Watergate Roach Race Rules and Regulations

Date & Time: October 28 at 4:30 p.m. 
Location: Tennessee Tech Campus Tucker Stadium
Hosted by: Archives & Special Collections 

For a history of Watergate the Cockroach, follow this link: Watergate the Cockroach: The Story and Celebration of Tech’s Unlikely Champion.

 Race Format 

• Each participating department/student club/organization selects or brings one roach athlete to represent them. These can be homegrown roaches or roaches selected from those available at the event (Dubia roaches).  
• Roaches will race 8 feet on a foot track. There will be 7 races with 8 contenders each, and an 8th race will determine the overall winner.
• The race is a sprint-fastest cockroach wins!  
• Roach athletes and departments that register before 12:00 p.m. on race day, October 28, will be prioritized. Earlier registration guarantees participation.
• Registration is here: https://tntech.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0VyWE5xR7MMMtT0 

 Roach Guidelines 

• Roaches must be real, live insects (no mechanical or fake entries). 
• Each roach must be safely contained before the race and handled humanely. 
• Roaches must be named for identification and announcement (no paint or harmful substances). A biography is encouraged.  
• Roach coaches must “release” their roach on the racetrack at the start of the race. 

 Winning Criteria 

• There will be seven races and an 8th final race to determine the overall champion. If a roach wins one of the initial races, it will compete in the final race for the title of overall champion and the “Extinguished Award”. 
• The first roach to fully cross the finish line wins. 
• In case of a tie, a re-race will be held between the top contenders. 
• The overall winning roach athlete and its department will have their names added to “The Extinguished Award” trophy and hold the trophy for one week.  

 Spirit & Camaraderie 

• Departments are encouraged to cheer, display signs, and show team spirit. 
• Costumes and themed attire are welcome (for humans, not roaches!). 
• The event is designed to be fun and filled with Tennessee Tech pride. Bring a good sense of humor.  
• Share your roach athlete and roach training on social media, and tag the Tennessee Tech Archives and Special Collections.

 Safety & Fairness

• Do not touch, guide, or interfere with roaches during the race. 
• Judges’ decisions are final. 
• Cockroach athletes are strictly prohibited from using performance-enhancing drugs. Any cockroach found using or testing positive for banned substances will be disqualified.