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REGISTRATION

How do I know for sure if I am registered? If you registered online, you will receive a payment confirmation through the PayPal service. The payment confirmation shows that your entry is complete. If you stop the process short of payment, you will not receive this confirmation e-mail. Starting in 2015, most DINO events have a registration list posted. There is typically a link to this list near the registration link. You should also receive a link to the registration list in your confirmation e-mail. Note that season pass holders who registered with a check or cash will not be listed on this page. If you mailed a form in, you will not receive a confirmation for your entry. If you are really concerned about your entry, contact us and we'll check.

Why can't I register online, Thursday or Friday prior to the event? We close online and mail in registration late night on Wednesday prior to the event. For nearly all events, race-day entry is available on site an hour or two prior to start time. Registering prior to the Wednesday night cutoff will save you $5 to $10 depending on which event. We do this because an accurate attendance count helps us plan things such as race staff, food, race numbers, toilet rentals, and other supplies needed. We also need some time to prepare race numbers and print the check-in list prior to our site set-up day on Fridays prior to the race.

Do I need to bring confirmation to the race with me? No, you do not need to print a confirmation page. If you are pre-registered, you can show up for check-in ready to race. For the XTERRA Triathlons - if you are a member of USA Triathlon, you must bring a printed or digital copy of your annual license.

What is DINO's refund policy?

TRAIL RUN & MTB SERIES Refund Policy

(Please see below for Ultra, Long distance cycling, adventure racing, Triathlon, and single non-series event policies)

No Refunds for ANY of series race/events. No Transfers within 2 weeks prior to the event date.
We will, for any event, transfer your entry to another event of equal or lesser value, if requested prior to the above cutoffs. If transferring to another participant, there will be a $20 service charge.
If a series event is postponed due to weather or conditions, your entry will be automatically transferred to the rescheduled date. You may also apply the entry to a later event in the series; but you must notify us prior to close of registration for the re-scheduled or alternate event, whichever occurs first.
If a series event is canceled, your entry can be applied to another series event of equal or less value. You must notify DINO of your intent, prior to online registration close of the event you select.

PREMIUM EVENT (Ultras, Long Distance Cycling, Triathlons, Adventure Racing) Refund Policy.

If you cannot attend, you have the following options:

Due to the complexity of these events, there are NO REFUNDS within 3 Months prior to the event date.

Refunds will incur a 20% service charge.
Pregnant? 100% Full refund or rollover ladies, no worries.
Postpartum? We will offer a 1-year deferral to next year’s event date. You must inquire for approval at least 2 months before the current year’s event date.
In the event of a weather-related cancellation, the event will typically not be rescheduled. Entry fees will not be refunded. We will offer an automatic 1-year roll over to the next event date.
You may transfer your entry to another participant for a $20 service fee prior to registration close.
Please note that some events have their own unique Refund Policy and can be found on the event page website. Participants are responsible for reviewing and understanding these policies.

Postponed or canceled events:

DINO does not refund entry fees for events postponed or canceled due to weather or course conditions. See above for options for series vs premium events.

We understand that life happens, and will do our best to accommodate life events such as pregnancy, military deployment, family death, and serious illness. Please contact us directly to discuss.

RULES

Can I wear headphones (mp3 player, ipod, etc)? No, headphones are not allowed. Due to the narrow trail on most of our events, passing is difficult... with music in your ears it will be even harder for a person behind you to get your attention. In addition, race volunteers or staff may need to get your attention to direct you or warn you of danger ahead. Wearing headphones may be cause for disqualification from race results.

Can my dog run along with me in a DINO race? Dogs make great training partners but unfortunately we do not allow them in DINO events. The trails are narrow and adding a dog to the mix of participants can cause frustration and difficulty no matter how well trained your dog is. Thank you for your understanding.

Non-registered participants (bandits) Participants must be registered to participate in DINO events. Non-registered participants take away from the event's ability to make income, compromise the integrity of results, and can endanger the participant and other legitmately registered participants. It is theft. Any person without a properly registered, race-issued, bib or bike plate number will be considered stealing from the race if any of the following appliies: 1) Starting with the group at the start line of the race. 2) Following more than a trivial amount of the race route while the race is in progress. 3) Using aid station services (water, sports drink, snacks, etc). 4) Crossing the finish line of the race (exception - friend / family member crossing the finish in an obvious celebration moment). 5) Using a copied, unofficial, or inactive race number. Theft from any race is a crime punishable by law.

