Just a quick note about the Ultra O-gaine. If you are thinking about registering for the UOG, you should consider doing so shortly. Registration will remain open until May 5th, 2008. After May 5th, we will no longer accept registrations. We stop registration early so we can order the correct number of maps and allow proper time for printing and shipping. Don’t let your chance at participation in this fun navigation event pass you by!

See you in May!

Kevin and Patrick

If you want to save some cash while registering for the Ultra O-gaine, you need to do so before April 2nd. Early registration saves you $10 and guarantees that you get a swag item. After April 1st, the price increases by $10 and you are no longer guaranteed to receive a swag item. We have to place our swag order shortly after April 1st so while we do order a few extras, they will not last.

Registration trends for 2008 are running ahead of 2007 trends. At this pace, it’s fairly likely we will sell out of the 100 slots we have open. We’re very excited that all these folks will come out and enjoy a great day in the woods with us. Will you be one of them?

In what may be of interest to nearly none of our core audience, our website has been optimized with a few iPhone (and iPod touch) specific touches. If you’re browsing our website with Mobile Safari, you might notice things look better here than on some other websites you visit. We’ve optimized the screen size so you have to zoom in/out less. We’ve also added custom Web Clip bookmark icons for the A24 and UOG websites. Gadgets and adventure racers go hand in hand some maybe others besides Cathi and I will notice the changes. If not, it didn’t take much time anyways!

Registration for the 2008 Ultra O-gaine is now open! The event will again take place inside Prentice Cooper State Forest just outside Chattanooga, TN. We have both 12 hour (Half Ultra) and 24 hour (Ultra) courses available for your navigation pleasure. The Ultra O-gaine will be open to solos and teams of two and three.

The 2008 UOG will be fairly similar in structure to the 2007 event, but of course with an entirely new course. Due to higher costs to produce the UOG, we’ve also had to raise the entry fee. Higher costs for permitting, unleaded gas, and credit card processing fees were the major reasons for the price increase.

Ultra distance Orienteering and roGAINE; the Ultra O-gaine will be fraught with difficult navigation throughout the rugged terrain of Prentice Cooper State Forest. This event will be similar to a traditional rogaine with a few surprises thrown in. You will spend significant time off trail during both courses!

If navigation is your bag, this is THE event you don’t want to miss in 2008.

When: May 16-17, 2008
Where: Just outside Chattanooga, TN

We are limiting this event to 100 people. Last year, we had over 90 and turned a few away at the last minute. With teams from all over the East Coast including, AR, NC, MI, CT, TN, FL, GA, SC, MO, and KY, this event will be near capacity. Get in while you can.

Patrick and I hope to see you in May!

I’d like to take a moment and say thank you to each of our sponsors in 2007. Without their sponsorship, your swag bags would have been lighter and the prize table smaller. Our sponsors were very gracious this year and we want to take a moment to highlight the companies that helped us in 2007. We choose sponsors that produce/deliver products that we use ourselves or that we think would be of interest to those who participate in our events. We hope you enjoyed the goodies provided by our sponsors. Please think of our sponsors when you are making your next endurance related purchases.

Hammer Nutrition: Hammer Nutrition makes a ton of products for endurance athletes and provided samples and prizes for the UOG. I’ve sworn by e-caps for a number of years and use some of their other products as well.

Zanfel: Zanfel provided some prizes for the UOG. Cathi and I have used Zanfel after placing checkpoints in Poison Ivy infested areas a number of times the past few years. I think the most either of us got after using Zanfel was maybe one or two bumps with zero itching. I highly recommend their product.

Paceline Products Butt’r: Paceline Products provided samples and prizes for A24 before it was canceled. Anyone who has ridden a long ride without Butt’r can tell you what a great product it is. Any ride over 2-3 hours shouldn’t be done without Butt’r.

Mytopo: Mytopo printed all the maps for UOG this year. They make it affordable for us to give you great maps. You can print out your own custom map at their website too. Patrick and I have been very pleased working with Mytopo the last few years.