Let’s get a quick overview of the standings, which have seen some changes with yesterday’s points update. The racers are lined up for a race for the top three positions, and it’s going to be an exciting last two months.

The race for first and second place is going on between TB Hummer and Swedish Nerds, with TB Hummer in the lead by only 38 points. It should be noted that accumulated over 20,000 miles of travel as they bounced around the globe. During their visits to four separate continents, these two racers alone have wrapped up visits to the following countries as they battle for that top spot:

• United States
• Canada
• Scotland
• England
• Australia
• Malaysia
• France
• Netherlands

Both of these racers are well enough ahead (160 points ahead of third place) that only a last ditch miracle trip will keep them from getting 1st and 2nd place all to themselves.

But they aren’t the only ones battling for position.  KIMO and Woolybugger are currently fighting over 3rd place, with KIMO ahead by 37 points.  This is where the true battle is to be watched as 4th place isn’t a prize winning position.  Both of these racers have over 10,000 miles to their list, built up during travels between two continents.  Their list of visited countries includes:

• United States
• Puerto Rico
• Ireland
• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Greece
• Czech Republic
• Spain
• Italy
• Sweden
• Denmark
• Switzerland
• Germany
• Poland

These top four contenders have definitely shown us how to fill a passport.  However, there is one sad note amongst these four and that concerns WoolyBugger.  On October, 29th, WoolyBugger was placed in a cache in Northern England.  A few days later, the cache was muggled and WoolyBugger went off the grid.  That leaves KIMO with a clear opportunity to land the 3rd place spot, provided a last ditch effort by Raisin Man doesn’t disrupt the turtle’s pace.  Raisin Man is almost a 100 points behind and currently enjoying his adventure into sampling Norwegian music.  A hope across the ocean might be enough to upset KIMO’s seemingly guarenteed position.

Several other racers are still going strong, attempting to catch up to third place.  But the distant amount of points to be earned will make it hard for anyone else to catch up.  But, we’ve seen large jumps in the past so anything’s possible.

We are currently sitting at just under two months before the end of the race.  There is still a lot of action going on across the field, including some surprise returns from several racers who were believed lost.  One racer was last seen in February before making a surprising return in September.

As we gear up for next year’s race, and as entries pile in from around the globe, continue to check back for updates on the 2009 race.  The prize pool seems certain at this point, but who knows what last minute additions might join the list.

I will also send out a reminder to everyone that there is now a set of three unactivated travel bugs sitting in the prize pool.  These three travel bugs will be awarded in December.  Why so early?  Well these particular travel bugs will be part of the MIA drawing.  If your racer went MIA in 2009, you will be in the running for winning one of these three travel bugs.  You may do what you want with them, but you may also choose to use them to enter the 2010 race at no cost.  I’ll provide the attachment, and all you have to do is activate the travel bug.  A second chance to anyone who went missing.  And since my bug went missing as well, I will be taking myself OUT OF THE DRAWING!  So I can’t be one of the winners.

For those of you who listen to Geocaching Podcast or Podcacher, listen up on upcoming episodes as we work out some advertising for the race.

And don’t forget to check out the 2010 Race tab at the top of the page to learn about next years race, including some of the proposed changes and how to enter.

TripCyclone

I know it’s taken a long time, but the Contestants page has been updated to reflect current points (minus one TB awaiting an e-mail).  And holy cow have some people changed in points.  Tomorrow, we’ll get a full review with an update to the standings.  I can say this, current stats have two racers pretty set in the top two spots, but it’s still open game for which one gets 1st and which one gets 2nd.  And 3rd place isn’t so set either as several contenders have a fair shot at placement.   To throw in another wrench, all it takes is one good move by one of the 3rd place contenders to throw another racer into the bidding for 1st or 2nd.

It’s coming down to the last two months and it’s going to be exciting.  Come back tomorrow for an update to the standings and an overview of what the playing field will look like these remaining two months.

And don’t forget that the entry period for the 2010 race has begun.  Click on the 2010 Race tab above to read about some of the changes and how to enter.

A thanks to ernbob, n2froggie, and want2bemore for helping get the points updating.  I’d still be working on it without there help thanks to all the files I lost in the computer crash last month.

TripCyclone

Since we are trying to advertise next years race, I’ll provide links to some of the locations where announcements have been made.  If you were part of the 2009 race and have any good things to say about it, feel free to post a response at these links (especially the Groundspeak link).  It helps keep the post high on the list so that others might see it and helps provide readers your own thoughts on (hopefully) what you liked about the race.

GROUNDSPEAK FORUMS

PODCACHER FORUMS – Forums aren’t visited as often. Would love to have them announce the race a few times on upcoming shows. Tried to get them to announce it last year but from what I heard, they only advertised their own race.

Spread the word on local forums if you want. Does anyone have some other ideas for where to post announcements at?

TripCyclone

There are two things to announce tonight.  First is news of next years race.  Second, and the one that is of critical nature, regards a problem that recently developed and a sudden call for help from some of you.

I know. The race update is QUITE delayed. It seems every time I get online to work on it, either Geocaching is running slow or something more important pulls me away and I’m not able to get back. I’m working on it.

But, we do have some announcements. First, Debbie Does Decals has joined the sponsorship list and has sent a nice coupon for a free decal to join our prize pool. They make some cool decals, including a Travel Bug decal for those of you who have been thinking about getting one.

Another new sponsor is Landsharkz, a geocaching business based in Canada. They have sent a wonderful “All American” geocaching kit. Included are some geocaching information cards, an unactivated geocacoin, golf pencil, a Rite in the Rain logbook, “Official Geocache” sticker, a pin, a patch, a magnet, and what looks like a micro-bolo. Everything you need to start a new geocache short of a container.

I’ve gotten word that Coins and Pins is interested in sponsoring us too. They have instructed me to contact them closer to the end of the race and they will send me some stuff. If the stuff they sent me for my Halloween event is any indication, expect a collection of unactivated trackables to join the prize pool.

We also have a new geocoin courtesy of Contryguy.

Check in with the Prize Pool page to see the full list. So far, we have definitely met my promise of providing a prize at least equal to the cost of a Travel Bug and shipping the travel bug to me for entry into the race…and we’ve met that goal for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes. We might even have enough for some extra prizes…we’ll just have to see.

Once again, I’m hoping to get the race updated soon. I might have some time this Friday and Sunday to work on it, provided nothing gets in the way. From the looks of things, we might see some changes to the top ten list.

Also, keep on the lookout. I might have a major announcement in the coming week beyond just a points update.

TripCyclone