The rules
Safety of the participants, their support crews is our priority
1. GENERAL RACE RULES
1.1 SAFETY IS A PRIORITY – Any infringement of race rules by competitors or support crew may incur time penalties or disqualification.
1.2 The race organiser reserves the right to reject any entry.
1.3 Competitors must render assistance to any fellow competitors in distress or any form of danger.
1.4 It is the competitor’s responsibility to ensure their equipment is in a safe, working condition.
1.5 Any competitor retiring from the course must notify the nearest official as soon as possible.
1.6 Any competitor who retires or requires transport out of a stage will not be able to continue in the race. Relay Teams will be able to continue at the start of the next stage after receiving their team’s timing chip & bib from their withdrawing team member & checking in with officials and timekeeper. The team will not qualify as finishers.
1.7 Any protest must be lodged within 30 minutes of the completion of the event, in writing to the Race Director. Protests must be lodged with a $30 fee that is refundable if the protest is upheld. Protest outcomes are final.
1.8 No person may take part in the event who is not named on the official entry form, or has not signed the official entry form. Teams must nominate who is competing in which stage prior to race start.
1.9 All Individuals (Classic course) must have a support crew and vehicle. Relay Teams may act as their own support crew.
1.10 Competitors must wear their issued timing chip & race bib with event logo facing the front and ensure the logo/number is visible at all times. Teams are to use the race bib as their changeover baton. Changeovers must take place inside the designated transition areas. Competitors must pass through all timing gates wearing the timing chip & race bib.
1.11 Support crews and team members are not permitted to assist in any way, their teammates or any other competitor in forward movement on any part of the course during the race unless specifically authorised beforehand.
1.12 At all times the competitor being overtaken shall have right of way. The responsibility for safe overtaking lies with the person doing the overtaking.
1.13 Any competitor with a medical problem must declare it in writing to the organisers not less than 2 weeks prior to the event.
1.14 Competitors must be self-sufficient and carry own fluids or energy foods and equipment for repairs.
1.15 All competitors MUST obey any directive by an official.
1.16 All individuals & relay team runners must ‘hand in’ their timing chip and race bib immediately after completing the run. There will be a charge of $75 for any unreturned timing chips.
2. MOUNTAIN BIKE RULES
2.1 Drafting is permitted.
2.2 The entire cycle course will be closed to vehicles for the duration of the cycle leg. Recommended vantage points will be advised. Support crews MUST NOT follow, lead or leap-frog their cyclists at any stage on the course.
2.3 Cyclists should be careful when negotiating speed humps. Some are steep and could lead to a rough landing.
2.4 Competitors must carry all manadatory equipment as per Equipment list.
2.5 Competitors must be self-sufficient and carry own fluids or energy foods.
2.6 Assistance from vehicles is not permitted.
2.7 Cycle helmets meeting Australian safety standards must be worn and firmly secured until the bicycle is stationary inside the transition area.
2.8 Cyclists MUST dismount before passing under the finishing banner.
2.9 There is a ‘cut-off’ time of 9:35 am at the first passing of the Khancoban airfield that will be strictly enforced. Competitors (both individual and relay team) who fail to reach that checkpoint in time will be advised that the Khancoban Station section of the course is closed. They will be directed to the MTB/Paddle transition and permitted to commence the paddle. The cut-off time is generous. Only riders on target for a 3.5+ hrs ride are at risk of missing it. If you can’t ride some steep trails expect to be in trouble. If, prior to the race commencing, any competitor believes that they have special circumstances that should allow them to complete this section of the course after the cut-off time, they should raise the matter with the Race Director prior to race day.
3. KAYAK RULES
3.1 Competitors may use any type of kayak or canoe with fixed buoyancy.
3.2 All competitors Must wear an approved buoyancy vest and helmet. Use of a spray deck is advised.
3.3 Competitors who require assistance may proceed without penalty. Paddlers who require assistance more than three times shall be disqualified, at the discretion of the race director.
3.4 Support crew may assist their competitor at the start of the kayak stage, and at the finish line. At no other time shall they render assistance.
3.5 Competitors must be self-sufficient and carry own fluids or energy foods and equipment for repairs.
3.6 No boats are to be in the water before the paddler has the Race Bib.
3.7 Paddlers may wash ride other competitors
3.8 Paddlers who are not familiar with swift flowing conditions are advised to gain some relevant experience before the race. There are sections of the rivers where willow trees would make a swim potentially dangerous.
3.9 The official sticker with race number (provided in your race pack) must be clearly visible on the front, right-hand side of your craft (as you sit in the craft). All other numbers must be covered or removed.
3.10 Competitors who choose to leave the river for any reason, with or without their craft, MUST notify 2 competitors or one official before they leave the river bank. This is to avoid unnecessary searches. Recommended escape routes are on the right-hand side before passing under the Murray Valley Highway and on the left-hand side after the Murray Valley Highway.
4. RUNNING RULES
4.1 Competitors must take care when crossing roads and give way to all vehicles where applicable. Marshals will monitor any crossings and time penalties or disqualification may occur for infringement.
4.2 Competitors must be self-sufficient and carry own fluids or energy foods.
Multisport events do not provide drink and aid stations along the course. Competitors (especially individuals) should expect a long, dry run and should carry at least two liters of drink.
4.3 Competitors should keep to the right-hand side of any road that is shared by vehicles.
4.4 There is a ‘cut-off’ time of 3.15pm at the intersection of Towong Hill Rd and the Murray Valley Hwy that will be strictly enforced. Competitors who fail to reach that checkpoint in time will be advised that the mountain section of the course is closed and that there are no marshals on that section of the course. They will be conveyed to Thougla Hall and permitted to finish the run from there. If prior to the race commencing, any competitor believes that they have special circumstances that should allow them to complete the course after the cut-off time, they should raise the matter with the Race Director at event registration (or prior).
4.5 No walking sticks or other similar aids can be used.
