Due to the way our adventure races run, Questars adventure races attract people of all levels from beginners through to some of Britain's best adventure racers. The courses accommodate all comers.

Questars Trio
Questars Trio races have three stages – trail running, mountain biking and kayaking. Within each stage there are a range of checkpoints to visit. Each checkpoint has a value and the winners are those that have accumulated the most points within the time limit. The race is continuous. Transition between stages is all part of the race.Teams choose in which order to do each stage.

Flexible format
It is up to you how many checkpoints you choose to visit. All you need to do is visit at least one checkpoint in each stage to avoid a penalty. So if you would prefer to spend more time mountain biking than trail running for example, you can.

This format gives teams maximum felxibility. You can play to your strengths, choose your own route and even change your race plan midway through!

The kayaks provided for the Questars Trio are very stable and straight forward to use sit on top double kayaks. No previous experience is needed and many racers enjoy this stage most. So why not give it a try?

The courses are set to provide a great deal of route choice and to cover the best parts of the event area. Many teams reach between 50 and 75% of the checkpoints. Only the strongest teams will cover all the checkpoints in any stage and in so doing cover distances of about 20 - 30 km trail running, 30 - 40 km mountain biking and 6 - 8 km of kayaking.

Questars Duo
is a two stage race over the same course without the kayaking stage. For those who prefer just to get muddy and not wet.

Navigation between checkpoints is straight forward, with the course set so that you can make use of the many cycle tracks, footpaths and bridleways in each area.

Flexible teams
The competitions are designed for teams of 1, 2, 3 or 4 people.
There are no restrictions on the make up of teams in terms of the number of male and female competitors.
All members of the team compete in all three stages in Questars Trio or both stages in Questars Duo.
Teams can enter under the following categories: mens solo, mens teams, ladies teams, mixed teams and veterans (average age over 40).

In the Questars Trio there is a Novice class for beginners. This is ideal for teams that are new to adventure racing i.e. have entered no more than three Questars or similar adventure races. All other competitors enter the Masters class. Newcomers to adventure racing can benefit from a dedicated Questars' Staff member on the race day who will answer any questions and provide help and advice on navigation.

What we will provide:

• Kayaks - one or two kayaks per team, depending on the number of participants in each team
• Buoyancy aids
• A laminated course map premarked with checkpoint locations
• Electronic scoring device per team to record your visits to checkpoints and time
• Race Numbers
• Water stations
• Race prizes

What YOU will need to bring:

• A well-maintained mountain bike
• Cycle helmet
• Bike tools (including puncture repair kit, pump and spare inner tube)
• Compass
• Permanent marker pen
• A first aid kit
• Mobile phone and change for the public telephones as reception can be patchy

What YOU are advised to take with you:

• At least a litre of water; platypus or similar hydration systems are popular
• Energy bars, gel or similar race food to eat en route
• Wind & waterproof outer layers
• A whistle and a survival bag or sheet
• A watch
• Hat and gloves

Electronic Scoring
Quest deploy the latest electronic scoring system which enables quick and simple recording of your visits to each checkpoint and your overall score and time. Its operation will be explained at the race briefing

RACE FORMAT

The objective of the Questars adventure race is to enjoy covering some tremendous countryside, visiting as many checkpoints (CPs) as possible to collect up to a maximum of 1000 points (slightly less for the Questars Duo competitors who miss the kayaking stage) in the shortest time.

1. The event map is pre-marked with the location of the mountain bike (in red) trail running (in blue) and kayak (in green) checkpoints (CPs). Check the time of your kayaking stage (as detailed on the team list displayed at the event centre) and choose in which order you plan to do the three stages.

2. In some races kayak CPs may marked on master maps in green. These will be on display at both the event centre and at the start of the kayak stage for you to mark onto your team event map.

3. Each CP has a value. These are listed on a checkpoint values and description sheet given to each team as you start the race. The description describes the feature at the centre of the marked circle where you can locate the CP.

