FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

On this page are the answers to some of the questions people frequently ask…

FAQ's ABOUT THE RACE

There are no set distances. You choose which, and how many, checkpoints you visit. Hence it’s up to you how far you run, cycle and kayak. Whilst you are encouraged to visit at least one checkpoint for each discipline (after all it is an adventure race), there is no rule or requirement to do this. So the minimum distance for each discipline is absolutely nothing (0 km).

The minimum distances required to visit one run/bike/kayak checkpoint vary according to a number of different factors. But to give you an idea, to visit…

  • one kayak checkpoint usually involves paddling 500-1000 m*
  • one run checkpoint typically requires travelling 1-2 km* on foot
  • one bike checkpoint normally involves cycling 2-5 km*

* If the transition point or kayak transition is remote (read more about this here) then you will also need to cycle to and from this location. This could involve cycling an additional 10-20 km on top of the minimum distances listed above.

There are no set routes or distances. You choose how many checkpoints you visit and your route between them. Hence the distance covered by participants varies greatly. However, to give you a rough idea, the minimum distance you would need to cover to visit all the…

  • kayak checkpoints is typically 4-6 km
  • run checkpoints is usually 20-25 km*
  • bike checkpoints is normally 40-55 km*

* NB. You may end up covering more ground than the distances shown above if you don’t take the most optimal route. Distances tend to be towards the lower end of the given range where it’s hilly, and near the upper end of the range where the terrain is flat / gently undulating.

Mountain bikes (preferably with front suspension) are generally recommended as these are best suited to deal with the broadest range of off-road terrain and trail conditions that you might encounter during a Questars adventure race. However, both the terrain and the ground conditions vary hugely between events, and in certain circumstances other bikes might also be suitable.

Questars adventure races are about encouraging people to have a go and take part. We, therefore, don’t want to prevent someone from taking part just because they don’t own a mountain bike or the bike they have doesn’t meet certain criteria. However, such an approach can not be allowed at any cost. We have to balance this ideal with being fair (in terms of competition) to others and the health and safety of everyone involved.

You can therefore use any bicycle you want as long as…

  1. it is designed to be used off-road (slick tyres are not allowed).
  2. it is in good working condition and has been used recently.
  3. you understand and accept that it may not be as suitable as a mountain bike, and may therefore affect your progress (depending on the terrain and ground conditions on the day).

If you have any doubt over whether your bike is suitable or not, then you are strongly encouraged to hire a mountain bike from our designated provider (see event page for details). An unsuitable bike could mean your race is over before its barely got going. It’s simply not worth the risk. Trust us, we’ve seen it all before!

Yes, you can use a cyclocross bike if you want as long as it conforms to our policy on bikes.

NB. Mountain bikes (preferably with front suspension) are generally recommended as these are best suited to deal with the broadest range of off-road terrain and trail conditions that you might encounter during a Questars adventure race. However, both the terrain and the ground conditions vary hugely between events, and in certain circumstances other bikes (e.g. cyclocross bikes) might also be suitable.

Yes, you can use an electric bike (e-bike) as long as it conforms to our general policy on bikes and…

  1. you declare this before you start
  2. you understand and accept that, in order to provide a fair and even competition, you will be not be ranked against other competitors who use a standard pedal bicycle (i.e. who don’t use an electric bike).

An e-bike is any bicycle with a battery and a motor that boosts your natural pedaling power. This makes cycling easier, especially when climbing hills, and helps you to save energy / cycle further.

No, unfortunately we are not able to allow participants to use their own kayaks. As much as we’d like to let you do this – after all Questars is all about encouraging people to take part – if we did, then to be fair to all, we’d have to permit everyone to use their own kayak and that’s simply not logistically possible. Also by saying no we are not technically preventing you from taking part. If you choose not to take part because you can’t use your own kayak then you are putting up your own barrier preventing you from participating.

If we did allow you to use your own kayak then you’d have to…

  1. carry your kayak with you on the run & bike, or
  2. drop your kayak off at the kayak transition (which is often remotely located) before you start and pick it up from there after you finish

…neither of which are logistically or practically possible. And this is before you start to consider other factors such as i) licenses and permissions ii) fairness / level playing field iii) health & safety etc.

It’s not necessary to do so, but you may use your own paddle and/or buoyancy aid if you really want to. However, you will need to transport it to/from the kayak transition. As a result, no one uses their own paddle / buoyancy aid when the kayak transition is remotely located. This is because you would have to…

  1. carry your paddle / buoyancy aid with you on the run and/or bike, or
  2. drop your paddle / buoyancy aid off at the kayak transition before you start and pick them up again from there after you finish

…neither of which are logistically or practically possible. Therefore, in the past people have only used their own paddle / buoyancy aid when the kayak transition is located at or next to the event base. But this really isn’t necessary and just comes down to personal preference.

If you do use your own paddle / buoyancy aid, you are responsible for it at all times, even when you are not using it. The Quest Team accept no responsibility for any loss or damage to any personal belongings, however so caused, even if left in their care or with a specific individual.

IF USING YOUR OWN BUOYANCY AID… 

Please bring it with you to get it checked and approved for use when you collect your race pack (map). This will avoid us having to do this, and you being delayed, during the actual race itself. It must be in a good condition, and be both suitable and appropriate. In other words it must…

  • Do up properly with fully functioning zips / buckles / fasteners and fit snugly against the body when straps are adjusted correctly
  • Be CE rated and designed for use when kayaking
  • Not be torn, frayed or have stitching that is coming undone
  • Not look old / dated / tired / worn or be heavily faded / soiled

Yes, under 16’s may take part, subject to certain terms and conditions, if they are accompanied by a designated adult (e.g. a parent / guardian) at all times during the race. For full details, including terms and conditions, please see our Child Policy.

RACE ENTRY FAQ's

The Trio Novice race is aimed at those new to adventure racing and/or just taking part for a bit of fun. Whilst the Trio Masters race is aimed at adventure racers with some previous experience and/or those who like a challenge and want to compete against the best.

As a general rule of thumb, anyone who has i) taken part in three or more Questars adventure races before or ii) received a Questars winner’s prize before is encouraged to do the Trio Masters race. However, we know one rule like this doesn’t fit everyone, as individual circumstances vary. So this should be thought of as more of a guide than mandatory. 

There is one rule that is enforced, and that is: a person can only receive a Novice winner’s prize once. This is to encourage previous Novice prize winner’s to move on up to the Masters race and ensure they aren’t tempted not to do so by the thought or lure of winning another Novice prize. 

Ultimately which race – Masters or Novice – you enter and take part in is up to you. The course (i.e. the number and position of the checkpoints) is usually the same for both; the only difference is the time limit. Masters typically have an hour more than Novices. This gives Novice participants more options and they can be a bit more selective in what they do, spending more time cycling and less time running (or vice versa) depending on their preference/ability. However, if you want to cover/see as much of the course as possible then the Masters race is what you should do as this gives you an hour longer in which to explore the area.

You can find someone else to take your place and update your entry for free, and/or you can transfer your entry over to another Questars event, subject to the entry transfer terms and conditions.

Please see the Withdrawal Policy for full details about each option.

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