SleepMonsters and TrackMe360 SPOT New Opportunities

SleepMonsters and TrackMe360 are now working in partnership to maximise the benefits and potential of the new SPOT Satellite Messengers in tracking adventure racing. 

After pioneering the first use of SPOT in an international race at the Baja Travesia last month, preparations are now underway for coverage of this month’s Florida Coast to Coast race and the Untamed New England race in June, with live tracking maps and instant leader-board updates.

Until now race tracking via satellite was limited to a few big budget races a year, but the launch of the SPOT device heralds a revolutionary change in race management, safety and media coverage.  SleepMonsters and TrackMe360 are taking the lead on this, working closely with SPOT so that racers, supporters and Race Directors can now benefit from more accessible and affordable race tracking and live event reporting.

Mats Jansson quickly saw the potential of using SPOT in adventure racing and established TrackMe360 to rent out SPOTs to races, ensuring they didn’t have to subscribe to the annual satellite time contract, which is the primary cost of the SPOT service.

“For racers the SPOT devices are easy to carry and use, and ensure their position is known and that they can call for help if needed. That safety cover is of vital importance to Race Directors, and there is the added advantage of positional tracking for effective race management,” said Jansson.

The partnership with SleepMonsters began with the development of their existing race leaderboard to enable teams in Baja Travesia to signal their position on arrival at a checkpoint.  The race leaderboard then updated … provided they were in the right location! 

After recent work with SPOT this process is now more easily implemented for future races, and supported by positional mapping of teams, ensuring online race coverage is instantly updated.

“We’ve successfully used mobile phone networks to update leaderboards at every transition during our World Championship coverage,” said Rob Howard, Managing Editor of SleepMonsters, “but this was the first time we’ve been able to use satellite communication to mark a teams arrival at every checkpoint.

“The SPOT messengers are lighter and smaller than previous satellite trackers, and with TrackMe360 making them much more affordable we expect to see them used extensively for race tracking and timing on SleepMonsters in the future.

“This is great news for race followers and for everyone involved in adventure racing; teams, sponsors and race organisers.  We already provide extensive race coverage, and our service and technical support are free to races. Now the partnership with TrackMe360 will add a new dimension to our race coverage.”

 Coverage of the Florida Coast to Coast race runs from May 23-26^th on www.SleepMonsters.us and Race Director Elias Jimenez is enthusiastic about the prospect.  

“Live tracking was previously only in the realm of expedition races like Primal Quest. Now TrackMe360 and SleepMonsters have created an affordable safety and tracking solution for 24+ hour races. They have certainly addressed an existing gap for AR promoters who want to implement this type of solution but were previously constrained by limited budget.”

About SleepMonsters:  SleepMonsters is the world’s largest adventure racing community and publication, with websites in 13 countries and 8 languages.  The site has led the way in online race reporting for many years, and carries reports from over 200 races a year around the world.

About Trackme360; TrackMe360 is dedicated to providing affordable GPS tracking solutions to individuals, groups and events.  Primary markets include Adventure Racing and other outdoor pursuits.

 To enquire about hiring SPOT messengers and race coverage on SleepMonsters, please contact; Mats Jansson at mats@trackme360.com and Rob Howard at Rob@SleepMonsters.com

Registration Now Open! Early bird discount thru May 31st

“One of the longest running adventure races in the Midwest”

100% of the proceeds from 2008 will benefit: the American Brain Tumor Association and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

The Indianapolis Adventure Race is a team event that combines road mountain biking, canoeing, trail running/hiking, orienteering/navigation, rope work and surprise mystery events.

* Race Divisions: 3 person co-ed, all-male, all-female
* Race Field: 50 Teams
* Date: September 6, 2008
* Entry Fee: $75 per person through May 31st, $90 through July 31st and $105 through close of registration, August 31st .
* Start time and location will be announced: Race HQ is at the Horizon Church/Camp Indy Property

Click here for website

Some discussions are underway about getting a new orienteering club started in the Fort Wayne/Allen County area of Indiana. If this interests you, or if you can help (particularly if you live in that part of the state), please contact me at indyjeneric at yahoo dot com to be added to an informal mailing list.

Thanks,

Eric Tullis
US Orienteering Federation
Midwest Region Rep
www.us.orienteering.org

Want to see what Adventure Racing is like before entering a race?

Injured? Want to give back to the sport?

We need a few good men and women to assist with operation of the MISSION AR on May 10 in Versailles Indiana.  www.DINOseries.com/mission

Most likely you will be involved with ropes events, canoe put-ins / take-outs, and special challenges. We will train you for any needed skills.

 Contact Brian08@DINOseries.com for details.

NEWS

SIGN UP NOW FOR THE SMAC 10-HOUR ADVENTURE RACE

When: Race, Saturday, July 19, 2008

Where: Proud Lake Proud Lake Recreation Area Commerce Twp., MI

Disciplines: Paddling (river and lake), Mountain Bike (single- and two-track), Orienteering (on & off trails) and Fixed Ropes

The Southern Michigan Adventure Club will be hosting the tenth annual Sprint Adventure in Southeast Michigan. The unique race format makes it suitable for the first time racers as well as the seasoned competitor. It will bring together some of the best aspects of the sport but also include several surprises to keep it fun, interesting and challenging.

