Otway Adventure Race

Individual, pairs & teams
adventure race.

• Any competitor retiring from the course must notify the nearest official as soon as possible. It is the responsibly of the contestant to notify the Race Director/official if they decide to withdrawal from the race at any time. Due to safety procures, it is essential that race officials know where contestants are on the course at all times.

• Any competitor, who retires or requires transport out of a stage, will not be able to continue to race. Relay teams will be able to continue at the next stage after checking with officials and timekeeper, but will not qualify as finishers.

• Competitors must wear their issued race bib or show their race number in the required method per race, which must be visible at all times.

• Team competitors must pass on team bib when tagging to next member of team at described changeovers.

• All competitors MUST obey any direction given by an official. Course marshals have the authority to disqualify participants.

• Competitors and support crews must obey all road rules and give way to any pedestrians.

• A competitor may be disqualified for failing to follow the prescribed course, including short-cutting corners or the crossing to the outside of a designated line boundary.

• Parts of this race are in national parks and marine sanctuaries, any rubbish or equipment left behind by a competitor throughout the race, will deem an automatic disqualification.

Otway Adventure Race - Specific Stage Rules:

Stage 1. Surf Ski/Kayak Ocean Paddle (12kms)
• Competitors may use any type of surf ski, sea kayak or sit on top craft with fixed buoyancy. Double skis and double sea kayaks are allowed in Pairs category.

• All competitors MUST wear an approved buoyancy vest. Use of spray deck is compulsory if using sea kayaks.

• Support crew may assist their competitor at the start and finish of the kayak stage. At no other time shall they render assistance.

• Competitors who require assistance (from officials not support crews) may proceed without penalty. Paddlers who require assistance more than three times shall be disqualified, at the discretion of the Race Director.

Stage 2. Trail/Beach Run (9kms)
• No form of locomotion other than running or walking is allowed.

• Competitors must take care when crossing roads and give way to all vehicles where applicable. Marshals will monitor major crossings and time penalties or disqualification may occur for infringement.

• No individual support vehicles or non-participant escort runners are allowed.

• Runners must run within the designated course.

• Runners must wear closed-in shoes.

Stage 3. Mountain Bike Ride (35kms)
• Competitors must carry spare tyre or tubes and kits to be able to carry out their own repairs.

• Cycle Helmets must meet Australian safety standards and be worn and firmly secured until the bike is stationary inside the transition area.

• Aero bars or any form of aero bars will not be permitted on the race.

• Assistance from vehicles is NOT permitted.

• Bikers are required to heed directions and instructions of all race officials and public authorities.

• Bikers on the road are individually responsible for following traffic laws and are solely responsible for the consequences of any infractions. The roads will NOT be closed [unless otherwise stated]. Competitors must stay in the left hand lane, as far left as possible at all times. Cyclist may ride two abreast and no more on a road. Cyclists must pass on the right of he slower cyclist.

• BIKERS MUST GIVE WAY TO ALL CARS WHEN THE RACE CROSSES THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD

• Race officials have the right to reject any bike considered not to meet minium safety requirements. If bike does not meet safety standards, contestant will be required to correct problem before articipating in race.

• Short cutting of course will result in disqualification.

• Footwear must be fully enclosed

• Bikes must be fitted with at least one front brake and one rear brake, both in full working order.

Stage 4. Trail/Beach Run (2kms)
• All rules under Stage 2 Run leg apply.

Equipment list for racing:
• Surf skis / sea kayaks / sit on top singles or double allowed (Pairs only).
• Paddles
• PFD’s – Personal floatation devices
• Mountain bike
• Spare tubes, patch kit, etc.
• Cycling helmets (which must meet Australian safety standards)
• Runners
• Hydration equipment
• Fuel (food)

Support crew information:
As support crew, you will need to keep on top of athletes hydration, food intake, racing equipment drop off and pick up. Well-planned support crews are a huge positive to a competing team, where an unplanned support team can destroy all the hard work their competing team has put in on the course.

Potential support crew planning issues:
• All MTB and equipment need to be delivered to the Run/MTB transition between 5:45am-8:15am on the day of the race.

• Assist competitors getting out of paddling equipment and into running gear - end of Stage 1.

• Collection of boats and paddling gear - end of Stage 1.

• Collect bike end of Stage 3.

• Hydration and food during race!

NOTE: for the safety of competitors and support crews please do not try to follow or watch competitors at the Parker/Binns Road cycle leg and at the cross over point of cycle leg at the Great Ocean Road. There is no parking for any vehicles on any of these roads. Please do not follow your competitors up Binns Road as you then need to drive back down Binns Road as other competitors are riding up the road. SAFETY FIRST.

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