Home | Entry Form | Regulations | Updates | Sponsors | Race Coverage | Contact Us | sportzHUB Course information and rules The Event The event will be held within two hours drive of the Auckland Region on December 2nd – 3rd. There will be two races the '10 hour challenge' and the '20 hour challenge': The 10 hour challenge The 10 hour challenge is designed for people who are new to adventure racing, as well as more experienced racers. The race will include kayaking, rogaining (kayak and foot navigation with a time limit), mountain biking, trekking, and mystery activities. The winning team is expected to finish in 10 hours. The slower teams will be racing at night. We recommend you have a good navigator in your team. The 20 hour challenge The 20 hour challenge is designed for people who are reasonably fit and experienced in night-time navigation. The race will include kayaking, rogaining (bike and foot navigation with a time limit), mountain biking, mystery activities, and trekking. The winning team is expected to finish in 20 hours. We recommend you have a good navigator in your team. Categories The 10 hour challenge Teams of 2 Mixed, Mens, Womens     Teams of 4 Mens combo (3 guys and a girl or 2 guys and 2 girls) Women's combo (3 girls and a guy or 4 girls) Open men (4 men) The 20 hour challenge Teams of 2 Mixed, Mens, Womens     Teams of 4 Mens combo (3 guys and a girl or 2 guys and 2 girls) Women's combo (3 girls and a guy or 4 girls) Open men (4 men) Course details The courses are kept secret up to the event briefing. Teams will be given pre marked maps for most stages and grid references for other stages, which they will need to mark onto a topographical map. We reserve the right to change or cancel the course due to bad weather, safety issues or any other unforseen circumstances. Check points, rogaine points and transitions The course is made up of checkpoints (CP), rogaine points (RP) and transitions (TA). All members of a team must visit all checkpoints and transitions and only selected rogaine points of their choice. Roving officials will be on the course to ensure team members stay together. Checkpoints • most will be unmanned • all must be visited in order • will be marked by an orienteering flag with a clipper or a secret letter depending on the stage. Letters must be recorded and given in to course marshalls at the following transition • team captains must sign in and out with course marshalls at manned checkpoints Rogaine points • will be unmanned • visit as many as possible in the allocated time • can be visited in any order • will be marked by an orienteering flag with a clipper or a secret letter • will carry different time credits depending on location Transitions • will be manned • must be visited in order • team captains must sign in and out with course marshalls Support crews All support crews must be registered with the race officials. Support crews are required to transport bikes, kayaks and clothing to the various transition points, as well as supply the team with food and water. They are also expected to make lots of noise when their team comes into transitions and boot them out as soon as possible. Gear list Compulsory team equipment (to be carried at all times) • first Aid kit (painkillers, bandages, gauze pads, strapping tape, sunscreen) • waterproof matches / lighter • knife • compass • cellphone in a dry bag Compulsory personal equipment (to be carried or worn at all times) • poly-prop or similar top and long johns • long sleeve fleece top (100 series weight minimum) • fleece or wool hat or balaclava • whistle • headlamp or torch (with batteries for the whole night) • waterproof jacket • gloves • survival blanket • one glow stick (to be displayed on life jacket if kayaking at night) Kayak equipment Compulsory • double kayak (no singles) bulkheads or air bags are compulsory • life jacket per person • marine flare (1 per kayak) • a pump or bailer Recommended • paddle per person • spray skirt per person Bike equipment Compulsory • helmet of international safety standards must be worn during cycling stages • white/yellow front lights • 2 rear red strobe flashing lights Recommended • spare tube, repair kit and pump Mechanical problems are the responsibility of the competitors. Support crews can only assist with bike problems in the transition areas. Support Crew Gear Recommended • back up first aid kit • tent and sleeping equipment • cooking equipment • chairs • lighting • ground sheet or tarpaulin • plenty of water and food Forbidden Equipment GPS or night vision devises, additional sails on kayaks, tandem bicycles or any motorised forms of transport Equipment inspection All teams will have their team and individual compulsory gear checked at registration. Teams will not be permitted to compete if gear is incomplete. Please make sure it is well organised to save time. Compulsory gear checks will be carried out randomly by race officials during the event. Team numbers and bibs Race bibs and numbers must be worn on the outside of clothing and lifejackets at all times during the event. Failure to do so will result in a time penalty. Race bibs and numbers must be returned at the finish line to be eligible for spot prizes. Safety • Teams members must stay within 50 metres of each other at all times • Compulsory equipment must be carried at all times • For safety purposes in the kayaks, all competitors must: a) know how to swim b) be confident in paddling in varied sea conditions c) know how to self rescue •The organisers reserve the right to prevent any team or team member from continuing the race on advice from the race medic Withdrawal Teams must immediately notify the race organiser by cellphone, or tell a race marshall at the nearest transition, if a competitor or whole team decide to withdraw from the event. Failure to do so may result in a search and rescue operation. The costs of this operation will be the financial responsibility of the team involved. Teams of four may continue unranked if one team member chooses to withdraw, although they may be forced to complete an alternate course. A competitor or team who withdraw from the race is not the responsibility of the race organisers. Cut offs - alternative courses The race organisers reserve the right to impose cut off times on stages of the race, for logistic and safety reasons, at any time. A shortened route will be put in place for teams who do not make the cut off times. Cut off times and alternative routes will be announced at the briefing and noted in the team's instructions. Time Penalties Time penalties will be given for: • failure to wear the race bibs over clothing at all times • incomplete compulsory gear • failure to remain within 50 metres of team mates • missing a checkpoint Teams may choose to take time penalties instead of performing mystery activities. Teams will be notified of all time penalties at the race briefing. Disqualification Teams will be disqualified for unfair behaviour, use of unauthorised equipment, cheating, and missing a transition. Jury Any protests will be reviewed by a race jury. All protests must be presented to the race organisers within 1 hour of the team finishing the race. Insurance Race organisers will not accept liability for any personal accident or injury during the event. Participants compete at their own risk and should ensure that they are adequately insured. All competitors will be required to fill in and sign a liability waiver form. Age Limit Entry is restricted to individuals 16 years and over. Placings and awards Rankings for each category will be based on times calculated after adjustments for rogaines, mystery activities, and time penalties. Teams can only be ranked if all members have crossed the finish line, teams have completed the entire course, and teams have not received any outside assistance. Prizes will be awarded to category winners.       Site crafted by: