1. Team Format
2. Team Skills & Certifications
3. Equipment
   1. Compulsory Competitor Equipment
   2. Compulsory Team Equipment
   3. Compulsory Equipment Defined
   4. Restricted Equipment
   5. Support Crew Equipment
4. Event Rules and Regulations
   1. Team
   2. Support Crew
   3. General Rules
   4. Medical Assistance
   5. Complaints & Appeals
   6. Disqualification/Time Penalties
   7. Spirit of the Event
   8. Event Specific Rules
5. Eco Awareness
6. Prizes/Awards

1. Team Format
Teams must consist of 4 members, with at least one member being of the opposite sex to qualify for any prizes and points allocation – unless otherwise indicated in the Event Specific Rules.

In addition, each team must have support members, unless otherwise indicated in the Event Specific Rules. The support members’ function will be to provide support to the team at designated transition areas and to transport the teams’ equipment during, and on completion of the event.

2. Team Skills & Certifications
At least one member of the team must be capable of navigating by compass and map during the day and night.

At least one member of the team must hold a minimum qualification of Level One First Aid. A current certificate or certified copy thereof must be presented on request.

Rope certification may be required – will be indicated in the Event Specific Rules.

All team members must be suitably competent in all discipline included in the event as specified by the race organiser and be able to complete the event without any assistance from any person other than own team members.

3.     Equipment

3.1 Compulsory Competitor Equipment
The equipment rules are not enforced to inconvenience competitors.

Competitors must each be equipped with the following minimum equipment:

• Mountain bike and ANSI approved cycling helmet
• Backpack/rucksack (min 20-litre). No hip-packs will be allowed as a substitute
• Torch, spare batteries
• Knife
• 2-litre hydration system
• Cold and wet weather gear

Paddling helmet and Personal Flotation Devices (PFD’s) and any additional compulsory equipment will be indicated in the Event Specific Rules.

3.2 Compulsory Team Equipment
Each team must be equipped with the following minimum equipment:

• 1x Compass
• 1x First aid kit (racing)
• 10 m continuous safety rope (diameter >7mm)
• A shelter – will be indicated in the Event Specific Rules
• Sleeping bag and/or Bivvy Bags – will be specified in the Event Specific Rules
• 4 x Safety/Space blankets
• 1 x emergency flare/light – will be specified in the Event Specific Rules
• Sufficient food and water for 24hours
• 4 x Whistles
• 2 x carabiners

Watercraft and additional team equipment will be specified in the Event Specific Rules.

3.3 Compulsory Equipment Defined 

• Backpack – any form of backpack capable of containing the equipment and provisions required by the team. Minimum capacity of 20-liters
• Sleeping Bag/Bivvy Bag – a bag, capable of containing a human body, designed to keep the body warm whilst sleeping during the normal practice of outdoor activities. The organisers will take into consideration the modern developments in sleeping bag technology as well as the trends followed in adventure racing.
• First Aid Kit – the ‘race’ first aid kit should contain the necessary equipment to cope with injuries while far from assistance e.g. gauze, muscle-rub (arnica oil, Voltaren/Reparil Gel), anti-inflammatory tablets, painkillers, headache tablets, antiseptic solution (Dettol/Savlon), triangular bandage, plasters, rehydration powder (Rehidrate), strapping tape, latex gloves, roller bandage, 5ml syringe and needles (for draining blisters), scissors/knife and personal medication (asthma pump, anti-histamines).
• Shelter – a sheet of waterproof material large enough to cover the entire team (4 people). This shelter should have guy ropes on each corner and 4 tent pegs. Walking sticks may be used as ‘tent poles’.
• Tent – complete with guy ropes, tent pegs, tent-poles and flysheet, capable of housing the entire team.

3.4 Restricted Equipment

• Any firearm or weapon
• Satellite navigation equipment i.e. GPS – unless indicated in the Event Specific Rules
• GPS wristwatches i.e. Timex Ironman, Garmin 405 and the Suunto X9

3.5 Support Crew Equipment

• A vehicle capable of transporting the teams food and equipment. 4×4 vehicles may be necessary. Will be specified in the Event Specific Rules.
• Appropriate recovery ropes, spare wheel (also for trailer) and tools required to change the wheel. In keeping with off-road etiquette the vehicle that is being recovered should supply the recovery equipment.
• Appropriate camping equipment e.g. shelter/tent, ground sheets, gas cookers etc
• Sufficient water containers capable of carrying 75l.
• Comprehensive first aid kit
• A spade

Support members must be prepared to camp en-route without any facilities whatsoever.