4. Within each stage you can visit as many CPs as you wish, in any order. You must visit at least one CP in each of the three stages to avoid a penalty of 100 points. Questars Duo competitors need to visit at least one in each of the two stages to avoid a similar penalty.

5. You cannot visit trail run CPs on bike or bike CPs when on your trail run stage. If you do, this will be detected by the electronic scoring system and the points deducted from your score. All the kayak CPs are on the water so can only be visited by kayak!

6. Note well your allocated kayak times as detailed on the team sheet displayed at the event centre. This shows the time period your team may be on the water. You do not have to use all this time. You can start kayaking any time within the allocated time period. Teams must be off the water by the end of your allocated time to prevent incurring a 50 point penalty.

7. You can transition only once between the trail run and mountain bike stages. If for example you decide to run first you should do all the run CPs you wish to do before transitioning to the mountain bike stage.

8. You may break either your run or bike (but not both) stages to visit the kayak transition point (TP) and undertake the kayaking stage – during your allocated kayak time period. Then you can resume your run or bike stage.

9. Plan how many CPs you can visit, and adjust this as you go along. There are penalties of 5 points for each minute or part thereof over the 6 hours race time for Masters. Novice teams in Questars Trio have 5 hours and will incur a 2 point penalty for each minute or part late back. All Questars Duo teams have 5 hours and will incur a 5 point penalty for each minute or part they are late back.

10. Just to keep you guessing a little, three of the mountain bike and three of the trail run CPs marked on your map do not exist! They are dummy controls. Which ones they are will be disclosed as you cross the start line.

11. All areas not shown on the event map are OUT OF BOUNDS (OOB). This means that you cannot take ‘short cuts’ by venturing off the map, and some CPs may involve ‘out and back’ routes. Quest marshals are out on the course and there is a penalty of 200 points for any team OOB.

12. Teams must stay together throughout the race, this means within 10m of each other at all times. During the mountain bike stage you must have your bike with you at all times ie. no leaving it and running to the CP!

13. Please follow the Country and Mountain Bike Country Codes at all times:

Countryside Code - advice for the public

• Leave gates and property as you find them
• Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home
• Consider other people
• Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs

The Mountain Bike Code

• Ride in control at all times. This preserves you, other users and the environment.
• Respect the rights of others. Take pride in sharing the outdoors with people enjoying other forms of recreation.
• Be considerate towards walkers. A speeding bike can frighten walkers. Use a bell or call out to announce your presence. Give them right of way. Pass at no more than twice their walking speed.
• Always give way to horses.Horses are easily frightened by bikes. A spooked horse can endanger you and its rider. Announce your presence, stop and talk to the ride as the horse passes. Be alert for signs of horses on the track (hoof prints or droppings).
• Avoid skidding.
• Do not cut corners, stay on the track.
• Do not ride where cycling is not permitted or where public access is prohibited.
• Wash your bike tyres before riding in a different area.This will reduce the chance of spreading plant diseases.
• Avoid introducing road rage to the trails.
• Be an ambassador for your sport, tell other people about this code.

Lost Property

• Adventure racing kit is valuable so keep it safe and secure, eg bring a device to secure your bike at the bike transition point
• Put any transition kit in a distinctive plastic bag or box but be aware if this is left in a transition zone it may not be secure
• Always collect all your kit at the end of your race: double check you take all the items you brought with you home with you!
• If you do leave anything at an event and Quest have recovered it for you then send them the cost of return postage to get it returned or arrange for it to be brought to the next Questars event
• Unclaimed items will be given to charity a fortnight after the event

Go to Race Programme

Home ¦ Race Programme ¦ Race Structure ¦ Scores & Reports ¦ Enter Race ¦ Gallery ¦ Links ¦ Contacts ¦ Forum

© Copyright 2007 Questars - in association with Quest "The Great Outdoors" Ltd.