This is a Bozeman area race series which we are calling the Explorer Series. There are five races included, each race occurring at least partly on trails and named after explorers. They are the Jim Bridger Trail Run, the Old Gabe 50K and 25K, the Bridger Ridge Run, the John Colter Run and the Lewis and Clark Marathon and half-marathon. Schnee’s has donated a pair of running shoes to the series winners (female/male). The series is composed of completing three of the qualifying races, one qualifying race being the 50K, the Ridge Run or the marathon. We will award points based on a normalizing formula comparing the finisher’s time to the winner's time in each of the ten-year age groups. We expect the Explorer option to create heightened awareness and interest in local runs, and pull better performance out of those of you who already race. The normalizing coefficient will make it fair competition for all. The prizes will be a catalyst for what we hope is an exciting new series. Our motivation is purely to promote the sport of running. We thank you for your interest and hope to see you on the trails.

Rules:
1. Registration fee for the series is $5.00 to cover one drink at an awards party in October. Possibility of a T-shirt in future years depending on interest. This is a one-time fee for the 2007 series only and does not include entry to any race in the series. Please contact each race individually for information on that particular race.

2. Only two races may be run before registration for the series. We prefer you register before running any races you want to count. We don't want you to wait to see if you have three good races and then register.

3. A runner must compete in three races, one of which is the marathon or the 50K or the Ridge Run.

4. The runner's age at the time of their first race determines their age group. Age groups are as follows: 18 – 29, 30 – 39, 40 – 49, 50 – 59, 60 – 69, 70 +. In order for an age group to exist in the Series competition, there must be at least 2 participants in the series or you are moved to younger age groups until there are at least 2 (also see rule 5).

5. In order to make this series as fair as possible to all ages, runners will be compared to those in their age group. Series points are determined by dividing your 10-year age-group winner's time by your time, and multiplying by 100. However, there must be some competition in your age group. So there must be two people of your age group entered in the race or you are moved down age-groups until there are two people.

6. Top three scores by a runner in the five possible races are counted. Lower scores are deleted. Since, for example, both a 30-year-old and a 40-year-old could score a perfect 300, ties may occur. Having no better idea, I will decide ties comparing a fourth race even if only one of the tied runners completed a fourth race. If none did a fourth race I will toss a coin (unless someone presents a better idea).

7. Overall winner of each gender has the most points regardless of age group and wins a pair of running shoes donated by Schnee’s IF there are enough entrants for me to convince Schnees to give shoes.. If there are sufficient donated awards, a second place will be awarded as well. (I will send out an email to all participants if I get more good prizes). Remainder of donations will be door prizes.

8. We will have special recognition to those who complete all five races ($20 gift certificates to Threshhold Sports the past few years).