Race Format
Questars adventure races follow a score course format as outlined below…
We give you a map with all the checkpoints marked...
...how many can you visit within the time limit?
Course Maps
Ordnance Survey (OS) map data is used for the course map, with 1:25,000 OS Explorer map data the data set of choice. Course maps are collected when you arrive at the event on race day. You will be able to look at and study the map before you start so you can familiarise yourself with both the map and the course layout before you begin.
Waterproof
The course map is printed on tough waterproof paper which stands up well to the elements and won't disintegrate on you. Just make sure you look after it, especially if it's windy!
Pre-marked
The checkpoints are marked on the map for you. So you don't have to worry about understanding grid references or plotting the checkpoints in the right place or anything like that.
Checkpoints
There are separate checkpoints for each of the three disciplines. Within each discipline, you can visit as many checkpoints as you wish, and in any order (unless specified otherwise). It’s a good idea (but not mandatory) to visit at least one checkpoint in each discipline, after all it is an adventure race!
Different colours and labels are used to identify the run, bike and kayak checkpoints from each other. These are normally marked on the course map as follows…
Trail Run Checkpoints
Red circles on the course map display the location of the trail run checkpoints. The number of each trail run checkpoint is prefixed with the letter R on the map.
Mountain bike Checkpoints
Blue circles on the course map display the location of the mountain bike checkpoints. The number of each bike checkpoint is prefixed with the letter B on the map.
Kayak Checkpoints
Black circles on the course map display the location of the kayak checkpoints. The number of each kayak checkpoint is prefixed with the letter K on the map.
To collect as many points as possible in the quickest time
Waterproof
The checkpoint descriptions and values are printed on the same tough waterproof paper that the map is printed on. It stands up well to the elements and won't disintegrate on you. Just make sure you don't lose it!
Checkpoint Values
Each checkpoint (CP) has a points value. These are given to you on the checkpoint descriptions and values sheet that you collect as you cross the start line (i.e. when your race time begins).
The checkpoints are unmanned so you will need to use the descriptions to locate the electronic control at each checkpoint. This control is what records your visit at each checkpoint and what earns you the points for each checkpoint that you visit.
Dummy Checkpoints
Just to keep you guessing a little before you actually start, a few of the checkpoints marked on the course map do not exist! These dummy checkpoints have no description or points value.
Which checkpoints are dummy checkpoints will be revealed to you on the checkpoint descriptions and values sheet. So the first thing you’ll want to do when you start is to cross the dummy checkpoints off your map. You don’t want to waste your time by visiting a checkpoint that’s not there!
If the transition point (TP) is located at the event base…
You should aim to transition only once between the trail running and the mountain biking. For example, if you choose to run first, it’s best to visit all the trail run checkpoints that you wish to visit before transitioning over to the mountain biking. In this instance your race would look something like this…
Or if you were to bike first, then it’s best to visit all the mountain bike checkpoints that you wish to visit before switching over to the trail running. In this case your race would look like this…
If the transition point (TP) is remote…
You will need to cycle to and from the transition point if it’s remote (i.e. not located at the event base). In this instance you can visit mountain bike checkpoints both before and after you do your trail running, so your race would look something like this…
Why can't I run to and from a remote transition point?
If you ran from the start to a remote transition point to do your mountain biking then how would your bike get to the transition point? You would have to either carry your bike with you on the run or drop your bike off at the remote transition point before you start (and pick it up again after you finish), neither of which are practical.
But I want to run first (or last), how can I still do this?
If you want to run first you can still do so by cycling direct from the start to the remote transition point to do your trail run, leaving the vast majority of your mountain biking until after your trail run. Likewise, if you prefer to run last you can still do this by doing the bulk of your mountain biking before your trail run, leaving just enough time to cycle from the transition point back to the finish after your trail run.
Transitions
Designated transitions are marked on the course map. These are the only places where you can change discipline and are marshalled throughout the race.
Usually there are two transitions. A kayak transition (KT) where you get on and off the water to kayak. And a separate transition point (TP) where you switch from run to bike and vice versa.
The kayak transition (KT) is often located remotely out on the course somewhere so you will need to run or cycle to and from it. The transition point (TP) is sometimes located at the event base and other times it’s at a remote location.
Kayaking
You will be allocated a kayak time slot if you select the option to kayak when you enter.
Your kayak time slot will be published on the start list in the week leading up to the event. This time slot is the only time during which you may visit the kayak checkpoints. You do not have to use all this time. You can start kayaking any time within your allocated time slot, but you must be off the water BEFORE the end of your time slot.
Failure to do so has a knock on effect in terms of the smooth running of the event for everyone else and therefore incurs a hefty penalty (even if you go over by one second – it’s electronic).
If you opt to kayak, you will need to fit your running and biking in around your kayak time slot. You can do this by breaking either your trail run or mountain biking to do the kayaking, or in any other way you like as shown below…
You can only kayak within your time slot
This can be either before, after or in the middle of your trail run or mountain biking
If you do your kayaking in the middle of your mountain biking then you can visit mountain bike checkpoints both before and after you kayak. Similarly, if you do your kayaking in the middle of your trail run then you can visit trail run checkpoints both before and after you kayak.
Time Limit
The time limit is typically five or six hours depending on which race you enter. You do not need to use all this time; you can finish whenever you want before you reach the time limit.
If you go over the time limit then you will start to lose points. Up to 5 points will be deducted for each minute (whole or part) that you exceed the time limit. These penalty points accumulate very rapidly so it’s best to err on the side of caution and allow sufficient time to get back to the finish before you reach the time limit.
