Event Information
Bivouac Outdoor Canterbury Adventure Race
Event Timing
Details for the 2024 event will be updated in the New Year, details from the 2023 event are below for reference.
The race is on the 19th of August with the following start times:
9 Hour teams start at 8.30 am, race briefing at 8.15am.
6 Hour teams have two start waves:
Open Male, Open Mixed and Family Teams start at 10am.
Open Women & Student Teams start at 10:15am.
Briefing for all 6 Hour teams will be 9:45am.
3 Hour teams start at 11 am, race briefing at 10:45am.
You should aim to arrive at the start location around 45 minutes before your event starts to organise your equipment and be ready for the briefing 15mins before the start.
The Course
The course will be kept secret from competitors until the day of the race. Competitors must follow the course and alternatives designed by the organisers and must race within the spirit of the competition. Slower teams may be short-coursed by the organisers to ensure they finish within the time limit.
Further information about the nature of each stage will be available to competitors closer to the event.
Team Size
You can race in a team of 2, 3, or 4 people.
Team Categories
There are 3 age categories available in each race duration, Student, Adult, and Family. All members of a Student team must be currently enrolled at either primary or secondary school. Family teams must have at least one adult (over 18) and any number of school students. Adult teams are also split into Male, Female, and Mixed gender categories.
Timing and Scoring
The clock will start at the beginning of the race. Your team will be given a NavLight timing tag at registration, you will use this to record your visit to each checkpoint (more info on how this works here). When a team decides to rest at a checkpoint, the clock doesn’t stop.
Transition Areas
Teams are required to check in to each transition with the marshal on duty.
Prizes
Thanks to our generous sponsors we will have a fantastic array of spot prizes that everyone will go into the draw to win.
Support Crew
The races are unsupported. That means you have to do all your transitions yourself. This creates an even playing field and means you don’t have to rope in support crew. For student teams we allow an adult to assist with transitions. Friends and family are of course welcome to come to cheer you on and take photos. There will be plenty of spots along to course to view the race. For safety reasons supporters should not venture on course without checking with the organisers first.
Looking for a team mate???
Send us and email and we will put a post up on our Facebook page to try find you a team! We currently have someone who is keen to join a fit team for the race, so get in touch if you need an extra person on your team.
Compulsory Gear
The compulsory gear list is below, if you are missing anything then check out Bivouac's recommended gear for this event here. Don't forget to use your special code for a discount on any purchases in-store at Bivouac.
Individual (must be carried by each person)
Survival Blanket
Thermal top long-sleeved - Merino or Polyprop
Thermal bottoms
Thermal hat and gloves
Whistle
Water proof Jacket - this must be seamed sealed (no wind breakers, plastic ponchos, or puffer jackets)
Cycle helmet
Mountain Bike (brakes must work, wheels safe, tires in good condition)
Front and rear bike lights (9 Hour only)
Running shoes
Backpack
Food & water
Head torch (in case you become lost and are out after dark)
Team
First Aid kit
– Minimum: triangular bandage, crepe bandage, strapping tape, knife or scissors, antihistamine, gauze bandage, personal medication
Compass - 1 per team
Maps (Provided)
Cell Phone (Fully Charged)
Pen or pencil
Gear Check
There will be spot gear checks during the race and if you don’t have an item a penalty will be given to your team. There is no gear check at registration.
It is the responsibility of each participant to ensure that their equipment (including bike) is in good condition. However, the event organisers reserve the right to prevent participants from starting if they feel that the condition of their equipment poses a risk to themselves or others.
