June 1 - We had a good  number of teams sign up before the early registration deadline and are excited to see many new teams along with a strong showing from some veteran racers. Racers will each receive a post race meal from the Lone Rock Cafe while Rocktown Adventures allows us to use their store inside of Rock Cut State Park as our race headquarters. We have an exciting course designed for both the 10 and 4-hour races. It has been a little tricky to stage the first section of our 10-hour race since we have been waiting for the water temperatures to rise so we can plot our checkpoints for the long trekking section. Both races will have stage options where racers can choose their own adventure, which will allow you to choose which section you want to attempt in the order you desire. For the 10-hour racers, this will happen later in the race, but for the 4-hour racers, this will be how your race starts. This also spreads things out more for the 4-hour racers! If anyone has any questions just let us know at rockfordbigdogs11u@yahoo.com

June 26 - Marked the first stage for the 10-hour race this morning. Racers expect a ton of water and a ton of Stinging Nettle. Woods are thick and hungry so

I would advise racers to wear long pants. Due to the rain yesterday, the river was waist-deep today in many parts, but that will most likely change before race day. If not, it could be a slow start during the 10-hour race for many teams during the first section...expect to get wet!! Our plan is to have the entire course for both the 10-hour and the 4-hour marked by the end of the week so be on the lookout for updates within the next few weeks.

                CP #5 on the 10-hr race...who can find it the fastest?

Race Director Mike plotting CP#2 for the 10-hour race.

June 28 - Important information for the 4-hour race. Open water paddle will be about 2.5 miles. Bike section will be about 4.5 miles (racers should expect to ride paved paths, gravel service roads, single-track, and a short road section). We strongly recommend mountain bikes for the 4-hour race. The orienteering section will be about 3.5 miles (assuming you don't get lost). This will include some time in the river so it will be slower travel during some portions of this navigation section. This course is clearable for the top teams but will challenge them to finish on time. These distances are based on the correct route choice with no mistakes.

July 3 - Had another fun, productive morning out marking the courses. 10-hour racers should expect a 19-mile bike back to race HQ for Leg #2 in the

race. This section will have racers completing a few hike-a-bike sections but will still leave racers with route options. Our paddle section for both

races will be pretty straightforward but will have a few tricky turnarounds in the inlets. 

July 5 - Our 4-hour course is completely marked and we are excited about it...especially our "river gauntlet" section for the foot-o. Both our 10 and 4-hour races will be completing this orienteering section. We don't have many hills in Northern Illinois, but we do have water!

July 8 - Rode and marked the 10-hour mountain bike stage and it is in great shape. There are some roots and log crossings, but for the most part it is fast and flowy. Distance is approximately 7 miles.

July 10 - Finished marking and checking on both courses and we are excited for teams to enjoy what Northern Illinois has to offer. Vegetation is thick, which makes it tough to put on a race in August, but I think we managed to balance the brush and trails to make it a fast, yet challenging course. We are running low on canoe rentals, so if your team has not signed up yet, you want to do it soon to ensure you have a boat. We may have to cut off boat rentals this week depending on who signs up and how many need canoes. We have plenty for the 10-hour race, but are close to max on the 4-hour. The last major orienteering section for the 10-hour race will have 20 CPs and be about 6-7 miles long making the foot section of the 10-hour race close to 20 miles total for the teams that choose the best routes.

Proof that some of the CPs in the 10-hour race are on dry land!

                        Bushwhack                                OR                               Trail

This is a view of the course from the same spot. If the trail is longer do you take it instead of bushwhacking through the woods? Just one of the decisions racers will have to make during the course of both races. There is no right or wrong way, but the fastest teams will make the best decisions on the move.

July 13 - 4 hour maps are complete and checkpoints are numbered and ready to be set. Between both the 4 and 10-hour races, we have about 90 CPs going up in various parks throughout Northern Illinois. Our 4-hour race will stay in Rock Cut, but our 10-hour racers will be bussed to a different starting location about 25 mnutes away from Rock Cut. Like we have done in our previous races, we will send out race details during the week of the race along with a pre-race video (this is especially important for newer racers). Also, for this race, we provide maps for every racer. So, if you have multiple navigators on your team you are in luck. Teams will also get the maps a few days early so you can start planning your strategy. You are welcome to print out the maps, but we will provide them for you at race check-in. Not all veteran racers will agree with this, but nobody is saying you have to look at the maps before the race (although I know we would)! 4-hour racers will receive all of their maps prior to race day, but the 10-hour racers will not get their final orienteering map until they are ready to start that final section of the race. The only thing we can tell you is that the final foot-o has 20 CPs on that map and it is about 7 miles (assuming you take the quickest route). Reminder to our 10-hour racers only - you have to have a signed USARA waiver and membership for the race. You can find specific information at http://www.arnorthernillinois.com/usara_waiver

July 14 - 4-Hour Racers - Due to the high demand for boat rentals we no longer have boats to rent for teams that are signing up. We have spots open for teams to register and race, but those teams will have to provide their own boats. 10-hour teams do not have to worry about this.

July 20 - We are finalizing the 10-hour maps today and will be out this coming weekend making sure everything is good to go before we send them to the printer and start setting the CPs in 2 weeks.  We are pretty excited with the great turnout we have for both our 4 and 10-hour races. With so many teams and racers signed up, everyone has made The Rock the biggest adventure race in Illinois for 2022. That's pretty sweet!

July 23 - We want to thank Eyes Of the World Adventure Racer Jamie Hotchkiss as he spent a good chunk of his

morning out on the start of the 10-hour race section making sure our maps and CPs match up. The river was

moving this morning and this first section will welcome teams to Illinois.

July 26 - Registration is officially closed and we can no longer accept any teams. Race directors are in the process

of taking care of logistical items and forms so we can send them out to you August 1st in order to have teams double

check their information is correct. Once we send out maps and course information next week, teams will no longer

be allowed to visit the race areas before August 6th. This is to keep teams from scouting the area after we have set

checkpoints.

July 27 - We have uploaded the form with team #, team name, race category, and what type of boat you are getting for the race. You can find the form under out "TEAMS" tab. We will also send this out in an email on August 1st. We had to be a little creative for the 4-hour race to make sure every team was covered in boat rentals. Please look over the form and let me know if there are any mistakes so we can fix them. You can send me an email at rockfordbigdogs11u@yahoo.com if I need to change anything.

August 4 - Maps and pre-race videos have been sent via email and posted on our website. If you have any questions send me an

email or shoot me a text. Phone numbers are posted in the email. We will be out on the course the next two days, but will periodically

check our messages. We are excited and looking forward to seeing everyone out there on Saturday. It is going to be hot and the

mosquitos are relentless in a few areas, so plan accordingly. For the 10-hour racers, there is a water spigot at TA1 (the bike drop) along

with decent bathrooms. 

Eyes of the World Adventure Racer Jamie Hotchkiss out helping with the course.

Marking the hike-a-bike section for the 10 hour