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Rules & Info

The race handbook

Divisions, team rules, equipment requirements, and the awards given out on race day — everything you need to know before you toe the line at Emerson Park.

Race day instructions
The Great Race start area before the race: an American flag billows next to the START banner above safety cones laid out across the road.
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The course at a glance

Three legs. One relay.

The Great Race is a team relay triathlon. Every division covers the same distances — only the team size and paddlecraft change.

Leg 1

Run

5K

Leg 2

Bike

10 miles

Leg 3

Paddle

2 miles

Divisions

Pick your boat, pick your team

All teams must enter in one of the categories below. The top teams in each race place in the Open division (see Awards) regardless of category.

4 racers

Four-Person Canoe

Runner + Biker + 2 paddlers in a tandem canoe.

3 racers

Three-Person Kayak

Runner + Biker + 1 kayaker.

2 racers

Tandem

Each racer runs or bikes, then both paddle the canoe leg together.

1 racer

Solo

Canoe, kayak, or paddleboard permitted.

One athlete completes all three legs.

4 racers

K-2 Team

Runner + Biker + 2 paddlers sharing a 2-person kayak.

3 racers

Standup Paddleboard

Runner + Biker + 1 paddleboarder.

General rules

Read the fine print

Every rule below comes straight from the race committee. Follow them to keep your team eligible — and safe — on race day.

Roster & Eligibility

Every racer signs the waiver, every team enters one category, and no one races on more than one team.

  1. Every racer must sign the liability waiver — either on the paper registration form or online.Sign the waiver online
  2. Every team must enter in one of the published team categories.
  3. Need to swap a teammate? Follow the Team Roster Change procedure before the posted deadline.Read the roster and category change policy
  4. There are no age-group categories in the Family and Corporate divisions.
  5. The average of all team members' ages on race day determines the age group.

Timing & Registration

Chip timing records every split. Register early for better transition-zone placement.

  1. Run and bike splits are recorded by electronic chip timing — chips must be worn to receive a finish time.
  2. Early online registration earns an advantageous position in both the run-to-bike and bike-to-paddle changeover zones.
  3. Walking is not cause for disqualification on the run or bike legs.

Bike Leg

Hard-shell helmets are mandatory, the course closes at noon, and motorised cycles are not allowed.

  1. Approved bike helmets are required. Cyclists without helmets will be disqualified.
  2. The bike course closes at noon — all bikes must be back to the changeover zone by then.
  3. No e-bikes or powered bikes of any kind are allowed on the course.

Paddle Leg

Life jackets at all times. Boats must match the category, and paddle rules follow U.S. Canoe Association specs.

  1. All paddlers must wear a life jacket during the race. Paddlers without one will be disqualified.
  2. Canoes are only allowed in the canoe categories; kayaks only in the kayak categories.
  3. Canoeists: no double-ended paddles allowed.
  4. Kayakers: double-ended paddles required.
  5. Canoes must meet U.S. Canoe Association competition specifications — either Pro Boat (3x27) or Competition Cruiser (4x32).
  6. The race committee reserves the right to require paddlers to wear their life jackets.

Tandem & Solo

Smaller teams share more legs. Each racer handles their own gear.

  1. Tandem racers: each teammate must either run or bike, and both paddle the canoe leg together.
  2. The Solo division is open to canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards.
  3. Each tandem or solo racer is responsible for their own equipment.

Venue & Post-Race

Emerson Park rules apply all day. Bring ID if you're planning to celebrate.

  1. All racers must show proof of age to redeem beverage tickets for beer — bring your ID.
Registration changes

Roster & category change policy

Use the racer portal for routine changes. Late requests remain subject to organizer review so RunScore and race-day records stay accurate.

  1. 01

    Through Friday, August 7 at 12 noon ET

    Roster and category changes are self-service in the racer portal with no change fee.

