THE GREAT TRAVEL BUG RACE OF 2016
Travel Bugs competing in this yearlong event will race, via drops and visits, from geocache to geocache, accruing both mileage and number of locations visited.
At the end of this yearlong race, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards (trophies/medals) will be awarded to the top three finishers in each the following four categories:
1. Greatest Distance Traveled
2. Most USA States Visited
3. Most Countries Visited
4. Most Race Bug Photographs Uploaded
Several of us who grew up in the 1960s and 1970s have fond memories of watching the classic 1965 comedy film "The Great Race" when it was shown on TV every few years.
This film was written and directed by Blake Edwards who also directed the Peter Gun TV series, and the films: Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Days of Wine and Roses, 10, and the Pink Panther series. Henry Mancini scored the music for this film, which featured many memorable tunes. He also collaborated with Johnny Mercer to produce for this film the hit song “The Sweetheart Tree.”
Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, Natalie Wood, Kennan Wynn, Peter Falk, Arthur O' Connell, and Vivian Vance were the main actors who made this movie so funny and memorable. Through the characters they portrayed we vicariously participated in their exciting adventure race around the world.
Most of us could not afford to participate in a real worldwide racing adventure such as the one shown in this film. However, we can participate in one vicariously, through our geocaching Travel Bugs! That is what this race is all about.
EVENT DETAILS:
WHO: You! All geocachers are welcome to attend this event. You do NOT have to enter a Travel Bug in the race to attend.
WHAT: The Great Travel Bug Race of 2016
WHEN: Saturday, January 9, 2016, 10:00 am - 12:00 noon
WHERE: Coordinates: N32°16'22.2" W90°09'10.6"
Inside the food court at the “Outlets of Mississippi” outlet mall located at 200 Bass Pro Dr., Pearl, MS 39208. (The food court has several different restaurants with a common seating area, and is located in the back of the mall. To save yourself a lot of walking, drive around to the backside of the mall where you can park right at the food court. The food court is marked in orange on this map: http://outletsofms.com/pdfs/directorymap.pdf
WHY: Meet, Eat, Greet, Fellowship, Discover Trackables, Travel Bug Race Registration, Race Bug Photo Session, Official Race Start
HOW: All geocachers are welcome to attend this event. You do NOT have to enter a Travel Bug in the race to attend. HOWEVER, if you want to participate in the race read the race rules at the following website: http://www.TheGreatTravelBugRace.org
RSVP: Please log this page with a “Will Attend” if you plan to attend this event. If you plan to enter a travel bug in the race, please note that as well.
RACE SCHEDULE:
December 6, 2015 through January 6, 2016: Race Pre-Registration via Email
January 9, 2016:
10:00 am - 12:00 Noon: Meet, Eat, Greet, Socialize, Discover Travel Bugs, Geo-Coins and other trackables.
10:00 am: Race Bug Registration Opens
11:30 am: Race Bug Registration Closes
11:40 am: Race Bug Photo Session
11:50 am: Racers (with their Race Bugs) line up at the Race Starting Line (outside on the food court patio)
11:55 am: Starting Line Photo
12:00 Noon: Gunshot Start
January 10, 2016:
12:00 noon: Deadline for Racers to log online that they have dropped off their Race Bugs in a Travel Bug Hotel (or other geocache) somewhere in Mississippi.
Weekly throughout 2016: Weekly Position and Mileage Reports will be posted on our race website at: http://www.TheGreatTravelBugRace.org
December 31, 2016, Midnight: The Great Travel Bug Race of 2016 will end. The accumulation of statistics used to determine the winners will end at the stroke of midnight.
January 13, 2017, 6:00 pm: Award Ceremony for the winners of the Great Travel Bug Race of 2016, Pot Luck Supper and viewing of the classic comedy film “The Great Race.”
January 14, 2017, 10:00 am: The Great Travel Bug Race of 2017 starts
We hope to see you all at the Event. If you want to enter a Travel Bug then visit the following website for the race rules and details: http://www.TheGreatTravelBugRace.org