| FAQ |
 |
 |
 |
|
Q) What is the ROAR Race? A) It is a multisport event designed to cater for both experienced and lesser experienced sports people.
Q) What Are Race Categories for the ROAR? A) The categories for the Achill ROAR are: Sports Solo Expert Solo Expert Relay – Teams can be 2 or 3 Person sharing the 3 disciplines.
Q) What are the disciplines and distances in the ROAR Race? A) Running – Mainly off road ( 8km Sports or 16km Expert) Cycling – On Tarmac ( 22km Sports or 45 km Expert) Swimming Or Paddling a Double Sit on Top Kayak (Kayak Equipment Provided) Or Paddling your own Single kayak (Bringing your own PFD and paddle) Swim - 400m Sports or 800m Expert Paddling - 1300m Sports or 2600m Expert NOTE:- Exact distances for the swim and paddle will be finalised to give a good match between a good swimmer and a good paddler in the double sit on top kayaks being provided
Q) What is the cost of entry? A)Early Entry (Up to 31st Jan) - €44 solo & €90 per relay team Regular Entry (1st Feb to 31st August) - €49 solo & €100 per relay team Late Entry (1st Sept to Midday on 7th Sept) - €59 solo & €120 per relay team Our entry fee structure is designed to encourage participants to come and join us in beautiful Achill for a great event. Entry fees are non transferrable or refundable Q) Is entry cost inclusive of the on-line entry system provider’s commission? A) Yes – Your entry cost is inclusive of this commission! Q) What are categories for prizes? A) For Sports Solo and Expert Solo categories there will be prizes for Male / Females in both Open and Vet (O 40 ) Categories For the Expert Team Relay there will be prizes for All Male, All Female and Mixed Teams Relay teams of two will be competing on an equal basis against teams of three and there will be no allowance for age categories, gender mix within relay teams, etc Should a Vet be eligible for an Open prize in either of the Solo events they will have the choice of taking either that or their category prize but not both. Should they elect to take the Open class prize, the next placed Vet will recieve their prize, etc It is anticipated that in addition to these prizes there will be some good spot prizes available for all participants attending our after event Prizegiving and Party in the Achill Head Hotel starting at 9pm on Saturday night.
Q) What Type of Terrain is the running section in the ROAR Race? A) For the both categories, 100% of this section is off road Trail shoes are definitely recommended though if the mountain is dry and you are a competent off road runner then road runners may be ok - Your risk and your choice. The run section for both categories will be a mix of coastal sand, grass and a small amount of rock
Q) What Type of Terrain is the Biking section in the ROAR Race? A) For both Sport and Expert classes the terrain will be tarmac roads for which any type of roadworthy bicycle can be used. The Sport category will be undulating but have no large climbs The Expert category will have a few decent climbs and descents - time trial bikes are not recommended
Q) Can Anyone Take Part? A) The competitors in this event are not expected to be professional racers but ordinary people wishing to take part in not just a race but an adventure, an experience and a test of themselves. The Expert category in particular is a tough event and because of the endurance required it may be done Solo or in a in a Relay Team of 2 or 3 persons who share the 3 disciplines. Having said all that, we guarantee that the feeling of accomplishment when you finish the event in whatever category will be second to none and one that will have you telling stories for a long time to come.
Q) Is the event Safe? A) Safety is paramount for this event. All racers are required to follow all rules of the road over the entire course - stopping at stop signs, staying to the left, obeying the instructions of Gardaí, marshals, etc. The event will have a full set of rules most of which are aimed at the safety of everyone - racers, event crew and the public. Your entry to the Achill Roar event is conditional upon your agreement to follow these rules
Q) Can you tell me where and when are the starts is for the Sport and Expert Races? A) The Sport Category event will start beside Race Transition area on Keel Beach at 1200 hrs Briefing for all Sport Category participants will take place at 1130 hrs at Keel Beach The Expert Category event will start beside Race Transition area on Keel Beach at 1000 hrs Briefing for the Expert Category Solo Participants and the Expert Relay Team Members will take place at 0930 hrs at Keel Beach. If demand for the race dictates it there are likely to be wave starts for both Categories
Q) What are the Race Check-in times? A) Race Check-in is at Cycle Superstore in Tallaght on Wednesday 8th Sept form 12 noon until 9pm and at Keel Race HQ in the Achill Head Hotel, Keel at times listed below: This is approx 1.5 km from Keel beach transition area. Friday 10th September - 17.00 – 23.00 hrs – All participants are requested to Check In during these times Saturday 11th September – 0800 to 0845 hrs for Expert Category - exceptional cases only please 0900 to 1030 hrs for Sport Category .- exceptional cases only please There will be no opportuntiy to checkin at the race start / finish area - Registration Only at the Achill Head Hotel Racking of bikes and placing of gear in the transition area can take place anytime after 0830 hrs for all categories on race day once your bike is fitted with your number. Bike and helmet inspection will take place before entry is permitted to the transition area. Access to transitions area is only possible by presentation of your race number to marshalls. Please Note: Nothing is sent to you in the post before the event, everything you require to take part in the event is issued at registration at the Achill Head Hotel Race HQ.
