The event, in it's eighth year, serves both as a competition to determine who is the best all around messenger and as a congress for messengers from around the world. The main event of the championships is a race designed to test the skills couriers use on a daily basis. Speed, organization and navigational skills will all be put to use on this year's course. Riders will be issued a manifest, listing stops they must make on the course. At each of the stops, the rider will either pick up or drop off a package and receive confirmation of receipt.
Some stops require other tests of skill, such as changing a flat tire.
The event is scored by time and accuracy. The first one across the line isn't necessarily the winner if they happened to miss a stop. Qualifying races for the finals will be run in heats on Saturday and Sunday, with the finale running on Monday. The main event is not the only competition with a title up for grabs. Other events, some based on messenger specific skills, other merely tests of speed, offer alternate chances for the coveted world title.