Greetings Sunday Vail Kids Adventure Games Volunteers and Staff!
 
We're almost there! Sunday's probably one of the cutest - but challenging- day. Many are our newbies with little feet and big spirits. Many parents will try to "hover" and provide directions to their racers. Please encourage them to take a step back and make sure they follow those in the red shirts. Again, thank you to all who are volunteering tomorrow or who have volunteered with us all weekend. This weekend's races are big, huge, monstrous and we couldn't do it without you!
 
CLICK HERE to see where you are currently assigned. It is in alphabetical order by last name. Please note, these assignments are subject to change and won't be confirmed until race day. We also need you to confirm you received this email by replying with your first and last name in the subject line. If you have any questions/changes, put them in the body of the email.
 
Race Volunteer/Staff Check-in:
Race day volunteers will check in at your assigned times at the Volunteer Tent, located at Mountain Plaza, which is adjacent to Gondola 1. We will have two check in times, one at 7:30 a.m. and one at 8:30 a.m. Please look at your assigned time for check in. There will be a volunteer meeting shortly after your check in. You will pick up your volunteer shirt and sign waivers/W9s if you have not done so. If you have received a volunteer shirt, please wear that shirt again.
  • We are counting on you to help make this event fun and safe for the participants and all positions are pre-scheduled, therefore, if you can't make it at the last minute please call or text 970-471-5352 to let us know.
  • We will check-out radios to the Checkpoint Lead, hand you checkpoint sharpie/stamp, course maps, start lists, phone contacts, orange vest (if you are a marshal) and some obstacles might have additional items to take over to them.
  • We also need to confirm your location for the day - there are always last minute changes, so we will let you know where you will be stationed and who will be taking you to your allocated location. When you get to your location, the person who is taking you there will give you specifics on rules of your obstacle if you have not already received that at the meeting.
First Volunteer Check In: 7:30 a.m. followed by a 8 a.m. meeting
Second Volunteer Check In: 8:30 a.m. followed by a 9 a.m. meeting
Race start: 9 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.; Noon (3 waves)
Lunch: Will be provided, but we encourage you to bring snacks and water as well. If you are bringing extra volunteers (which we love) please email us and also have them bring a lunch as we may run out from those assigned on this list. 
Check Out: Approximately 2 p.m. Please stop by the volunteer tent to check out and return radios/course supplies before you leave.

What to Bring:
Snacks, water (water bottles that are full) camp chair, umbrella or shade structure, sunscreen, music, cowbells, etc, snacks, water, books, etc. We want you to have fun too! As always, our weather is fickle so plan ahead for rain, sun, rain, sun, rain, sun.....
 
How the Race Works:
  • The teams are in groups of two; (there are different divisions depending on ages and girls/boys/co-ed). Two teams leave at a time at 2 minute intervals.
  • There are 3 waves: 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon. Racers must be onsite one hour before their wave starts, regardless of their start time.
  • Kids need to check in at the Athlete Check In tent at Mountain Plaza then report the pre-race meeting (30 minutes before the wave start). Kids will be sent to the climbing harness corral to get fitted in numerical order. The first ten teams will be fitted for harnesses before the meeting. The rest of the teams will be fitted for harnesses after a mandatory athlete meeting.
  • There are multiple checkpoints to be visited during the race. Examples include mountain biking, hiking, ropes course, tubing, slacklines, slip n' slide etc.
  • All participants will be given a map they will use to navigate through the 18 checkpoints along the course. As they visit the checkpoints, they will get their maps marked off. If the map gets wet during the race you may mark the athlete's arm with your pen.
  • Your GOAL is to ensure safety, make sure racers are having fun and to offer encouragement while on the course.
  • The race is approximately 7 miles long, including a gondola ride and long mountain bike descent. We anticipate the fastest teams finishing in just under two hours, while many teams may be on course for nearly three hours.
Pre-Race (on Race Day)
  • Bibs are to be pinned on the front chest or leg and bib numbers are in numerical order based on start time.
  • ALL children must wear a harness and bike helmet during the entire race. They have been sent a mandatory gear list which includes water, first aid kits, bike gloves, helmets, etc.
  • Half an hour before wave start, racers assemble for pre-race meeting.
  • At the meeting, Billy Mattison (race director) will give an (inspirational) talk, hand out maps and talk through the course. Maps are not available before the meeting. After the meeting parents can request a copy of the map.
  • After the meeting staff will release kids to line up four teams at a time to the start and line up in bib order.
  • Announcer will start race and entertain kids.
  • And they're off!!!
Race:
  • Saturday's racers will head out on their bikes taking the recreation path towards Golden Peak, along their ride they will hit various obstacles and eventually make their way down to the Windisch Rd. intersection and then back to Mountain Plaza. They do not ride up to Windisch Rd tomorrow. They will drop their bikes at the transition area at Mountain Plaza. From there, they go on foot through the Village and eventually make their way back to Mountain Plaza.
  • After finishing the staff takes the maps from the kids and records their finish time.
  • Staff removes harness in finish chute.
  • Staff hands out participant medals for all finishers
After the Race:
  • After the last team in Wave 3 passes your location (reference start list), you are done! The time will vary depending on where you are on course, but our goal is to have all teams finished by 3 p.m. If possible, please collapse the tent at your spot, fold up the table, banners etc. and pile it neatly for us to pick up (if applicable).
  • Stop by the Volunteer Tent at Mountain Plaza to return radios and submit your nominations for special awards (teamwork, spirit, environmental, etc). We also want to make sure everything went well for you and that you are safely off the course as well.
 Special Race Awards to Look For:
  • Sportsmanship- This would be an athlete or team that shows respect for one's opponent and team mate, offers assistance to someone on the course who needs help, etc. Nominated by race staff.
  • Spirit - This would be a team that has style and attitude that has a positive influence on those around them. They are dressed up as a team, upbeat, enthusiastic and show good camaraderie and energy. Nominated by race staff.
  • Team Work - Awarded to the team that displays the best teamwork. Nominated by race staff.
PLEASE make a point of jotting down a note on your volunteer sheets ie: bib number during the race and be ready to let us know why they deserve special recognition.
 