  2. 02

    Category pricing

    Upgrades pay the difference at today's price. Downgrades do not receive a refund.

  3. 03

    After the deadline

    Changes may be requested until the race starts Sunday, August 9 at 9:30 AM ET. A $5 fee applies and organizer approval is required.

Need help with a paper, check, complimentary, or otherwise non-standard registration? Contact the race organizers instead of starting a self-service category change.

Awards

Who takes home the hardware

Open division awards go to the fastest teams regardless of category. Age-group awards run across every team division below. No team receives both.

Open division

4-Person Canoe

Three Open Awards in the four-person canoe division.

3-Person Kayak

Three Open Awards in the kayak division.

Tandem

Three Open Awards in the tandem division.

Solo

Open Award for the top male and top female finishers.

Teams placing in the Open division will not place in the age group categories — no duplication of awards.

Age-group awards

The average (whole number) of all team members' ages on race day determines the bracket. Example: a team averaging 39.75 years enters the 18–39 category, not 40–59. Mixed teams include at least one member of the opposite sex. Awards will be made to the top teams in each category.

Four-Person (Canoe) Teams

Male

  • Under 18
  • 18 – 39
  • 40 – 59
  • 60 & up

Female

  • Under 18
  • 18 – 39
  • 40 – 59
  • 60 & up

Mixed

  • Under 18
  • 18 – 39
  • 40 – 59
  • 60 & up

Three-Person (Kayak) Teams

Male

  • Under 18
  • 18 – 39
  • 40 – 59
  • 60 & up

Female

  • Under 18
  • 18 – 39
  • 40 – 59
  • 60 & up

Mixed

  • Under 18
  • 18 – 39
  • 40 – 59
  • 60 & up

Tandem Teams (Runner + Biker, both paddle)

Male

  • Under 18
  • 18 – 39
  • 40 – 59
  • 60 & up

Female

  • Under 18
  • 18 – 39
  • 40 – 59
  • 60 & up

Mixed

  • Under 18
  • 18 – 39
  • 40 – 59
  • 60 & up

  • Solo

    No age or gender brackets. Awards will be made to the top teams in the Solo division.

  • K2

    No age or gender brackets. Awards will be made to the top teams in the K2 division.

  • Standup Paddleboard

    No age or gender brackets. Awards will be made to the top teams in the Standup Paddleboard division.

Family & Corporate categories

Family (Canoe)

Siblings with at least one parent or grandparent. No age or sex categories.

Family (Kayak)

Child or children from the same nuclear family plus at least one parent or grandparent.

Corporate Challenge

Four full-time employees from the same company. No age or sex categories.

Memorial awards

Honoring the athletes and stewards of the race

Presented each year on Great Race Day to athletes in the race and the supporters who built it.

  1. Award 01

    Jule Verdi Award

    Presented to the first four-person canoe team to finish.

  2. Award 02

    Bill Michaels Award

    Presented to the first female and first male runner to finish.

  3. Award 03

    Brian Hanley Memorial Award

    Presented to the first all-female four-person canoe team.

  4. Award 04

    Geri Read Award

    Presented to the first all-female three-person kayak team.

  5. Award 05

    Paul Ringwood Sr. Memorial Award

    Presented to the first-place finisher in the Family Category in the canoe race.

  6. Award 06

    Newman Award

    Presented to the oldest (by average age) four-person canoe team to finish.

  7. Award 07

    Bonnie Foster Dello Stritto / Ann Scanlan Memorial Award

    Presented to the youngest team to finish the race, canoe or kayak.

  8. Award 08

    Frank Ruggiero Memorial Scholarship

    Awarded to a deserving, college-bound Great Race athlete or volunteer.

  9. Award 09

    Big John Connors Award

    Awarded to a dedicated volunteer in recognition as the Great Race Volunteer of the Year.

More race-day questionsReview the course

Ready to race?

Lock in your team before the Early Bird deadline on March 1.

Register your team