Jump to: Equipment - Regulations

Compulsory Equipment

Each competitor must present at registration:
• Mountain Bike
• Approved bike helmet
• Cell Phone in a dry bag
• Safety blanket

Recommended Equipment

Regulations

Course The event series may be modified or cancelled at any time by the organisers due to bad weather, security or other unforeseen circumstances deemed suitable by the race director. Competitors must follow the course designed by the race director, and must comply with the spirit of the competition. Any team found off the course without any suitable explanation could lead to penalties or disqualification. Maps Race organisers will provide a map and course instructions. Competitors must be able to read a map in order to navigate through the course.

Check points

The course is made up of checkpoints that competitors must pass through together as a team. A checkpoint is usually manned by event officials, but may alternatively be remote and unmanned.
A transition area is not only a checkpoint, but also an area where the teams change discipline, and replenish food and supplies. Checkpoints are noted on competitors’ notes.
Each team member must be present at each checkpoint, to check in on arrival with the officials. The reference time is the time calculated when the last member of the team has arrived at the checkpoint. In the event of a remote and unmanned checkpoint, team must follow the instruction given to them at the briefing e.g.: record a password/number or punch their orienteering card in order to prove their passage.
Missing a checkpoint (or not checking in with officials) will result in the team being excluded from being ranked.
Teams must follow the instructions given by officials responsible for the checkpoints.

Cut-off times and alternative courses

The race organisers reserve the right to impose cut-off times on sections of the race, for logistical and safety reasons at any time.

An alternative route will be put in place for the teams who haven't made cut off times. This route is set in advance and must be followed. Subsequent cut-off times will also be put in place for that altered course.

Cut-off times (if applicable) will be announced at the briefing, and notified on the competitors' instructions.
Teams & Team Captains
The 6 Hour Series is for 2 or 4 person teams only. No assistants are required for six hour events unless otherwise advised.

The team must have an appointed team captain who will be the interface with race organisers.

• He /She receives information, instructions and will be notified about any kind of decision taken by the organisation.
• He/She will advise the organisation of matters such as withdrawal of a team member, or the entire team, or be the spokesman for any complaints or protests.
• He/She is also responsible overall for the entire team.

Team Responsibilities

Team members should be able to navigate with compass, altimeter and topographic map, in varying weather conditions. Team members must be with in 100m of each other at all times. If a team member is injured and unable to continue one team member must remain with the injured party while the others inform the closest official of the situation. If a member of a two person team becomes injured the other member must remain with the injured party until another team passes by and can be informed of the injured party's situation which they will in turn pass onto the nearest official. If a team is not likely to pass by (if you are lost, last etc), then ensure that the injured party is as comfortable with food and shelter as possible, identify your location and seek help. If in range, teams must use their mobile phone to inform race officials in order for medical assistance to be arranged where necessary.

For safety purposes, all competitors must:
• Inform race organisers of any medical conditions at race registration
• Know how to swim
• Be confident while paddling grade 1 water
• Attend race briefing.
• Have trained sufficiently to complete a 6 hour non-stop adventure
Each Competitor enters under their own responsibility.
He/she alone can judge whether they should participate in the event, start, and continue to the finish line. Nevertheless, the organisation reserves the right, after consulting a doctor, or for any other reason deemed suitable by race officials, to forbid a competitor, or a team, from setting off on or continuing on the course.

The organisation is not responsible for the behaviour of competitors or assistants infringing the laws of the country.

Competitors must be fully aware of the risks they run by entering The 6 Hour Adventure Race Series. They will release the organisation of all criminal or civil responsibility in case of personal accident or damage to property during the event.

Timing

The organisation will start a chronometer at the start of the race. Times will be recorded at manned checkpoints, and when the teams cross the finish line.
When a team decides to rest at a checkpoint, the watch doesn't stop.
Certain no-go areas may be created for safety purposes or for any other reason judged valid by the organisation. The no-go areas or time periods will apply equally to all teams.