4.  Event Rules & Regulations

4.1   Team

• The event must be started and completed by the entire team.
• All members of the team must be within visual and hearing distance of all other members of their team at all times i.e. spread over no more than 100m.
• No substitutions will be allowed.
• The team is to complete the entire event without any assistance, excepting in official transition areas.
• Teams receiving any form of assistance, including medical assistance, whilst not in a transition area, will be penalised.
• Teams are required to pass through all transitions, orienteering points and checkpoints in the order designated by the Organiser.
• All team members are required to pass through all transitions, orienteering points and checkpoints together. At these check points the team captain is to clearly mark his/her own team passport. The marshal may request the passport for inspection. Failure to mark any transition, orienteering point or checkpoint on the passport will result in disqualification, unless the team returns to the missed transition/orienteering point/checkpoint and the team in full compliment, re-does the route from the missed point on
• Where teams are required to comply with time restrictions during an event, this will be for safety or logistical considerations. Failure to meet a designated cut-off will require the team to lay-up (camp) overnight; will result in them being removed from the event; or being re-routed on a shortened course, as stipulated by the Organisers. The elapsed time in the case of a safety/logistical cut-off is included in race time, unless otherwise stipulated by the Organisers.
• While organisers do try to avoid bottlenecks, delays may cause teams to wait their turn to complete a discipline. If the delay time is to be ‘returned’ to the team the marshal will record their time of arrival at the discipline and time of start of the discipline. Clarification on this point should be indicated in the Event Specific Rules.
• Kit inspection may take place at any point in the race. Teams will have to report to an official for kit inspection on request.

4.2   Support Crew

• Team support members will be required to transport mountain bikes, watercrafts and all equipment not used for a current leg to transition areas.
• Team support members may provide assistance in transition areas designated by the organisers. These transitions will be specified in the race information booklet and at the event briefing prior to the start of the race.
• Team support members may provide moral support in any transition area.
• Any team support members leaving the transition area for any reason will make their team liable for a time penalty irrespective of reason. The transition area will be demarcated with bunting and restricted areas will be indicated.
• No second may lay any complaint to the Organisers unless through their team captain, irrespective of his/her ability, experience or skills.
• No second will converse with any of the Organisational personnel regarding the event or question any decision made by the Organisers except through the team captain.

All team members and support crew are to have read these Standard Rules and Regulations as well as the Event Specific Rules. Any other supporting members accompanying the team are also to be made aware of the Rules and Regulations.

Team and support members will be required to sign indemnity forms at the event registration. No team may compete should they not have signed the indemnity form.

4.3  General Rules

• Any team and/or individual who tests positive for illegal substances will be barred from all events for a minimum period of two (2) years. (See www.infosource.co.za/druglist for illegal substance details.)
• Any individual, male or female, will be barred from all events for life if found to have used physical violence during the course of the event.
• Abusive language will not be tolerated. Persons wishing to express outrage will do so in a controlled manner through their team captain only. Any person using abusive language undermines the integrity of the sponsors and Organisers and have own their integrity at stake.
• Teams crossing the finish will be given a “line finish position”. This is pending the outcome of illegal substance test results, complaints and/or any further information coming to the Organisers’ knowledge.
• The first team to complete the event, having complied with all rules and regulations and time penalties taken into consideration, will be considered the winning team.
• Any abuse of or disregard for instructions given by race marshals by any team member, including the seconding team will result in immediate disqualification and a disciplinarily hearing at the end of the race. The disciplinarily hearing may result in additional penalties.

4.4  Medical Assistance

• Medical crews will be available for non-emergency medical treatment and consultation within transition areas when available. Any team receiving any form of medical treatment outside a transition area or a medical support area as specified in the race instructions will be disqualified.
• Medical treatment will be provided to race seconds and staff regardless of their location and at no risk of disqualification to any teams concerned.
• Medical treatment within transition areas is limited to basic first aid and advice. Should a racer require advanced life support, active fluid replacement therapy (IV), the administration of any oral or intravenous drug, then that racer, subject to the race directors final decision, will be prevented from continuing with the event.
• The medical crew has the authority, on confirmation with the race director, to withdraw a racer from an event should the racers further participation in the event result in permanent injury, disability or death to the racer or his/her teammates.
• Racers are obliged to carry the team’s personal medications in the team first aid kit or on the person concerned. The medical crew will not be on hand to supply personal medication should the team concerned have failed to supply their own.
• The medical crew will provide immediate, emergency treatment and stabilisation. Should a racer require transport by road or air ambulance, the cost of any transport out of the race environment will be carried by the patient
• Racers are strongly advised to take appropriate insurance against the costs of emergency evacuations and repatriation.

4.5  Complaints & Appeals

• All complaints and/or queries are to be directed through the team captain. Only the captain is allowed to direct questions, objections and complaints to the Organisers and/or their Management team and this is to be done in writing.
• In the event of there being discrepancies in finishing positions resulting from such reports and/or complaints, only line finishing positions will be announced at prize giving and the relevant prizes will be given after a verdict has been reached. The length of this window period will be determined at the event by the Organisers.
• Positions announced at prize giving are subject to the results of illegal substance tests and any further findings brought to the attention of the Organisers within the window period.
• No correspondence will be entered into after the window period and/or once official finishing positions have been announced.
• Any team wishing to appeal or complain any aspect of the event is to do so in writing. Complaints are to be received by the Race Director or his/her co-director within half an hour of the team crossing the finish line. Complaints may only be made with first hand knowledge. No secondhand reports will be accepted or considered. Should an appeal result the complainant must be prepared to give evidence at the Appeal Hearing at a date, time and venue specified by the Organisers. Appeals regarding decisions are to be received in writing by the Race Director or his/her co-director within 24 hours of the team completing the event.
• The event Organiser, as advised by senior marshals will consider appeals.
• Any individual or team not adhering to any of the above rules and is found guilty and forbidden from the event, will forfeit their team entry fee.

