The 2011 race is set for Saturday, May 14th at 7:00PM. We’re expecting upwards of 1,200 people, half of which will be former players and chasers returning for another shot at mastering the district.

When you sign in, you will be given a map (indicating the checkpoints) and two ribbons. The blue ribbon you tie on your arm at the beginning – it identifies that you are a player, and it must be clearly visible. Hiding your ribbon is considered cheating. The orange ribbon you hope to never use.

When the organizers start the event, they will tell you who to look for at the first checkpoint and give the signal to begin. You should immediately start moving to the first checkpoint. Once you reach it, you must find the agent waiting to sign your map. When you do, have them sign; they will then tell you who to look for at the next checkpoint; and so on until you reach the end, where there will be drinks and merriment. Whoever reaches the end first wins.

However, there will also be people who are trying to stop you. These are the chasers. Each chaser wears an orange ribbon on their arm. If a chaser tags you, you must give them your player ribbon as a trophy; you now put on your orange ribbon and become a chaser yourself. Your job is to find and tag the other players, preventing them from safely reaching the finish.

There are some areas where you will be safe from chasers. An area around each checkpoint will be safe, an area for you to rest and recover; these areas will be marked on your map. In addition, all metro stations and trains are safe. While in these safe zones, you cannot tag or be tagged. Mocking the chasers from safety is encouraged, but may bring retribution.

In past years, you had to visit the checkpoints in order but we’re thinking of making things non-linear this year. We’ll let you know our final decision soon. If you arrive at a checkpoint after the Agent has left, you may ask a stranger to sign your manifest. The course is approximately 6 miles long, and will take 3-5 hours to complete. The final location will be near a metro.

Prizes will be awarded for finishing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd; prizes may also be awarded for the most effective chaser, best costume, best story, or other categories to be determined.

Suggestions and Hints

• Travel light. The less you have weighing you down, the faster you’ll be escaping chasers. Wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather, bring some water and possibly a camera.
• Arrive a little early. Organizers will be at Dupont by 6:45, so you can collect a map and plot out your route without time pressure. If you don’t have a plan, you could find yourself running in the wrong direction.
• When you see a chaser, run. Get around a corner and hide, or try to make it to the nearest safe zone. Always know where the nearest safe zone is.
• Bring a friend or two. Preferably ones you can outrun.
• Part of the journey will be faster on the metro; fill up your metro card before the race begins, and pick up a metro map on your way in.
• The most direct route between two checkpoints is likely to be the way most patrolled by chasers. Take a longer route to reach the safe zone from another angle.
• Keep your eyes open. Anyone could be a chaser.
• Move quickly, but try not to draw suspicion. They’ll be looking for your ribbon (you can’t hide it), but it’s dark and details are often hard to see at a distance. If they start moving towards you, be ready to run.

Meet the Chasers

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