Ranking

Ranking is based on finish line times. The winning team will be the first whole team to have completed the entire race in the shortest time (as long as the team didn't infringe the race rules and regulations).
Teams can only be ranked when:
• All members have crossed the finish line,
• Teams have completed the entire course,
• Teams have not been assisted in any way (transport by support crew or organisation).
Teams can also be unranked after decision taken by the race officials.

Prizes

Prizes will be issued to the first placed team in each category at the prize-giving following the event. Spot prizes and other awards will be attributed to teams without considering ranking.

Protests

Race organisers will view any legitimate protest. All protests must be filed in writing with the organisers within one hour of finishing the event.
The organisers have the right to impose penalties, or add bonuses to the team times.
Official ranking and results of The 6 Hour Adventure Race Series will be announced during the prize giving.

Time penalties/Disqualification

Disqualification and/or time penalties will be applied at the race organiser’s discretion in the event of:
• Unfair behaviour
• Use of unauthorised equipment e.g. GPS etc
• Abandonment of a team member during a section of the race
• Non assistance to person in danger
• Use of performance enhancing drugs
• Use of unauthorised course
• The organisation reserves the right to allocate a time penalty for:
• Missing any mandatory equipment at control points
• Not completing acting • Failing to stamp controls in the correct box on the orienteering control card
• Any breaches of rules and regulations
• Not returning race bibs on completion of the event
NB: This list is not exhaustive.

Withdrawal

In case of withdrawal of a competitor, or an entire team, the team captain must inform the organisation by any means available and in the shortest possible time.
Failure to do so might result in a search and rescue operation and could lead to the financial responsibility of the competitor/team who has not taken the necessary precautions to provide information as to its whereabouts.
Non fulfilment of this clause could also irrevocably disqualify the competitor/team from competing in any future 6 Hour Adventure Race Series events. A competitor/ team who is disqualified, or has withdrawn will not be allowed back on the course. The organisation is not responsible for a competitor/team who has withdrawn.

Bibs, stickers and sponsorship

The bibs provided by the organisation must be worn at all times on the outside of all clothing, excluding life jackets. Teams will not be allowed to progress without bibs. Teams not conforming with bib rules will be penalised at the race director’s discretion.
Bibs cannot be modified in any way (marked, cut, glued...).
All bibs must be returned to the finish line immediately after race completion. Any team not returning their bibs will be charged for their replacement, suffer time penalties, and not eligible for any prizes and series points.

Officials

A team of various officials, safety officers, mountain guides, and medical personnel assists the organisation.
Team members and assistants must respect the instructions given by the officials and must also follow their decisions regarding health, security, or for any other reason they deem suitable.
Any abuse towards a member of the organisation's team will entail severe sanctions.
Should a team or a competitor withdraw during the race, the team captain must notify the organisation official team in the shortest possible time.

Insurance

All participants compete at their own risk and the organisers will not accept liability for any personal accident or injury during the event.
A liability form must be completed and signed by all competitors. All international competitors must be covered by personal medical insurance.

Administrative formalities

Before the race, registered teams will receive information with instructions regarding the time schedule as well as the location of the registration.
Registration is held between 8:30 and 9:30 on the day of the event.
A team will not be able to start the race unless:
• The registration forms have been fully completed by each team member (including liability release form),
• The entry fees have been paid,
• The team has met the minimum requirement (gear and skills).
The organisation will provide team members with additional stickers, and any other advertising provided by the organisation's sponsors. In case of absolute necessity, a team member can be replaced at the registration as long as the new team member meets the required criteria concerning knowledge of different disciplines e.g. kayak and can provide a complete registration form, with all the certificates required.

Entry fees for New Zealand only

The entry fee for the 6 Hour Adventure Race Series is $95 per person. Race entries received within 7 days of the event are $115 per person.
NB: meals will not provided at prize-giving; entry fee covers water activity equipment hire e.g. kayak, buoyancy aid.