4.6  Disqualification/Time Penalties

• Any team transgressing the 100meter, visual and hearing distance rule will be penalised or disqualified.
• Any team found not to be equipped with the minimum safety equipment, as specified, during a kit inspection will not be allowed to start the event.
• Any team found not to be equipped with the minimum safety equipment during the race will be disqualified and pulled from the course.
• Any team found to have transgressed the rules and regulations of the event and/or acting contrary to the spirit of the event will be liable for disqualification.
• The race director may impose a disqualification or penalty taking into consideration the spirit of the event. He/She will request a statement from the applicable team captain should they wish to explain or justify the team’s actions.
• Any team and/or individual refusing to undergo testing for illegal substances will be disqualified.

4.7  Spirit of the Event

• Not cheating with regard to the rules and regulations of this event and the sport.
• Where one team finds another in need of medical attention – they must stop to assist.
• Abiding by the rules and regulations of this event and sport.
• Being eco-friendly, polite and prepared to assist a fellow man in need.
• Not misleading Organisers and/or marshals with inaccurate/incomplete information.
• Not removing checkpoint punches, their illuminating devices or signage of any sort.

4.8   Event Specific Rules
This document details Standard Adventure Racing Rules and Regulations. Individual events may have specific equipment requirements and/or rules. The Organiser for each event will specify additions and/or alterations to these Standard Rules and Regulations in their event information.

9. Eco Awareness
Teams and their seconds are to adhere to the following stipulations at all times:

• All waste is to be carried to the closest transition or checkpoint for disposal.
• Human waste is to be buried between 20 and 25cm below the soil surface.
• Picking of flowers, cutting of walking sticks and/or any damage to the natural vegetation (even though they might appear to be dead) is prohibited.
• The making of fires, whatever the circumstances and no matter how small, are prohibited along the entire route (butane gas stoves will be allowed).
• No tree, rock etc may be defaced in any manner.
• Be polite and courteous to local inhabitants. Pass quietly through settlements, especially at night.

The transgression of any of the above will render the entire team liable to prosecution.

10.  Prizes/Awards

• Prizes and/or points awarded to a team that is subsequently disqualified due to the outcome of illegal substance test results, complaints etc will be forfeited. Organisers may request prizes to be returned.
• Monetary prizes will be awarded at the prize giving or will be transferred to the account of the team captain/manager within a week following the event.

 ENDS

I put this document together in April 2003, following a number of badly organised races where CPs were in the wrong

This document has been initiated as a constructive guide to both racers and organisers. For the racers, it expresses what they can expect at events; and for the organisers the Forum guides the competitors and records their expectations. In March 2003 I sent out an email to many teams, who have been racing for a number of years, asking for constructive comments aimed at improving the standard of events. In my email to these teams I expressed the following views: 

“There have been a number of really good races but even these have had issues/problems of sorts. Most of these issues are easily avoidable and totally unnecessary. There’s a certain allowance for ‘learning’ but at this stage we’re out of nappies and into a more professional realm.

I believe that the racers and the organisers should be working together. Adventure racing is not about one or the other. To develop successful events there must be a synergy between the two. 

Racers should be saying what they want, what they don’t want in races and after the event should provide constructive feedback to the organiser. 

You guys have experience and know what you want and what you don’t want. You are also role models for the newcomers and you have the ability to drive this sport. You are the ones who can help to elevate our races and in so doing raise the level of  competition and your abilities. If you ever want to race internationally (even just to finish) you need to tackle more challenging events that really give you a run for your money.” 

I compiled the responses from teams and organisers to create this document.
Lisa de Speville, April 2003

Team & Competitor Responsibility

• Teams are expected to enter races by the registration cut-off date. This includes their entry forms and full payment. The cut-offs are put in place so that the organiser can plan the logistics for the number of entered teams i.e. maps, water craft, food, accommodation etc
• Organisers are encouraged to offer ‘early bird’ incentives i.e. reduced entry fee, turning down or imposing an additional fee on late entries.
• Teams are to comply with the Standard Rules and Regulations as published on www.ar.co.za and any Event Specific Rules published by the race organiser.
• Each participant must take responsibility for his/her health, fitness and competency in each discipline to be presented at the event.
• While the race organiser takes responsibility for the safety of disciplines, the racers must ensure that comply with certification requirements i.e. ropes, first aid etc
• Teams should ensure that they are able to navigate.
• Teams should take responsibility for the condition and maintenance of their equipment and vehicles.
• Constructive feedback should be given to the race organiser after each event. Applaud the positive and present negative comments in perspective and in context.
• Discussions about the event are encouraged on the mailing list. Personal attacks on the organiser are forbidden.

