Eppie's Great Race

Due to low participation for three years in a row, the OC-1 Division has been eliminated commencing with Eppie's Great Race® 39. 

The Open Canoe Division will allow any canoe except those having skegs, rudders or outriggers to be eligible to race commencing with Eppie's Great Race 39®.

1. Each team will consist of two or three members (except in the Ironperson, Tandem Kayak Division and tandem canoes in the Open Canoe Division). One team member will run, one will bicycle, and one will paddle (two of the four members of the Tandem Kayak or tandem canoes in the Open Canoe Division teams will paddle). With a two-member team, one member does at least two legs of the race. In the Ironperson divisions, one individual will do all three. Team members will pass an official wrist band to teammates as the relay progresses. The winning team will be the team or Ironman/woman whose paddler crosses the finish line, in the chute, first in their division. The team member crossing the finish line must have the velcro ankle band with timing chip. Team members other than the paddler must not cross the finish line. Only one paddler from tandem boats may cross the finish line. The other paddler will stay with the boat and assist in placing it in the boat storage area.  Ironpersons must wear the velcro band with timing chip the entire race.  The velcro band must be at ankle height when passing over timing mats or no time will be recorded and that team or ironperson will not be eligible for awards or receive a time for the race.
2. An overtaking competitor has the right-of-way. Impeding the progress of another individual who is passing is grounds for disqualification. Drafting of another bicycle or boat is allowed. Drafting of non-competitors is grounds for disqualification.
3. A competitor must assist another competitor who requests help until he or she reaches safety.
4. Racing numbers must be worn and visible on the outside of clothing and competitors' P.F.D. (lifejacket), on the front or downstream side of the participant. Runners must wear numbers on front.
5. Hard-shell helmets are required for all competitors who bicycle and/or paddle. Helmets shall be fastened in a secure manner and worn while competing. The same helmet may be worn by cyclist and paddler. The helmet worn by a cyclist shall be of a type specifically designed and intended for use by cyclists, and certified as meeting or exceeding the test standards established by Snell Laboratories, ASTM, and/or ANSI. Failure to wear the required headgear at all times while bicycling or boating in Eppie's Great Race® shall result in disqualification of the cyclist or boater and his or her team. It shall be the responsibility of each cyclist and boater, not the organizers, staff or sponsors of Eppie's Great Race®, to inspect his or her protective headgear to determine if it complies with this rule.
6. No competitor may be assisted by another competitor or spectator with equipment or water removal, except in the Adaptive division.
7. Competitors may enter only one team or ironperson division.
8. All competitors who quit the race for any reason before the finish line must report to Eppie's Great Race® official as soon as possible after they stop competing in the race.
9. Protests: All protests must be in writing and filed within 30 minutes of the protester's team crossing the finish line. The written protests must be made on a form provided by Eppie's Great Race® management. Protests can be logged at race headquarters in case of any violation of the Competition Rules. An arbitration committee will meet before the Awards Ceremony in order to provide a final ruling on all protests and disqualifications made by course officials. A $10 non-refundable fee will be charged to file a protest. If a protest is filed regarding a boat used in the race, the boat in question and the protester's boat will both be examined by the Watercraft Advisory Committee.
10. The Relay: Runners wearing the velcro ankle band with timing chip will start the competition. A road race start will be used. Runners should seed themselves according to their estimated running pace. Runners will proceed along the official running course to the bike staging area located at the bike trail near the Guy West Bridge. The runner must have the ankle band with timing chip on when crossing the timing mat at the run-bike transition area.  The runner will enter the bicycle staging area from the levee side and will pass the official wristband to the cyclist teammate in the area designated for their division. The cyclist will proceed along the official bike course to the Sunrise Avenue Footbridge. The cyclist will dismount and cross the timing mat with ankle band with timing chip and proceed onto the bridge.  The runner will pass the ankle band with timing chip to the paddler teammate who will be waiting on the bridge. When the paddler teammate receives the ankle band, the paddler will cross the footbridge to his/her boat. One paddler on a tandem team will wait on the bridge with the other paddler waiting near the boats on the beach. Paddlers will proceed down the river to the finish area and exit the boat at the designated take-out area. All paddlers (except only one paddler on tandem boats) will then run through the finish chute.  The paddler crossing the finish line must pass over both timing mats  and into the finish shoot with the ankle band with chip.  Runners and cyclists must stay on the official course. Making use of short cuts or transferring the official wristband in other than designated areas at the run/hike or bike/boat transition areas are grounds for disqualification.
11. Timing: The time will be the total time it takes the team or Ironperson to complete the entire course and cross the finish line.
12. The route will be monitored and any competitor who does not adhere to the rules of the race will be disqualified.
13. A race competitor shall not, during participation in the race, push, tow, or carry any device for the transport of another person, animal and/or equipment. Such devices include but are not limited to: bicycle trailers, strollers, infant carriers and towed boats.
14. Only registered race competitors and registered guides for legally blind race competitors shall participate in the race. No other persons and/or animals may accompany a competitor.
15. All members of a Junior team must be 18 years or younger on the day of the race.
16. All race competitors, ironpersons or team members must have visual acuity better than legally blind as defined in Vehicle Code section 21965 which states: "As used in Sections 21963 and 21964, 'blind,' 'totally blind,' and 'partially blind' mean having central visual acuity not to exceed 20/200 in the better eye, with corrected lenses, as measured by the Snellen test, or visual acuity greater than 20/200, but with a limitation in the field of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle not greater than 20 degrees."
17. Registration fees for ironpersons and relay teams are non-refundable.

