers will traverse public and private snow machine trails for about the first 24 miles prior to landing on heritage trail for 33 miles then back to private trails for the last 10 miles. Runners and Skiers in 2016 will be entirely on Heritage Trail.

12. There will be no cut off time! This race is about finishing! However, we encourage everyone to finish or sag by 12 hours. If you are out longer than 12 hours make sure you call the race day coordinator to inform them of your intentions and your condition. Note: all the “free” beer and pizza will be consumed without you… (but we will all be thinking about you, which may help you feel warm and full ;-).

13. It is required that EVERYONE (except for 5k racers) have TWO flashing red lights turned on for the entire race (one front and one back) and bikers are REQUIRED to have a WORKING forward white light for after-dark. It is recommended (but not required) that: 1. You have some extra reflective material front and back, 2. Do not use head phones. Bikers should consider a helmet (snowboarder/ski helmets work great in the cold temps). The trail is also used by snowmobiles (even-though the local club which manages the trails has informed their members to stay off the private trails on race day, Heritage trail is a "state trail" so you will encounter some out of town'ers who are unaware of the event).

14. Stay safe, stay warm. Warn other trail users when passing, etc… read up on frostbite and hypothermia so that you know what to do to prevent and treat these winter risks!

15. A mini awards ceremony will occur for each event shortly after a majority of the finisher arrive, this way top finishers can take their trophies or medals and leave... however, we encourage all to attend the main awards which take place at 9:30 PM on race day at the Best Western Plus on Highway 20 (DO NOT stay at the finish line bars, have your drinks, socialize and head back to the Best Western Plus). Cash and Awards to the top finishers in addition, awards and extra cash will be divvied lottery style to all racers and volunteers. Cash: Numbered tickets will be given to all starters. Additional tickets will be issued to finishers. The better you finish the more tickets. We will then give away all race profits lottery style, the same as prior years. In years past we will have awarded up to $2,500 in cash. However, this could be much higher if you pass the word… race expenses will be kept to an absolute minimum, no profits to anybody (expenses include: event room, insurance, trail access fees, shuttle, sag, course markings, beer and pizza at the awards), more racers, the more fun everyone has!