The Challenges
The day is split into 5 seperate challenges. Each has a fixed start and finish location, and many of the challenges allow for navigation by the teams between these points (i.e. you'll need to know which end of a map to hang on to!).
For most of the challenges (the run, canoe, and bike) each team with have a pair of competitors working together. For the Kayak section, there will just be a single paddler from each team, and the Walking section at the end of the day can have between 4-7 of the team taking part.
The event will start by a pair of competitors leaving the start point, with a bib that they must pass to the pair at the end of their section - these bibs are passed to their team mates and so are passed on through the day..
The Run
Each team will field a pair of runners. The run takes in a range of terrains and runners should expect to be going for around half an hour. It is likely that teams will need to navigate to a couple of checkpoints on the route - basic orienteering knowledge should be sufficient. At the end of the run, the pair will pass a coloured bib onto their team-mates who will be waiting in a canadian canoe.
The Canoe
Each team will field a pair of canoers. All safety kit, paddles, boat and personal buoyancy will be provided by the organisers. The pair need to paddle a course across a body of water to the finish point. Appropriate safety cover will be provided to ensure the safety of all competitors. Team members should have experience of paddling canadian (i.e. open) canoes.
The Bike
After collecting the bib from the canoers, two team members will ride a course. A start and finish point will be indicated to the riders, and it is likely that there will be several checkpoints for the pair to visit (as a pair!). Teams will need to provide their own bike & helmet, although if bikes cannot be sourced, the organisers will arrange for hire of suitable bikes (at a surcharge to the team). The route is likely to take in a range of types of terrain ; the competitors should have experience of off-road biking and will need to be able to navigate from a map whilst riding (an aquired skill!).
The Kayak
The bikers will pass the bib onto a single competitor in a Sea Kayak. They will then paddle a course (under 8km) to fetch the bib to their designated finish spot. All safety kit etc will be provided by the organisers. Sea Kayakers must have attained an absolute minimum of the BCU One Star Kayak certificate.
The Walk
'Walk' may be a bit of a misnomer. At least 4 of the team (who will have already competed in a variety of legs) are required to complete a walk/run up a nominated mountain and back down to the bottom, following a series of checkpoints. The team will need to provide their own hill kit, and all of those who take part in this final challenge will need to be 'hill-fit', and have a reasonable navigation ability. The overall time for the team will finish when the last person from the walking team arrives across the finish line.