1. Competitors who bike must leave the bridge at the exchange point as soon as possible and not interfere with any other competitor who is trying to find his or her paddler teammate.
2. Ironpersons must have a crew to retrieve the bike. Members of the crew may only retrieve the bicycle from the bicycle storage area and must not otherwise assist the competitor at the exchange point.
3. A tandem bicycle, recumbent bicycle, or a tricycle shall not be used by a race competitor. Only bicycles ridden by one (1) person will be allowed in the bicycle portion of the race. NOTE: A legally blind cyclist and a sighted cyclist shall ride a two-seater tandem bicycle. The sighted guide shall sit in the front seat to peddle and steer the bicycle. Tandem bicycles will not be allowed except for those persons who are legally blind or have such visual impairment that they are unable to safely ride a one-person bicycle.
4. All bicycles must meet the following design requirements:

• The saddle support shall be horizontal and be positioned above the bottom bracket (cranks). The length of the saddle shall be between 24 cm and 27.5 cm maximum.
• The peak of the saddle shall be a minimum of 5 cm to the rear of a vertical plane passing through the bottom bracket spindle. In no circumstances shall the peak of the saddle extend in front of the vertical line passing through the bottom bracket.
• The distance between the lower bracket (crank axle) and the ground shall be between 24 cm minimum and 30 cm maximum.
• A vertical line touching the front most point of the saddle may be no more than 5 centimeters in front of and no more than 15 centimeters behind a vertical line passing through the center of the chain wheel axle. The cyclist must not have the capability of adjusting the saddle beyond these limits during competition.
• The cranks shall not be located in front of the front wheel axle or the steering mechanism.
• Rider's position on the bike shall not allow the rider to lay on their back or chest/abdomen.
• There shall be no protective shield, fairing, or other device on any part of the bicycle, which has the effect of reducing air resistance except that spoke covers may be used.