 Pre-event Information

• Event info should be posted on www.ar.co.za in good time, as teams need to plan for the event, book flights etc. event information for classic distance and expedition events should not be published less than 2 months before the event.\
• Once entries are in, additional information must be sent to the Team Captain/Manager directly and should not be issued on the mailing list.
• Information released on the web should include the following: 
  • Dates and times for the race registration and briefing
  • General location – if the exact location is not to be released until just before the event give a general location. Example: northern Gauteng, 1hr from JHB.
  • Team format – solos, pairs, 3’s or 4’s
  • Seconding requirements i.e. Are seconds needed? Recommended vehicle type e.g. 4×4 and special requirements like 75l water containers.
  • Equipment provided by the organiser – rafts, helmets, PFD’s, abseil equipment
  • Compulsory team equipment – first aid, shelter, sleeping & bivvy bags etc
  • Compulsory competitor equipment – whistle, safety blanket, backpack, hydration system, mountain bike, helmet etc
  • Disciplines – mountain biking, trekking, flat-water paddling, rafting (Grade ?), sea-kayak, rope ascent/descent traverse etc
  • Technical difficulty – this should be a basic guide as to the level of competency required by the racers. If the navigation and trekking sections are challenging then make note of this. Those less experienced may not enter while others will polish these skills in preparation for the challenge.
  • Course distance/time – considering some 200km events take 16hrs to complete and others take 40hrs, events should not only be listed according to distance. It should be stated, for example, that the first team should finish in 20hrs, middle-of-the-pack teams in 25hrs and back-markers in 30 – 36hrs.
  • Shortened course – mention if you will have a shortened-course route for those not reaching specific points by cut-off times.
  • Certification requirements – first aid, ropes, paddling etc
  • Event Specific Rules
  • Entry fees – each item included in the entry fee should be listed i.e. accommodation before and after the event, gate/park entry fees etc
  • Prizes for each category
  • Accommodation – before and after the event. Provide names and telephone details for accommodation options (camping, chalets, guest houses and hotels) in the area if you are not providing accommodation. If you do not want to give the race venue away, co-ordinate accommodation bookings for the teams.
  • Organiser contact details – telephone, cell phone, fax, email and web address (if applicable).
  • There should be no last-minute additions to initial kit and vehicle requirements.
• Any other communication prior to the event should only be made directly with the team captain/manager of entered teams by email. This information should include:
  • Start venue & directions
  • Start times
  • Water – Is the water on the course drinkable? Cholera? Bilharzia?
  • Malaria?
  • Weather – what weather can be expected; rain, snow, wind, heat.
  • Registration, briefing and kit check times & procedures
  • Accommodation details – type of accommodation, self-catering facilities?
  • Competency testing – are you checking rope/water skills? When, where and what time?
  • Other event specific instructions

Race Briefing & Instructions

• Race briefings should be concise and to the point.
• The briefing should be used to welcome the teams and to hand out booklets, bibs, safety/emergency instructions and racing instructions – if applicable. Race instructions and maps may only be handed out just before the start.
• The briefing should not be held late at night especially if there is an early morning start.
• All instructions for competitors and seconds should be contained in a race instruction booklet.
• Race instructions should be unambiguous especially where a misunderstanding could prove dangerous and disadvantageous to teams.

The following information should be in the race information booklet:

• Co-ordinates – may be issued at the briefing, start of the race or in sections.
• Be certain of the format in which the co-ordinates are presented. The standard format is:
  Degrees, minutes and fraction of minutes e.g. 29°45.5’ S and 27°23.75’ E
• PC descriptions – in some cases a description of the PC location is useful i.e. left-hand side of the gate; bottom of cliff (as opposed to top of cliff – not always distinguishable on a 1:50 000 map); hanging in the tree behind the old farmhouse.
• Map corrections – particularly if the maps are old. Corrections should be given for the whole map, not only for one route where many options may exist.
• Start instructions – what time to meet, time of the start, the starting location – with directions.
• River instructions – take-outs, portages, weirs, low-level bridges and other hazards (fallen trees, strainers etc) should be indicated.
• Seconding instructions (this should be a separate document) – what time to leave the start, directions to the first transition (see below Seconding for further points).
• Specific event rules & regulations
• Emergency contact numbers for teams to call if they end up at a farmhouse or if they have an ‘emergency’ cell phone and have reception.

Race Alterations

• Changes should only be made prior to the first team reaching the point where the change is to be implemented. While in most cases this is possible there may be situations where changes may only effect some of the field e.g. due to heavy rainfall a bridge collapses after the first few teams have passed. If changes occur after some teams have passed, these teams should be credited any difference in time.
• Any changes to the route should be put on paper to be read by the Transition Official, Marshal or Race Director to the captain of each team. Instructions must not be given verbally as these messages tend to not be consistent. Instructions must be read. This way each team will receive the same instructions.
• Should a transition area be moved, a marshal must be placed at the original point. They should:
  • Read the new instructions to each team captain.
  • Provide water and food to the competitors (if the distance/duration of the new section warrants this). Teams plan their food and water according to distances and the time it will take them to complete sections. Should they have to spend more time out to reach a new transition, food and water may need to be provided.
• Should a race start or re-start be scheduled at short notice, teams must all be given an equal and fair chance to get prepared.
• Plan B should be just as exciting and challenging as Plan A.

Support Crews/Seconds
Seconds have a very important role to play in each team. They have to move around the course locating the various transition areas, delivering equipment and providing food to their team. They do need information.

• Seconding booklet – handed out at registration or after the start. It should contain directions and a map to at least the first transition as well as start instructions. Emergency contact numbers should be included.
• Specific transition instructions and further directions can be handed out at each transition by the official and placed on the transition notice board (see below under Transitions).
• All seconds should receive the same instructions.

