Rotary Bed Race Rules

Third Annual Bed Races Rules

RACE DATE:
Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012 • 3:15 P.M.

RACE FEES:
$50.00 entry fee plus either a $25.00 fee if you use a Rotary Bed -OR- $25.00 deposit required for teams bringing their own beds.

Deposits will be returned after all races are complete and once you have removed your bed from the premises.

The deposit will be forfeited if the team does not remove its bed from the premises upon completion of the races.

STAGING AREA:
Parking lot at the corner of Court Street and City Hall Place (across from Irises Cafe).

AWARDS*:
Teams will be competing for three cash prizes and Best Overall Theme (trophy and cash).

First Place -- $500
Second Place -- $250
Third Place -- $100
Best Overall Theme -- $150 and the coveted Golden Bed Pan to be displayed for one year (as well as the more valuable bragging rights!).

INFORMATION

Bed Race Rules

Bed Race Brochure

Entry Form

Adult Waiver Form

Child Waiver Form

2011 Final Results

RULES OF THE RACE:
Race will be held on City Hall Place.

Teams must have their bed at the staging area by 2:30 p.m. on the day of the race. The Rotary Club will provide beds for use by teams not having a bed of their own, for a $25 charge.

Teams may consist of up to seven members (minimum of 5): four pushers, one passenger and two alternates. Team must include at least 1 member of the opposite sex in each race.

In the event of sickness or injury, a team member may be replaced by an alternate member of the team. No substitutions will be permitted once a race has begun.

Participants must be a minimum of 18 years old at the time of the race OR 13 years old if they have approval and a signed statement from a parent/guardian. All participants must be at least 13 years of age.

Every race participant must submit a signed Release of Liability form prior to 2:30 p.m. on the day of the race. If under 18 years old, Parental Release of Liability form is needed to participate. Liability forms can be found on our website: www.plattsburghrotary.org under the link for “Third Annual Bed Races”.

Entry forms must be received by 5:00 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, 2012. Entry forms can be mailed to the Rotary Club of Plattsburgh P.O. Box # 86 Plattsburgh, NY 12901. Forms may be dropped off at the Rotary office which is located inside the United Way Building at 45 Tom Miller Road, Plattsburgh or at the office of the Chairman of the Department of Communication Studies (Peter J Ensel) at 103B Yokum Communication/Lecture Hall, SUNY Plattsburgh. Forms may be e-mailed or faxed. The fax number is 518-825-7040. The e-mail address is info@plattsburghrotary.com. Forms can be secured from the Rotary website (See forms above).

BED RACE FORMAT:
Teams will race their beds down to a midway location line approximately 30 yards from the starting line. THE ENTIRE BED AND TEAM (all persons) will need to cross the midway finish line and then return to the original starting line. The bed crossing the initial starting line will be declared the winner. A team will be disqualified if a member or any part of its bed crosses the center line or sideline barriers during a race. Judgment by bed race officials will be considered final.

Teams advance under a single elimination format. Team pairings will be random as determined by the Rotary Bed Race Committee. Pairings will be announced the day of the race. Two beds will race at a time with two heats occurring simultaneously. The last two teams will compete for First and Second Place. The third place prize will be determined in a race between the last two losing teams before the final race for first and second place.

For the final eight races or 16 teams, teams will race their beds down to the midway location with the passenger wearing a PROPERLY SECURED nightgown provided by Rotary. This means the nightgown will be worn on the body the way it was intended, with arms and head in proper places! At the midway finish line, the person on the bed wearing the nightgown (and helmet, since all riders must wear a properly secured helmet at all times - see safety section,) will have to switch positions with another team member who must secure the nightgown and helmet from the original rider, securing both garments properly before the team commences the second half of the race to the final finish line.

The Golden Bed Pan Trophy and $150* cash prize will be awarded by the Rotary Club Bed Race Committee to the team with the best overall thematic bed and/or costumes.

CREW SAFETY EQUIPMENT:
All riders must wear a properly secured helmet at all times during the race. Helmets WILL NOT be provided by Rotary. The Rotary Club Bed Race Committee strongly advises the use of kneepads, elbow pads, gloves, and heavy clothing during the running of the race!

The rider must stay on the bed at all times while it is in motion. If the rider falls off at any time, the bed must come to a complete stop until the rider is back on.

BED CONSTRUCTION:
The bed may be an existing bed, or one made especially for the race. The bed must look like a “real” bed and have both a headboard and a footboard.

Beds should have a manufactured mattress and/or box spring of twin size or larger. No cribs, toddler, or child sized beds allowed.

Beds must have a minimum of four wheels of any size. Wheels may be fixed or swivel.

Only human-powered beds. No motors.

Beds must be pushed from the back or sides. Push bars are allowed provided they do not exceed the total overall width of the bed by a maximum of 18 inches on both sides.

All beds will be inspected for compliance with the rules before being allowed to enter a race.

Participants are encouraged to decorate the bed, and the team members in any theme appropriate for family audiences. Search “Battle of Plattsburgh” or “Bed Races” on the Internet for theme ideas!

For further information, please contact:

Courtney Chandler at 518-561-1000 or e-mail at:
courtneyc@agencyins.net
Ashley Cousens at 518-561-4295 x3073 or email at:
Ashley@ncworkforce.com

* Awards are based on a full set of 48 teams participating in the event. Rewards will be reduced accordingly based on the number of teams actually participating in the event.