It’s a Duck Eat Duck World Out There…
UPDATE: Registration for the HQ Duck Dash is now closed. However, you can still enter the race by purchasing an official Deadly Duck tag, which will be automatically entered into the race upon activation (even after the official start of the race on July 20, 2016). Get a Deadly Duck.
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On August 30, 2001, Geocaching.com Founder Jeremy Irish activated the world’s first trackable, TB1.
Jeremy says, “When we first started Travel Bugs, I released 7 Deadly Ducks in the wild.” Each of the new trackables were based on one of the deadly sins. These Deadly Ducks, with the names of Envy, Sloth, Pride, Gluttony, Lust and Wrath, headed out into the world to travel from geocache to geocache. (The Greed Deadly Duck was placed in a geocache that was never listed on Geocaching.com and may still be hidden in Virginia.)
Thus began a game within a game: trackables. Today there are more than 2,655,951 trackables traveling around the world — making friends, creating memories and patiently waiting to complete their mission.
Travel Bug Story by Chiliconsushi from Geocaching on Vimeo.
In honor of the 15th anniversary of trackables, we’re hosting a worldwide trackable race featuring the reincarnated Deadly Ducks. You’re invited to enter!
The race will begin July 20, 2016 at 12:01am PST and ends on August 20, 2016 at 11:59pm PST.
How to Join the HQ Duck Dash:
- Get a new unactivated trackable! Enter your duck-themed trackable (like these ones!) or any other trackable without prior travel history. (Pro Tip: Do NOT place your trackable in a geocache until July 20, 2016 or later. Movement prior to this date may disqualify your trackable.)
- Activate it.
- Set your trackable’s mission. (Pro Tip: Include instructions to get your trackable to a geocaching event on August 20, International Geocaching Day.)
- Read the HQ Duck Dash Code of Honor. By entering a trackable into this year’s race, you agree to abide by these rules.
- Enter your trackable into the race by filling out this signup form by July 17, 2016. (The official Deadly Duck tags will be automatically entered into the race once they are activated, even after the official start of the race on July 20, 2016.) You must be 18 years or older to participate.
- Watch your trackable race to a geocaching event on International Geocaching Day!
Enter your trackable into the HQ Duck Dash.
How Do I Win?
First off, everyone’s a winner! All participating trackable owners will receive a HQ Duck Dash badge to add to their profile.
To be eligible for the following recognition, trackables must end their journey at a geocaching event on International Geocaching Day, August 20, 2016. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in the following categories will be chosen and featured by Geocaching HQ, thus earning eternal and international bragging rights:
Best Trackable Photo
Awarded to the trackables with the best photo from the race as decided by HQ. Photos can be submitted through this form (by the original photographer).
Most Story-Worthy Moment (Best Log)
Awarded to the trackables with the most heartfelt, epic and/or generally entertaining log as decided by HQ. Logs must be submitted through this form (by the trackable owner or logger) to be eligible.
Furthest Distance Traveled
Awarded to the trackables that travel the greatest distance between geocaches from July 20 and August 20.
Most Geocaches Involved
Awarded to the trackables that drop in or visit the greatest number of different geocaches between July 20 and August 20.
Most Geocachers Involved
Awarded to the trackables that are grabbed and moved by the greatest number of geocachers between July 20 and August 20.
Ready to race? Get your Deadly Duck trackable from Shop Geocaching or one of our International Retailers, or register a trackable by submitting this form before July 17, 2016.
Questions? Check out the Trackable Race FAQ.