 Transitions

• The transition area should be clearly demarcated with banners and bunting.
• Critical turn-offs on the way to the transition should be marked with reflective tape or a signboard.
• The location of the transition official should be clearly indicated. The official should be easily identifiable (t-shirt/bib). They should be located at the entrance or exit of the transition area.
• Seconds should check-in and check-out with the transition official.
• Teams should check-in and check-out with the transition official (times to be recorded)
• Transition notice board – a big notice board should be put up at each transition area and should detail the following:
  • Where to park
  • Location of the ablution facilities
  • Availability of water and condition of water.
  • Team positions at the last transition or checkpoint – where possible.
  • Expected team arrival times. Example: Front teams expected at 11h00, middle teams at 14h00 and back teams, not sooner than 16h00.
  • Restricted areas – often the seconds have time and they’d like to go for a walk. It would help for them to know areas where they can and can’t go exploring.
  • Map to the next transition area and expected travel duration (also to be handed out on paper by the transition official if not handed out at the start).
  • Location of the medical crews
  • Any new or special instructions (e.g. route changes, security warnings) that have developed during the race.

Officials and Marshals
Officials and marshals are mostly volunteers. In return for their time and commitment to the event the organiser should cover their transport costs. They should be given a food allowance, or food should be provided, as well as accommodation at the start and finish. These people stay out waiting for teams for hours (and perhaps even days!) and will only be encouraged to come back to events if treated correctly. People interested in being an official or a marshal can contact Lisa at lisa@ar.co.za to be added to the volunteer database.

Transition Officials
The Transition Officials are the teams’ link to race management. They should:

• Be briefed by the race director as to their duties.
• Be in place long before the expected arrival of the of the first team’s seconding crew and/or the first team.
• Make certain that their location in the transition area is clearly indicated.
• Check-in and check-out the seconding teams.
• Put up the transition notice board with the relevant information (see Transitions above).
• Check-in and check-out the teams, recording their times.
• Record any rule infringements to be forwarded to the race director.
• Notify teams of any course changes – to be read to each team from a piece of paper or handed out to each team captain (see Race Alterations).

Marshals
Marshals out on the route are extremely important. In the past marshals not in the right place or missing completely have ruined events.

• A person who has volunteered as a marshal must be informed of exactly what they are to expect, the gear they will need (sleeping bags, shelter, water containers, wet-weather clothing, warm clothing), the environment they will be in and how long they can expect to be out.
• Marshals should be given maps indicating how to get to their position, a description of the check point, which must be pre-marked with a bright tag by the race director (see Check Points below). A GPS may be helpful in this regard. They must also know from what direction they can expect to see the teams arriving.
• Marshals should wear distinctive bibs or T-shirts.
• Marshals must have radio contact with race headquarters where possible.
• All marshals must speak English.

Marshals have the following responsibilities:

• Stay at their point until they are relieved by another marshal; the ‘sweeper’ arrives or until all teams are accounted for i.e. all teams have checked-in or teams have been confirmed as retired by the race director.
• Record the arrival and departure (if different) times of each team, noting the condition of the competitors. All team members must be present.
• Clearly mark the checkpoint – visible banners during the day and lights at night (Marshals to be sent out with spare batteries).
• Read any new instructions to the captain of each team or to hand out printed instructions. The marshal should understand the instructions.

 Checkpoints (PC’s)
The function of checkpoints is to guide teams around the race route. They also provide navigational points.

PC’s should not be in the wrong place and should be clearly visible.

• Setting PC co-ordinates by GPS alone is not adequate. Co-ordinates should be generated from maps using topographical features. GPS co-ordinates can then be used for crosschecking. Race directors should note the degree of error on the GPS.
• When setting the checkpoints, the race director should tie a brightly coloured tag, labeled with the PC number, to the exact position where the PC should be placed. The marshal manning that point will then be able to confirm the PC location from the tag.
• At night PC’s must be adequately lit – light sources must be visible from 360°, not uni-directional. Marshals must have spare batteries. If the point is not marshaled, a back-up light should be in place and extra batteries should be attached to the checkpoint. Teams will gladly replace failing batteries.
• Checkpoints at crucial positions should be manned by reliable marshals.

Checkpoint Terminology

• Passport Control (PC) or Checkpoint (CP): A navigational point that teams have to locate. A checkpoint will either be unmanned or manned by a marshal. Teams prove that they have been to the checkpoint by punching their race passports in the designated block.
• Waypoint (WP): A point provided by the organiser to assist and guide the teams along specific sections. A waypoint may indicate a fence crossing, bridge etc. Though the teams do not have to pass this point, it is recommended. There will be neither a punch nor marshal.
• Orienteering Point (OP): A term occasionally used to indicate that the checkpoint is unmanned. This point must be visited and passports must be punched.