1. The boat number provided in the registration packet must be affixed to the left front of the boat prior to being placed on the beach to ensure the boat is placed in the proper place on the beach and for accurate timing.
2. Paddles must be stored in the boat and not kept in possession of the paddler while on the bridge/transition area.
3. Boat flotation: The type of buoyancy shall be at the discretion of the competitor but must be adequate to float the boat horizontally when it is filled with water. Air bags may be used.
4. Any competitor, when operating a boat, shall wear a U. S. Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (P.F.D.). Inflatable P.F.D.s are banned. Failure to comply with these requirements is grounds for disqualification.
5. Canoe paddles: Any number of single-bladed paddles of any material and size or shape may be in the canoe. A competitor may use only one paddle at a time in canoes. Double-bladed paddles are not permitted. In the event a paddle is broken, a competitor may finish with another paddle.
6. Watercraft must be stored in the appropriate and designated place at the watercraft launching area, or the team or ironperson will be disqualified.
7. The paddler (bow paddler only in the Tandem Kayak and Open Canoe divisions must cross the finish line on foot and present the official wristband to the official helper. Numbered sticks will be used to compile results from finish times and sequential position. Please cooperate to make this system work efficiently. Competitors without an official wristband will be disqualified.
8. All paddlers must wear shoes.
9. Stand Up Paddle Boards are not allowed in Eppie's Great Race®.

This category applies to those persons who have visual acuity as defined in the California Vehicle Code 21965, which states: "blind," "totally blind," and "partially blind" mean having central visual acuity not to exceed 20/200 in the better eye, with corrected lenses, as measured by the Snellen test, or visual acuity greater than 20/200, but with a limitation in the field of vision such that the widest diameter ofthe visual field subtends an angle not greater than 20 degrees.

1. RUNNING - A blind, totally blind or partially blind runner shall be accompanied and guided by a sighted runner.
2. CYCLING - A blind, totally blind or partially blind cyclist and a sighted cyclist guide shall ride a two-seater tandem bicycle. The sighted guide shall sit in the front seat to peddle and steer the bicycle.
3. PADDLING - The blind, totally blind or partially blind paddler and sighted guide (paddler) shall participate in a two-person authorized watercraft (kayak, canoe or raft) with the sighted paddler being in the position to maneuver. The watercraft launch area for the blind, totally blind or partially blind participant and his or her guide shall be on the south bank of the river at a designated location downstream of the Lower Sunrise Pedestrian Bridge.
4. The blind, totally blind or partially blind participant and sighted guide for the cycling and paddling portion shall all provide and complete the entry forms required for Eppie's Great Race®. Also the blind, totally blind or partially blind participant and guide shall sign the same waiver and release form which is on the reverse side of the entry form. No charge will be made to the guide for the blind, totally blind or partially blind participant.
5. No tandem bicycle will be allowed for any participant unless blind, totally blind or partially blind.
6. A blind, totally blind or partially blind participant has the option of wearing identifying emblems such as a bib or vest to indicate they have a vision impairment. This is optional for the blind, totally blind or partially blind participant and guide and can be done in any manner the participant and guide choose, including the coloring and wording on the type of identification they choose. Should the participant choose to wear an identifying emblem, he or she shall provide same.
7. The determination of whether a race applicant is blind, totally blind or partially blind is to be made by that applicant.
8. The same person shall serve as the guide in all three portions of the race.

Teams or ironpersons can be disqualified for any of the following reasons:

1. The use of a watercraft which does not meet the requirements for the division in which the participant is entered.
2. Intentionally leaving the course to obtain a shorter distance advantage.
3. Intentionally interfering with another racer to obtain or confer an advantage.
4. Competing without a helmet on the bicycle or river portion of the course.
5. Cyclists riding on the course to return from the bike dismount area toward Goethe Park or taking bicycle across the Lower Sunrise Pedestrian Bridge prior to course official's signal that the course is open.
6. Competing without an approved P.F.D. (personal floatation device) during the watercraft portion of the race.
7. Drafting off non-competitors during the race.
8. Cyclists leaving the designated area for their divisions at the Run-Bike transition area prior to receiving the velcro ankle band with timing chip from their runners. Runners entering the Run-Bike transition area from the bicycle trail side of the transition area rather than designated dirt path on the levee side of bicycle staging area.
9. Competitors entering more than one team or ironperson. (All teams and ironpersons involved will be disqualified from awards but will still be eligible for free breakfast.)
10. Any other failure to obey the course officials and/or Competition Rules.
11. Disorderly conduct.

Teams or Ironpersons using boats not meeting the specifications for their divisions will not qualify for awards. However, they will be eligible for free breakfasts if they better the mark set by Eppie's Great Team.

