Why do you do DNF scoring and not Time + Penalties?

If you DNF a stage, you have died.  Scoring is designed to reflect this reality, and to reward those who find a way to survive, even when things don’t go smoothly.  Perseverance and adaptation are the most important attributes in a survival situation, and not dying is MUCH better than almost not dying.  Therefore, all DNFs are treated the same, regardless of how many targets were or were not neutralized before the mission failed.  Since the penalty is so harsh, competitors will likely remember exactly how, where, and why they failed a stage, and focus on improving for next time, rather than casually dismissing the failure by assuring themselves that they got pretty close (or closer than their buddy) so it’s not a big deal. 

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How is Stage Time different than Wait Time?

Stage Time measures the entire time a competitor is at a stage, from arrival through departure.  This includes wait time before the stage brief, the stage brief, time spent actually shooting, and doing whatever admin needs to be done before leaving the stage and getting back on the trail.  Wait Time at other events generally only refers to the time between arrival at the stage and the time that the stage brief starts.  We prefer Stage Time, because it allows us to more precisely measure Run Time.  For example, if two competitors run exactly the same speed the whole time, but one tends to shoot faster, the faster shooter will have a better Shoot Score (earned) and a better Run Time (not earned).  We want Run Time to accurately reflect the time purely spent moving on the trail, rather than using a method of scoring that subconsciously gives the better shooters an incorrect Run Time advantage that could easily add up to 3 to 5 minutes on a 60 minute run.  Our ROs are very experienced and will push competitors through the stage at a brisk pace, so that nobody can game the system by taking an extra long break. 

 

Do I have to do the obstacles?

Yes, if you want to place well. Run Time penalties of 15 minutes on Saturday and 7 minutes on Sunday will be assessed for each major obstacle that is not completed.  These obstacles are there to test upper-body strength, endurance, and determination.  If you can’t do them, we hope that you will get to the gym and improve your fitness level.  In a real-life situation, your buddy may need your help with a problem on the other side of an 8’ privacy fence.  You’re useless to him unless you can get there, regardless of how cool your gear is and how fast you can shoot.

 

How does Standby Heat work?

Participants in the Standby Heat will definitely get out on the course at some point during the day, which is why we collect payment up-front.  Standby runners need to check in with Heat 1 and remain near the start/end booth in a state of relative readiness throughout the day so they can jump in if an opportunity presents itself.  Any remaining Standby participants will run at the end of Heat 4 if necessary.  Standby participants must be runners/joggers only, in order to make sure that we can finish before dark. 

 

How does the Cancellation List work?

Unlike Standby Heat tickets, the Cancellation List does not require payment up-front, and you are not guaranteed to participate.  If we get cancellations, we will begin working our way through the Cancellation List, contacting people via email one by one.  The list tends to fill up rapidly after tickets go on sale, so the odds of being contacted go down pretty significantly if you put yourself on the list later on.

 

Can I run with my buddies?

It depends.  Since shooters can only shoot the stages one at a time, the arrival of several people at a shooting stage immediately creates a backup.  We do everything we can to optimize throughput at the shooting stages, with our goal being to keep wait times as low as possible.  So, groups are strongly discouraged.  We are happy to dismiss runners consecutively at 5-minute intervals, so that people who want to be together are on the course at the same time and may see each other at the shooting stages.  But we ask that shooters get back on the trail immediately after each stage, rather than hanging out to watch someone else shoot.  That being said, a parent or guardian must accompany a minor child at all times, so we will keep parent/kid pairs together.  In certain cases, we may also allow two adults to run as a pair.