Start and Finish Areas

• If food is provided at the start teams must be given the option of whether they want food or not.
• If food is provided it should cater for athletes i.e. fresh fruits, vegetables (sauces separate) and salads (dressings separate). Vegetarians must be catered for. Greasy, oil-laden food is not suitable. An indication of the food to be provided can be included in the pre-race information so that the teams can decide whether the food provided caters to their requirements.
• A meal provided at the finish gives the racers and seconds a chance to rest, socialise and talk about the event.
• Showers and ablutions at the start and finish are necessary.
• The finish line should be setup where the seconds and other teams are positioned so that they can welcome the teams in. Security and safety of equipment and vehicles is often an issue. Seconds waiting for their teams will be reluctant to go to the finish if it is located away from the transition area. Where safety is a problem, security should be provided.
• A really nice finish area is appreciated e.g. grass, trees, ablutions etc

 The Race

• The entire route should be pre-tested by the organisers and/or experienced people, either in stages or in one go.
• The organiser should ensure that the race falls into the category in which it was advertised. If the race is advertised as a 100km event, the race distance must fall within this classification i.e. (95 – 105km). If classified according to time, i.e. 24hr, the upper to middle teams should complete the race in 22 – 26hrs.
• If an event is billed as being really tough and challenging, then it must be tough and challenging for the top teams. The organiser should be unconcerned with finishing rates.
• A race billed as easy must be easy. If the race brief states that the winners will complete the course in 7hrs, it should not take them 18hrs to complete the event.
• Pro and Sport categories at events may deal with the issue of events not being challenging enough for the more experienced teams and the organisers wanting to encourage novices and obtain high finishing rates. Sport categories should have less challenging navigation and should cover a shorter distance.
• Top teams should always be challenged; other teams should enjoy the event. Even if they drop-out, they will come back.
• Marshals (and the teams) should not be kept out on the route indefinitely particularly as the gap between the front and the back teams lengthens on multi-day events. Reasonable cut-off times can be applied in the later stages of the race. Back teams can be directed on to a shortened course, allowing them to still ‘complete’ the race.
• Cut-off times should not be altered without informing all teams. In the past cut-off times have been extended. Teams affected by this change were not informed until after they had decided to withdraw.
• Equipment checks should be enforced to ensure that the teams are all carrying the specified compulsory equipment. This is for their safety. Penalties should be applied for missing items, disqualifying the team is necessary.
• Navigation, route choice, team dynamics and cunning strategy prevent adventure racing from being a strictly off-road triathlon. These four factors are seldom present in our races and should be incorporated. Challenging navigation and route choice
• Navigation should be of a challenging level, especially in races designed for experienced teams.
• Banned routes should be well indicated in the instructions and must be patrolled to ensure team compliance. Banning of certain route choices should only be for safety reasons and not to force teams into taking a specific route. The location of checkpoints should such that teams need not approach restricted areas.
• Route choice – teams should have to make a conscious decision regarding the route they’re going to take from one point to another. They should be encouraged to take risks whereby taking a more difficult route could score them an advantage. Terrain, routes and discipline distances should be as diverse and interesting as possible.
• Technical navigation and route choices should be offered on all disciplines where possible.
• Rope disciplines should preferably be done in daylight to benefit from the usually spectacular scenery.
• Water sections, particularly where dark-zones exist, should be planned so that most of the teams will reach and complete most of the section in daylight. This is obviously easier to plan in the early stages of the race. Poor planning can result in a team 20 minutes behind another ending up over 12hrs behind by daybreak.
• Watercraft provided by the organisers should be suited to the conditions to be experienced.
• Particularly in the longer races, long sections challenge the teams. But sending them on a mountain bike ride on a dirt road with no route choice for 24hrs is not adventure racing.
• In shorter races (100km), shorter legs and many transitions keeps the seconds busy as they’re always on the move.
• While organisers do try to avoid bottlenecks, delays may cause teams to wait their turn to complete a discipline. If the delay time is to be ‘returned’ to the team the marshal will record their time of arrival at the discipline and time of start of the discipline. Clarification on this point should be indicated in the Event Specific Rules. Delays at rope disciplines should be avoided by setting up multiple ropes.
• Time will not be given back to teams in the case of a dark-zone cut-off.

 The Rules

• Standard Rules and Regulations as agreed by the race organisers are posted on www.ar.co.za. The relevant organiser will issue Event Specific Rules.
• Teams who break the race rules should be dealt with immediately and not at the end of the event.
• Infringements could result in immediate disqualification and removal from the course.
• Time penalties should be enforced immediately and should not added to the final race time. Teams can wait out the penalty at the transition area – in a “penalty box” – without assistance from their seconds.
• Seconds are as much a part of the team as the racers. If they breach the race rules penalties should be applied.

Medical
Medical assistance is provided at events in case of medical emergencies – not to get the competitors through the event.

Medical Assistance

• Medical crews will be available for non-emergency medical treatment and consultation within transition areas when available. Any team receiving any form of medical treatment outside a transition area or a medical support area as specified in the race instructions will be disqualified.
• Medical treatment will be provided to race seconds and staff regardless of their location and at no risk of disqualification to any teams concerned.
• Medical treatment within transition areas is limited to basic first aid and advice. Should a racer require advanced life support, active fluid replacement therapy (IV), the administration of any oral or intravenous drug, then that racer, subject to the race directors final decision, will be prevented from continuing with the event.
• The medical crew has the authority, on confirmation with the race director, to withdraw a racer from an event should the racers further participation in the event result in permanent injury, disability or death to the racer or his/her teammates.
• Racers are obliged to carry the team’s personal medications in the team first aid kit or on the person concerned. The medical crew will not be on hand to supply personal medication should the team concerned have failed to supply their own.
• The medical crew will provide immediate, emergency treatment and stabilisation. Should a racer require transport by road or air ambulance, the cost of any transport out of the race environment will be carried by the patient
• Racers are strongly advised to take appropriate insurance against the costs of emergency evacuations and repatriation.