1. Inflatable Division: This division was discontinued effective Eppie's Great Race® 38.
2. Open Canoe Division: Teams may use either a tandem canoe or a solo canoe.  Teams with a tandem canoe will have a maximum of 4 team members (2 paddlers each using a single bladed canoe paddle) and teams with a solo canoe will have a maximum of 3 team members (1 paddler using one single-bladed canoe paddle).  Any solo or tandem canoe will be eligible except those having skegs, rudders or outriggers which are not allowed on any boat in the Open Canoe Division.
3. Outrigger Canoe Division:  This division was discountinued effective Eppie's Great Race® 39.
4. Touring/Slalom Division: This division was discontinued effective Eppie's Great Race® 38.
5. In the following Divisions: Corporate, Coed, Open, Family, Women's, Men 40+, Women 40+, Women 50+, Men 50+, Men 60+, Fire and Police, Adaptive, Junior, Tandem Kayak, and all Ironperson divisions, competitors may use any paddle-powered kayak or canoe having sufficient flotation to float in horizontal position when filled with water. There is no minimum width or maximum length requirement. Oars, oarlocks and outriggers are not allowed. Examples of eligible boats are flatwater (sprint) canoes and kayaks, surfskis, ocean kayaks, marathon canoes and proboats, downriver kayaks, slalom kayaks, touring kayaks, sit-on-top kayaks and inflatables. Only one paddler is allowed, except tandem kayak which allows two paddlers.
6. Sit-On-Top Kayak Division: The eligible craft are Aquaterra Kahuna, Aquaterra Prism, Aquaterra Swing, Aquaterra Synchro, Aquaterra Torrent, Bic Scapa Kayak, Cobra Explorer, Dagger Frolic, Dagger Grand Caymen, Dagger Pegasus, Dagger Pegasus, Dagger Tiki, Emotion Kayaks Spitfire, Future Beach Angler 160 DLX 13'4 Sit On Kayak., Grabenauer Marine Royak, Hobie Lanai, Hydra Adventurer, Islander Squirt, Lifetime Tamarack 120, Liquidlogic Manta Ray 10, Liquidlogic Manta Ray 12, Liquidlogic Manta Ray 14, Mainstream Twist Kayak, Necky Dolphin, Necky Spike, Ocean Kayak Cabo, Ocean Kayak Caper, Ocean Kayak Drifter, Ocean Kayak Frenzy, Ocean Kayak Malibu Two, Ocean Kayak Scrambler, Ocean Kayak Scupper, Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro, Ocean Kayak Venus 11, Ocean Kayak Yahou, Old Town Sandpiper, Pelican Apex 130, Pelican Apex 130 T, Pelican Apex 116, Pelican Apex 100, Pelican Apex 80 DLX, Pelican Apex 80, Pelican Solo, Wilderness Systems Freedom, Wilderness Systems Riot, Wilderness Systems Tarpon, Wilderness Systems The Ride, Wilderness Systems Twocan. Only one paddler is allowed. Other sit-on-tops may be added to this list in future years.

1. Adaptive Division: a) At least one (1) competitor on an Adaptive Division team shall be a person with a disability (e.g. physical, visual, or developmental). b) Guides will be allowed, if desired, on the running portion of the race, c) Legally blind runners are required to have guides. On the bicycle portion of the race, legally blind competitors must comply with Rule 3. in II. Bicycle Rules above, and its Note. d) The watercraft launch area for the Adaptive Division shall be on the south bank of the river downstream of the Lower Sunrise Pedestrian Bridge. e) Start Time: All Adaptive Division runners and guides shall start two minutes before Team and Ironperson Divisions, at 7:58 a.m. f) Paddling Portion: The legally blind paddler and the sighted guide (paddler) shall participate in a two-person watercraft with the sighted guide steering. g) push rim and hand crank wheelchairs are eligible.
2. Corporate Division: To participate in the Corporate Division, a team must be sponsored by a business paying a Corporate Division entry fee. All of the team members must be employees of the same company. An employee of a corporation shall not be employed by a subcontractor of the corporation or a material vendor of the corporation. An employee shall either be a bona fide full-time employee of the company or a bona fide part-time employee who has worked at least 20 hours per week for at least the last three months preceding the race date.
3. Police, Fire and Related Enforcement Agencies: Each member of the team must be employed by a police, fire or related enforcement agency.  An employee shall be either a bona fide full-time employee of the agency or a bona fide part-time employee who has worked at least 20 hours per week for at least three months preceding the race date. The team member may be a person who is a bona fide retiree who has served at least twenty years for the police, fire or a related enforcement agency.

