Click on the questions below to see the answer for your frequently asked questions. Do you have more questions? Contact us and we'll be glad to help answer any and all questions about the Barber Beast on the Bay!
The minimum age to participate is 16 years old by the day of the event. Participants ages 16 & 17 can participate with signed permission from parent/guardian.
You will select a wave time when you register. To review this choice, login to your Active.com account.
The Elite wave kicks off the Beast at 8:30 a.m. for competitive OCR addicts and extreme athletes. Additional timed waves are at 8:45 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. Non-timed waves begin at 9:30 a.m., launching every fifteen minutes until 11:30 a.m. When registering, you may choose which category, Elite, Timed or Non-Timed, and your specific wave time. Team captains coordinate with team members to choose the team start time.
Please note: Wave times are meant to be FINAL & We cannot accommodate every wave time adjustment, but if you have a question about your wave, please email us at BarberBeast@barberni.org.
Can I receive a refund or transfer my registration?
We cannot offer refunds under any circumstances. If a registrant cannot participate, their fee is considered a charitable donation to the Barber Foundation.
Or, participants can transfer their registration to another participant until August 20, 2025. There will be absolutely NO registration transfers after August 20, 2025. All transfers must take place as outlined by Active.
Active.com will charge the new participant the current registration cost (discount codes can be applied). Active will refund the original participant’s card for the cost the original participant paid. The original participant should receive their refund 5 to 7 business days after the new participant completes the transfer process.
Participants may only defer their Barber Beast on the Bay 10-mile course registration for the next year’s event. In other words, registrations must be redeemed in the year following their original deferral and cannot be carried over multiple years. We cannot honor deferments beyond our 1-year limit. The last day to defer your registration is August 20, 2025.
If you do not claim your deferment in the following year, the cost of your registration will be considered a donation to the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Foundation. Additionally, we are unable to offer transfers to another participant in your place. Please refer to our Transfer Policy for more information.
Participants are able to access their registration by logging in to their MyEvents account. Follow this link to sign in: https://myevents.active.com/BarberNationalInstitute. Here, you are able to edit contact information or transfer your registration to someone else (see Transfer Policy), and edit your team. Participants can make edits to their registration until Wednesday, August 20, 2025
When do I pick up my participant shirt, time chip, and other information?
Packet Pick-Up will be available at the Barber National Institute Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 4 & 5, from 3 – 6 p.m. Please look for directional signs off of East Bay Drive.
In addition, you can pick up your packet on Saturday, Sept. 7 beginning at 6:30 a.m. at the registration table at Waldameer.
Please bring photo identification with you to Packet Pick-Up. If you are picking up packets for anyone else, you must have a copy of their photo ID and their waiver must already be signed.
Participants who registered to be timed will receive a timing chip in their packet. Please bring this chip with you to the start line at the event and securely tie it to your shoe. Lost or forgotten chips cannot be replaced on event day. Our new chips are rugged so they can handle the rough conditions. Volunteers will be at the finish to collect chips. Please make sure to return your chip after finishing.
Registrations will be accepted at Packet Pick-Up with cash or credit card and photo ID.
I registered after Aug. 1. Will I receive a t-shirt?
As stated on the registration, participants who sign up after Aug. 1 cannot be guaranteed a t-shirt. A limited number of shirts will be available on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Bag Drop at 11 a.m. Participants who registered after Aug. 1 can check there to see if shirts are available.
Yes! Some participants prefer a more leisurely activity and walk the entire course, skipping all or most of the obstacles. We still celebrate their crossing the finish line with a medal and plenty of cheering!
Can I register by phone or paper registration form?
No. To help ensure accuracy, all registrations for the 10-mile obstacle course must be completed through our online application process. Participants in the Adapted Course do have the option of downloading a printed registration and waiver or requesting a paper registration in the mail by contacting us at BarberBeast@Barberni.org or calling 814-480-6810.
My family and friends are coming, too--can they see the course?
Yes! Gather up your friends and family in the trusty van to cheer you and the team on! It is free to come, park, take the shuttle, and party! We offer a shuttle for participants and spectators down and back from Waldameer to Beach 11 with many stops along the way. If your cheer squad wants an opportunity to earn money for their hard earned signs and well-rehearsed chants, look into getting them involved as a Cheer Zone.
Round up the crew to beat the Beast as a team! During registration, you can either start a team or join one. Contact the gang to get it together. You can register at separate times or all at once and get it all set. You pick!
