What is Austin Found?

Austin Found is a city-wide treasure hunt. Participants solve clues to collect treasures — "clues" — at twelve checkpoints across the city. All clues will lead to prominent Austin landmarks. The only allowed methods of travel are by foot or Capital Metro buses and Dillos. The first team back to the starting location wins.

When is Austin Found?

The treasure hunt begins on Saturday, October 1, 9:00 a.m. sharp, rain or shine.

How do I register?

To register, please visit our registration page.

How much does it cost?

The race costs $50 per team if paid before September 25, 2005. Registration after September 25, 2005 will cost $75 per team. Please note that there are no refunds.

Where can I access the Event Participation Hold-Harmless Release of Liability and Indemnity Agreement?

Please click on Event Participation Hold-Harmless Release of Liability and Indemnity Agreement. All members of the team must complete and mail/fax in the signed agreement for registration to be complete. For participants younger that 18 years, parental/guardian consent is required.

What is the mailing address and fax number to send in the signed Agreement?

Austin Found, Inc.
Attn: Registration
Address: 1712 E. Riverside Dr, Suite 109, Austin, TX 78741-1320.
Fax: (512) 879-3979

Will there be a pre-race packet pick-up and availability for late registration?

Pre-race registration and packet pickup are scheduled for Friday, September 30, 2005 at RunTex.

Are they going to be any opportunities to ask questions face-to-face?

At 6:30 pm, September 22, a seminar is scheduled at Runtex (Riverside store).

Where does the money go?

Net proceeds from the event will be distributed as follows:

• 70% benefits Education through the Austin Community Foundation.
• 20% benefits the charity/cause of the current year's organizers. In 2005, this money will be given to Travis Heights Elementary School.
• 10% will be donated for educational needs of Hurricane Katrina evacuees, in Austin.
  

How does my team win?

The first team to return to the starting location and cross the finish line with a valid timecard is the winner. Only the timecard needs to cross the finish line. All members of the team need not be present.

What can I win?

There are prizes for the best high-school team, best college team, and first, second and third place prizes in the open category. To the best team, regardless of category, a cash prize of $1,000 and gift vouchers worth hundreds of dollars, will be awarded.

Where is the starting location?

The starting location is Saltillo Plaza. A map and directions will soon be available. We recommend that teams arrive by 7:30 a.m.

Is there an established course to travel in this race?

Teams are free to chart their own course between checkpoints during the event. However, the only allowed methods of travel are by foot or Capital Metro buses and Dillos. Using any other form of travel will lead to disqualification.

How do I find out the exact location of each checkpoint?

Each team is given a clue to the first checkpoint as the race begins. Reach Checkpoint 1 and you'll find a clue that leads to Checkpoint 2 and so on (one clue is given at each checkpoint). There are 12 clues in all. The clue may or may not provide the exact location of a checkpoint. In this case, the location may be hidden in a puzzle or equation. Teams are expected to solve the puzzle or equation to determine the exact location of the checkpoint. Each checkpoint will have a checkpoint moderator(s). The checkpoint moderator reserves the right to ask any team to explain their solution of the corresponding clue.

What types of clues will be provided?

All clues in the race will be relevant to Austin . Here are examples of clues from the 2004 Travis Heights Neighborhood Treasure Hunt, which should serve as a good reference to the various clue types to expect in "Austin Found" 

Clue #1: A cool romp stir-fried
Answer #1: Marco Polo (anagram of a Cool Romp). Stir-fried hints at Chinese as well as a word jumble

Clue #2: 1836, President Sam Houston, "Alamo on to we rest the future of the people of Texas and name the frontier town of Austin the capital of the state." 1994, Governor Ann Richards, "President Sam Houston was indeed an oracle. Who could have foreseen that his words included a future landmark?"
Answer #2: Moontower (microscopic clue: see inside Sam Houston's words)

Clue #3:
TIKI HEAD
PLECOSTOMUS
SURFLINE 90
GRAVEL
DECHLORINATOR
FLAVUS
Answer #3: Rivers and Reefs (all of the above items belong to an aquarium)

What is a timecard?

Every team shall have a time card that has the following information: team name/number, checkpoint number, time at which each respective checkpoint was reached and the checkpoint moderator's initials. When you reach a checkpoint, make sure that the checkpoint moderator enters the time you arrived and their initials on your timecard. Please note that the checkpoint moderator only needs the timecard and a minimum of one team member to sign the corresponding timecard. Hence, a strategy could be to allow the fastest member of the team to get the timecard signed and procure the next clue.

What happens if I can't find a checkpoint?

In case your team cannot solve a clue (only valid for clues 1-11), we recommend that you return to Saltillo Plaza or another central location which will be announced on race day. The race moderators will not give you the next clue until a minimum of 45 minutes have passed from the time entered on your previous clue (e.g. you finished Clue 6 at 9:00 a.m. and that makes you eligible for Clue 8 at 9:45 a.m.). They will also make the appropriate entry on your time card. Clue number 12, i.e. the last clue, will have to be solved for a team to finish the race and to be eligible for winning it.

How many registered participants per team?

A team can consist of one to four registered participants. Teams are allowed to use non-registered outside help. Only registered participants may present their time card to the checkpoint moderators and receive clues.

Can a team ask for outside help solving the clues?

Yes.

How long does the event last?

The course should be completed by the winners in three to four hours. The event officially ends at 2:00 pm. The festivities, including live music, food and drink, will continue until 3 pm.

Do all the teams start at the same time?

Yes.

What are the boundaries for the checkpoints?

North is 45th Street. South is Ben White. East is an imaginary line running parallel 1.5 miles east of I-35. West is Mopac. A map of the boundary is available.

Who organizes Austin Found?

All aspects of the race are governed by Austin Found, Inc. Any organization (church, high-school, neighborhood, etc.) can volunteer to organize future races. Each year, the Board of Austin Found, Inc. will select one organization to co-ordinate the race from the list of volunteers. The team's position in the previous year's race will be an important factor.

In 2005, the Board of Austin Found, Inc., has given the Travis Heights Neighborhood the responsibility for setting the clues and providing moderators/checkpoint personnel on race day.