Eppie's Great Race® established a policy for managing requests for adding divisions. This process involves the proponent making a financial guarantee that at least 10 entrees will be received prior to the year for which the new division is being established.

Policy for establishing, modifying, combining or eliminating Eppie's Great Race® Divisions
Any change in Division for Eppie's Great Race® will be determined by a majority vote of the Eppie's Great Race® Executive Committee. Generally such proposals and decisions will be made during the fall season while changes to race rules are being considered.

New Divisions:
For new divisions, proponents will be expected to provide a written justification and a check for $500 as an assurance that at least 10 entries will be entered in the coming year's race. The $500 will be fully refundable if there are 10 entries in the new Division, but no part will be refunded until 10 entries are received. The Executive Committee will be briefed on the feasibility of the implementation of the request by the Eppie's Great Race® Director. The Director will include in his briefing the advice of the Watercraft Advisory Committee.

The Executive Committee will consider the following in their deliberations:

• What is the demand for this Division?
• Will this Division likely result in new participants in the race rather than just transferring
• participants from an existing Division or will it solve an existing problem with current
• Divisions?
• Will this Division result in increased revenue?
• Is it feasible to implement the new Division without undue logistical difficulties or safety
• issues?
• Is there new equipment that should be accommodated?

Modification of Divisions:
The Eppie's Great Race® Executive Committee will receive an annual briefing from the Director regarding any issues with or changes needed to existing Divisions. This review will include a discussion of all Divisions with less than 10 entries in the prior year's race. Certain Divisions may be retained even if participation is below the 10 entry level. These might include, but are not necessarily be limited to:

• Divisions related to Therapeutic Leisure Services
• Divisions historically retained because they are remnants caused by rule changes over
• the years.
• Recently created Divisions that are making progress toward reaching the minimum level
• Divisions created for gender equity

Any participant who desires an exception from the Competition Rules may email their request to Eppie's Great Race® committee:
TRS@SacCounty.net

The request must set forth in detail the exception requested and all facts which support the request.

Request must be received no later than July 1st of the race year and must include the requester's name, email, address and day and evening telephone numbers. All requests will be promptly considered.

Kids participating in the duathlon are subject to the following general rules.  In addition, applicable Eppie's Great Race® rules also apply.

GENERAL RULES:

