cotswolds
Start List
- Last Updated: Thursday 29 June 2023
If you are taking part in the 2023 Cotswolds Adventure Race, your race number, start time window and kayak time slot can all be found on the start list. Do make a note of these details – you’ll need them on race day!
Please also read all the accompanying notes below which provide further important details.
RACE day information
All the information you need for a successful race can be found here:
Regular race information
All our regular race information can be found here:
RACE NUMBERS
You will need to know your race number (see the Start List) in order to collect your race pack. It’s also a good idea to have some form of ID with you just in case we need to verify you are who you say you are.
NB. If you know your race number then that will suffice. You will only be asked for your race registration number and/or your race entry order confirmation number if you are not on the start list i.e. you don’t have a race number.
Start Times
Each team has been given a start time window (see the Start List). This is based on which course you are doing, when your kayak time slot is, how long it’ll take most people to get to/from the kayaking and the fact the course closes at 16:45 (i.e. you must finish before this).
You can start any time within your suggested start time window. But remember if you are kayaking early on, you will need to allow enough time to get to the kayak transition which is approximately 600m away (you are only able to run to/from the kayak transition). Likewise, if you are kayaking towards the end of the day then you will need to allow sufficient time to get back to the finish after you kayak.
Make your way to the big yellow inflatable arch when you’re ready to start. Your race time (5/6 hour time limit) begins when you dib the start control and receive your checkpoint descriptions.
Kayak Slot Times
The maximum time allowed for the kayaking is 60 minutes for everyone.
NOTE: The kayak time slots are 75 minutes to give you flexibility but you must not exceed the 60 minute kayak time limit.
Exceed the maximum permitted kayak time (60 minutes) – even by 1 second – and you will incur a 50 point penalty, so don’t go over!
So if, for example, your kayak time slot is 11:00-12:15 and you get on the water at 11:05, then you must off the water and finish kayaking before 12:05 (i.e. 60 mins after you began kayaking) to avoid the penalty.
Your kayak time begins when you punch the kayak transition control to get on the water and your kayak time ends when you punch the kayak transition control again (i.e. a second time) to get off the water. Not punching the kayak transition control both when you get on and off the water is a serious infringement, whether done intentionally or not, so please don’t forget!
You can only kayak within your kayak time slot (see the Start List). You must have finished kayaking (i.e. be off the water having dibbed the kayak transition control) before the end of your kayak time slot, otherwise you will incur a 50 point penalty.
So if, for example, you are in the 11:00-12:15 kayak slot, and you get on the water at 11:30, you’ll only have up to a maximum of 45 minutes in which to kayak as you must have finished kayaking no later than 12:15.
COURSE NOTES
The layout of the course is such that…
- the kayaking takes place from a remote transition point (approximately 600m from the start/finish/bike transition area)
- you can only run to and from the kayak transition
- the transition point for the run and bike is located at the event base
- You can only bike once
- You can only kayak once
- You can run as many times as you like (i.e. you can run, kayak, run, bike, run)
How long you spend running, biking and kayaking is up to you. But if you’ve never done a Questars Adventure Race, it can be difficult to know how long to run / bike for and how to fit everything in around your kayak time slot.
As a rough rule, we would recommend the following (this can obviously be tailored depending on your preferred discipline):
Masters: 1 hour kayaking; 2 to 2.5 hours running; 2.5 to 3 hours mountain biking (within the 6 hour time limit)
Novice: 1 hour kayaking; 1.5 to 2 hours running; 2 to 2.5 hours mountain biking (within the 5 hour time limit)
Duo: 2 to 2.5 hours running; 2.5 to 3 hours mountain biking (within the 5 hour time limit)
The above is a guide, the great thing about Questars races is that what you do is up to you (subject to the one hour kayak limit)! If you like running, you can spend more time running and less time biking (and vice versa).
Equally, you do not need to use all of your time limit. If you have had your fill of adventure after a couple of hours then you can join us back at HQ for food and drink!
