Canterbury Adventure Race
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About the race
Bivouac Outdoor Canterbury Adventure Race offers three team-based endurance events with on-foot navigation and mountain biking. The exact course is kept secret until 24 hours before the race. Race packs with maps and course notes are available on Friday 4 September at the Bivouac Outdoor store, Tower Junction, Christchurch, and uncollected packs will be available at the start on race day. Event formats and typical distances: - 3-hour: approx 6 km off-road run and 12 km mountain bike. - 6-hour: approx 10 km off-road run and 30 km mountain bike. - 9-hour: approx 20 km off-road run and 50 km mountain bike. Teams may travel farther if they attempt all controls, and distances may be adjusted for steep terrain.
Teams must complete the course within the allotted time; late finishes incur a penalty of 10 points per minute. Slower teams may be short-coursed to ensure they finish within the time limit. Timing may be manual or electronic, and teams may use a NavLight timing tag to record checkpoint visits.
When resting at a checkpoint the race clock continues to run. Teams consist of 2, 3, or 4 people. Categories include Student, Adult, and Family, with Adult teams split by gender where applicable. The event also serves as the Canterbury Schools Adventure Racing Championships, with championship teams required to have four members from the same school, or two schools for single-gender schools, and all members in the appropriate age class. Compulsory safety and equipment requirements include individual items such as a survival blanket, thermal clothing, whistle, seamed-sealed waterproof jacket, cycle helmet, front and rear bike lights for the 9-hour event, running shoes, backpack, food and water, and a head torch.
Team items include a first aid kit, one compass per team, provided maps, a fully charged mobile phone, and writing implement. Spot gear checks may occur during the race and missing items attract penalties. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