1. Each team will consist of two members except in the Ironperson divisions. One team member will run, one will bicycle,). In the Ironperson divisions, one individual will do both legs. Team members will pass an official wrist band to teammates as the relay progresses. The winning team will be the team or Ironperson whose bicyclist crosses the finish line first in their division.
2. An overtaking competitor has the right-of-way. Impeding the progress of another individual who is passing is grounds for disqualification. Drafting of another bicycle is allowed. Drafting of non-competitors is grounds for disqualification.
3. A competitor must assist another competitor who requests help until he or she reaches safety.
4. Racing numbers must be worn and visible on the outside of clothing on front.
5. Hard-shell helmets are requited for all bicyclists. The helmet worn by the cyclist shall be of a type specifically designed and intended for use by cyclists, and certified as meeting or exceeding the test standards established by Snell Laboratories, ASTM, and/or ANSI. Failure to wear the required headgear at all times while bicycling in EPPIE'S GREAT RACE® shall result in disqualification of the cyclist and his or her team. It shall be the responsibility of each cyclist, not the organizers, staff or sponsors of Eppie's Great Race®(r), to inspect his or her protective headgear to determine if it complies with this rule.
6. Competitors may enter only one team or ironperson division.
7. All competitors who quit the race for any reason before the finish line must report to Eppie's Great Race® official as soon as possible after they stop competing in the race.
8. Protests: All protests must be in writing and filed within 30 minutes of the protester's team crossing the finish line. The written protests must be made on a form provided by Eppie's Great Race® management. Protests can be logged at race headquarters in case of any violation of the Competition Rules. An arbitration committee will meet before the Awards Ceremony in order to provide a final ruling on all protests and disqualifications made by course officials. A $10 non-refundable fee will be charged to file a protest.
9. The Relay: Runners wearing an official wristband will start the competition. A road race start will be used. Runners should seed themselves according to their estimated running pace. Runners will proceed along the official running course to the bike staging area located at the bike trail near the Guy West Bridge. The runner will enter the bicycle staging area from the levee side and will pass the official wristband to the cyclist teammate in the area designated for their division. The cyclist will proceed along the official bike course to the Eppie's Great Race® start line which is the finish line for the Duathlon. Runners and cyclists must stay on the official course. Making use of short cuts or transferring the official wristband in other than designated areas at the run/hike transition area are grounds for disqualification.
10. Timing: The time will be the total time it takes the team or Ironperson to complete the entire course and cross the finish line.
11. The route will be monitored and any competitor who does not adhere to the rules of the race will be disqualified.
12. A race competitor shall not, during participation in the race, push, tow, or carry any device for the transport of another person, animal and/or equipment. Such devices include but are not limited to: bicycle trailers, strollers, and infant carriers.
13. Only registered racers shall participate in the race. A parent/guardian may run/walk with a race participant during the running portion of the race. A parent or guardian may ride a bicycle behind a race participant during the bicycle race subject to the following conditions: The parent/guardian shall stay behind the race participant at all times (never beside or in front), will ride to the far right hand side of the trail, and will never impede other race participants. On neither the running nor bicycle portion of the race will the parent/guardian provide assistance to any race participant which could provide any competitive advantage. The sole purpose of the parent/guardian is to provide for safety of the race participant.
14. All participants in the race must be under 18 years of age on the day of the race.
15. All race competitors, ironpersons or team members must have visual acuity better than legally blind as defined in Vehicle Code section 21965 which states: "As used in Sections 21963 and 21964, 'blind,' 'totally blind,' and 'partially blind' mean having central visual acuity not to exceed 20/200 in the better eye, with corrected lenses, as measured by the Snellen test, or visual acuity greater than 20/200, but with a limitation in the field of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle not greater than 20 degrees."
16. Registration fees for the kids duathlon are non-refundable.

Kids participating in the duathlon are subject to the following bicycle rules.  In addition, applicable Eppie's Great Race® rules also apply.

BICYCLE RULES:

1. A tandem bicycle, recumbent bicycle, or a tricycle shall not be used by a race competitor. Only bicycles ridden by one (1) person will be allowed in the bicycle portion of the race.
2. All bicycles must meet the following design requirements: a) All bicycles must be in working order and non-motorized. b) There shall be no protective shield, fairing, or other device on any part of the bicycle, which has the effect of reducing air resistance except that spoke covers may be used.

Eppie’s Great Race prides itself in always leaving the American River Parkway cleaner than it was before the race, but it is the responsibility of competitors and their crews to pick up all shoes, clothing, water bottles, trash, etc. left in the transition areas.  Eppie’s Great Race takes no responsibility for any items left anywhere on the course, but does need to remove them to fulfill its responsibility to leave the Parkway clean.

At the run/bike transition area we will leave shoes and clothing where the athlete dropped them until 11:30 am. Any items left at that time will then be taken to Race Headquarters at River Bend Park.

Items left on the beach at the boat put in at Sunrise will be put in the sweep boat and brought to race headquarters after the last competitor finishes.

Lost and found articles will be at the headquarters tent on race day. Beginning on Monday after the race, call 916/381-0255. After 14 days, unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity.