Open12 - FAQ
The following is an adaptation of the questions posed prior to previous events and the 2009 Open12.
As and when questions are asked we have added these to the list.
We will be deliberately coy in answering any questions in regards to specific details of the event as it wouldn't’t take too much for those in the know to work out the location
Event Format
- Is it possible to compete as a team of 4? No – the event has been set up for pairs
- Where is it? Not telling you, it will be in the final details released 2 weeks before the event
- Is water available (other than our own) at transition points There will be either tap water or water available in jerry cans at each transition.
- One of us is injured can we get a refund? This question and ones similar have come from friends which makes it all the more difficult, but in summary no we are not offering refunds in the month preceding the event – A large portion of the Open12 costs are for hiring of equipment and staff, we have committed to these expenses on the expectation that everyone will come.
- Emergency food. What are we allowed to carry? Can this be high sugar foods such as honey, jellies etc? Again common sense, 4 jelly babies does not constitute as emergency food, most teams will carry a spare energy bar.
- Are substitutions of team members possible due to illness / injury? Yep right up to registration, it’s in our interest to get people racing.
- Will we have to get everything we need for the whole event either in the 15kg pack or our backpacks including any equipment for the special stages - yes
- I use shorts and cycling leg warmers for running and riding if it gets cold. Therefore, do my cycling leg warmers class as spare 'leggings' or do I need to carry shorts as well? We will still stick to having those items on the mandatory kit, discretion might play at the briefing on the Open12 / 24 but for the moment plan to have them in the box / bag. A full change of clothes is pretty essential if the weather turns very nasty or if you find yourself getting very WET!
- Will there be any food provided during the event or do we need to bring our own? no food will be provided by us during the event.
- Can we use a kit box at open12 instead of kit bag? Nope
- Do we need to hire paddles? No paddling on this years Open12 so no unless you think they will help your running.
- I notice that it says no GPS on the open 12.
is that NO GPS, or can I take a GPS tracker along with me- ie. the garmin forerunner 305 for post race analysis? - you can take a tracker however if you use it to navigate we will chop your arms off.sorry its getting late
Mountain Biking
- How tough is the mountain biking course? Eg: Stairs, rates of climb and descent and condition of terrain (Woodland or cycle paths). In terms of terrain, it will be a mixture of tracks, minor roads and bridleways, as a general rule we do try and avoid sections that require carrying your bike
- Cycle lights - any minimum requirements for brightness? Nope
- On last years Open12 some of the special stages were during the mountain bike stage and we could not wear cycling shoes with cleats in for the stages. Will this be the same this year? yes
- My mountain bike has died and wondered whether I can use my cross bike (partner has a full suss)? I don't have any problem with that - be an interesting day out.
On foot
- The main question (and concern) is the amount of running. Can it all be walked or is it necessary to run during this section or at any other time and, if so, over what distance? You don’t have to run anywhere.
- The waterproof jacket/trousers - do these have to have taped seams (as per KIMM) or is untaped Pertex kit allowed? For one particular stage you will be expected to carry a suitable waterproof which has taped seems and has a hood. For the MTB sections you can use a pertex top without taped seems and it does not have to have a hood.
- Are trekking poles allowed? Yes
- Torch. Does a head torch count or do we have to carry separate torch too? Yes Head torch counts, although you will need to carry spare batteries or a spare torch as well
- We are intrigued about the mention of trekking. Is there a trek stage, and if so how does it differ from a run stage? It doesn't it, we are just trying to reassure people that you really do not have to run
- I have a goretex running jacket, but it does not have hood. do i have to find another jacket? As with other Open Adventure events discretion will play a part on the day. If the weather is clear then no problem. As a backup we suggest you put a mountain jacket in the car.
Any top tips?
For the trekking section we will be making use of some remote areas and in some circumstances using control locations that are beyond the regular path junctions - familiarising yourself with contours on a map and how they would look on the ground would be a real benefit.