Medical Crews

• The medical crew should be suitably qualified according to the nature and length of the particular event. (Level of medical qualification, experience, rescue capabilities)
• The medical crew should be physically fit enough to access and treat and evacuate a racer. Race organisation should provide terrain appropriate vehicular support (4×4’s, watercraft or aircraft).
• Race Directors and medical crew are to meet prior to the start of the event to discuss the race profile. Access and evacuation routes are to be discussed and decided.
• The medical crew must be provided with full maps of the race area and must be able to read and use the maps.
• Racer evacuation plans are to be discussed and decided (Nearest appropriate medical facilities, transport options, medical aid coverage)
• The medical crew is to advance with the “bulk” of the race.
• For races exceeding 150km in length, provision must be made to split the medical crew in order to provide immediate medical assistance for racers at the front and rear of the field. Expedition length races should consider multiple, independent medical crews and possibly a central “Field Hospital”.

 Results 

• Results should be issued within three days of the race cutoff. Split times should be given for transitions and as many PCs as possible.
• Team members should be listed with their team name.

Prizes

• Prize giving should be held on time.
• Prize money should be given out at the event or be transferred within a week of the event to the team captain/manager. In the case of the latter, organisers should request banking details at registration.
• Each team completing the event should receive a memento. Whether a sprint or an expedition event the competitors want to walk away with something that represents the event and their achievement.

Safety

• Disciplines should be cancelled if unsafe i.e. a river section due to rain. The race organiser should have an alternative plan in place in the event of this happening i.e. re-route the teams on a trekking leg. Plan B should be as challenging as Plan A.
• In severe heat/humidity conditions, water points should be provided to competitors at PCs especially where water is not available on the route. There is a limit to how much water each competitor can carry.
• Radio contact between marshals, officials and the race director is crucial.
• On rivers – put-ins, take-outs, portages, weirs, low-level bridges and other hazards (fallen trees, strainers etc) should be indicated in the race instruction booklet.
• Co-ordinates for crossing points on dangerous rivers should be given if not indicated on map.
• Helmets and PFD’s should be brought to all events where paddling/rafting/kloofing disciplines exist. While it may not be necessary to wear a helmet whilst paddling across a dam, it certainly is necessary when on a river or in a kloof. PFD’s should be worn at all times. Kayaks have been known to sink in dams, leaving the paddlers treading water for hours. In a kloof a PFD could cushion a fall.
• Ropes – in all instances qualified personnel should oversee the rope discipline.
• All rope work should make use of a backup system i.e. a belay or prussik in abseiling.
• Certification – in most events over 100km first aid and ropes certification is required. These certificates should be checked. The race director reserves the right to prevent those that are not certified from starting the race. No team or individual is exempt. Individuals may request assessment as described below.
• Certification requirements should be phased in over 2-3 years i.e. medical, rope skills, rafting, water rescue, paddling and perhaps even navigation. This allows race directors to organise more challenging and adventurous races knowing that the participants have the necessary skills.
• Experience does count e.g. in rope skills. Some competitors have been climbing and performing rope tasks for years. In these cases qualified personnel should assess the individuals for competence.
• Competency assessment – while some disciplines require the presentation of in-date certificates, others may require competency testing i.e. if there is to be a sea kayaking discipline, the teams’ ability to leave and return to shore should be assessed.
• Kit checks should take place at each and every event with strict penalties being applied for those teams missing mandatory equipment. A team that goes into the mountains without a shelter or sleeping bag is in danger.
• Medical backup should be available at positions easily accessible to most teams. Over longer point-to-point races, multiple medical crews should be provided as teams are spread out over hundreds of kilometres.

THE END

Though I had thought about this some time back, particularly with the lack of existing racers at the rope skills courses, following a poor response for the swift water rescue course and lax attitude regarding first aid certification; a recent incident at a 30km sprint event brought the issue of “racer competence and responsibility” to light. The incident, related by event organiser Mike Baker, occurred as follows:

1. We had three gravity traverse lines – manned by three competent marshals – set up over the water (which in this case saved her from serious injury)
2. The Traverse takes about 5 seconds
3. Competitors were all briefed – with TWO demonstrations – one with a safety harness and one without.
4. They had the choice of a safety harness.
5. When the lady got up the tower, the marshal saw she was tired and she was told to put on a harness, she refused, he insisted, turned to get the harness and she went anyway, jumping off the platform, losing her grip and falling into the water. She was treated by the medical crew and was taken to hopsital immediately. She fortunately sustained no injuries.

Although a “garden variety” discipline, had the gravity traverse not been suspended above water, the result of this fall could have been fatal.
The main errors were that the marshall’s instructions were disobeyed and that the lady had not taken note of the demonstrations, which indicated the correct method to be used to launch from the platform.