GENDER POLICY

In order facilitate the participation of transgender and nonbinary athletes at ALL DINO EVENTS while preserving the integrity of competition for awards and records. Any transgender or non-binary athlete must race in a Male division.

RESULTS QUESTIONS

My name is not showing on results (or something is incorrect). Nobody's perfect. We may have had a data entry mistake, or a registration form error, or a timing chip that did not read on our equipment. Your accurate results are a high priority to us. Please e-mail us and we'll do all we can to fix it. Usually, it is a simple matter to correct. You may also need to click "refresh" or "reload" on your browser to get updated results or points to display.

Why are recent results not showing up on the DINO website? Our goal is to post results within 12 hours (generally less) of the race's finish. This will vary depending on internet access, any scoring problems, tear-down situation, or other events that day/weekend. Sometimes, you may need to hit "refresh" or "reload" on your internet browser to see the page update.

What if I miss a medal ceremony? In most races, top three overall and top three in every age group receive a medal at the event's award ceremony. At our series races, these are held at 11 am (Trail Run) or 1:45 pm (Mountain Bike). If you missed getting your medal in a series race, we will have them at the following series races. The best time to ask is shortly before or after the later race's award ceremony when we have medals out. Alternatively, try to catch a DINO Staff member at a slower time pre-race. If you are unable to get your award at a later race, contact us and we will mail it to you. We do ask you to cover the shipping cost.

MOUNTAIN BIKE EVENTS

Do I need to join an organization to race? No. Just register for the event and race. The DINO Mountain Bike Series races are not sanctioned by USA Cycling and do not require any racing license or additional one-day permit fees. (New for 2016).

What category should I start in if I have never raced? If you have never raced, most riders should select between Intro or Base. Intro is usually 5-7 miles, a relatively small group of riders that have never raced before (or have done a small number of other Intro races). Intro is FREE if you have never raced before. To claim your free first Intro race, contact us for the discount code! Base consists of a wider range of ability; some racers spend their entire racing "career" in Base, while others progress and move up to Sport. Base Men is typically 9-14 miles; Women Base is 5-7 miles. Riders age 18 or younger can race Intro, but are strongly encouraged to race in Junior instead. It is the same length, but consists of all riders 18 or younger.

Tips for your first race It can be intimidating coming to your first race. Keep in mind, everyone was a first-timer once! Most of the riders at the race will have nice mountain bikes and be wearing spandex cycling clothes. But, under the sunglasses and helmets are a bunch of truly nice and helpful people! Ask around if you have questions or need help with something. You do not need to be on any team or a member of any club or organization to race. DINO will cover the entry fee for your first race in the Intro category. (You will need to bring a refundable $5 deposit for your number plate). You can register for this onsite, or use our online form, pay, and e-mail us for a refund. We suggest arriving plenty early to see how things work. You can watch the start of other categories, see riders tackle difficult trail sections, and watch the finish line prior to your start. Practice on the trail is open until the first race begins at 10 am. Bring plenty of food and water, chairs to sit on, and make it a day. Don't try to rush in and out. Many riders and teams bring a pop-up canopy for shade. You will line up for your start in waves. Listen to announcements for start order and watch for riders with your category number plate. Generally, two minutes are betwen each wave. There are multiple staging lines to keep groups together. Only the very next wave to start will be on the front "Start line". The second (dashed) line is for the group "up next". The DINO Race Guide Book is full of tips and rules, please read through it prior to racing.

How can I make my check-in smoother? 1) Have cash (especially if you need a number plate; a $5 refundable deposit). 3) If pre-registered, you don't need to fill out a DINO form (just a waiver, available where the DINO staff is sitting) 4) If registering on race day, fill out the DINO form, then simply sign the back side (waiver). 5) If you are racing Base, Junior, Clydesdale, or Intro - lines will be shorter after 10 am. 6) If you will be racing more than once in the season, keep your race number all season and bring it back each time.

How do I compete for a series award? All participants in Expert, Sport, Base, Junior, or Clydesdale are automatically entered in the series points standings. However, toward the end of the series those who do not race in at least three races (the series minimum) are dropped off the standings table. The best four scores, of six, are totalled at the end of the season. This means your lowest two scores (or skipped races) are dropped. 200 points are awarded for first in each category, 199 for second, 198 for third, etc. This includes all age groups within the gender/category. Strategy tip: To boost your series point total, watch for races with lower attendance. It is easier to score high points with less competition! Check past results for venues with fewer finishes in your category, and make those your priority races!

