Frequently Asked Questions

• Are bikes, cars, buses, skates, or skateboards allowed?
  Participants in Night & Day must travel under their own power. You can enter in the duathlon division (16 & 7 hour only), the foot division, or the bicycle division. Bikes, skates, skateboards, and nonmotorized scooters are allowed in the bicycle division and the bicycle portion of the duathlon division. For the foot division and the foot portion of the duathlon division, you must travel by foot, wheelchair, or stroller.

• Can my team split up, each of us going for different checkpoints?
  No. Teams must stay together. In particular, all teammates must be within voice contact at all times.

• What are the competition classes?
  Awards will be given to the top five teams in each division (foot, bike, and duathlon) for each of the 3 races (3, 7, and 16 hours) in San Francisco and for each of the 4 races in Seattle (90 minute, 3, 7, and 16 hours) in each of the following classes:
  • Men
  • Women (all members of team are women)
  • Mixed (at least one team member is a woman)
  • Veterans (average age of team members on race day is at least 50)
  • Veteran women
  • Mixed veterans

  For the 90 minutes (available in Seattle only) and 3 hour race, we offer the following additional classes:

  • Family (at least one team member is 12/under)
  • Junior (all team members are 18/under)
  • Corporate (all team members work for the same business)

  This yields a total of 58 competition classes in San Francisco and 74 in Seattle, which means up to 290 award-winning teams in San Francisco and up to 370 in Seattle. So there are plenty of opportunities to be a winner! All winners will receive a ribbon or certificate; some will receive prizes.

• What is the maximum team size?
  Five.

• What time does the event start?
  Registration and check in take place between 1:00 and 3:30 p.m. Maps are issued starting at 2:30. The start is at 4:00 p.m.
  Participants in the 7 and 16 hour categories should plan to arrive by 1:30. This will allow time to register/check-in before the map is handed out at 2:30 leaving a big chunk of time to study the map and form a strategy.
  Participants in the 3 hour or 90 minute categories, especially any team with children, should plan to arrive at a time before 3:30 that works for you to get checked in and minimize the wait for the start of the event. We will hand out the map at 2:30 so the 7 and 16 hour participants have plenty of time to study. If you arrive after 2:30 the map will be given to you as part of the check-in process.

• How do I register?
  What are the entry fees?
  The fees range from $12 to $65 per person, depending on city, age, duration, and when you register. There are substantial early registration discounts. Go to our Register page for all the details.

• This sounds like an urban rogaine, or metrogaine.
  It is. A rogaine is a very long orienteering event, frequently as long as 24 hours, and typically held in the wilderness. In Australia, urban rogaines have become quite popular and are called metrogaines. The first Seattle Night & Day in 2003 was the second metrogaine ever to be held in the U.S.

• This sounds like an ultra race.
  For those on foot, it can be. An ultramarathon, or ultra for short, is any race that is longer than marathon length (26.2 miles). If you are a very fit runner, you will travel much farther than a marathon distance during 7-hour or 16-hour Night & Day. Much of the course is on pavement but there will be opportunities for travel on gravel, grass, or dirt trail.

• I don't care about winning; this sounds like a fun way to tour the city under my own power.
  It sure is. The event is designed such that people who want to travel at a liesurely pace will be able to plan a very interesting and scenic route.

• What if my map and compass skills are not very good?
  Whereas map and compass skills would be essential in a similar wilderness event, the only navigation skill you really need for the Night & Day is the ability to use a street map. In an urban environment, navigation skills take a backseat to fitness, strategy, and teamwork.

• How are the checkpoints described, and how will we prove that we have visited a checkpoint?
  Each team will receive a combined topographical and street map of the city, with the locations of the checkpoints circled. Most street names will not appear on the map. Each checkpoint will have a verbal description, such as "tower", "brick building, NE corner of intersection" or "hilltop". Each checkpoint will also have a question that you can answer only if you visit the checkpoint, such as "what is the second word on the manhole cover 3 meters south of the tower?" or "what 5-foot-high object do you see on the hilltop?" Answering the question correctly is your proof that you visited the checkpoint. Wrong guesses are severely penalized.

• Are all the checkpoints of equal value?
  No, checkpoints vary in value.

• Must we visit the checkpoints in a certain order?
  No. During the scheduled hour and a half of pre-race planning, your team will select a series of checkpoints you think you can reach within the time limit. You will want to plan a route that maximizes points while minimizing distance and climb.