Though this was fortunately not a serious incident, it does raise the question of competence in general. With the introduction of the 25-30km sprint events last year and more recently the 100km short course events, we are likely to see more people tackling the 200km races, which they mistakenly expect to be the equivalent of 2x100km races. Thus, with relatively inexperienced people roaming the wilds, the occurrance of such incidents may rise.

In the past few years there have been a few occasions where, on the abseil, both in- and experienced racers have flipped up-side-down and have gone down without helmets etc – fortunately without injury. Although safety is the responsibility of the ropes company and the race organiser, it is also the responsibility of the racers. We should know what a proper setup looks like, what equipment we should be given and how to ascend, descend and traverse safely.

There may come occasions when we will need these skills to rescue another person in a race or to safely get down a cliff i.e. The Drifter team, caught in a steep gorge at Dragon’s Wrath, utilised their ropes skills to set up a belay system, lowering each other – and the members of Relentless – safely down a precipitous drop.

So too in the mountain bike and water disciplines. You need to be fairly competent on your bike and must certainly know how to safely cross a river, rescue a team-mate trapped in swift water and most importantly, be able to swim – whether to save yourself or another. Which brings me to the question of first aid…

It is now regulated that at least one person in each team must be first aid certified. But, what if something happens to that person? Would you know how to resuscitate a team-mate who has stopped breathing? Do you know what to do if they have an allergic reaction to a bee-sting or pass-out from dehydration? What if their lung is punctured by a rib following a fall off their bike? How would you treat a hypothermic team-mate?

Making certain that we are competent in the variety of disciplines and that we are able to take care of ourselves and our team mates -when far from official assistance – is vital… and it is our responsibility.

Author: Lisa de Speville

FUNDAMENTAL AR RULES

• Compulsory team and competitor equipment, as specified by the organiser in the event rules, must be carried with the teams at all times. A race official may inspect kit at any time during the event.
• All members of the team must be within visual and hearing distance of all other members of their team at all times i.e. spread over no more than 100m
• All team members are required to pass through all transitions and checkpoints together and in the order designated by the organiser, avoiding out-of-bounds roads and areas.
• Support crews may provide assistance to their team only in designated transition areas
• Teams must be eco aware i.e. making of fires, littering and damage to natural vegetation is prohibited, human waste must be buried

In the past few months a number of race organisers have crunched down on teams, applying strict time penalties for basic rule infringements – specifically with regards to compulsory team and individual competitor equipment. While you’ll probably not get to use your emergency blanket, first aid kit, whistle, shelter, spare batteries and 10m rope, these items are not unnecessary, weighty baggage. Should your team mate tumble down a slope and be unable to climb up unassisted or your team get caught in a storm, on top of a mountain at 03h00, you’ll appreciate each compulsory item specified by the event organiser.

Compulsory gear will most likely only be required in the event of an emergency, in extreme weather conditions, or other unpredictable situations. By specifying gear, the race organiser ensures that your team will be able to cope until the storm passes, the sun rises or assistance arrives. And, as the compulsory equipment lists are identical for each and every team, you won’t be burdened with any more equipment than other competitors.

Skimping on gear is an infringement of a necessary event rule, one that is enforced by unscheduled kit checks and severe time penalties.

The “distance rule” stipulates that team members must be spread no more than 100m apart, maintaining visual and audio contact at all times. This seemingly arbitrary rule serves to keep teams together, preventing racers from being separated from their team, especially at night, in adverse weather, on rivers, dams and in the sea – conditions where dangerous situations could occur. In any case, as all team members are required to pass through all transitions and checkpoints together, they should always be close together.

The Distance Rule
At a multi-day race in 2002, a team was on a kloofing section. They were cold, had been in the water stumbling over rocks for over 8 hours and, with an hour to go till dawn, it was still dark. Knowing that their exit point was near, they’d been scouring the densely vegetated riverbanks, searching for a path. Because of the overhanging trees and the river’s winding course, the racers – even 30m apart – were unable to see the headlamp of the person behind and ahead of them. Although they’d maintained audio contact, calling back and forth, they found it difficult to hear each other’s shouts over the noise of the flowing river.
In short, one team member disappeared into the vegetation, investigating a possible path. His team mates called out but at one point no longer received a reply. For over 3 hours they searched the area, eventually waiting where they’d last seen him. But, the missing chap had somehow made his way downstream, overshooting them. Hypothermic and sleep deprived, he had little food and without a map, had no idea where to go. Eventually his team mates, distraught and concerned for his safety, made their way to the transition to seek assistance.
Fortunately this situation was resolved when a seconding crew found the missing chap, uninjured and exhausted, hours later.

Finally, roads and areas are seldom restricted but when prohibited, it is with good reason. Tarred roads or highways designated “off limits” force teams to select more challenging off-road routes and protect cyclists from the obvious dangers. “No go” areas are usually marked as such to prevent teams from trespassing through out-of-bounds lands. Dangers aside, although there may be a slim chance that you’ll be caught travelling along a restricted highway, sneaking through scorns the spirit of fair competition.

At one race an area was designated “off limits” to prevent teams from traversing an area patrolled by a territorial, mentally-unstable man armed with an AK47

So, although the basic rules are few, they’ve been established with good intent and at all times must be adhered to.

Author: Lisa de Speville | Published in MultiSport Magazine, Jan 2004