Will racers be required to have the new DNR trail pass / permit? Indiana DNR requires either an annual trail pass ($20) or a one-day permit ($5) for mountain bike riding at state properties. This includes trails labeled above "beginner" level. Two 2019 DINO courses, Brown County and Versailles, are included. Potato Creek, although a DNR property, is labeled as "beginner" and thus is exempt from the requirement. DINO suggests that any rider who plans to ride in an Indiana state park or state forest, four or more times per year, purchase an annual pass. This would cover any race days and any training / practice rides. Riders need to obtain their own permit or pass. DINO does not plan to check each riders pass or permit; the rider will take the responsibility.

WEATHER & TRAIL CONDITIONS, POSTPONEMENTS

Why are some races postponed due to wet conditions, when others continue? At first glimpse, it might seem arbitrary that some DINO events are held regardless of mud or wet trail conditions, while others are postponed due to some mud on the trail. There are many factors involved. A few courses have a gravel or sandy base on the trails, which allows us to run or bike on it without significant trail damage. This includes courses such as Eagle Creek, Mounds, and Winona Lake. Some parks and properties are very protective of their trail systems and are more likely to resist racing in questionable conditions. Other properties are less concerned, due to various factors. A few of our race locations can literally go under water when nearby creeks or rivers flood. Town Run and Avon have a tendency to do this on occasion. Some trail runners and mountain bikers enjoy the challenge and the memories of racing in sloppy conditions. While we do understand that thrill; in general we try to be responsible stewards of the wonderful trails we have in Indiana. We greatly prefer to hold our events on the date and location originally scheduled but sometimes the only responsible choice is to alter the event. If the race day conditions / forecast look questionable, check the DINO hotline phone number (317-336-7553) prior to departing for the race. We will update our Twitter account - @DINOseries - and our Facebook pages as the early lines of communication. Next we'll update DINOseries.com website and put notices on related sites such as HMBA.org and Indianatrailrunning.org. As a trail user, whether on foot or on wheels, you need to consider the impact of your training and recreational use on trails as well. If you are leaving tire ruts or footprints deeper than ½ inch or so, you should think about getting off the trail.

How early are weather related cancellations and postponements made? We have learned that the weather forecast is not always right! Therefore we prepare for each event even if the forecast is bad. We will make any change to the race if and only if it is obvious the conditions will cause damage to the trail or danger to participants. Sometimes this is 24+ hours prior to the race, if the ground is already saturated. Sometimes it could be last-minute, if a surprise rainfall hits just before the start line. We attempt to give advance notice if at all possible. We understand participants have travel time commitments, but cancelling/postponing an event too early causes a number of other issues with the hosting site, race staff, and participant schedules. If conditions are questionable, check our hotline (317-336-7553), Twitter, or Facebook pages before leaving home (and possibly occasionally on your way to the event). Please do not e-mail or message us; you will not receive information any sooner that way.

FUN STUFF

How do you pronounce "DINO"? DEE-no (But we won't make fun of you if you say DY-no)

Why does the race course measure too short according to my GPS? Often GPS watches / smartphones will measure the course shorter than it really is. This is because GPS takes measurements periodically, not continuously. When you make a tight turn, which is common in DINO race courses, the GPS will often shortcut through the turn. We have found that GPS usually measures 5% to 10% short on a typical DINO course. This also means the pace/speed shown on the screen is 5-10% slower than you are actually running or riding. Making matters worse, heavy leaf cover reduces the accuracy of GPS and it will pick up even fewer data points. Thus, recording in the summer often yields less accuracy than in the winter (up to 20% short)

Do you offer group discounts? Are you a coach or leader of a large group? If you bring: ten or more participants - 10% discount twenty or more participants - 20% discount thirty or more participants - 30% discount ... and so on, up to 50% discount! (Sorry, we can't give 100+ entries away for free) The catch? It needs to be in a single payment (cash, check, Paypal, or credit card). Registration data needs to be in a spreadsheet format with all the race entry fields found on our online form. (Contact us if you need a template spreadsheet). Due by the posted close of online registration. Limited to 20% discount for special events (XTERRA, adventure races, 24 Hours of DINO, Tecumseh Trail Marathon, Jackson County 50-50, etc.)

Where can I find race photos? DINO posts most race photos on the Facebook page for the respective activity. DINO Mountain Biking DINO Trail Running DINO Triathlon and Adventure Racing Gravel Grovel Death March Ride

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