On 24 January 2025, in the hostelry across the road, a third annual Trackable Race was started as part of the Community Celebration Events commemorating the 25 years of Geocaching. Sixteen Trackables started out (see photo) and this cache was the first on their journey. As the Event cache (GCAW120) will be automatically archived, details of the race and how it progressed will be added to the Description below.
The background artwork for this cache (may only be visible on computer) was provided by the Minicachers. Thanks.
The cache can be reached from the footpath by leaning across the wall.
For the last few years a Trackables Race has been run from Palmerstown, Dublin. The target was pretty simple: which Trackable could travel furthest. There was an unactivated Trackable available as a prize - see photo.
In the first year there were seven trackables running and Bohstom was a clear winner with his Trackable having travelled 21,341 kms in 12 months.
For Year 2 ten more trackables joined the race and there was a prize for the best trackable from Year 1 and another for Year 2. No contest. In terms of distance travelled in the second year IrishDub’s Year 1 entry covered over 55,000 kms and his Year 2 entry a staggering 204,052 kms. Clearly Trackables can move if they have a mind to: the circumference of the earth is just over 40,000 kms. IrishDub stood aside from the race.
The Prize giving for the races was at a Community Celebration 25 Event on 24 January. The winner for Year 2 was Mac Aroni Senior whose Year 2 Trackable covered close to 61,000 kms travelling to and from New Zealand and around Europe. Nice one.
Bohstom’s Year 1 Trackable kept on going and this week had covered more kilometers in two years than any of the others by clocking up an ADDITIONAL 55,000 kms. Bohstom took home the Prize for the best of the Trackables over two years. It was noted that his Year 2 coin was beaten by an entry from Bohsdee!
The Event was also the launch of Trackables Race#3 and a further 16 Trackables joined the race. That’s 33 trackables launched and most seem to be still going, although some are AWOL. There will be a prize of a limited edition Geocoin for the Trackable in this group which travels furthest in the coming 12 months.
There will also be a similar prize for the Trackable that travels furthest overall over the three years.
Mind you, the process to date having being Reviewed, it was suggested that a more sophisticated form of race could be organized with a little effort. In essence, as I understand it, the winner would be the Trackable with the most points. Points would be awarded as follows:
1 point each time the trackable is discovered by a unique cacher.
3 points each time the TB is taken (grabbed) by a unique cacher.
5 points each time a unique cacher posts a photo or photos of the trackable.
10 points each time the trackable visits a unique country.
30 points for a single movement that is over 10,000km.
The Organiser undertook to consider donating a third prize if a reasonable means of calculating the points can be worked out. As an illustration of the great world of Geocaching a cacher from Taiwan who had organised a Trackable Race in 2020 ( see https://coord.info/GC8GEZX ) was in touch within hours with suggestions and an offer to help. Game on!
Keep an eye on GCB2CEF for updates.