• Can any team expect to visit all the checkpoints in 16 hours?
  We aim to design the event such that an outstanding foot team can visit all the checkpoints in 16 hours. We have made this statement in past years, but, in fact, no foot team has ever come close to getting all the points because we have made the courses too challenging. In 2006 we are trying to use the experience of the previous years to come closer to this standard.

  Bike and duathlon teams will have a somewhat easier time, but not as easy as one might think. We have found that in hilly, urban terrain, top cyclists earn only about 15-20% more points per unit time than top runners.

  In the case that more than one team in a division visits all the checkpoints, the team that returns to the event center first wins.

• Do I have to run?
  The first place foot team for each time limit will almost certainly run at least some of the way. However, it is entirely possible to place very well by walking the entire time, especially in the Veteran classes. Strategy and perseverance can be more important than speed. Plenty of teams just do the race for fun and don't worry about speed at all.

• What map will we use?
  The map will be a color 1:35,000 USGS topgraphical map, printed on two or three 11"x17" pieces of paper. A piece of a previous year's map is shown above. Most street names are not shown, and the brown contour lines--not really visible in this image--take some practice to read. UTM information will NOT be printed on the map. Medium weight plastic map cases will be provided. Each participant is entitled to his or her own map.

  The maps are old so some streets, parks, and buildings will have changed. At times you will plan a route, then find that you need to change it along the way because reality does not match your map. We have tried to design the courses to minimize the impact of these differences. However these differences will affect your time and introduce a small element of luck. Try to take this in stride.

  If you would like a larger scale version of the maps, you can order a set of 1:25,000 maps for an additional charge of $10. These maps will be provided on event day at the same time as the standard 1:35,000 maps. You will get both sets, because the large scale maps will not have the legends and other material that we print in the margins. People over 40 have commented that 1:25,000 is significantly easier to read than 1:35,000.

  The USGS map legend can be found here. One copy of the legend will be given to each team on a small piece of paper separate from the maps.

• Can I buy a copy of last year's maps?
  You sure can. Send a check for $8, made out to Meridian Geographics, to Night & Day c/o Meridian Geographics, 6310 NE 74th St, Ste 204E, Seattle, WA, 98115. Or, click on the PayPal button below to charge $8 to your credit card. The PayPal form says "Seattle" but you can get maps for either locale; just note in the "Optional Note to Seller", on the second page, which city you want. Either way, we'll send the maps out to you ASAP.
  
• I still have more questions about the rules.
  Check out our Rules page for detailed rules.

• What gear do I need?
  Minimal gear is needed for Night & Day. Check out our Gear page for a list of required and recommended gear.

• Isn't it dangerous to be out in the city in the middle of the night?
  Seattle and San Francisco are relatively low-crime cities, and traveling in teams minimizes risk. Keep in mind, too, that danger from car traffic is less at night. To maximize safety for the 16 hour race, we suggest a team size of at least three and/or including at least one area local on your team. The San Francisco event is designed to avoid the worst parts of one sadly crime-ridden corner of the city.

  We love to be out on the streets of the city at night; however, this is not for everyone. If you tend to feel uncomfortable in the city at night, you may wish to stick to the 7 hour or 3 hour event.

• How will I eat, drink, and go to the bathroom?
  Teams are encouraged to carry some water and food. You are free to purchase food en route. You are on your own to find public bathrooms. In the middle of the night this may prove difficult; we suggest the guideline, "If you see a bathroom use it NOW--you may not find one when you need it!".

• Will there be prizes?
  Some top teams will receive some non-cash prizes. In the past we have given away posters, cappuchino cups, dri-release shirts, running hats, gift certificates for lodging and restaurant meals, gift certificates for running shoes, travel gear, and Flexcar memberships.

• Is there an event T-shirt?
  We have a T-shirt in a moisture wicking fabric for $18 in adult sizes. The shirts will be available on site.

• What do I get for my entry fee?
  -- Entry in the event, including high quality competition map
  -- Post-race foods and fluids
  -- Award ribbons for top five finishers in each division for each race

  As for an adventure race, the production of Night & Day requires a lot of planning to bring you an experience that is challenging, safe, scenic and fun. Our goal is to focus on a giving you a great experience and keeping your entry fee low.