General Rules:
  • Both teammates need to be at the checkpoint together before they can start the obstacle.
  • Teams will do the obstacle in the order that they arrive. Please pay attention to this and keep them in order.
  • If a team or a child does not want to complete the obstacle, they do not have to. Please hold them back for 5 minutes if both members of the team do not attempt the obstacle. If only one completes obstacle, please just use your judgment in making it fair for the other teams.
  • If the kids ask for directions or help, you ARE allowed to help them and tell them which way to go. Parents and cheer sections are NOT!
  • Race will take place rain or shine, but if there is lightning or severe conditions, the Race Director (Billy Mattison) will make a decision. We may do a "course-hold," which we will communicate via radio. There are no refunds due to weather.
  • Please wear your VOLUNTEER shirts we provide you with at volunteer check in
  • Marshalls on the road will need to wear orange vests. We will provide these.
Radio Protocol for Leads:
  • At volunteer check-in, we will let you know what channel we will be using
  • Prime the speak button for about 3 seconds before you speak.
  • Don't speak directly into the radio, hold it like a phone.
  • Say the name of the person you are calling, then your name
  • Answer by giving your location.
  • Keep communication short and to the point.
  • Be aware of what you are saying, as people around you may hear you.
  • Finish communication by saying "10-4"
Medical Emergency Procedure:
  • Do not administer any significant First Aid yourselves (ie: inhalers, Epi pens etc.) A band aid is OK.
  • If you have an emergency, radio onsite event Medical, Ski Patrol etc. We will notify you of the closest medical staff to your location at the morning meeting.
  • If it is extremely serious, call 911 first
  • If it is something you need to let us know about, please call or text, Jamie Gunion or Beth Pappas (numbers below and will be given to you at check in)
  • Again, remember, parents around someone else's radio can hear everything you say! We would prefer to eliminate unnecessary panic!
"Lost" Team Protocol
If you realize a team has not checked in at your location, radio to the previous check points until you find the last location the team was at. Most likely they are just going slow, took a break or did not start. If we cannot locate the team that way, call Beth or Jamie with the missing team number and the last location they checked in. We will go find them.
 
Restrooms and Breaks:
Once all racers in the wave pass your location (reference the start list), you will have approximately 30 minutes to take a break, use the restroom, etc. before the next racers will be at your location again. If you need to leave your location for any reason, please radio Jamie/Beth and we will send someone to relieve you. Please do not leave in the middle of the race before a replacement arrives.
 
Phone Numbers: 
Jamie Gunion: 970-331-5568
Beth Pappas:970-471-5352
Helene Mattison: 970-401-3804
 
Awards:
There will be an awards ceremony at 3 p.m. each day in Mountain Plaza.
 
Thanks you for your time! We could not do it without you.....
 
Beth Pappas
Event Director
970-471-5352  
See what's happening on our social sites