Q. Am I fit enough?
A. The race is a score format which means you visit as many checkpoints as you can, or want, in the race time. If you want to finish early then that’s fine. If you can plod away at a jog for an hour then you should be ok at this event. It is of course quite alright to walk and it’s quite possible that if your navigation is good then you’re unlikely to come last!
Q. I’m new to ‘Adventure Racing.’ Is my equipment good enough?
A. If you have a mountain bike in good working order then you’ll be fine. Suspension and hundreds of gears are unnecessary; reliability is what counts. We’ve had many people complete our events on bikes with no suspension and only one gear.
Off road trainers are a good idea for when the going gets muddy, but comfort is what counts so don’t rush out and buy a new pair just before the race in case they cause you blisters.
Q. I can’t read a map. How can I enter a race like this?
A. You should not fear the maps! They are there to guide you, after all. Practise some simple navigation on street maps and then on Ordnance Survey maps. A compass could help you in the Wan Day and it is required. Fortunately most people have friends or relatives who were in the Scouts or similar and can join you in a team, or at least give you some pointers pre-event. This way you can learn on the job, or in the true spirit of a team you may find your strengths lie elsewhere; perhaps you’re the strongest runner and can tow some of the slower members; maybe you’re the team ‘Mother Hen’ and can take on the responsibility of making sure everyone is eating and drinking; maybe you’re the mechanical spannerhand and can look after bike repairs and servicing. Everybody has a place in a team!
Q. Is the navigation difficult?
A. The areas we use often have well trodden paths marked on the map, but there may be additional paths and features not on the map so it can be worth practising a little beforehand, or indeed just use the Wan Day race as practice for other events such as the Rat Race.
Q. Why do some people seem to be towed around mercilessly by their ‘teammates’?
A. Adventure racing is a team sport and inevitably not everyone in the team is going to be the same level of fitness. Towing equalises the effort put in by the team, so that the stronger physical members can help those in need of a wee hand. Everyone can have their low moments when they haven’t eaten or drunk enough, and so you may find that the tables turn at some point in the race. If your team finishes the race and one member is fresh as a daisy while another is knackered, then you’ve not been working together well enough to share the load! Don’t be too proud to ask for help from your teammate; almost everyone will need it at some point.
Q. How far is the race?
A. This is all up to you! As a score format, you have to get as many checkpoints as you can or want to within the time limit.
To get a rough idea though, the classes may cover the following distances:
Simply Blended - Kayak 3km, Running 8km, Biking 25km
Cask Strength - Kayak 6km, Running 15km, Biking 40 km
Q. Can my friends watch?
A. Well because there is no fixed route then your friends may not be able to see you at all, however, they may have fun as a marshal, watching the race from the inside and helping at registration, transition areas or out on the course.
Q. I don’t know anyone that can drag themselves away from the telly/shops/football on a Saturday to join me in a team
A. Don’t worry. There’s a load of people in the same position as you! The easiest way to meet them is through the SARS forum on the adventure racing website Sleepmonsters
Q. Can I use a GPS in the event?
A. We ask that people don’t use GP’s for navigation but we understand that some of you like to use them to record routes for post race analysis. If this is the case then do bring one, but please don’t use it for navigation. We trust you on this, but our marshals will be keeping an eye out!
Q. Adventure racing seems expensive to me. Why is this?
A. An adventure race is not a 10km run, a triathlon or a cycle race. It’s a totally unique way of enjoying a multitude of sports in one adventurous helping! If you can find a cheaper Adventure Race in the UK that includes kayaking, mountain biking, running AND special challenges then please let us know. £ per unit of fun it is going to be hard to beat a Wan Day race!
Q. Are there transitions like Triathlons?
A. Yes, there will be a time where you complete a cycling stage, then swap to running or kayaking, eventually returning to your bike. These transitions can be back at the event start, or indeed, out on the course. These bike drops/transitions are marshaled but we do not take responsibility for securing your bikes. We therefore advise that you carry a lock to lock your bike. However, it is worth saying that equipment theft has never been a threat for the event.
Q. How much kit will I need to carry?
A. Typically, participants have a small pack that includes a hydration system (although bike bottles and refills from public taps etc also work). This pack is then used to carry the minimum kit of clothes and tools (as per the Equipment list). When leaving the bike at transition, then bike related items can be left with it. Water is limited on the course so please come with large water bottles/hydration bladders.
Q. I don’t know anyone that can drag themselves away from the telly/shops/football on a Saturday to join me in a team
A. Don’t worry. There are a load of people in the same position as you! The easiest way to meet them is through our forum on the adventure racing website
SleepMonsters.co.uk