Q) Can I take part in any of the events and raise money for a Charity? A) Yes, you are more than welcome to enter any of the categories and raise money for your chosen charity. We will be making a donation of €2 from every entry received a local deserving cause.Yon may chose to raise money from your participation in the event for any charity but this is a personal decision and there is no minimum sponsorship requirement to enter or participate in the ROAR race. More details are available on our Charity Tab above
Q) Do I get a T-Shirt? A) In order to keep the cost of entry down for everyone and because many participants already have lots of race tee shirts there is no tee shirt included in your entry cost. We have however given you the option of ROAR Helly Hansen technical sports shirt for €15 as part of the registration form. If you want one then please fill in this section at the registration stage and indicate what size you require to avoid dissapointment. Tee Shirt orders will not be possible for Late Entries (after 31st August).
Q) Can you let me know if there is a map available which shows the route on it? A) The route has been finalised is posted on the home page of the web site. Maps of the route will be issued to all participants at race check-in.
Q) Is there a lower age limit for the event? A) Yes, the minimum age for the event is 18.
Q) What age qualifies as Vet category? A) We will have Over 40 Vet classes for both Male & Female Over 40 Category will apply to anyone born on or before 12th September 1969
Q) Can you bring your own solo racing kayak or do you have to use one of the sit on top kayaks provided? A) For 2010 you may bring your own kayak if you wish to do so. Everyone else will have to use the sit-on-top kayaks provided by the organisers unless you are swimming
Q) Will there be time outs during the race. A) We do not plan on having any time outs.
Q) Will the course be achievable with little Kayaking Experience? A) We've designed the both courses to be exciting and challenging but not impossible or dangerous. The kayaking is likely to be new to many of the competitors taking part. We're using sit-on-top kayaks so you are not strapped in and steering is quite easy. There will be safety boats to keep an eye on you also. Everyone will have a buoyancy aid on them to assist them should they fall off. If you should fall off (and there is no reason to do this) you should be able to climb back on board again.
Q) Are Wets Suits mandatory for the Swim? A) No. Competitors will have a choice to use a wetsuit for the swim if they so wish. The approximate water temperature in Keel Lough where the swim and paddle section will take place is expected to be in the region of 12-14 deg C.
Q) Will the Kayak and swim take place together? A) The Kayak stage and Swim Stages will take place in the same place but on separate courses to avoid swimmers coming into direct contact with kayaks.
Q) Where will the Kayak and swim stages take place? A) The swim and kayak stage will take place in Keel Lough.
Q) How will the swim / kayak distances be decided on to give a "Fair" race? A) The exact lengths of the Swim and Kayak Sections will be such as to try to match them both based of equivalent abilities - i.e. - Good Paddler Vs Good Swimmer This will include an allowance for a swimmer to start the race with a wet suit on and to finish this section by either wearing or carrying the wetsuit from the swim exit to the transition area which must be "Visited" by all competitors between the Water and Run sections. Allowance will be made for swift removal of a wetsuit after the swim or in transition. A small area will be provided at the swim entry / exit point for any swimmers that might wish to use trainers for the run back to the transition area.
Q) Is there a mandatory kit list A) Yes – This list is basic, is selected for your safety and comprises of the following:
You will need a small rucksack or suitable bumbag to carry kit if you cannot carry on your person in pockets, etc You will NOT need to bring this Kit with you on the first Kayak / swim Leg You will need to bring it with you on the Run and bike sactions * We'll let you know at Race Checkin on Friday night whether these items are needed - weather forecast dependent. Pre-race, during and post races checks will be undertaken in relation to Mandatory Kit. Penalties will be imposed. These will range from standing time penalties of 2 or 5 minutes to disqualification in the case of serious and/or blatent disregard for the mandatory kit ruling and/or any other rules. Penalties will be at the discretion of the organisers. Q) Can you give me a breakdown of the distances? A) Approximate course distances and order of the disciplines are: Sport Solo: Short Run to Start of Swim Swim 400m or Kayak 1300m Run 8km Bike 22km Short Beach Dash to Finish (Run) Expert Solo and Expert Relay Teams: Short Run to Start of Swim Swim 800m or Kayak 2600m Run 16km Bike 45km Short Beach Dash to Finish (Run) Q) Is bike hire available for the race? A) No bike hire has been arranged by the race organisers but if you are in need of a bike for the event please checkout the local bike hire facilities listed in our links section. The bike route is suitable for all types of bike be assured and the slower the bike the more time you will have to admire the wonderful scenery. Q) Are dogs allowed on the course? A) NO - The route is not suitable for dogs (even if on a lead) either during training or in the race itself due to the presence of grazing sheep throughout the island. Your entry to the event is conditional on you observing this strictly.
|