If you’ve never done a SMAC race before come and see what makes our annual event so special and remember to expect the unexpected! As is tradition, there will be plenty of adventure, prizes, and post-race fun. In addition, navigation instruction will be offered on Friday evening before the race briefing.

This year’s race will take place in the environmentally unique Huron River basin. This area includes glacial topography that is unique to SE Michigan

To keep the quality high we limit the field size so don’t miss your opportunity to get in on one of the Midwest’s best! SMAC members get registration discount. Teams of two made up of either males, females or coed. To find out more about the event and register for the race online at www.smacworld.com. If you don’t have a team but would like to race, post a message on SMAC’s teammate finder forum at www.smacworld.com/forums/.

This year’s event is sponsored by Salomon North America, Suunto, SealSkinz, E-Caps/Hammer Gel and the Southeast Michigan Orienteering Club. SMAC supporters are Planet Rock Climbing Gym, Huron-Clinton Metroparks, Michigan DNR, Heavner Canoe and Moosejaw Mountaineering.

All SMAC events depend heavily on volunteers to work before, during and after the race. Those who might not be ready to race but want to see what it is all about, or those who just like to spend the day out in one of Michigan’s beautiful parks can volunteer. To contact us:
Paul Piorkowski
Race Director
SMAC Sprint Adventure
www.smacworld.com
paul@smacworld.com

Time is running out! You don’t want to miss out on the 8th annual running of Indiana’s premier 24 hour adventure race. Register online now and be sure to spread the word. This year’s race will be starting and finishing in beautiful Story, IN and will be travelling through some fantastic terrain. Check out the webiste (www.planetadventurerace.com) for more info and to sign up!

Run / Paddle / Spike - For the Environment!!!

Sea Kayak Biathlon / Crazy Tri Multi-sport Competition

Join us at one of the most unique adventure races in the United States on September 13 2008.  Run 8K in the scenic Michigan City coastal region, paddle 16K on Lake Michigan, canoe or kayak the Trail Creek tributary, and play beach volleyball on the sands of one of the magnificent Great Lakes until sunset. Both experienced competitors as well as novice recreational participants are welcome.

Please see the attached flier or visit http://www.toweronline.org/run/index.html

All proceeds from the Michigan City Eco-Fit Challenge are for environmental and ecological education grants that will be available to educators in the Michigan City, IN area.

For more information or if you are interested in being a sponsor of this event, please contact Dan Plath at plathdv@earthlink.net or visit the Tower Run website.  

See you in Michigan City!!!

michigan-city-eco-fit-challenge.pdf  - Race Flyer

eco-fit_sponsorship_flyer_2008.pdf - Sponsorship Package

The John Bryan Jump Off- The inaugural race to start the Central Ohio Adventure Racing season. This short sprint is designed for the beginner in mind lasting only 3-4 hours. John Bryan State Park is perfect for the first time racer. The Park offers Mountain Biking trails, River Paddling on the Little Miami, Orienteering and an introduction to Rappelling. This race is also a great spring warm up for the more experienced racers out there.

Date- May 17, 2008. Race Fee- $35.00 per person. Canoe/Kayak Rental Fee- pending.

http://www.race-coar.com

Sat, Feb. 16…………..Meet….Bradford Woods (Robb Hill)

*-These meets are awaiting final approvals of some kind.  We will update everyone as we know more.

Please see www.indyo.org for the latest version of the schedule and more details about meets and the sport of orienteering.  Contact Carrie at ckirkpatrick(at)indyo(dot)org with any questions!

The Indiana Crossroads Orienteering Club hosts its sixth annual event.

WHEN: Saturday, March 15th, 2008 WHERE: Jackson-Washington State Forest, Salem, IN
WHAT: A Rogaine is an endurance orienteering event using a Score Orienteering format. There will be 12 & 6 hour courses.
MAP: The map will be a large scale, USGS-style, topographic map.

SCHEDULE: Packet Pick-up: 7:30 AM-11:30 AM (All times are Eastern Daylight Time.)
12 hour Start: 9:00 AM
6 hour Start: 12:00 PM

TEAMS: Teams will consist of 2-5 members. Junior teams must have an experienced member. A team with a member 14 years or younger must have 1 person over 18 years of age. There will be no solo competitors allowed.

DIVISIONS: Male, Female and Co-ed teams may compete in the Open, Masters(40+), and Junior(18 & under) divisions.

AWARDS: Awards will be given to the top finishers in each category. Categories might be grouped depending on registration.

FEES & REGISTRATION DEADLINE: $45 per person if postmarked by March 5th, 2007. March 5th -10th, add $5 per person late fee. (T-shirt not guaranteed, first come, first served) On-line registration will close on March 10th.

Please see indyo.org for full details and registration info. Contact fbaukert@indyo.org with questions.