OLMITZ MINER MAY 2016
OTTUMWA, IA
Updated 3/7/2015
“If you build it they will come.” That’s been the battle cry of Iowa since that movie came out. Iowa is flat. Common myth debunked. Nothing there but corn…We have beans too! The Happy Mutants are stoked to be hosting a Series event in our home state.
Think that 300 miles in Iowa will be flat? Boring? Not a challenging way to spend your weekend? Come see what life in the Midwest is all about…hospitality so sweet you get cavities! Ottumwa will be our home base for this 72-hour/300 mile USARA Regional Qualifier and they are rolling out the red carpet with a prologue event that will be a blast to be a part of. Keeping with the historic aspect of the HMAR Series it is entirely possible for our racers to walk in the same fields that were traversed by the Mormons as they trekked across Iowa. The south/central region of Iowa holds cultural treasures, ghost towns and fields of amber waving grain.
Teams of two or four people and individuals (must have HM approval prior to registering) will be subjected to paddling on both flat and moving water, riding on all manner of surface (think the worst level B roads around) and hiking through parks and brambles and thickets as well as nettles to keep your senses sharp as they navigate from check point to check point around the clock.
UPDATE 3/23/16
The course isn’t completely finalized yet, but looking like 50-70 miles paddling, 40-60 miles trekking and 180+ on the bike. All numbers subject to change.
UPDATES:
The paddle sections will utilize aluminum canoes from a variety of outfitters. Canoe selection will be based on first come choice.
While you can ride any style bike you choose (mountain, cyclocross, tri, fat, etc) we suggest a mountain style. Ride what you bring, but bring plenty of tubes.
Iowa is not blessed with massive land features for navigational hand rails.
Iowa is not blessed with long flat or uphill stretches for the bike or hike (or paddle for that matter). While the elevation between the high and low points on the course may be less than 500 feet, you can expect an elevation loss/gain of close to 25,000-30,000 feet over the course of the race.
Gear boxes will be limited to two (2) 35-gallon Action Packer style bins per team per the mandatory gear list.
Race HQ: Main Street Ottumwa
Host Hotel: American Inn
MANDATORY PERSONAL GEAR & EQUIPMENT
MANDATORY TEAM GEAR & EQUIPMENT
SUGGESTED TEAM GEAR & EQUIPMENT
MANDATORY PERSONAL MOUNTAIN BIKE GEAR & EQUIPMENT
MANDATORY TEAM MOUNTAIN BIKE GEAR & EQUIPMENT
MANDATORY PERSONAL CLIMBING GEAR & EQUIPMENT
SUGGESTED CLIMBING GEAR & EQUIPMENT
Participating Teams (will be updated as teams check in):