We get a lot of nervous questions leading up to a race from first time participants. There is really nothing to fear. We have a lot of new racers show up at every race and once the pre-race jitters go away, the fun of racing takes over. But for those of you that have signed up for the first time and wonder what to expect, here is the rundown of a typical Sport Race.

For other info please check out what is Good to Know for Sport and Elite races.

- Arrive following Pangea signs to Main TA, receive direction on where to park, stage, bikes, fuel and other transition gear.

- Entire team needs to be present to complete check in, sign waiver, receive maps and draw marble to determine starting discipline. (Sport races start on all different disciplines so everyone is spread out on the course).

- Aproximatly 20 mins prior to pre-race meeting, receive insight at the AR 101 meeting: quick instruction on maps, map reading, using a compass, how to punch your punch card and how new teams might approach competing in their first AR. Questions are asked and answered.

- Maps are pre-marked. Maps, instructions, punch card are very durable and water resistant.

- Pre-Race Meeting: teams, will receive specific course information, race start instructions, and water locations. Questions are asked and answered then take a team picture and receive initial punch card.

- Race start: teams have set time limit (length of race) to visit as many control points (CP's) as possible on foot, bike and boat.

- Using unique punch attached to each CP, teams punch their punch card to prove that they have visited that control.

- CP's are worth 1 point each and teams can usually expect 4-6 CP's on each discipline.

- Most course designs have teams returning to Main TA after each discipline to exchange punch card and receive punch card for next discipline.

- Teams should expect to spend a similar amount of time on each discipline

- Only a limited number of teams will successfully clear the course by visiting all CP's. The remaining teams will have to determine which and how many CP's to skip and return to Main TA before penalties.

- The standings are determined by Total Points (CP's minus penalties) and then by best time.

- Target course design has winning sport teams finishing 20% below posted time limit with penalties beginning after time limit has expired. Below, penalties are spelled out for a typical 3 hr event:

There will be two or three start times (waves) each 5 minutes apart. Teams will have 3 hours from when they started to complete their course. Penalties begin after 3 hours.

The finish is a very active time with teams rushing to return before exceeding time limit. Only one team member is needed to hand in punch cards at the designated Start/Finish table.

Post race awards usually begins when OT penalty begins. Stay and enjoy the ending. There is food and a raffle so anyone can walk away with something.