Yes, you may skip any obstacle and continue with the course.
However, all participants in the Elite Wave must complete all of the course obstacles. Multiple attempts can be made, but they should not interfere with those making a first attempt. Elite participants will be disqualified from the awards if they do not complete an obstacle. Volunteers will report disqualifications before the awards, but we also ask that Elite participants observe an honor system.
You will get wet, but all water obstacles will be in shallow water. You always have the option of skipping any obstacle that involves water if you are not comfortable completing it.
Is there a way to reduce the cost of registration?
YES! You can get a free registration by signing up to fundraise. Just choose Fundraiser $500 when you register, and you will receive all of the tools needed to let your friends, neighbors and family know that you are Beating the Beast and raising money to help children and adults with disabilities. All fundraisers must meet their minimum $500 commitment by noon on Friday, September 1, 2023; anyone who has not raised the $500 will be charged the full registration cost of $125.
Please email us BarberBeast@Barberni.organd we will get back to you within two business days. If this is an urgent matter, call our Beast Hotline at 814-480-6810!
We know that some participants just want to finish, and some want to be timed. So, during registration, you will have the option of signing up to be timed for a nominal fee. Timed waves are the second, third and fourth waves. You will be given a timing chip in your packet that you must bring to the start line and tie to your shoe. Replacement chips cannot be provided on even day.
If you want to compete for awards, please sign up for the Elite Wave.
We do offer complimentary Bag Check at the Barber Beast on the Bay. You will receive a bag ticket in your race packet. Visit the Beast Bag Check to store your belongings. One bag per person, no coolers please.
The Elite wave is an option for participants who want to compete for awards. The first wave (8:30 a.m.) is designated as the Elite Wave and must be selected at registration. Those in the Elite Wave will be timed and must complete all obstacles to be eligible for awards. When registering, select the option for the elite wave (a nominal fee is charged).
Participants in the Elite wave are required to complete every obstacle. Obstacle monitors will record the bib number of any Elite participant who does not complete the obstacle as required.
There is no substitute activity. Multiple attempts may be made to compete as a top finisher, but should not interfere with those making a first attempt.
We do recommend a pair of shoes you are comfortable with. Keep in mind you will be running in sand, water, and mud, meaning you'll need a shoe that's durable and supportive.
Both participants and spectators are welcome to park at Waldameer’s Water World parking lot off of Peninsula Drive. Parking is also available across Peninsula Drive in the Waldameer overflow lot and the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. Please do not leave valuables in your car.
Parking is always free! What’s better than that? How about a free shuttle to the start line?! We encourage all participants to park at Waldameer, check-in, utilize the bag drop (there is no place to store your goods at the start), and shuttle out with the crew to the start. The shuttle offers multiple stops on the way there and back for spectators to stop at various obstacles along the course to cheer.
The “E” is providing free shuttles to transport participants from Waldameer to the starting line at Beach 11. Shuttles will begin running at 7:15 a.m. for participants only. Please plan to board your shuttle at Waldameer approximately one hour before your scheduled wave time. The final shuttle will depart at approximately 10:30 a.m. Everyone must check in at Waldameer first before using the shuttle.
Beginning at 11 a.m., the “E” will run shuttles throughout the course to be used by participants and spectators. Look for designated stops and pick-up spots that are marked with “E” shuttle signs on the map.
Each wave has a limited amount of space and is sold out once a wave is full. Registering earlier in the year will give you a better shot of your preferred wave time. Please note: Wave times are meant to be FINAL & we cannot accommodate every wave time adjustment, but if you have a question about your wave, please email us at BarberBeast@barberni.org.
We recommend you arrive 60—90 minutes before your scheduled wave time. You will need to park at Waldameer, check-in and make your way to the start line via the free shuttle. Allow time for traffic, detours and other set-backs that may occur on event day.
A valid ID is necessary to check-in! You may also want to bring a towel, a change of clothes and cash or credit card if you would like to purchase merchandise or food from one of our the local food trucks after the event.You will have access to a secure Bag Drop at Waldameer where both the Check In and Finish Line are located.
Please note: There will not be an area or person at the start line to secure your valuables.
Will there be nutrition and hydration on the course?
Yes, the Beast Team has worked tirelessly to provide the hottest new nutrition and hydration options for you. We suggest that you also come prepared if you anticipate needing more than what is provided. See our course map for locations of our hydration and nutrition stations that are spaced out throughout the 10-mile course.
