AI Olympics Foot (Hand, etc.) Race

The Essential Info

When? Thursday, January 30, 2-3pm
Where? Johnson Indoor Track (upstairs from the ice rink)
What? A race against the clock to earn the most points. Read below and/or show up to learn more about it.

The Inspiration

In previous years the Olympics foot race has been one of the simpler events of the olympics. The 1999 version spiced things up a little by adding variable courses participants could choose to run. But it was always running... mile after mile after mile...

Last year we made things more interesting, and it was such a hit we're doing it again! Instead of just running, you will be encouraged to try three-legged racing, running backward, wheel barrow, and other silly activities. (Who knew leap frog could be so tiring?)

The Rules

The race will be exactly 30 minutes in length. The goal of each team is to gain as many points as possible for their team by completing laps around the track.

However, all methods of propulsion are not created equal. Slower racing strategies earn more points for those who participate in them. For example, running one lap might be worth 1 point, while running a lap backwards would be worth 3.

Legal methods of propulsion might include the following:

Walking or Running forward
Walking or Running backward
3-legged Walking or Running
Wheel barrow racing
Skipping
Crab Walk
Blindfolded running or walking (with guide)
Cartwheels
Indian Sprint (minimum of 4 people per group)
Grapevine
Leap frog
And possibly a couple more to be announced at the event.

You must complete a full lap of a single method for it to count, except when specified otherwise. Exact details for what constitutes a "lap" for a given method will be revealed at the race.

Scoring

Scoring details will also be revealed later, but for now some heuristics:

You get points proportional to the number of person-laps your team completes, so the more people you have, the more points your team gets. As is usually the case, participation was the deciding victory factor last year.
The slower methods of propulsion earn more points per lap.
You get bonus points for each new method you try, so the more things you try, the more points you will earn.
The sillier events (e.g. wheel barrow) will be worth more points proportionally than the boring ones (e.g. running)

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