Open24 - Event Details

The following is an adaptation of the questions posed prior to the Open24 in 2005 and 2006, 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 take too much for those in the know to work out the location

Event Format

  1. Is it possible to compete as a team of 4? No – different classes will be taking very different routes
  2. Where is it?  Not telling you, it will be in the final details released on the 14th July.
  3. Can we sleep?  Yes - in the past we have provided a facility for competitors to pitch a tent on the overnight transition, however we have found that those who spend a couple of hours faffing with a tent then don't get out of bed in time for the rest of the race, our suggestion is to use a bivy bag.
  4. 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.  EAS will also be providing pre mixed drinks for all competitors at each transition.  We recommend you their this products prior to the race, it is available online from www.eas-uk.info at a discounted rate (25% off) just call their orderline with code OA31126 handy
  5. If there is any water jumps/canyoning, will we be able to wear a wetsuit? If there is any such stages on this years Open24 nobody will stop you wearing a wet suit
  6. 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 Open24 costs are for hiring of equipment and staff, we have committed to these expenses on the expectation that everyone will come.
  7. 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.
  8. Are substitutions of team members possible due to illness / injury? Yep right up to registration, it’s in our interest to get people racing.
     
    Moving Kit around

  9. Are you accepting holdalls i.e. like North Face 100L ones which fit within the size and weight requirements? Ideally not – we should warn you that there could be situations where bikes are loaded (carefully) on top of kit boxes.
  10. Just a quick question (which I think I know the answer). Are you supplying the kit boxes? Good question - err no we are not supplying the kit boxes.  The standard boxes which we to see at every event we go to in the UK are the red and blue ones with yellow clasps as found in B&Q - cheap and plastic but ours have lasted a good 4 years of regular use. Example Mobile Storage Locker at http://www.solentplastics.co.uk/bigboxes.htm
  11. We have purchased a kit box at the Wilderness ARC can we use it at the Open24 In summary no. We have wrestled with this since we saw the boxes at the WARC, the boxes supplied to Wilderness ARC competitors by the organisers are around 2-3 times the specifications we state in the rules.  To allow competitors to use these boxes would cause us huge logistical problems, as well as an increase in costs (we would in effect have to hire more vans and find more drivers).  We have relaxed the rules slightly to allow the use of the “Rubbermaid actionpacker” boxes used by many competitors on international races.
  12. We have a box that is 850mm x 610 x 590 - so we're 11cm over in one direction, but 35cm under in another. Is it possible to use that box? Thats a large Wilderness ARC kit box trying to sneak under the radar.... We increased the length of the box last year to accommodate the Actionpacker boxes which are narrower and thinner - the boxes you are referring to have considerbly more volume. So sorry the answer is no. [added 17/07]

    Mapping

  13. Just wondered what format the Anquet Control locations will be in? They will be in the ADF format for the V6 software a sample file can be downloaded from this site - see event details.
  14. Can you open Anquet Files in Memory Map? Really don’t know as we don’t have Memory Map.
  15. I was looking at the Anquet mapping offer and it looks great. Can you confirm that for £15 we will get all that we need? Yep just follow the instructions on the webpage [added 13/07]

    Mountain Biking

  16. How though 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
  17. Does the MTB clothing for use at night have to be fully waterproof, or can we use regular cycle over-top such as water resistant, breathable commuter top for example? Common sense prevails here, just pop a posting on sleepmonsters and I’m sure a plethora of story’s will rattle out about wrong clothing at the 2005 Wilderness ARC (a large number of teams dropped out) – we would have a problem if you set off with an Alton Towers plastic mac even if it was a clear night.
  18. Cycle lights - any minimum requirements for brightness? Nope – you will have fun if they are naff though.

    On foot

  19. 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 estimated distances are now on the website.
  20. I guess that during the evening / night section competitors use a head torch or similar? A good quality powerful head torch would be the way to go.
  21. 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.
  22. Are trekking poles allowed? Yes
  23. 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

    Rope sections

  24. I have never abseiled is this is a problem?  no, we will set up the rope sections assuming no prior technical knowledge - so your safety will be in the hands of the rope technician not yours, however we won't put your harness on for you.  We do highly recommend that competitors do get out and have a go at abseiling, due to the volume of people on the event we won't be able to offer participants the chance to pause, contemplate what they are about to do, um arh, shall I shant I - you will be politely removed from the stage.
  25. Would it be OK to miss the rope sections out?  Yep although you will incur a penalty on your scores
  26. Is it possible to hire the kit required for the rope section? yes call Total Adventure on 015394 44451 or e-mail office@total-adventure.co.uk
  27. Can I use a prussic or other safety device instead of being attached to a safety rope?  Yes, if you are either SPA, MIA, MIC or IRATA qualified.  Please bring a copy of your certificate with you to registration.  Unfortunately we can not accept other Adventure Race event certificates.
  28. Is a caving harness acceptable for the rope sections? No
  29. One handled ascender. The Petzl Tibloc is one of the cheapest ascenders but it doesn’t have a handle.  Would this suffice?  Also, my partner has a Gri Gri – would this be acceptable? a tibloc wouldn't go down very well with the rope technicians, best leave that at home.  A gri gri also wouldn't work, thats a belay device with an autolock. You really need to buy a petzl acension each, you might also be able to hire one from Total Adventure 015394 44451.  
  30. Just want to make sure I understand the instructions, Each team/pair only needs 1 Jumar/ascender versus an jumar/ascender each? Sorry you got that wrong each person requires an ascender, harness, helmet etc. The kit list specify's which items can be for a pair (e.g. bike pump). [added 13/07]

    Swimming

  31. There's no wetsuit on the kit list, but swimming is still in the event details. Is this because you'll let us swim without a wetsuit, because swimming is no longer an activity, or because swimmings optional? Swimming is optional and yes you can use a wet suit but its not mandatory. The only thing to note is that the swim is within a stage and so you will not have your kit box available hence if you wish to use a wet suit you will have to carry it with you. We will make sure that either your bouyancy aid is available or ones provided by us. [added 13/07]

    Paddling

  32. Do we need a paddle bag? If you bring your own paddles we recommend you have them in a paddle bag. [added 13/07]
  33. How much will they be transported between transitions for us - should we bring old paddles rather than our best ones? Entirely up to you, we do our utmost to look after the kit we transport for you however ultimately we will not be held responsible for any damage that may occour. That said if we were racing we would use our own paddles. [added 13/07]

    Odd bits that don't fit under other headings...

  34. Glow sticks - Can we substitute other colours for red and green as we already have these. You do need to have 2 red glow sticks, it's something to do with being on public roads. That said if you don't have yellow glow sticks but do have green ones these can be used instead [added 17/07]
  35. I have a few yellow 90 minute yellow glow sticks from previous races can I use these instead. Nope need to be at least 8 hours. [added 17/07]
  36. Will there be some where we can leave our non-racing, faffing kit during the event as we are being dropped off? Yep [added 17/07].

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.

Pace yourself.  During last years event the majority of pairs dropped their speeds on MTB and foot by as much as 50% in the second half of the event, causing many to be late in to the finish.  Build up an understanding of how fast you travel on MTB and foot, so you can be realistic about what is possible during the event.

Rehearse your transitions on average pairs were taking 30mins on each transition some frequently taking 45mins, with the top competitors taking less than 10mins on occasions.  Saving 15mins on each transition will save over an hour on the whole event, time you will wish you had on the Sunday morning.